Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

It appeared during my daily, early morning walk. Initially unaware of its brilliant presence, a fellow early riser called it to my attention. A quick upward gaze brought the truly magnificent sight into view — a rainbow, a full rainbow as stunning as any I could remember ever seeing before. Perched ever so delicately, but boldly, on the distant horizon, what a refreshing, uplifting greeting that colorful arch offered to a new day.

Rainbows never fail to fill me with a sense of wonder and awe. Rainbows have a magical way of capturing the eye, exciting the mind, and warming the heart. But, rainbows do more than temporarily treat us to a beautiful sight, they remind us of God’s biblical promise that he is always with us and will always provide. Rainbows are God’s way of saying, ” Hang in there!”

So, my friends, when the inevitable storms of life threaten to drench us when family members disappoint us, friends frustrate us, employers confound us, health concerns restrict us and death claims one precious to us, remember the rainbow, God’s reassuring sign that he is ever-present and offers us a hope that never wanes.

Let us pray: Loving God, sometimes we feel like just giving up, all but overwhelmed by circumstances that seem to be more than we can handle. When moments like that come, Lord, speak to us in ways that remind us we are yours and that you will see us through even the darkest hours. Grateful for the renewing love you stand ready always to share, we pray these things in the name of the Good Shepherd, your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

A good friend of mine, who has faced a significant number of health challenges through the years, never ceases to amaze me by how well he deals with adversity. Tough circumstances that may have quickly torpedoed and sunk some, failed to get the best of him. He regularly greets each new day with optimism and hope.

When asked how he was able to maintain his upbeat perspective, in spite of all he had endured, he told me this story.

Years ago, as a much younger man, his life had reached a terribly low point. Personal problems had drained him of much that makes life meaningful. He wasn’t sure he could carry on. Each day looked bleak and those to come looked even bleaker.

It was a rather crusty, old Roman Catholic priest who turned his life around by sharing four memorable words. Those words were these – THE ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE!

From that time on, my good friend viewed life through new eyes.

Did his hardships disappear? No.
Was he now on easy street? No.
Were his days unencumbered by the unexpected and unwanted? No.

What changed was his perspective. His sights were now focused on life’s blessings. While not immured to trying times, he was not consumed by them. 

Living each day with gratitude can do wonders for all of us. Appreciating what God has provided and returning thanks for his abiding love can bring an enduring brightness to even the darkest days. So, my friends, whether you are cruising the mountaintops or trudging through the valleys, remember these four, hope-filled words– THE ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE!

Let us pray: Some days are diamonds and some days are stones, Lord, but every day is precious because it comes from you. Enable us always to live thankfully and gratefully, confident that you equip us to cope with whatever comes. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Eric Wogen.

The colorful banner, standing ever so stately at the front of the church, posed a penetrating question, a question we should all take time to ponder. It asked this, “ Is your light under a bushel?”

Reflect upon that for a moment. Is your light under a bushel? Are you freely, fully sharing all that God has entrusted to you in ways that light up the lives of others?

How much fuller and brighter our lives and the lives of others become when we let our lights shine! A light under a bushel is never seen, seldom appreciated, and soon burns out. What a waste. Don’t let that happen to you, please. 

Remove any bushels that may be concealing your light. The glow will be staggering when we beam to a needy world the life-changing light God has so abundantly shared with us in Christ, a light like no other. The transformation of dark places and dreary lives will be dramatic.

Hopefully, each of us will be bright spots this day and every day, as we do our best to live out the following words from that beloved song many of us learned as children: 

                This little light of mine,
                 I’m going to let it shine,
                 let it shine, let it shine.

Let us pray. Lord God, in a world where darkness is never in short supply, energize us to let our light shine, to be like brilliant laser beams that offer unending light and love to those dealing with tough times and dismal circumstances. Re-charge us so we might charge up those around us. In the name of the light of the world, we pray. Amen.

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Hunter Camp.

Sometimes it can feel like we are at the end of our ropes. That we are dangling before a giant chasm whose bottom is covered in darkness. Hanging onto that dangling rope can feel like all our chances and choices are past. And though we may, at times, feel this way, there is always one final choice that never leaves our side. Hope.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” 

So much of life is comprised of what choices we make. Every time we are faced with a choice we are faced with the opportunity to choose what is important. There are few choices more important than hope. Without hope, we are like castaways on an island. In my work as a pastor, it has been my experience that hope is often the sole factor in whether people live or die, overcome major tragedies or wither under their shadows. Without hope, we cannot possibly live.

To choose hope is not always an easy choice. Sometimes it feels easiest to choose despair. I know this from my own life. Choice, not chance, determines hope. Living our faith means, among other things, to live as people who have hope that is unseen but believed.

To choose hope is, in effect, to choose life. To choose hope is to trust that however bad circumstances may be, God is by your side. God has your back. It all comes down to what’s most important to you. 

Let us pray: God of never-ending hope, may you inspire us to hang on to hope, to make the choice for hope, and to trust that you always have our back. In the name of Christ our brother, we pray. Amen. 

Today’s message was written by guest pastor, Rev. Hunter Camp.

Sometimes it can feel like Jesus has left the world for good. Abandoned you. And me.

The earliest memory I have of feeling abandoned happened when I was 9 years old. Fourth grade. My mom was running late to pick me up from school. At first, I sat under a big tree with other kids. One by one their mothers picked them up. I was left alone. The horrifying possibility crossed my mind; really my greatest fear: my mom has forgotten me. She’s gone. Gone and I’ll never see her again. I’m left alone.

It seems most of the great men and women we read about in scripture felt this way, at one time or another. Abraham and Sarah after being promised a child heir. Moses wandering the wilderness. Rebekah, who was barren. And the disciples of our Lord as he was nailed to a cross. The feeling of being abandoned runs through all of scripture.

In the book of John, Jesus promises that we will never be abandoned. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of hope. God’s holy spirit of hope never leaves your side. Though you may feel forsaken, you are not. You are never abandoned. Never.

Let us pray: Holy Spirit, we pray that your hope will fill our hearts and the hearts of those in need of hope. We ask that your hope give us strength and resolve to face the challenges of this day. We pray in the name of Christ, the very embodiment of hope. Amen.