A Covenant for the People and a Light for the Nations

‘“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations…’”Isaiah 42:6The visit of the Magi, Gentile worshipers of the promised Messiah, fulfilled what had been revealed...

Continue reading

A Light for the Nations

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 When Simeon takes the Christ...

Continue reading

Name of Promise

"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21 Joseph obeyed God. The angel had instructed him to give the child the name Jesus because Yahweh would save His...

Continue reading

Singing with Isaiah

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they...

Continue reading

Waiting with Zephaniah

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer...

Continue reading

Waiting with Malachi

“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they...

Continue reading

Waiting with Jeremiah

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In...

Continue reading

O Give Thanks Unto the Lord!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1While Thanksgiving Day is not a festival on the Church’s calendar, it is central to the Church’s life. Thanksgiving Day may not be celebrated across the border in Canada or among sister congregations across the...

Continue reading

Thankful in All Circumstances

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”1 Thessalonians 5:18The person who taught me about thankfulness the most was not a pastor or seminary professor, but a young mother of two. As a new pastor, I visited this young woman who...

Continue reading

Rev. David Johnson Obituary

Rev. David Johnson February 17, 1951 – November 16, 2024 Pastor David Johnson, age 73, finished his battle with cancer November 16, 2024, and entered into his heavenly inheritance with the Lord. Dave was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 17, 1951, to John and Esther Dyer Johnson. After high school,...

Continue reading