Every morning I spend time in prayer and have a time of devotion to start my day. In November, during my morning time with God, I began reading a Psalm each day. I have been inspired, humbled, and comforted by the words of the Psalmists who are sharing their relationship with God and their journey …
My understanding of Jesus’ Birth story in Luke’s Gospel had changed over the years from when I was a child to now. When I was a small child, I remembered the Christmas season being one of my favorites. Not because it is Christmas Day, but I like the activities that surrounded Christmas Eve. On Christmas …
I just returned from a visit to Texas to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was a difficult decision to travel in this season, as the pandemic surges and authorities I trust have asked us all to pull back from activities that bring us into close contact with others, especially travel. If it wasn’t for …
Recently, I have noticed there is a large focus in the media about what we can’t do. I find it really hard to continually hear what we can’t do especially during a season that has always been so focused on gathering together with one another. This week is Thanksgiving and normally I would be going …
As I completed filling up the baptism certificate for Everleigh Fennix Martin, I reflected at how important our name is. This baptism certificate will become an official document for baby Everleigh. It is initiated and endorsed by all the Open Door Churches pastors. Baby EverLeigh Fennix Martin is our very first Open Door Churches baptism …
On Sunday, November 1, we concluded our fall Stewardship Campaign by celebrating the lives and witness of our saints—those whose death over the past year has brought them into the Great Cloud of Witnesses watching over us. I have already heard from many of our members that worship on Sunday was particularly meaningful and, aside …
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been utilizing the Pastors’ Blog to share updated versions of a series of articles I have published in previous ministry settings. It has been a nice crash course for me as I consider my own covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church through my Prayers, Presence, …
This Sunday, October 11, was the second Sunday of our 2020 Stewardship Emphasis for the Open Door Churches. Our theme this year, I Promise, is a direct reference to the Vows of Membership in the United Methodist Church: “Do you promise to uphold the ministries of the church through your Prayers, your Presence, your Gifts, …
A couple of months ago, your Pastoral Team made a conscious decision to “interact” with the people of the Open Door Churches on a more consistent basis each week. Like you, we have been frustrated by what the pandemic has done to our ability to create and maintain relationships with you, especially as we have …
Once a year, the Oregon Idaho Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church meets together for a few days of holy conferencing. At this conference, we celebrate God’s work in our churches and communities. We celebrate the commissioning and ordination of new clergy and the retirement of clergy who have served many years. We remember …
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