Tuesday Notes

The Presbyterian Church has some funny terms. From time-to-time I am still learning new ones. When I came to First Pres Glen Ellyn 7 years ago, I learned what a “Sacristy” is – although I still think it would be easier to call it “that little closet where all the...

You likely are familiar with the mixer game where a famous person’s name is put on a tag on your back. You don’t know whose name it is, so you have to ask yes or no questions of others in the room, in order to figure it out. Let’s say...

In the sermon on Sunday we studied one of Jesus’ most famous parables, the so-called “Good Samaritan.” If you were basking in the Spring Break sun this week, you can listen to the sermon here. Jesus tells a brilliant parable that gives an example of what we would call social...

New Testament commentator Dale Bruner writes that, “There has never been a worshipper of Jesus who did not also doubt him.” Even those who encountered Jesus in the flesh after his resurrection from the dead had their doubts about what they were experiencing. It’s only natural to have some doubts...

As my oldest son has grown, he is now a front-seat rider in the car. As most parents whose children have transitioned from car seat, to booster seat, to back seat, to front seat would tell you, it is a brave new world. Having a co-pilot in the cockpit is...

It is time to talk about Jesus.  That is true every Sunday in worship and it is true every day of our lives as we live into the “More Than Sunday” lifestyle of Christian discipleship. But it is about to be especially true of our congregation in the coming months. ...

Even if you are not someone who is currently thirsting for answers on these 5 Questions, I want to encourage you to be thoughtful about and considerate of those who are. Every congregation should have in its pews on Sunday morning those who are not yet Christians but who are...

When I meet someone new I try to ask them questions. I want to learn about them and get to know them. Most times this goes well. But I know I can, on occasion, pepper folks a bit too much. I don’t think I am alone in this. In fact,...