Posts by Mark Lautenschlager (Page 2)

Hey, Church! We have a new song to sing this Sunday called “Here Again.” Its lyrics prompt us to look back and remember God’s long, steady faithfulness to us; to look forward and trust that He will be faithful then just as well. And in light of the past and future–”here in the middle”–we want to call on Him to make His glory appear in our present weakness: “I’m not enough…

Hey, Church! I am praying for this Sunday to be an extra-joyful one! Think about it: God, who created the universe and saved your life with His own blood, looks to you with a smile and says, “Come! Let me rejoice over you and show you more of my goodness and glory!” We will respond to that call with a song that we have only sung once before–on Easter Sunday 2021. It is…

Hey, Church! Not long after the COVID lockdown began a little over two years ago, I picked up a new hobby and started a small fruit and vegetable garden in my backyard. At times it has been more rewarding than I had ever imagined and, at other times, it has been deeply disappointing. The process of burying one tiny little bell pepper seed in soil and seeing it grow up to…

Hey, Church! Recently, Pastor Tom has been challenging our staff to cultivate joy, which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. There is not a whole lot, in the worldly sense, to be joyful about right now! If anything, it feels like the world around us is becoming increasingly angry and hopeless. As a result of the encompassing darkness, Tom observes, we have a unique…

Hey, Church! Man! People are AMPED UP out there! Am I right? After a short drive to the Dunkin in which I sit to write some encouragement to you all now, my adrenaline is surging as if I were being stared down by a grizzly bear. All I did was drive! Sitting in the air-conditioning, in no hurry at all, I was assaulted by one seething driver after another. On the bright…