Grapes grow in clusters on vines. Jesus wants his followers to know that like grapes, Christians grow in churches that are connected to him through the Holy Spirit. Previous experience with vineyards are not necessary to understand the illustration as John records the story: John 15:5 “I am the vine;
Continue readingReminder Why do we do this? Why do we turn to Scripture? Why do we care about Revelation or any other book? I mean, we want to be changed by this stuff, right? We want God to meet us through it, be different because of what we discover in the
Continue readingOur Governance Team recently met to talk through a “Draft Reopening Document” prepared by Rich. That document presented a phased reopening plan for our in-person gatherings, including worship services. (An edited version of the plan is available.) A number of significant points were discussed in relation to both a phased reopening and
Continue readingJoin Brethren around the world in a “Global Day of Prayer & Fasting”. The Brethren Church is calling all members to prayer and fasting on Sunday, May 17. Join Brethren from India, South America, Spain, the United States, and Canada together as one, lifting high the name of Jesus. The
Continue readingFriends, After today’s worship service we made the decision to cancel our worship services and Sunday events for March 22nd and March 29th. We’ll discern what shape Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and our Easter Service may take. Life Groups will not be gathering this coming week (nor is it likely they’ll meet the
Continue readingFriends, As our community takes significant health measures to protect each other from transmission of the new coronavirus, we wanted to make certain things clear with regard to how Smoky Row intends to operate. Toward that end: Our regular worship service and related Sunday-morning events will continue until further notice. However,
Continue readingOh, Smoky Row! You were continually in my thoughts and prayers as we were away at General Conference this past week. The speaker was Karl Vaters, a well-known author on small churches and small-church life. (And a pastor of a small congregation, too.) If you’d like to look over some
Continue readingPsalm 22 reads: 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him,
Continue readingThis Side of Jesus: Let’s start with the way the early Church made use of today’s Amos passage. The early Church was trying to figure out how to manage the care of the hundreds of people who were deciding to keep faith with Jesus, and the chose servants–a word, “deacon,”
Continue readingWhat is Lent and the Lenten Season? By Jonathan and David Bennet – http://www.churchyear.net/lent.html Many Christians throughout the world observe Lent. Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestants benefit from this annual season of sacrifice and simplicity…. In basic terms, Lent is the season before Easter…In many Protestant churches, the liturgical season
Continue reading