Posts with the category “from-the-pastor”

It’s Tuesday morning… again… Time to write, to find an interesting topic worth about 1000 words. I think about my ‘Tuesday letter’ throughout the week. After 252 letters, no surprise that sometimes I struggle to find the angle. But this Tuesday would come after the Eagles played in the Super Bowl LIX. Surely, the game would offer plenty of fodder for a letter. Perhaps there would be some lessons t...  Read More

Whoever makes the rules wins the game.- Molly Bloom The world seems to have changed overnight. The world is changing because the rules are changing rapidly, drastically and often dramatically. Some are cheering, while others are grieving. But truthfully, most of us are holding our breath waiting to see what will trickle down to our reality. The implications of all the changes have yet to play out....  Read More

I’m torn today… unsure which direction to go with this letter. Should I join the throng of fellow Philadelphians celebrating and anticipating? E-A-G-L-E-S! For the next two weeks, everything will be green in Philly, with people flapping their arms indiscriminately hoping to will our guys to victory over the Chiefs. I know when I stand to preach on Sunday, February 9 th, my sanctuary will be a sea...  Read More

Legacy is what we leave, when we leave, for those we leave behind. Do you ever wonder what your legacy will be? When folks gather to tell your tale, what will they remember? How will they describe your days on this earth? What gifts or burdens will you leave behind? What will your legacy be? January 20, 2025, will go down in history as a day that built, secured and celebrated many legacies- from...  Read More

Day after day the story plays out on our news feeds and TV screens. Charred skeletons of beloved homes. Desperate homeowners endangering their lives as they hose down their burning roofs. Emergency workers carefully carrying a body bag out of the rubble. Firefighters working without a break to battle the flames. An American flag in blackened tatters. The images arriving in the wake of the wind-dr...  Read More

Today is the day after... The day after Epiphany... after the final chapter of the Christmas story... after the baby was born... the angels sang... the shepherds visited... the wisemen brought gifts. It has been a full season! We sang our favorite carols, sent cards, baked cookies, opened presents, and gathered with family and friends. And now, today is the day after... For those of us who have he...  Read More

Late in time behold Him come…  The second verse of the Christmas carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing seems to capture the cry of our hearts about God’s timing. How often do we wonder about… actually, if we are honest… how often do we complain about God’s timing? “How long O Lord?” We join a chorus of weary souls found in the Scriptures… Psalm 13:1… 79:5… 89:46… Revelation 6:10. Imagine the people of...  Read More

The Coming of GodOur God is the One who comes to us in a burning bush. in an angel’s song, in a newborn child.Our God is the One who cannot be found locked in the church, not even in the sanctuary.Our God will be where God will be with no constraints, no predictability.Our God lives where our God lives, and destruction has no power, and even death cannot stop the living.Our God will be born ...  Read More

I love the tradition of a Christmas tree… not just having one proudly displayed in our living room but finding just the right one to take its place in our Christmas celebration each year. For the Bells, that right tree begins with an adventure as the family trapses across the Christmas tree farm to find the biggest tree possible. While most would measure the height of a tree, we measure the bread...  Read More

Sunday, as Christians around the world gathered for worship on the second Sunday of Advent, as Lenape Valley decorated our Chrismon trees and shared a feast at the Advent Brunch, Christians in Paris celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame for the first time in five and a half years. Light shone through the restored stained-glass windows as the grand organ filled the hall with the music of ...  Read More

It is with deep sadness and deeper faith that I share the news that the Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo was welcomed home into the Church Triumphant on November 19, 2024, at the age of 89. Tony was an American sociologist, a professor, a pastor, an author, an inspiring public speaker and the spiritual advisor to US Presidents. Unlike some prominent evangelical preachers, Tony had neither a widely viewed te...  Read More

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:2-6 Dear Lenape Valley, T...  Read More

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,A week has passed, but still the emotions of our nation are running high. I imagine that some among us are brokenhearted while others are feeling hopeful. How often we struggle to understand one another. Such is the messiness—and the beauty—of a community that believes that whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, there is a place ...  Read More

Today is Election Day… a day long in coming! We should be joyful because today means the end of those disturbing political ads that have interrupted our TV shows and invaded our social media. Today means the end of political junk mail that we throw away before ever reading. Today means the end of wondering… but not the end of worrying. They tell us that this is the most momentous election of our ...  Read More

