Author: johnstreetumc

I came across this contemporary version of the “Lord’s Prayer” which depicts what I was saying in my February 19th sermon:   "Lord's Prayer” Maori-Polynesia from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer:  Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand © August 5,1997 Harper Collins   On-line FREE version https://anglicanprayerbook.nz/     https://livinghour.org/lords-prayer/new-zealand-maori/     Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,       Source … Continue reading February-March, 2023

Imagine if we approach our conversations and conflicts believing that everyone’s perspectives and ideas complement each other.  Mixing and blending to create new, more just, and peaceful ways of being.  Where power and wealth don’t influence the outcome.  What would that look like?  The Old Testament lesson for Dec. 4, 2022, is Isaiah 11:1-10.  Isaiah … Continue reading December 2022-January, 2023

{abbreviated from My Pastor’s Review of 2022 in the Annual Report}  It has been a year of rough seas for me.    The administrative and technological effects from the pandemic continue to be complicate church work.    I am grateful to everyone in both churches who have helped us write grants for equipment, improve our livestream, keep … Continue reading October-November 2022

I planned to visit a church member who was placed in a care facility in Searsport.  A friend of the church member asked if she could come along.  I said, “Sure.”  We hopped the 7:00 am ferry, got in my mainland car, and with coffees in hand we set out for Searsport.  The conversation was … Continue reading September, 2022

My Pastor's Corner Revisited from 2019 Jesus doesn’t mention lukewarm faith anywhere in the Gospels. Instead, He teaches by example what a vibrant, “enflamed” life of faith looks like.  It’s after Jesus’ death and resurrection and the spread of the early Christian movement across the continent that we hear of lukewarm faith. In his revelation, … Continue reading May, 2022

Every now and then I crave pizza. Yummy, hot, sink-my-teeth-into doughy crust pizza.  I make my own dough when I have the time.  The pizza is large enough that after I cut it into slices (square slices because my large tray is rectangular) I have 6-8 slices I can wrap and freeze for later.  The … Continue reading March, 2022

The dark green Carhart coat is heavy and warm. I pull my Muck boats on over my Smart Wool socks and tuck the inner lining of my snow pants into the boots.  Adorned in my best snow gear, I head out to shovel.   The town plows drive up the center of my little road clearing … Continue reading February, 2022

Joy to the World, the Lord is come.  Let earth receive her King!  There it is!  No truer Christian statement has ever been made!  I ended my December (2012) “Pastor’s Corner” with:  Giving birth takes nine months.  Can we give four weeks to give birth to New Hope?  Slow down, wonder and dream, make room for God to Break In … Continue reading December 2021 – January 2022

Lessons from Geese Fact #1: As each goose flaps it’s wings, it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater range than if each bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common sense of direction and community can get where they are going quicker … Continue reading November, 2021