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FIRST WORD "A Noisy Deliverance"
4/4/2025
The story of Israel’s deliverance in Exodus 14 was really noisy. Just listen! There was the sound of horses’ hooves pounding the dirt with the rattling of chariot wheels as the army pursued them. The wind was howling, and the waters churning as it formed vertical walls on both sides of the path, roaring like a waterfall. Hear the sound of the Israelites crying out in fear and the Egyptians warriors screaming in panic as they drown. Add to all of that noise some pyrotechnics – the pillar of fire that led them by day, or the cloud by night. It was one big, loud, chaotic mess!
FIRST WORD "Idols and Plagues"
3/29/2025
The Ten Plagues of Egypt are described in Exodus chapters 7—12. These disasters were sent by God upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves from the bondage and oppression that they had endured in Egypt for 400 years. This may be an interesting Bible story, but you might be tempted to say: “What does this judgment against Egyptian idol gods and the plagues mean to me today?”
FIRST WORD "The Burning Bush"
3/20/2025
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” (Exodus 3:1-3 NIV)
FIRST WORD "Plan B"
3/13/2025
In our Exodus story this week, we find the Egyptian Pharaoh turning to Plan B when Plan A failed. Enslaving the Hebrew people just made them multiply even more! So, what was his Plan B? He decides to try birth control. No, not a pill, something more barbaric – he forces the midwives to become executioners, to commit infanticide. Boys could become soldiers, a potential threat for an uprising, so he told them to kill them at birth. Leaving only girls would ultimately dilute the Israelite bloodline, forcing them to become Egyptian, less a threat to his reign.
FIRST WORD "Exodus"
3/6/2025
The Exodus story in the Bible starts when there are new people are now in charge in Egypt. Memories of previous generations and former loyalties have faded. The new king is afraid that the Israelites are becoming a threat! They are becoming so numerous and potentially powerful by their numbers, Pharoah could lose his throne if he didn’t act quickly. What would he do? How would God deliver his people from slavery and bondage? Join us this Lenten season for this powerful study!
FIRST WORD "Golden Rule"
2/20/2025
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31) Does that phrase sound familiar? Many know it as the Golden Rule. The rule is included in Jesus’ sermons both in Matthew 7 (Sermon on the Mount) and Luke 6 (Sermon on the Plain). The golden rule simply means to apply the logic of treating others the way we would like to be treated to every situation when we interact with other people.Do you want others to yell or swear at you? Steal from you or cheat on you? Lie or gossip about you? Of course not!
FIRST WORD "Be Mine"
2/13/2025
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, just in case any of you guys need a reminder! The big day reminds me of candy hearts, also known as conversation hearts. These tiny, heart-shaped sugar candies have been a Valentine’s staple for generations. Their charm? Short, sweet messages that capture the spirit of love. These heart-shaped treats featuring over 30 romantic expressions including “Be Mine,” “Hug Me,” “Love You,” etc.
FIRST WORD “The Foreigner”
2/8/2025
He [the LORD] defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:18-19
FIRST WORD "The Whole World"
1/30/2025
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
FIRST WORD “3 VS 3”
1/16/2025
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get…
FIRST WORD “Egypt Mission”
8/29/2024
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 (NIV) This week I’d like to share a recent update from our missionaries to Egypt, Anthony and Soyoung Sellari. I think it fits well with our reading…
FIRST WORD 1.2.25 “Grow in Wisdom”
1/2/2025
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52I have a lot of memories attending church when I was growing up. I was a very energetic child, what they’d call hyperactive, especially at church. It sure was hard to sit still for a whole hour during worship! Mrs. Stensland,…
FIRST WORD 12.12.24 “Madonna and Child”
12/12/2024
There is a story about a man who was standing in line at the post office. Standing in line was not one of his favorite things to do, especially during the busy Christmas season. This day was no exception. He waited anxiously for the postal clerk to weigh his packages and give him his stamps.…
FIRST WORD 12.27.24 “Lessons and Carols”
12/28/2024
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1This Sunday we’re enjoying a special Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for worship. It was born out of the grief and horror of the First World War, which had ended only 6 weeks before Christmas Eve…
FIRST WORD 11.7.24 “Basketball”
11/14/2024
Some of you know the story of former basketball superstar, Larry Bird. Larry was the third of six children, five boys and one girl. His father was chronically unemployed and an alcoholic who ultimately took his own life when Larry was in high school. Larry's mother was a strong, proud woman who held her family…
