Author: HRPC Office

Matthew 17:1-8; 2 Peter 1:16-21

When you are up on a mountaintop, you have a different perspective on the world.  Especially on a clear day, your view stretches so much farther than it can when you are on the ground.  It might seem silly, but for me, it does seem like I am closer to God when I am on a mountaintop.  Maybe it is because there is really nothing between us at that point but sky and clouds.  Maybe because the troubles and worries of every day life seem so far away.  Maybe it is because of the quiet, the blowing of the wind, the sun on my back.  I love to sit up at the top of a mountain and just soak it all in.  Continue reading “Sermon: Shine On” →

Matthew 6:1-18

In the midst of a major congregational conflict after the departure of a long time pastor, a consultant was called in to help sort out the mess.  One of the images she shared with us that was particularly helpful was this:  any church, any organization, for that matter, operates with what can be called “fault lines”, the lines which are potentials for eruption of conflict due to differences between groups of people.  Fault lines exist, the consultant said.  The key is knowing how to manage them so that simmering or hidden conflict doesn’t go boiling through like hot lava, causing destruction in its path.  Continue reading “Sermon: Practicing Piety” →