November 1, 837, Pope Gregory established the observance of All Saints Day for the church. For hundreds of years, the Christian community had celebrated the lives of those who lived and served with faithfulness. That “great cloud of witnesses” encouraged believers in good times and bad to keep the faith and finish the race. In 837 CE, Pope Gregory claimed a specific day to focus that celebration ...  Read More

Do you remember the story of Wisemen in the east watching the night sky? They see a star... they cross a desert… they bring gifts… all to worship the One who is the King of Kings. We retell that story every Christmas with little knowledge of those wisemen of old. To us they are often just ornate, mysterious figures in our creche scenes, and verses in our carols. They were Zoroastrians- star watch...  Read More

Once upon a time, a toddler and his parents lived in a village. They shared a tiny home in their newly adopted town. The neighbors welcomed them. Life was simple. The little one grew and prospered, safe and sound. Until the world invaded, and angry men with swords drawn threatened his life. His parents, as all good parents would do, sought to protect their son from danger. So, in the dark of nigh...  Read More

Happy Birthday Bea! Beatrice Swartley Barr was born in Brooklyn, NY, on October 7, 1924. In 1924, the United States had 48 states and Calvin Coolidge was President. That year, Native Americans were granted citizenship, and the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held. Gas cost 13 cents per gallon and Wheaties cereal was born. In 1924, Jimmy Carter, Henry Mancini and Gloria Vanderbilt were bor...  Read More

Boston, a city known for its fast-paced, cosmopolitan culture has also been judged “the least friendly city in the US” (according to a study done by the University of Michigan). According to the study, Bostonians are “rude and proud of it.” So, we were not surprised when our Bostonian friend decided it was time for a change. In a world of remote work that allows a ‘live anywhere’ lifestyle, our f...  Read More

The wait is over… or at least in part… Last night, a crowd of 42,382 stood, cheering… the Phanatic dancing… Fans tuned in across the region. We could all taste the sweet savor of a victory long in the coming. But not until the last out was called could the victory celebration begin. At 9:36pm, the Phillies won the National League East Championship for the first time in thirteen years. They officia...  Read More

Before you dig in… We have all been there… hungry at the end of the day… the food piping hot… the smells inviting… the stomach grumbling. Our fork is poised as we hear those famous words- “Before you dig in…” My mother said those words so often we should have etched them on her tombstone at Arlington. They were her reminder to pause, before a bite was enjoyed, to pray. Mom believed in the importan...  Read More

We watch as two enemies meet… Their rivalry precedes them. The rules of engagement are etched into their culture and politics. Some choose a side, but most are just born into their place on one side of the aisle or the other. Their family narrative justifies one as ‘right’ and the other as ‘wrong’… the division woven into the fabric of their identity so long ago that most have forgotten their orig...  Read More

Kick-off… the act that puts the ball into play… the commencement of something new… the beginning of…We are in the season of kick-offs… so many kick-offs… each one exciting… promising a season of potential… The Kick-Off puts the ball into play. It is the act that starts every football game with the kicker sending the ball the length of the field to waiting receivers. Only 22% of kick-offs were ...  Read More

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Imagine standing on a sandy shoreline looking out at the vast expanse of water. It is a quiet morning. The storms troubling the Caribbean have stayed at bay, so the waves are gentle as they lap against your feet. Each surge of water is followed by an equal draw that pulls grains of sand from under your f...  Read More

Their relationship began like many these days with a question through a dating app. “Which Star Wars movie is your favorite?” The answer: “Episode V”- a response that seems rather cryptic to those of us who are not fans of Star Wars. The Empire Strikes Back is actually the 2nd movie in a trilogy that became a series in which this movie is Episode V. If you wonder how the second movie became the f...  Read More

Iconic… romantic… strategic… inspiring… The Seine is all the above and more as it flows through Paris, the City of Lights. UNESCO World Heritage sites line her banks from the Louvre Museum and the Grand Palais, to the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral rising from the ashes. The river flows through the center of this great city creating districts on the left and right bank for culture and comme...  Read More

