“Worship is essential; Sunday School is optional!” “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Jesus, John 4.24 (KJV) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul, 2 Timothy 2.15 (KJV) There may be a move afoot to better understand choices Christians are making—especiallyas it relates to our commitment to Sunday School and worship. Older members must

“Jesus was a Jew!” Dr. Howard Thurman, 1899-1981 Jesus and the Disinherited, 1949 The current federal administration, led by the President of the United States of America, is fighting a culture war. The recent target is the network of Smithsonian Museums. The President signed an executive order requiring warning signs to be posted at all federal museums, alleging the historical information displayed there may be inaccurate. One characteristic of a political culture war is an

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8.22 To this date, God’s promise to Noah has been maintained. After being on the ark for forty years, when the earth dried and Noah’s family could leave from the ark, Genesis 8.22 shares the covenant God made with Noah. There was a caveat to God’s covenant, “As long as the earth endures, … day and might will never cease.” The covenant made by God rem

After the required nine states officially ratified the U.S. Constitution on March 4, 1789, only white men who owned land could vote. If you were anything else, especially non-white, you were not valued or seen as human. During the 1787 Constitution Convention, it was determined that enslaved Africans were three-fifths of a person. The 14th Amendment in 1868 voided that distinction. It took an amendment to graft us into the constitution. The great debate today focuses on immig

This year was filled with harsh realities. The November election reaffirmed that America has not adequately confronted its racist and misogyny (sexist) tendencies. Birmingham saw over 138 homicides because of gun violence, including the murder of Eric Savoy Brown, who was gunned down on the front lawn of our church property. In Smithfield, we saw many houses, and the Brunetta Hill Elementary School, destroyed by fire. The fires were probably at the hand of an arsonist. Two of

“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son … (John 3.16).” Love is more than words. Love must be shown, must be proven in consistent ways. Beginning with Adam and Eve, God showed God’s love for humanity. God never gave up on us. Whenever we messed up, God continually made efforts to redeem and reclaim us. That is a sign of love. Paul said, “Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13.8).” The Christmas story is a prime example of God’s love. God showed us love by giving

November 1 is “All Saints’ Day,” a time to reflect on those who are no longer physically with us and enjoy eternal rest. I also believe it is a time to acknowledge, in gratitude, appreciation for the elders living among us. In 1864, William How (1823-1897), an English Anglican Bishop, wrote a beloved hymn, “For All the Saints.” Of the six stanzas, the third stanza is a favorite of mine.O blest communion, fellowship divine!We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;yet all are on