Song Around the World

Maybe this is interesting to me because I've done a little recording, but I thought this was a cool project...

Playing For Change Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

A Good Friday

We had a really great time of worship and reflection earlier tonight at our Good Friday Service. Easter is my favorite Sunday of the year, but part of what makes the celebration so special is that we take time to remember Christ's death on Friday night, with candle light, communion, songs and scripture. It was a beautiful evening together, and I look forward to meeting again on Resurrection Sunday!

Palm Sunday recordings

I just uploaded three new files to our web site's Downloads page from last Sunday.

As always, we have Dewey's excellent sermon, this week about forgiveness from Matthew 6:12.

We also have two music recordings from the morning: An exciting medley of Hosanna songs, and a chorus that's new to our congregation called If We Don't Praise. Enjoy!

Good Friday Service

Please join us Friday night at 7:00 p.m. as we take a moment to remember Christ's death for us. This service is a simple but moving time of singing, communion and reflection. I think focusing on His sacrifice on Good Friday just adds significance to the joyful celebration that follows on Resurrection Sunday--I really hope you'll come.

We invite everyone to bring a candle with them to place on the communion table in the center of the room, preferably a jar or votive candle that won't spill any wax. It will be a beautiful evening.

Jesus Is the Only Way

It's clear that there is a significant portion of the Episcopal Church that has gone off the theological deep end, and this article just made me once again shake my head in disbelief:

Muslim Priest and Buddhist Bishop-Elect Are Raising Questions About Syncretism, by George Conger

But syncretism (the reconciliation or fusion of differing religions) isn't just an issue within a few rogue denominations. The article quotes a 2008 survey that found 47% of evangelical Christians in the U.S. "believe that many religions can lead to eternal life." My response is this:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

I can't think of anything more clearly stated than this truth. The belief that all religions will lead to God and heavenly reward is emotionally satisfying, but it is also intellectually dishonest. If we believe the three verses above are true, then we cannot also believe that other religious paths are equally valid.

Similarly, if we insist that many religions lead to heaven, then we are forced to either diminish or dismiss these scriptures altogether. And if we are in the position to dismiss such a clearly stated scriptural truth, what is the point of taking any of the Bible seriously?

While it flies in the face of our current culture, there is an all-or-nothing aspect to true Christianity. As Joshua resolutely said to the Israelites at the end of his life:

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Bonnie Reynolds Open House

Next week Bonnie Reynolds is turning 80! Her family is inviting everyone to a birthday celebration tomorrow, April 4th, 2-4 p.m. at her daughter Joy's house, 651 SE Rummel St. in McMinnville.

Stop by and bring some birthday cheer!

Karl Laeger Deployment

I asked Karl Laeger to give me some details about his deployment to Iraq, and here it is straight from the soldier's mouth:

Leaving for California on April 2nd. I will be there for 20-some days. Will hopefully get a 3-day pass to come home one last time. Will then be leaving for Fort Stewart, Georgia the end of April. I will be there for 60 days. Then leaving straight from there to Kuwait (10 hour difference). In Kuwait for 2 weeks, then from there to Iraq till the remainder of the deployment. I hope to be returning mid-summer of next year. I will keep you posted either on Facebook or by church email if that's all right. If those don't work I'm sure Keri will keep you updated. Thanks for all your prayers for myself and my family. I will miss everyone. Hope to be able to download the sermons on the church website. Feel free to share this information with the church. Thank you. Karl Laeger

So you can see, Karl's leaving today and likely won't be back for a year and three months. Let's definitely keep him and his family in our prayers!