In the late fall of 1992, I was talking with Byron Leasure, pastor of this church, about how nice it would be if we had some type of daily devotional booklet for Advent. Thus was born the first of a long line of booklets for Advent and Lent. The first ones were collections of favorite readings, poetry, and original writings submitted by the congregation. Eventually, the contributions dwindled out, and something told me that each booklet should have a central theme, and in 1998 the Lenten booklet was entitled “Follow Me” and talked of the various ways Jesus calls us.

I hope that, over the years, these booklets have been helping to feed more sheep. I know that they have traveled as far away as Texas and Arizona and that one Lenten booklet was used in Pennsylvania in a discussion group for prisoners convicted of violent crimes. I know that at least one member of this congregation has told me that she has kept every one of them and rereads them.

This year, right after Christmas, I mentally asked the usual question: “Okay, what are we going to do for Lent?” The phrase I heard in my head was: “Spiritual gifts.” Hmmm. Forty-seven entries on spiritual gifts? That sounded hard. Knowing that Easter was late this year, I decided to revisit the topic at a later date. Then, at our January Council meeting, we adopted the goal of 52 voices in these Mission Moments… people telling how they are using their “spiritual gifts” to feed more sheep. I knew then why I had been given that topic. So, here is this year’s booklet: “Many Gifts, One Spirit.” Through Lent, we will look at how we recognize our gifts, how we are using them now, how we might use them differently, and how we can recognize and acknowledge the gifts in others.

The booklets are free. If you are able to donate $1 to defray the copying costs, that’s fine. But please take one as our gift to you to help you feed more sheep.

March 6, 2026

When it comes to feeding more sheep, actively engaging our faith in love for the sake of our neighbors, there can arise a distinct and unhelpful bias. Thinking about mission in our communities often leads to the notion that we must do something, typically something extra-ordinary: solve hunger, rebuild devastated neighborhoods, travel halfway across the world. These motivations are well and good, but most of us won’t do these things daily. Are there “common” practices useful for feeding more sheep?

One that I’ve been challenging myself with recently is the gift of listening. That’s right, sitting back and hearing another person with compassion, as Jesus models toward Nicodemus, the Centurion, and the dejected travelers to Damascus. Listening communicates to others that we value them, their time, and their experiences. On my best days, I’d like to think I have a penchant for listening, but the gift has become quite relevant of late. Listening – not some weeks ago – to the intermediate stories and faith-journey of a friend with whom I had been estranged for several years. Listening with an open heart as tensions rise in a difficult and trying family situation. Listening to the joys of a friend whose post-high school life and future seems – Lord willing – to be coming together.

There’s much to be said for opening our ears. Besides, if we do not listen, how will we know the needs of those whom we are called to feed?

February 27, 2026