All rights reserved. California-Pacific Conference, 2024.
Hope Romans 13:11-14 “. . . let us live honorably . . .” Romans 13:13a If yesterday’s text, Matthew 24:36-44, teaches that Advent Hope is found in an “Attitude” of preparedness, then Apostle Paul in today’s Romans text raises the bar to an Advent Hope found in “Action.” It gets back to the truth that […]
United Methodists in the California-Pacific Conference, while affected by fires in different areas of Southern California, are responding with courage and hope. Things are moving fast and reports are still coming in about damage to, or loss of, homes. Many have been evacuated from their neighborhoods. All Cal-Pac local churches in the affected areas will […]
Hope Matthew 24:36-44 “Therefore you also must be ready . . .” Matthew 24:44a When you read this full text, it seems more like the rapture theology series, Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, than an Advent message preparing for Christmas. Matthew is urgently telling the reader to live with expectant anticipation […]
Hope Mark 13:24-37 “Be aware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” Mark 13:33 You know what bugs me about Advent scriptures? As a whole they are not that upbeat. When I read about “The Coming of the Son of Man” (Mark 13:24-27) or the “Lesson of the Fig Tree” […]
Hope 1 Corinthians 1:9 “. . . God is faithful.” I Cor. 1:9a Who do you trust? Not in a casual way, but completely. Is there someone with whom you would trust your very life? I am blessed to be able to come up with my list of family and close friends that fit this […]
Hope Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 “. . . Restore us, God!” Psalm 80:3a On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The story is well known how the impact of the storm was magnified when the levies broke and the flooding sent residents of St. Bernard Parish and the Ninth Ward to their roof tops […]
Hope Isaiah 64:1-9 “…All of us are the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8c Advent isn’t easy. I think most pastors struggle to live into the season of Advent when the entire culture has been focused on Christmas since August when Costco put out their holiday decorations. But, Advent is important. Unlike the “get it […]
I give thanks for the blessing of relationship and partnership in mission. I was deeply moved that every church I visited, big and small, had glad and generous hearts for mission. Thank you for the extra efforts you made, the joy you brought, and the generosity you shared as you came together to support the […]
It is Thanksgiving weekend as we compose this missive. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for what God as done through Christ and for the salvation offered to the world. One does not have to look far to witness individuals in our local community and around the world who are responding to God’s love by deeds […]
In an effort to assist our churches in the development of abuse prevention policies, a sample policy has been developed and is now available via the button below and as a resource at calpacumc.org/localchurch In the sample, there are references to Safe Gatherings certification, and some of the basic standards shown are taken from Safe […]
