My Pastoral Ponderings

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Month: January 2021

Posted on January 20, 2021January 12, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 3 Comments

Letters and Papers from Prison – Part 4

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's profoundly-moving letters from prison offer us guidance and hope as we live through this pandemic. Here is the last of my four-part series on his "Letters and Papers from Prison."

Posted on January 19, 2021January 18, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

Nonets of Faith, Hope, and Love

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13 Faith Trusting that our lives are looked afterBy an unseen, love-driven God,Who will be there to catch us,To bless us and keep us,To guide us through lifeWith steadfast love.Such is theGift ofFaith. Hope A sure, steadfast anchor…

Posted on January 18, 2021January 15, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 2 Comments

Favorite Quotes – Martin Luther King Jr.

It is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies.Martin Luther King Jr. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, here is a quote from a powerful sermon that he preached on loving our enemies. You can read his sermon here: Loving Your Enemies. The biblical text for his…

Posted on January 16, 2021January 16, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 2 Comments

Jesus, Our Ladder

Jesus makes a remarkable promise in John 1, to Nathanael and to all of us, that Jesus would fulfill the promise first made to Jacob in Genesis 28. Here is my sermon on John 1:43-51.

Posted on January 15, 2021January 14, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 11 Comments

As We Suspend In-Person Worship (Again)

Because of rapidly rising COVID numbers in our community, our congregation made the difficult decision to suspend in-person worship services for the next four Sundays. Here are some remarks that I shared with our congregation in light of this decision.

Posted on January 13, 2021January 12, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 4 Comments

The Meaning in the Waiting

Sometimes, the poet R.S. Thomas reminds us, the meaning is in the waiting. Here is a poem, prayer, psalm, and promise featuring the poem, "Kneeling," by R.S. Thomas.

Posted on January 12, 2021January 11, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

Favorite Quotes – Thomas à Kempis

We should so root ourselves in God that we do not need to look for comfort anywhere else. Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ As I continue sharing some of my favorite quotes, here is a quote from what is probably the single most important book in my spiritual formation (outside of the Bible,…

Posted on January 11, 2021January 6, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 5 Comments

God’s Beloved

A sonnet inspired by the celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord.

Posted on January 9, 2021January 7, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 8 Comments

Our Greatest Comfort

Martin Luther once said that "there is on earth no greater comfort than Baptism." What did he mean by that? Here is my answer to that question, using the baptism of Jesus as my guide.

Posted on January 8, 2021January 7, 2021 by Rev. James E. Laurence · 7 Comments

Favorite Quotes – Martin Luther

There is on earth no greater comfort than Baptism.Martin Luther This is one of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther, and seems appropriate to share this week as we get ready to celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord in our worship services this Sunday. This quote is both reassuring to me and challenging to me.…

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