As part of our Memorial Day commemoration, we always try to recognize people’s service to our country and let them know how much we appreciate them.  So, before I forget, let me thank everyone reading this who has been willing to put their lives on the line to provide a safe nation in which the rest of us can live, grow, and raise our families -- whether that be in the military, the police force, the fire department, or what have you...

In a week like this when everyone’s going home after their year of college, and high schoolers are finishing up their final exams, and students are graduating at their various levels of education, does that count as winding down from school or winding up for the Summer?  I dunno...

his week was Comic-Con, Pentecost Sunday, and definitive proof that your pastor is an idiot.  Okay, maybe not an idiot, but certainly someone who still struggles with the same sorts of “foolishness-when-you-look-at-it-with-20/20-hindsight” that the rest of us in humanity struggle with...

Before I forget, let me make sure to wish all of you out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy May Day!  Or, if you want to get all official, happy Law Day (since President Eisenhower declared May 1 to be “Law Day” back in 1958, celebrating the rule of law in America)... but somehow, that just doesn’t seem like as much fun to celebrate...

On behalf of everyone going through so many personal crises here at First Covenant in the past week or so, we’d like to thank everyone for their conscientious prayers and support.  It can be so hard for people who are dealing with major life issues, massive health problems, chronic depression, the deaths of loved ones, etc., to get through, and it makes all the difference in the world to have a solid base of church family as a support, when the rest of your world suddenly seems to be crumbling out from under you...

This has been a very hard week for several people connected to FCC, and we would really covet your prayers...

I hope that this Sunday Morning Update finds you doing well and enjoying the new Spring weather.  April is shaping up to be a busy month around here, with a Ladies’ Craft Night this coming Friday, a clump of birthday parties (and moving days) on the next weekend, and our traditional Passover Seder coming up on the 30th...

Hello, and welcome to Spring 2.0!  It’s gonna be cold and wet here at the beginning of April, followed by being really, really cold, followed by being fairly warm... and all in the same week.  Man, I remember when I was a boy and there were actually, honest-to-goodness seasons that you could count on and look forward to.  Now, I’ve gotta keep my sweaters and short-sleeved shirts in the same drawer...

Before I get too far into this and forget to mention it, let me wish you a Happy Resurrection Sunday!  Actually, I had a great conversation with someone about why I tend to use that term rather than talking about “Easter” -- and it’s not because of the pagan associations with the word... except that it sorta still is...

Man, a bunch of our FCCers are going through the wringer right now, with emotional and physical needs!  I’ve got a nasty cold, and I still feel decidedly fortunate compared to so many others in our church family right now.  There are too many specific needs to try to go into here and now...

By the grace of God, I’m writing this Sunday Morning Update on the Lord’s most favorite day of the year (yes, there may be more important days, but this is His favorite -- I’m sure of it).  So let me start by wishing you a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I dunno whether you’d say March came in like a lamb or a lion, but it’s pretty warm at the moment.  We just had snow last week, and now I’m overly warm in just my shirtsleeves.  I’m not going to go so far as to complain, per se, but I’d kinda like a smoother transition from winter to summer.  Then again, I may just be dreading that time change coming up this weekend, so don’t listen to me...

Hello!  I hope that this Sunday Morning Update finds you and your household warm, loved, and growing closer to the Lord this week.  I know that this has been a complicated week for a lot of people, so we all have a lot to pray for, as well as to be thankful for...

Before I forget, let me stop and make sure to wish everyone reading this a Happy Valentine’s Day!  We had a beautiful day in the Lord today, with some of the most amazing snowflakes that I’ve ever seen.  I know that it might sound silly to say that, but seriously, these were the size of pencil erasers -- so big that you could see the lacy detail of the crystalline structure of each flake.  I’ve never seen anything like it in my life...