September 2009 Archives

Path of Wisdom - Talk the Walk

James 3:1-12, 17-18 & 4: 11-12 (The Message)

September 27, 2009

Rev. Nancy Pfaltzgraf

Here we are -week two of our exploration of the little book near the end of the Christian scriptures called the Letter or the Epistle of James. Last week we listened as James pointed us toward the truth that we must "walk the talk"; that is that we must be people of integrity whose actions make visible the faith that we proclaim. "For faith," James asserts, "without works is dead." In many and various ways each of us makes an effort to put our faith into action, so last week was, perhaps, a time when we smiled and said, (silently of course) "you got that right preacher." But this week, well this week may be a little more uncomfortable, at least it is for me. As one who teaches (and who among us does not) I stand in humility before the words of James, with the deep and profound prayer that my words will be born of God's wisdom. Please pray with me: "God, I trust that as I open my heart, mind and spirit to you, you will help me see as you see and fill my heart and my words with your wisdom. I thank you that you will also move among us, helping each of us receive the wisdom we need for our lives from the words I speak. Amen"

Path of Wisdom - Walk the Talk

James 1:19-21 & 2:1-8, 14-20 (MSG)

September 20, 2009

Rev. Nancy Pfaltzgraf

Some years ago there was a drought that threatened to destroy the crops and thus the livelihood of most of the residents in the village of Crete. "There isn't anything that will save us," the village priest said, "except a special litany for rain. Go home, spend this week fasting and then come next Sunday and I will do the litany."

The congregation listened to their priest, spent the week fasting and returned the next Sunday eager for the litany to begin. But as soon as the priest looked out at the people, he said, "Go home, I will not do the litany. You have no faith!"

"But Father" they protested, "we have faith."

"Faith" he cried! "then, where are your umbrellas?"

God Gives the Growth

I Corinthians 3:5-9

Celebration of the 175^th Anniversary of

Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ

Rev. Nancy Pfaltzgraf

What an exciting day -a day to look back and celebrate; a day to look ahead and dream! What an exciting day: a time to come back together again, some of us have been away a long time; some of us, a few months, and some of us here holding things together through what at least on the calendar was called summer- a time in the Midwest known as the growing season.

So it is that as we gather again, we want to focus for a time on growth and growing; celebrating and giving thanks for those who have planted, weeded, watered and nurtured the garden of this congregation and our lives.