Once again, as the old year passes and the new year beckons, it has been my custom to look back at my most popular posts of the year. Continue reading
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Charge to First Church of Christ in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
November 21 , 2021
(I served this congregation as their pastor from 1982-2004. I am Pastor Emeritus there. The congregation voted recently to put the 1853 meeting house up for sale. The upkeep on this splendid Victorian Gothic Revival building was requiring a large share of the congregation’s resources, and limiting other mission and ministry options. We met today to remember and celebrate our years in this lovely building. I was invited as the longest tenured living pastor to give a charge to the congregation at the close of the service. Here it is:) Continue reading
Art’s favorite dessert: New England Indian Pudding
If you are not from New England, you probably have never had Indian Pudding, a much loved regional dessert. It is basically cornmeal slow cooked in molasses and milk, and was given its name because of an American Indian dish that used maple syrup to sweeten ground cornmeal.
The American presidency: two new books
Having barely survived the four years of the Trump presidency I am reflecting on how this unique institution impacts our democracy. There are two new books out about the American presidency, Peril, by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, and last year’s book on the presidency of Jimmy Carter, His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Alter. Both are published by Simon and Schuster.
“Our abundance, our neighbor’s need.” A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 8:7-15.
Our God is a generous God, and generosity is one of the marks of God’s people. What do I mean by generosity? The dictionary defines “generosity” as “liberality in giving or willingness to give.” (American Heritage Dictionary, Third Edition.)
“A Cinderella Story” A Sermon for the Third Sunday after Pentecost
“Are all your sons here?” – 1 Samuel 16: 11,12
We all know the story of Cinderella. She is mistreated by her stepmother and her stepsisters, but in the happy ending, it is she that is picked by the handsome prince. We use the phrase “A Cinderella story” to describe a victorious underdog, such as a sports team with no chance winning over a mighty favorite.
“In God We Trust” A Sermon for the Second Sunday after Pentecost
“In God We Trust”
1 Samuel 8: 4-11, 16-20
Mark 3: 20-35
“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States. It was adopted by Congress in 1956, replacing E pluribus unum, which had been the de facto motto since 1776. “In God We Trust” appears on all our currency. Continue reading
“When the Spirit comes” A Sermon for Pentecost
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.” —John 15: 26 Continue reading
“Sent” A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. —John 17: 18 Continue reading
“You did not choose me but I chose you” A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Jesus said to his disciples, “You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you should be a fruit and your fruit should abide.” —John 15:16 Continue reading
When I Survey . . . 