Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Interprovincial Ministers Convocation in Maryland. During my time there, I was able to worship with Moravian ministers from all over the country in a worship space unlike any I had experienced before. This was my first time worshipping in a silo. The ceiling was transparent, allowing…
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 I recently watched a friend of mine, who is a potter, create a chalice out of clay. First, he made a cylinder for the body of the chalice,…
Recently I came upon a peculiar device in the church archives. If it were not for the label on the top, I never would have guessed that this was one of the first electric toasters. I always found it interesting that by simply heating up a piece of bread for the right amount of time…
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Reconciliation has been defined as “the restoration of friendly relations.” It can be the process where two individuals or groups in a conflict agree to make amends or come to a…
Back in 2015, I had the opportunity to travel to Prague in the Czech Republic during the 600th anniversary of July 6th 1415 when John Hus was burned at the stake. Moravians around the world still remember this day every year, and some churches including Friedland celebrate Holy Communion on the Sunday closest to July…
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. Psalm 31:1-2 We continue to pray for all who have been affected…
As we enter Friedland’s anniversary month, I want to share some words written on the fireplace in the church pavilion: “ORIGINAL SITE OF FRIEDLAND MORAVIAN CHURCH, ESTABLISHED 1775. THE NEW CHURCH OCCUPIED DECEMBER 1952. OLD CHURCH DEMOLISHED IN 1959. Stones from the foundation of the old church used in building this pit, fireplace, and chimney.”…
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes…
Pastor John Writes: Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.…
In the past few years I have discovered the joy of sea shanties. Sea shanties are the short songs that were sung by crew members of sailing ships back in the day. Today we might think of these songs simply as catchy entertaining tunes, but they served a practical purpose to the sailors who originally sang…