Worship Videos

The Pastor’s Piece for February 2025

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,
and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19

For what it’s worth…as we move forward together in this wintery time of transition-having had our annual congregational meeting at Emanuel/Skandia and anticipating our annual meeting at Bethany/Negaunee, while taking time to celebrate our loved ones on this coming Valentine’s Day and anticipating a season of new hopes and dreams for our congregations ministries and community at large, I would like to share with you this poem for your personal reflection that I have found helpful and thought inspiring for myself.
It was written by B. Carl Ship and it’s titled “Our Church.”

What kind of a church would our church be
If every member were just like me?
Am I so busy with earthly cares
That I have no time to spend in prayer?
Do I keep the Sabbath as diligently
As I do the duties for my family?
Are my tithes and offerings as honest and square
As my weekly budget for household affairs?
Does my worship and study find as much place
As TV and pleasure in this life’s race?
What kind of church would our church be
If every member were just like me?
Does the weekly service find me there
Full of joy and peace in Jesus’ care?
Do my children and others see in me
The likeness of Jesus, holy and free?
Does my soul’s hunger for the lost,
Reflect the Master’s, regardless of cost?
Does our mission program flourish and grow
With the efforts and seeds that I sow?
What kind of a church would our church be
If every member were just like me?
…When this life’s race has been run
Could my Savior say of me, “Well done”?
What kind of a church would our church be
If every member were just like me?

So then, it is my prayer that this poem leaves us with good thoughts to ponder as we consider the direction that God is leading us in during these days of February’s winter. May our prayers and our lives of faith lead us in response to God’s grace to joyfully embrace participating in the ministry God has given all of us together to share in and to find meaning and encouragement in. Remember, we need the church, and the church needs us. I give God thanks for all of you!

See you in church, Pastor Lloyd