From The Pastor-
Goal Oriented or God-Oriented
Rev. Amber Massingill
The start of the new year is notoriously the time when people make New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps you’re one of those people. Perhaps it works for you. It doesn’t work for me. Unless I have partner to push me to exercise it doesn’t happen. Unless relatives come for [...]

Dear Friends,
In a recent sermon, I lifted up the importance of opportunities. Galatians 5:16 says “make the most of every opportunity.”  God opens windows for us every day to share the love of Christ. Are we open and eager to find them? As a church we can take advantage of opportunities right in front of [...]

Get Connected!
Sunday, Sept. 13 ‘09
In modern times, it’s easy to think that we’re connected to one another because we’re online or because we see each other by plane/car/webcam, but what we often lack in our faith journey is a deep connection with other believers. Without realizing it we may be lacking intimacy, common purpose, teamwork, [...]

Dear Friends,
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and kids return to school at the end of August. Truly this last month has flown by! Thank you to all those who have helped welcome and orient me and my family. Worship has been a delight, especially to meet many of you and praise [...]

To My New Friends in Christ,
The Apostle Paul begins many of his letters to local churches giving thanks for their care and ministry and affirming that their ministry has been heard of far and wide. Well, not only had I heard about your faithful ministry through Pastor Sam, but now the whole Annual Conference has [...]

Dear Friends,
When our District Superintendent Rev. Debbie McLeod told me that Rev. Amber Massingill was being appointed to serve Cutler Ridge UMC beginning July 1st, I was very excited for you.  She is a wonderful person and you will love her very much.  She is gifted in many ways.  She will be a blessing to [...]

Dear Friends,
A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution. “Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs?” “Not so fast,” said the pig testily. [...]

Dear Friends,
Christ is risen!  Christ is risen indeed!  That ancient affirmation and response has echoed through the ages at Easter.  As we celebrate this most important Christian holy day, I am amazed at the power of Christ’s resurrection still at work in the church today.
We began the ReFocus process with some fear and trepidation wondering [...]

Dear Friends,
A core concept of Lent is “repentance.”  In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), repentance has the idea of an “about face.”  It means “to do a 180,” to head in the opposite direction.  The prophets often called people to repent because they had turned away from God.  They needed to change directions, to go [...]

Dear Friends,
“I love you.”  Perhaps the three most powerful words in the English language.  We all want to be loved.
I can almost recount the history of my elementary education by the girl I hoped to get a Valentine from that year. Every year it was a different girl.  I say “almost” because there was the [...]