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2020 Time For Renewal 4 7 20 2019 A Time For New Beginnings 3 16 19 & 2 26 23 Waiting For The Lord 12 14 19 2018 He Is With Us 2 17 18 Prepare The Way 12 3 18 |
2017 A Journey Of Sights And Sounds 3 7 17 A Time For Giving 12 7 17 2016 Waiting 12 4 16 |
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Tuesday, April 7, 2020 |
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Scripture: Luke 9:22 (NIV) “And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’” Message: Three times Jesus predicted His death and after each of His statements He continued in ministry until he was betrayed by Judas with a kiss. He healed a demon possessed boy, appointed 72 people to witness on His behalf, taught His disciples how to pray, healed 10 lepers and so much more. When I contemplate the massiveness of His accomplishments I become aware of how little I have done and how much more there is to do. Lent is often a time when we find ourselves renewed, revitalized to fulfill our commitments. We have had the lazy days of last summer and the hustle and bustle of the holidays; now we come to a recommitment of evangelism and renewal of the Spirit. It is a time for putting our sins and failures behind us and time to be refreshed and filled with the grace of God. Prayer: O God, be with us in this season of renewal and revitalization. Fill us with Your grace and forgiveness. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Saturday, March 16, 2019 & Saturday, February 25, 2023 |
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Scripture: Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) - "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Message: My clearest remembrance of the Lenten Season of my youth involved "Fish Fry Friday." The community in which I lived had a very strong Roman Catholic population and the small fish place in town had Friday, specials and each week my Dad stopped on his way home from work and purchased enough for his family. In addition, I knew from my friends I needed to give up something I cherished, like candy or other sweets. Today I am more tuned in to the fact Lent is not a time of giving-up something, but rather taking upon ourselves the intention and the receptivity to God's grace so that we may worthily participate in the mystery of God-withus. It is a time for new beginnings in the faith, a time for putting aside the sins and failures of the past in the light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God. The Easter faith should overflow into our mission to do God's will in the world. Prayer: Walk close by my side, O God, as I journey through the season of Lent., make me fully aware of the areas of my life that need my full attention. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Saturday, December 14, 2019 |
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Scripture: Psalm 33:20 (NIV) - "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." Message: As I write this I have been busy preparing the way for Hurricane Dorian. The work has been done and I now find myself in a time of waiting. As I do so, I am reminded of the Advent season which can be very busy and hectic as we prepare for the arrival of Jesus' birthday celebration. This vigil is filled with bright lights, parties, joy and wonder. However, in the midst of Advent's busyness we need to turn our attention to the fact we are recipients of God's mercy and love in the birth of His Son. Prayer: Gracious God, let us pause at Christmas to remember how Your Son came to us in the form of a helpless baby. May we worship Jesus in amazement and wonder how You came near to us. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Saturday, February 17, 2018 |
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Scripture: Psalm 23:1 ((KJV) "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Message: Not long ago, I was visiting with someone who felt life was against her. She had recently lost her parents in an auto accident, and at the same time, her boyfriend of ten years decided it was time to walk away from the relationship. I knew she was a Christian and reminded her she was not as alone as she thought, that God was walking with her daily and wanted the best for her. Often, as we go through a difficult patch in our lives, we forget that someone is with us, watching and guiding us every step of the way. We are never alone. God is constantly with us, caring for us and feeling our pain. Lent is a wonderful time to turn our full attention to God and His Son, Jesus, as we walk toward the cross. Jesus knew what He faced, but He also knew His Father was with Him all the way. Prayer: God, let us feel Your presence with us each time we find ourselves in a difficult situation. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Monday, December 3, 2018 Prepare The Way by Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Scripture: Isaiah 40:3 (NIV) - "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'" Message: During my years as a local church pastor, I often found myself starting the Advent season singing, "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus."1 This hymn reverberated through me week after week as I planned each celebration and worship experience for my church parishioners. It helped me to feel anew the morning dew covering the earth as I took my daily walks. God's grace is indeed like a gentle morning dew and a soft rain that gives new life to barren soil. During Advent, we are called to "prepare the way for the Lord," to become more and more sensitive to the morning dew and open our souls to the rain, so our inner selves will be prepared for the arrival of our Savior. Prayer: Jesus, help us this Advent to open ourselves to You and Your redemptive love. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke 1. “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” written by Charles Wesley. 1774. Public Domain. United Methodist Hymnal #196. |
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Tuesday, March 7, 2017 |
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Scripture: John 20:29 (ESV) – “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Message: As I journey through the Lenten season I am filled with the sights and sounds of Holy Week. I see Jesus having a meal with His disciples. Do they realize this is the Last Supper they will all share? I smell the aroma of fresh baked bread and new wine. After the meal is over, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane where the fragrance of flowers is overpowering. I can also sense the scent of fear, hostility and betrayal. There is also anger in Jesus because the disciples are sleeping while He is praying for His life. I hear the crowds shouting "Hosanna" as throngs toss fragrant palm branches along the way. But at the end of the road there is a crowd shouting out to "Crucify Him". When the crowd gets its way and Jesus begins to carry His cross, I feel the heaviness of His burden. The wood looks rough and I am concerned about His getting splinters. The pounding of the nails into His hands and feet and the sword piercing His side is very jarring. His shout from the cross is hard to hear. As I take this journey through sights and sounds, I am deeply reminded of the true sacrifice Christ made on my behalf. Prayer: Thank You God for Your Son and the sacrifice He made for us all. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Pearl Harbor Day, Thursday, December 7, 2017 76 years since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor |
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Scripture: Luke 2:10 - (NIV) – “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Message: Christmas is a time for giving and a time for asking. So many worthy causes make special appeals at this time of year. It would be wonderful to help all those who need assistance, but that is impossible. This year, I feel a great compulsion to do more for others. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have left many destitute and in desperate need. I see the birth of Christ as a connection between those for whom help is needed and those who give. Between God's gift of new life through His Son and our gifts, we will help secure a better life for others in His name. Prayer: God, we pray for guidance in our gift-giving this year and ask that You also be with those who administer our charitable endeavors, that Christ may shine through everything they do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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Sunday, December 4, 2016 |
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Scripture: Luke 1:56 - "Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home." Message: At this time of year, I find myself turning to the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). What a beautiful picture for the Advent season: the story of these two godly women waiting for the arrival of their unborn children. Waiting consists of walking through time toward an event. As Mary and Elizabeth waited together, Scripture records no anxiety or fear on their part for what lay ahead. However, we don't tend to approach our time of waiting this way. Instead, we load waiting with fear, anxiety, and apprehension, most of which is unfounded. Mary and Elizabeth affirmed one another in their time of waiting because they knew God was doing something worth waiting for. These two serve as models for the Christian community- one of support, celebration, and affirmation in which we can lift one another up and encourage each other. Mary and Elizabeth show us what it means to gather together around a promise, by affirming what is going on as we wait. Prayer: Loving God, be with us as we wait together for the arrival of Your Son. May our times of waiting be free of anxiety and full of joy. Amen. Pastor Susan Hoke |
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