top of page
Zion United Church of Christ
Zion United Church of Christ
churchzionucc
Jan 93 min read
New Year
Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she did not know how she was going to make it....
0 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Dec 4, 20242 min read
A Christmas Promise
Well, we have made it through another year. I have written many newsletters. I sometimes wonder how many are read. I sometimes wonder if...
3 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Nov 6, 20242 min read
Mirrors
Mirrors are generally symbolic of spiritual and psychological depth. They don’t just reveal our appearance. They can reveal who we are on...
1 view0 comments
churchzionucc
Nov 4, 20242 min read
Staying in God’s Word
When things get really bad, flood yourself with God’s word. Sound easy doesn’t it? If we don’t follow this advice we tend to see things...
2 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Sep 18, 20243 min read
Pastor's Pen September 2024
I read this story on a Facebook page “The Monk who sold his Ferrari”. A very simple but motivational story. I found it worth sharing, I...
4 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Aug 14, 20242 min read
The Parable of the Rich Fool
None of us worry, RIGHT? If we tell each other not to worry or be anxious in a world plagued by sin, you need to have a good reason....
2 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Aug 14, 20242 min read
Answered Prayers
I came across this Young Man’s Story about Answered Prayers. (From the Sunrise Chapel) A young man had been to a Wednesday...
5 views0 comments
churchzionucc
May 8, 20242 min read
Do You Hear Him?
I found this little story back in 2015. I tried to find it again so I could give credit, but I guess it is too old to find it and I...
1 view0 comments
churchzionucc
Apr 10, 20242 min read
Is the SON shining on YOU ?
By the time you read this the big event of the year has already happened. The Eclipse has come and gone, and I have all the faith that we...
2 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Mar 6, 20242 min read
Easter: A Good Time to Forgive
Easter, the cross, is a good reminder of why we should do everything we can to forgive. Knowing that Jesus suffered such extreme pain...
8 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Feb 7, 20243 min read
What Are You Grateful For?
It is February the month when we remember our Valentine. We are also in Lent with Easter coming in March. So, I ask you again, “What are...
6 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Jan 10, 20243 min read
Life is a Relay Race
It was late afternoon when a fishing trip with family turned into a tale of horror. A boat engine stalls and refused to start. Gallons of...
5 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Dec 6, 20232 min read
The Beauty of Advent
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. ( John 3:16) We are in the month of December; people everywhere are...
5 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Nov 8, 20232 min read
Once the Leaves Have Fallen, there is Plenty to See!
Hal Borland wrote: October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. I am happy and blessed to say that Joyce...
7 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Oct 11, 20233 min read
Who Are We?
I always try to get a good story! Whether it is in my newsletter or in my sermons. I hope you all enjoy them. Once in a village lived a...
19 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Sep 13, 20232 min read
Valuable things are more than you can carry!
A crow was flying in the beautiful sky with a large piece of meat in its beak. Suddenly the crow noticed a flock of eagles following him....
3 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Aug 9, 20232 min read
THANK YOU
Being thankful should come in times other than being served with turkey and mashed potatoes. What are you thankful for? Who are you...
7 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Jul 12, 20233 min read
Be Someone’s Light
In a world full of darkness (EVIL) how do we become a light that shines brightly for others? The first step is making sure we choose not...
7 views0 comments
churchzionucc
Jun 14, 20233 min read
Are you Happy?
An old man lived in the village. He was one of the most unfortunate people in the world. The whole village was tired of him, he was...
11 views0 comments
_
May 10, 20233 min read
Who Are We?
Who Are We? A long time ago in a small town, lived a farmer. One day he got tired of his daily routine of running the farm and decided to...
10 views0 comments
_
Apr 5, 20232 min read
Spring Clean Your Heart
Spring Clean Your Heart There is something about longer days, birds singing their songs, and being able to get out into the sunshine. It...
3 views0 comments
_
Mar 16, 20232 min read
A New Life
A New Life Through the blood and death of Jesus comes eternal life. The old is gone, a new life is beginning. It happens each spring and...
6 views0 comments
_
Feb 15, 20232 min read
Pastor's Pen February 2023
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love....
4 views0 comments
_
Jan 11, 20233 min read
A Journey for the New Year
A Journey for the New Year This New Years Joyce and I did something that we haven’t done in many years. We actually saw the clock turn...
6 views0 comments
_
Dec 8, 20223 min read
From Christmas to Easter
From Christmas to Easter Looking at the Christ child this Christmas Eve, we find ourselves beckoned to Easter, called to travel not to...
