The Christmas Story

told in a slightly different way!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful surprise!

Christ the King

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

words by Ann Cousin, based on letters of Samuel Rutherford.

1. The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for -

The fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark had been the midnight

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land.

2. The king there in His beauty,

Without a veil is seen:

It were a well-spent journey,

Though seven deaths lay between:

The Lamb with His fair army,

Doth on Mount Zion stand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land

3. O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I’ve tasted

More deep I’ll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land.

4. The bride eyes not her garment,

But her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory

But on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Emmanuel’s land.

5. O I am my Beloved’s

And my Beloved is mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner

Into His house of wine

I stand upon His merit -

I know no other stand,

Not e’en where glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel’s land.

A Beautiful Meditation on Psalm 139

...by Liz Babbs

Happy Independence Day!!

Here is a wonderful excerpt from a 1775 letter...
I received by the Deacon two letters from you, this day, from Hartford. I feel a recruit of spirits upon the reception of them, and the comfortable news which they contain.
We had not heard any thing from North Carolina before, and could not help feel ing anxious, lest we should find a defection there, arising more from their ancient feuds and animosities, than from any settled ill-will in the present con test ; but the confirmation of the choice of their delegates by their Assembly, leaves not a doubt of their firmness ; nor doth the eye say unto the hand, " I have no need of thee." The Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

Great events are most certainly in the womb of futurity ; and, if the present chastisements which we experience have a proper influence upon our conduct, the event will certainly be in our favor.

The distresses of the inhabitants of Boston are beyond the power of language to describe ; there are but very few who are permitted to come out in a day ; they delay giving passes, make them wait from hour to hour, and their counsels are not two hours together alike. One day, they shall come out with their effects ; the next day, merchandise is not effects. One day, their house hold furniture is to come out ; the next, only wearing apparel ; the next, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he refuseth to hearken to them, and will not let the people go. May their deliverance be wrought out for them, as it was for the children of Israel. I do not mean by miracles, but by the interposition of Heaven in their favor..... 

--A letter from Abigail Adams (1744-1818) to John Adams (1735-1826) 7 May 1775

Still Celebrating Easter

Dear Friends, the Brick Church service was wonderful this year. It seems as if every year I say, "This one was the best EVER." Perfect weather, a great sermon, beautiful music, yummy picnic, but best of all our wonderful extended family. If you did not attend, put it on your calendar for 2011 - April 30th.

Easter is a season of 50 days but it is worth celebrating every day because an empty tomb changes everything.

Here is a terrific video which makes the case far better than I can...be sure to watch it all the way to the end. Be sure to click on the "Full Screen" icon (to the far right on the bottom frame with four arrows)- otherwise you won't be able to read the words which, for this video, is important to be able to do.

Happy Easter forever!!!

A Blessed Easter to You All!

It has been said that most preachers really have only one or two sermons irregardless of how often he or she might preach.

The late Rev. Canon Samuel Fleming's was "Jesus is Lord." St. John the Beloved was known to have wearied his congregations by constantly preaching on "Love One Another." If I were to attempt to articulate my "one" Easter sermon, it would have to be drawn from these two texts: "even when we were dead through our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ ..." (Eph. 2:5) and "Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. 15:54c).

Few poets have written more beautifully on this topic than John Donne. Here is an excerpt from his Sonnet X, read so well by actor, Emma Thompson from the film "Wit".