Last week, one of my friends in the Washington DC area posted a photo of a blooming crocus, and wrote “Spring is Springing!” It’s amazing to see these tiny flowers coming out from the ground that early. I could not see the same around my house, I only saw dry trees and yellow grass. So […]
When I went to seminary education in August 2001, I focused a lot on Biblical and Theological studies attempting to better understand Christ. I had the opportunity to study 140 credit hours (in the USA, it can be 72 credit hours) at the Evangelical [Presbyterian] Theological Seminary in Cairo to finish my M.Div. There I […]
We know the Christmas story by heart. It includes the birth of Jesus foretold to Mary and Joseph, born in a manger, the shepherds’ visit, the wise men bearing gifts, etc. We depict the elements of these parts in many ways in our homes, churches, and places. And yet, every time we read the gospels […]
In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul challenges us to think about church unity. We live in aworld filled with division because of political, economic, and religious differences. Althoughthese differences can enrich our world, often they have been misused in selfish ways. Can webe united in the middle of this global and local division? Paul’s answer is: Yes, […]
You will be receiving and reading this a few days after Ash Wednesday (February 22) and the “official” beginning of Lent. However, most of Lent remains in front of us as we make our way to Easter on April 9. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – […]
In worship soon we will ordain and install Katherine Bowen to a term on Session, and install Byron Beard and Betty Stevens, both previously ordained. Katherine, Byron and Betty comprise the Class of 2025. They join session members whose terms continue: Class of 2023: Susan Chambers, Gina Hudson, Hitomi Lewis, Mary Beth Longcrier, and Mike […]
At a theology conference I attended a couple years ago, the evening’s final speaker was asked to close the day’s proceedings with a Benediction. However, as an academic, not a Pastor, he was unaccustomed to performing this liturgical act, and seemed unprepared and flustered. After a few awkward moments he looked at the audience, paused, […]
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in creating a faithful, beautiful, and joyful season at Erwin Presbyterian Church. From the Harvest Festival on November 20 through Worship on Christmas Day, we were blessed with six weeks of excellent worship, events and activities, with the building decorated wonderfully. This doesn’t just happen […]
I am pleased to welcome you to the refreshed and renewed website of Erwin Presbyterian Church. I am a retired Presbyterian Pastor now serving Erwin Presbyterian as part-time Interim Pastor while a committee searches for a full-time Installed Pastor. I was warmly welcomed by the congregation as a newcomer. And I was quickly impressed by […]
The earliest date of Advent is impossible to determine. There’s evidence of Advent-like practices here-and-there by the 4th Century, and by the 5th and 6th Centuries, the Advent season had been established widely. From its earliest days, Advent was regarded as a season for prayer, confession, and reflection on the meaning of Christ’s coming into […]