Who compares with you among the gods, O Lord? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, in awesome praises? You are a wonder-working God! Exodus 15:11 (the Message) Today, I am sitting on a veranda on the side of one of the largest ships in the world. On any given cruise, this ship can accommodate over 6000 passengers along with over 1000 crew members. They tell us that this cruise is at ...  Read More

I have caught the fever that holds millions in its grip today…No… this is not a new wave of COVID… I have the fever that comes every two years, stealing away our valuable sleep as we sit glued to our TVs and internet feeds to catch a glimpse of Olympic excellence. Perhaps you are a bit tired today because you stayed up late last night to watch our Men’s Gymnastics team bring home the Bronze, break...  Read More

I am praying today… for the former President and his family, thankful that his life was spared, but knowing that the assassination attempt leaves a trauma that will be long in the healing. I am praying today for a family in mourning for a husband and father who lost his life shielding his family on that Pennsylvania farm field, and for the two men who thankfully will recover from their wounds. I a...  Read More

Grand and terrifying Masai warriors of Kenya offer each other a traditional greeting- “Casserian Engeri.” It means, “How are the children?” They do not ask each other, “How are you?” or “How’s your day?” but rather they ask about the next generation. The Masai believe that monitoring the well-being of their children is the best way to determine the current state of their society and its future he...  Read More

My heart has been heavy for days… because I fear for our nation. I watch our politicians bandy about the name of God. They wave the Bible as a political stunt and claim the faith as a means to a human end, to gain power and glory for themselves. We call upon God to bless America as if we are a chosen nation. But a deep read of the Old Testament and the history of ancient Israel- of the 10 tribes ...  Read More

When I was a child, my mother decided that chess was an essential skill for the development of the mind, so, out came the board, and the lessons commenced. Unfortunately, I was never an apt student of the game. My memories of afternoons spent sparing with my brothers always end with my King face down on the table. The last few days, I have been reading about chess, finding it much more fascinatin...  Read More

Well, maybe not the Celtics… I am a Philadelphia sports fan through and throughEagles, Flyers, Phillies, Union, and 76ers. I may not have grown up in Philadelphia, but I have become a fan of the sports in my adopted city. Last night I gave a passing glance at the Celtics’ victory in the NBA finals because they are my brother’s favorite team. Don’t ask me how a guy who grew up living all over the ...  Read More

At dawn on June 6, 1944, American Rangers jumped off British landing crafts onto French beaches. They ran to the base of the cliffs and started to climb. Their mission was one of the hardest of the invasion- to climb the cliffs of Normandy to take out the enemy guns. They shot rope ladders to the top and began to ascend. When one ranger would fall another would take his place. Two-hundred and twe...  Read More

Back in the day… He was a travelling evangelist, garnering crowds in Asian villages with Billy Graham-like zeal. The good news of Jesus was new to those majority Hindu gatherings. His proclamation of God’s grace was met with an enthusiastic response, one life after the next surrendered to Jesus. He followed those boisterous crusades with the hard work of developing faith communities where young di...  Read More

For most of us, Memorial Day is a day for parades, flag waving, and cookouts. For the nation, it is a day to remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedom. For me, it is the day I remember the soldier who lost his life to save mine… I know the story because it was told to me. I was too young to remember on my own, but my parents thought this story was so important they told it to me ...  Read More

Sunday, there was JOY in the house of the Lord as fourteen teens took an important step in faith. Those gathered at Lenape Valley that day witnessed our Genesis youth lead worship and read snippets of their faith statements. In true beginner fashion, some lines were read too quickly, and some words were lost as youth strayed from the mic. Their voices quivered and their hands shook, but their exc...  Read More

Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8 Paul was writing from a prison cell, and the people who received the letter were facing the harsh persecution of Rome, hell-bent on wiping out the growing ‘Christian problem.’ Knowing ...  Read More

Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27 What’s in a name? Every parent instinctively knows the importance of a name. From the time they learn that a little one is on the way to the moment that their little one is placed in their arms, parents ponder the right name to give their child. Parents know that a name casts the first impression. Our family followed a Biblical theme in naming our childr...  Read More

Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27 Every Christian, even many who have not darkened the door of a church in years, can quote Jesus’ teaching concerning our neighbors. Love thy neighbor is the standard expected. That standard is found not just in Christianity but in most major religions, expressed in different terms, but all coming to the same basic conclusion. We ought to love one another...  Read More