The book of John was the first book that I studied as a seeker and new believer. I can remember being so excited to read the story of Jesus at his birth. I told my husband, “The story of Christmas is in the Bible!” This was in 1970. Burl and Bernita Shoemake, a pastor and his...
Over Labor Day weekend, Lana and I had the chance to get away and go up to Alaska. It was a fantastic trip. We had a couple of days of just the two of us traveling from Anchorage, through the Keni Peninsula, and back to Anchorage. We saw and experienced so much. Hikes in the Alaskan woods using...
Before Abraham was, I am. I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the door. I am the good shepherd. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the true vine. I am the way, the truth and the life. This week, Wayne is beginning a series on these eight “I AM” statements...
Here it is Labor Day weekend, the official end of Summer, but it feels like Fall started a week ago. Many Portland area kids started school last Monday and the weather today is autumn—ish. I hope you had a chance to get some down time this summer or at least a slower pace of life for a...
Would you like to hear a story? It was a dark and stormy night. Just kidding. Well, actually, it was dark but it wasn’t stormy one night, many years ago, when I was curled up on my couch in my SE Portland apartment that I shared with my friend Maile. It was late and I was absorbed in a...
First of all, I want to thank the elders and the church for the wonderful gift of a trip to Hawaii. In July/August Doug and I went to Hawaii for three weeks. We went to the big island, the island that I call home, as well as a trip to Maui. I enjoy swimming and being in the blue water always...
In one week the youth will begin their mission trip. We aren’t going to some far off land or some exotic place. We aren’t headed across the country to another city or a rural setting. Nope, instead we are headed to where we are now, Portland. Our hometown where we go to school, work...
It’s hard to believe it’s August already! The summer months seem to fly by more quickly than any other season. This month the children’s programs will be focusing on what it means to be in a Faith Community, where God’s family cares for each other and worships God...
“If you hear someday that I’m in prison, please pray for me.” The comment was made offhandedly, half-jokingly by Pastor Alexey Shipovski in his sermon to us last Sunday. But the reality out of which his comment arises is no laughing matter. The government of Russia has recently...
Simply watching the news or scrolling down your Facebook feed can be pretty discouraging these days. With further connectedness through technology and social media, it seems that we are increasingly being exposed more and more to the hate and brokenness of our world. We all react in various ways...