Football, turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Add in family, friends and some fall colors and you have Thanksgiving, right? I don't think that's what the pilgrims were thinking. The food and celebration overflowed from a place of gratefulness they had survived a very harsh first year in the …
Preparing for Worship (part 4): 3 Things All Worshipers Can Learn from Children
What does your Sunday look like? Do you enter a new week invigorated or drained; renewed or discouraged? I was recently talking to a pastor friend about the way sports mania has invaded Sunday mornings for kids and family. I've seen numerous families have to make tough decisions about the …
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Grace Immersion: A 50 Day Plunge into God’s Amazing Grace (a book review)
Called to Worship - Issue #23 By Phil Mershon Do you find yourself bound up trying to live the Christian life? You know you were saved by grace, but doesn't it seem too hard to live up to God's standards? I'd like to introduce you to a friend who's been there. René Schlaepfer is a pastor and a …
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Approaching the Throne of Grace
Called to Worship - Issue #9 by Phil Mershon Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. I spent two years in the marching band in high school. During one half-time show, I started getting …
The Twelve Steps of Grace
Called to Worship - Issue #8 by Phil Mershon Where are you more comfortable: in a 12-step group or at church? If your church is like most churches, you might find it very uncomfortable to say, "Hi, my name is Phil and I'm a ___________-aholic "(fill in your addiction). Jesus preferred to hang out …
Why are We Bored in Worship?
Called to Worship – Issue #7 by Phil Mershon I've been leading corporate worship for over three decades. I've joined a Kenyan congregation who joyously celebrated their riches in Christ, even though by all earthly standards they ranked among the poorest of the poor. I've also led in post-Christian …