Musical Memorials Word From Wiese 31 May 2023 What a weekend past—Graduations, Memorial Weekend, and Pentecost. This past Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost big-time. Two Sundays ago, we blessed our graduates. So today I lean into the Memorial nuance of last weekend’s triad. I offer two quick little stories, each with its own special piece of music offered by a remarkable …
Life Verses 24 May 2023 These are the days of diplomas. But . . . . Let me have a little fun. These days, we are celebrating big time with all our graduates. We are incredibly proud of them and their accomplishments. Congratulations! But allow me to play this morning with the concept of the diploma. Diplomas are celebrations, to …
Elephant Love 17 May 2023 Sand kicked in your face. Blaring trumpets. Huge trunks pushing and pulling you. Being born a baby elephant is a rough and tumble experience. But a very loving one as well. A friend of mine sent me a mini-video of an elephant birth from the Massai Mara in Africa’s Great Rift Valley. If you don’t …
Grape Robbers 10 May 2023 Graduations, weddings, and confirmations. These are the days of encouraging our loved ones celebrating a milestone. We know positive comments are “fuel in the tank” helping our friends and family keep moving forward. But while encouragement fuels progress, constant criticism poses dangers. Which is a subject one of my pastoral colleagues explored recently. While I’m …
He Died Too Soon 3 May 2023 He died too soon. All of us are jolted when we hear the news of people who die before it seems right. Young children are the toughest, whether a friend of the family or a tragedy we hear via the news. But maybe you’re like me, rattled when someone you went to school …
Welcome Larry & April! 26 April 2023 Some were skeptical . . . including the search team at times! When our wonderful 24+ year Minister of Music, David Beecher, announced his retirement so many of us wondered how in the world we would find a high caliber character to pick up the leadership baton and keep us running at COS. …
What Takes 3 Years? 19 April 2023 Three years. Did you know that gorgeous Easter lilies take 3 years’ worth of careful precision to be ready for Easter Sunday? I didn’t! Lately at COS, we’ve enjoyed a diversity of flowers as part of our “Easter garden,” but the lily is a must-have. Here’s how Quin Caldwell summarizes the amazing tale …
Unexpected Consequences 12 April 2023 Shame on me. With the beauty of Easter trumpets and joyous hymns still ringing in our ears, with the fragrance of Easter flowers still wafting in the air, shame on me for asking a few hard questions just 3 days after the triumphant joy and wonderful feelings of Easter. But here goes: Why do so …
The Plot Thickens 5 April 2023 Dear faith friends, Biblical scholars calculate that about 40% of the synoptic gospels are dedicated just to Holy Week. Indeed, the Gospel of John dedicates about 66% of its content to these events. That means out of 33 years of Jesus’ life, they zoom in on just 7 days. Such focus is a heads …
Christ Our Shepherd Lenten Devotion Series 2023 Possibilities: Trusting God to Use Me 31 March 2023 Today’s devotional was written by Kendra Milburn. “All things are working together for my good.” Romans 8:28 Father, slow our minds and open our hearts to You and Your plan. Please remind us not to get too comfortable and embrace the change You bring …
