St. John’s Presbyterian Church
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent III
4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. (Luke 2.4-5) Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Baptism 2
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3.22) The Baptism of the Lord is a wonderful opportunity to remember one’s own baptism. They may not be able to remember the actual moment, especially if they were baptized as an infant. However, they have an…
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A Kids’ Guide to Worship
In a previous post, I shared the journey my church has gone through to move into a more intergenerational way of worshiping. I also shared some lessons learned in an intense 2-month experiment of trying some different things in worship. One thing that became clear during the experiment is a need to have some type…
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Interactive Prayer Stations for Advent IV
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. (Luke 2.6) The first Sunday of Advent, my church has interactive prayer stations, an opportunity to engage, reflect, and meditate on this period of expectation, waiting, and preparation for the birth of Christ. Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on…
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A Sunday (47) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: In Honor of . . .
In worship today, my Head of Staff announced that I had finished my year as moderator of the Presbytery of San Francisco, which is why I may have a giddy look on my face. At first, I thought he was referring to the after glow of my trip to Disneyland last week. He pointed out…
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Interactive Gift Ideas for Anniversaries, Ordinations and Installations
Many churches celebrate the anniversary of a pastor and are looking for interactive ways to commemorate the occasion. Also, as part of an ordination or installation of pastors, elders, deacons, you may want to give a gift that involves all the participants and worshippers. Here are three ideas that I did that can be adapted…
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A Sunday (45) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Mother/Pastor
Normally, I say I am a pastor/mother, not because I identify with or value being a pastor over being a mother. It’s because I can’t separate being a pastor and a mother. I don’t necessarily have that problem with being a mother. To my kids, I am just their mother. However, this past week, I…
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Interactive Prayer Stations on Hunger Awareness
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21.17) Our Missions Team declared October to…
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A Sunday (39) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Questions
My kids ask a lot of questions. A LOT! The 20-minute drive to school in the morning is a mixture of my baby girl’s “Why? Why? Why?” and my son’s more inquisitive and specific questions. First of all, the Why stage is the longest child development stage because it never ends. It just graduates to…
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A Sunday (38) in Life of a Pastor/Mother: Weddings, Baptisms, & a Baby Girl
One of the unique privileges I have experienced as a pastor/mother is baptizing my own children. There is something poignant about pouring water over your child’s head and saying “You are special. You are loved. You are chosen. You are a child of God.” It has also meant the world to me to see the…
