Pat Blog

Generous Gifts Defray the Cost of the Ministry

February is here! Always a great month – The Super Bowl, Ash Wednesday, Lenten studies, My Birthday. So many great things. There is one thing this February, however, that is a little different – I am starting my last semester in seminary. Three more months of killing myself to get everything done for all of my classes while still getting everything done for…

Surrender: A Path to Discipleship

Pat’s article A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me…

Feeding God’s People

Hello Everyone! Great things are going on at Tapestry as we move forward. But first let’s look back. We had a wonderful first worship service back at the end of August. Over 100 people were there to celebrate with us and worship God for the new things he is doing. Our District Superintendent, Melanie Rosa, was also there with us that day…

A Time of Firsts and Lasts

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.  I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true, it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.  I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.  I love to tell the…

Dead People Don’t Normally Do That

“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than…

God is Necessary

“Well, God is almighty, I guess. But I think he’s on vacation right now because of all the [stuff] that’s happening in the world, cause it wasn’t like this back when he was famous.” – 16-year-old Protestant from Texas In his book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, Christian Smith explores what he describes as “the de facto dominant…

Making Our Paths Straight

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 As I sit to write this article out, I am waiting to leave the church building to go give a presentation to the New Church Development Committee and to request funding for…

Sending Jonah Over the Rail

Jonah said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this storm has come upon you.” – Jonah 1:12 Remember the story of Jonah? The little boat on which Jonah was traveling was getting tossed around by the sea during a big storm.…

Supporting Our Worship Experience

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are a variety of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Have you ever wondered who decorates…

The Walking Dead

Some of you are going to read this and think I am silly. However, if you spend enough time in our church office and you will discover that I love the television show The Walking Dead. I love watching the survivors of the zombie apocalypse go through all they do just to survive. I love the makeup and how they make the…

Guidance for Our Graduates

Right up front I want to apologize if I ramble a bit. As I write this month’s article, my mind is actually in a number of different times and places. You see, I am about to fly back east to see my oldest daughter, Rachel, graduate from college and I can’t seem to stop my mind from wandering. I keep thinking about…

Imagining Our Life With Jesus

“If individuality and autonomy were the ways to happiness, this would be the happiest country in the history of mankind. We can live where we want, go where we want, have whatever hobbies we want, and do what we want. But instead of our being happy, therapists’ offices are absolutely packed and people all around us are wondering ‘Is this all there…

Christian Discipleship-Rev. Pat

Last Sunday morning, I was blessed to have some time to go sit in the Senior High youth group and listen to the discussion they were having. That morning, Bob Pfeiffer had the youth go around the circle describing the different activities that they have found to which they have committed themselves. I heard about all kinds of sports, some upcoming drama…

A Prayer for the New Year – Rev. Pat

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou…