March 2020 – My Pastoral Ponderings

Posted on March 31, 2020April 14, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Tuesday’s Poem, Prayer, Psalm, and Promise

Here are the prayers for Tuesday morning, from my booklet of weekly prayers, "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on March 29, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Evening’s Poem, Prayer, Psalm, and Promise

Here are the prayers for evening prayer, from my booklet of weekly prayers, "Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises."

Posted on March 28, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

A Hope Greater than Any Distress

The story of the raising of Lazarus offers us a hope greater than any distress. Here is my sermon on John 11:1-45.

Posted on March 25, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23 has brought comfort to people of faith throughout the generations - people who have faced enormous challenges. And this psalm can bring comfort to us, too, as we face this challenging epidemic.

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Is the Bible Divinely Inspired?

I was asked a question from a friend some time ago on Facebook that generated an interesting exchange between us, and since some of us have a little extra time on our hands these days, I thought I would share our conversation here.

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Reflecting on a Strange Sunday, Part II – Empty Churches but Not Empty Prayers

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this past Sunday was another strange one for many of us. Here is a brief reflection on this unusual Sabbath day.

Posted on March 22, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

The One Thing that Truly Matters

Here is my sermon preached on John 9:1-41 to an empty church (because of the coronavirus pandemic), on the one thing that truly matters.

Posted on March 19, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 7 Comments

Poems, Prayers, Psalms, and Promises

Here is a sample of a weekly prayer booklet for personal and family devotions that I put together for our congregation during this time of the coronavirus.

Posted on March 18, 2020April 13, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence

Evening Prayer at Home – March 18

For all of you who wish we could gather for our Lenten Vespers Service tonight, here is an “order of worship” that I offer, for personal or family devotions, that you can use this evening, March 18, or any time that is convenient for you.

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 1 Comment

Reflecting on a Strange Sunday

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this past Sunday was strange for many of us. Here is my reflection on this unusual Sabbath day, and on the promise that awaits us all.