Many churches offer “come & go events” in spring. Lots of them! Easter breakfast. Mother’s Day teas and Father’s Day donut gatherings after services. Graduation and Confirmation receptions. Sunday school staff meet & greets.
Honoring members in this way is a good idea. But how could you step the value up from merely good to great, [...]
By Jane Fryar
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Posted in Encouragement, Encouraging Volunteers, Graduation, Lent/Preparing for Easter, Ministry, Visitors
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Tagged assimilation, Encouragement, Father's Day gift, Graduation, Mother's Day, Sunday School, Volunteers|
February 11, 2010 – 10:58 am
C. S. Lewis may have been the first to tell about the little boy who was asked what God is like. The boy responds in words like these: “God’s the sort of fellow who goes around looking for someone who’s having fun—and tries to stop ’em.”
This picture of God, mistaken though it is, nonetheless captures [...]
By Jane Fryar
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Posted in Devotions, Easter, Free Resources, Lent/Preparing for Easter, Ministry, Sermon Ideas
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Tagged Care and Comfort, devotion, Easter, Encouragement, Fat Tuesday, Lent, Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Ideas|
February 1, 2010 – 12:35 am
As regular readers know, I serve on the faculty of a Christian preschool. As I teach, I love taking students into our church on sunny days. Among other things, they enjoy seeing the way the light shining through the stained glass windows casts a colorful shadow on the walls and floor. The children love seeing [...]
By Debra Kreienkamp
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Posted in Christian Worker, Church Volunteers, Devotions, Encouraging Volunteers, Epiphany, Men's Ministry, Pastor, Women's Ministry
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Tagged Christian, devotion, Encouragement, men's ministry, Pastor, Women's Ministry|
January 18, 2010 – 9:03 am
We are now several weeks into the New Year, and I find myself reflecting on New Year’s resolutions and another new year in my own life.
Here in Minnesota, it can be hard to think of January as a time of new beginnings. We are in the heart of winter; everything is covered with snow and [...]
December 15, 2009 – 12:06 am
Christmas is everywhere. How many times this week do you think you’ve heard or shared the greeting “Merry Christmas”? At the very least, you’v probably hummed a few cheery fa-la-la-lala’s. Bells have jingled across the country for several weeks now, as Christians everywhere sing “Joy to the World.” Carolers remind us that “it’s the most [...]
By Tim Wesemann
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Posted in Christian Worker, Christmas, Devotions, Encouragement, Free Resources, Men's Ministry, Ministry, Sermon Ideas, Women's Ministry
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Tagged Christian, Christmas, devotion, Encouragement, men's ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Women's Ministry|
November 17, 2009 – 9:00 am
Lanterns swung in the lower decks of the ship as 102 seasick men, women, and children tossed about in a cramped space the size of a volleyball court. All hatches were battened due to severe storms, stealing any hope of fresh air or light. The passengers survived on small rations of dried pork, beans, and [...]
November 16, 2009 – 10:24 am
As we approach that one special day of the year we’ve intentionally set aside to reflect on our blessings, I am reminding myself to take some time to count all of mine. This is not always an easy thing to do.
It’s so easy to look around at other people and envy the things that they have: I [...]
November 10, 2009 – 10:07 am
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
But wait! What about the month? What about a Happy Thanksgiving month?!
I’ve always enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving Day at church and with my family. But this year, I’ve decided to observe a personal thanksgiving month. I want to take some time and effort to say thanks to people who have been a such blessing [...]
November 4, 2009 – 11:02 am
Have you ever felt awkward about talking with a friend who has lost a loved one? We all probably have. The good news for us as Christians is that Jesus is the master when it comes to directing our steps. He encourages us to get ourselves out of the way and reach out to the [...]
November 3, 2009 – 8:20 am
How empty life would feel if we could not remember!
The happy lick of a puppy’s tongue.
That week we spent in bed with chicken pox at age seven.
The tottering gait of our child’s first step.
The splendor of a path cut through a yellow, orange, green, brown forest.
The agony of sacrifice that backlights, as it were, our [...]
Not Sure What to Say to a Grieving Friend? Here’s Help!
Have you ever felt awkward about talking with a friend who has lost a loved one? We all probably have. The good news for us as Christians is that Jesus is the master when it comes to directing our steps. He encourages us to get ourselves out of the way and reach out to the [...]