4 views0 comments
_
Nov 17, 20223 min read
What Type of Fruit are You Bearing?
What type of fruit are you bearing? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,...
3 views0 comments
_
Oct 6, 20223 min read
The Fisherman and the Businessman
The Fisherman and the Businessman I came across a story I thought you would enjoy. Once upon a time there was a businessman who was...
2 views0 comments
_
Sep 8, 20222 min read
September Pastor's Pen
Do you hear Him calling? I Could I Might I Can I Should I Will! (Thom Rainer) What is your response to anything God asks of you? One of...
4 views0 comments
_
Aug 11, 20222 min read
Attitude and Caring
Attitude and Caring All of us are surrounded by and benefit for the results of someone’s’ perseverance. Above my head is a bright...
6 views0 comments
_
Jul 13, 20222 min read
Riches from God
Riches from God “Money can buy medicine, but not health. Money can buy a house, but not a home. Money can buy companionship, but not...
4 views0 comments
_
Jun 16, 20222 min read
What are you doing with your hyphen?
What are you doing with your hyphen? Joyce and I attended a Memorial Service for the brother of one of her friends who had died suddenly...
5 views0 comments
_
May 4, 20222 min read
Tale of Two Wolves
A Cherokee elder was teaching his young grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight...
3 views0 comments
_
Apr 6, 20223 min read
The Awesomeness of Easter!
The Paschal candle is one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity. Made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ,...
3 views0 comments
_
Mar 10, 20222 min read
March 2022 Pastor's Pen
Love is a choice, not a matter of destiny. It is a choice renewed each day! -Dean Francis Alfar We are starting into our journey of Lent....
2 views0 comments
_
Feb 16, 20222 min read
The Story of St. Valentine
Story of St. Valentine The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian...
3 views0 comments
_
Jan 12, 20223 min read
January 2022 Pastor's Pen
Well, we have made it through another year. We are all making New Year hopes and wishes. I hope starting to attend church is one of them....
7 views0 comments
_
Jan 12, 20224 min read
December Pastor's Pen
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 Believing in what God demands from us, knowing...
6 views0 comments
_
Nov 11, 20213 min read
A Short Lesson on Gratitude
A Short Lesson on Gratitude Today I want to share a short story I found with you about gratitude. We are coming near Thanksgiving and I...
8 views0 comments
_
Oct 14, 20213 min read
September-October Pastor's Pen
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn,...
2 views0 comments
_
Aug 12, 20212 min read
Building Your House
Building Your House An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building...
5 views0 comments
_
Aug 5, 20213 min read
July 2021 Pastor's Pen
My son Alan enjoys watching stories about the Texas Rangers. He does enjoy the TV shows, but he also enjoys watching and reading about...
4 views0 comments
_
Aug 5, 20212 min read
April 2021 Pastor's Pen
A member of the church who previously had been attending services regularly stopped going. After a few weeks the pastor decided to visit...
5 views0 comments
_
Aug 5, 20213 min read
Responsibility and Faithfulness
Responsibility and Faithfulness We all know the story of the five maidens who took oil lamps and extra oil, in case the bridegroom was...
3 views0 comments
_
Aug 5, 20213 min read
May 2021 Pastor's Pen
I read a story of a man sitting at a local restaurant having lunch and taking a break from the daily grind, sitting there thinking about...
2 views0 comments
_
Aug 4, 20211 min read
No Need to Fear
No Need to Fear God, abounding in steadfast love, wants to welcome us home, not punish us. Lent is the season in the church year when we...
5 views0 comments
_
Feb 22, 20212 min read
THE STRENGTH OF LOVE
THE STRENGTH OF LOVE Love is so strong, that it can redeem you from the darkest of circumstance. D. L. Moody tells this story of...
2 views0 comments
_
Jan 18, 20213 min read
The Promise of Advent
The Promise of Advent In Advent we are called to take the risk of birth. We can avoid such a practice by over scheduling ourselves, an...
3 views0 comments
_
Jan 18, 20212 min read
New Year in Faith
New Year in Faith By now all the presents have been put away. The worries about what we are buying for whom and where we have to be are...
4 views0 comments
_
Nov 11, 20202 min read
November 2020 Pastor's Pen
One Sunday morning at a small southern church, the new pastor called on one of his older deacons to lead in the opening prayer. The...
4 views0 comments
_
Oct 7, 20201 min read
October 2020 Pastor's Pen
A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water everyone expected...
3 views0 comments
bottom of page