From the Pastor

We talk about the differences in the gospels, and how Mark emphasizes the immediate, urgent good news of Jesus. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (Mark 1:15)

This is an audio version of Monte's column for the BPC February 2025 newsletter.

We get discouraged when bad things (or the cold!) goes on so long. Many of us missed church the past two weeks because of snow and ice. The people in the day of Nehemiah had lost their scriptures for 70 years in captivity. They wept when they heard it again for the first time, and greatly rejoiced. 

Have you heard the song with this refrain:Little is much when God is in it!Labor not for wealth or fame;There’s a crown, and you can win it,If you go in Jesus’ name.Kittie Suffield wrote it in 1924, the same year our sanctuary building was used. 

There's a story behind the new banners on the front columns of the church sanctuary building. 

Visitors worshipped with us last Sunday as they traveled on their way to Niagara Falls. That made me think of a famous Psalm that says, "Deep calls to deep at the sound of your waterfalls." 

Jennifer's sister Joanna provides me with a Bible verse for each day of the year. 

We visited some old favorite places on our vacation, and went in search of a memory. 

We had a good time at the 4-H barbecue chicken fundraiser despite my faux pas. 

Jesus' disciples are plucking grain, which infuriates the Pharisees. What is that about?

Have you ever had some sort of mysterious experience that you look back on and see God's hand guiding you or at work in your life? The Apostle Paul recognized there is mystery in the world. We talk about how the mystery of God is revealed in Jesus. 

In the vast library at Union Presbyterian Seminary, I stumbled upon "The Battle for Middle Earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings," by Fleming Rutledge. The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien, introduces us to weak and strong characters, but are things as they seem? 

Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven. What does that mean for us? 

Sometimes we build our lives on foundations that are not what they seem. To see photos of the waterfall at Mill Creek, go the the Facebook page of Beckley Presbyterian Church. 

John 21:1-19 has some interesting details, but we talked about some details in church, but not others. I discuss the reasons why. 

English poet and priest Malcolm Guite remembers a pipe which reminds him of his mother, and what is important in life. The poem is below...Old AgeBy Edmund WallerThe seas are quiet when the winds give o’er;So calm are we when passions are no more.For then we know how vain it was to boastOf fleeting things, so certain to be lost.Clouds of affection from our younger eyesConceal that emptiness which age descries.The soul’s dark cottage, batter’d and decay’d,Lets in new light through chinks that Time hath made:Stronger by weakness, wiser men becomeAs they draw near to their eternal home.Leaving the old, both worlds at once they viewThat stand upon the threshold of the new.

We talk about being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, but does that kind of thinking lack humility? Who are we to do that?

Happy Easter Season! Flower delivery goes astray, but there were plenty of blooms.

We share the story behind the song, "Ten Thousand Angels," and talk about how Jesus rejected violence. 

Philip says to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."

We talk about why we have translations of the Bible, and offer suggestions for good translations to use.

Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna "...provided for them out of their own resources."  (Luke 8:2b-3) We explore what that means and talk about a tool to help in Bible study.