Tag: Pastor’s Corner

Pastor’s Corner

Jim Mann Obituary for 2020 The year 2020 breathed its last, COVID-infected breath on Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. It was one year old. 2020, known early on as “Baby New Year,” was born on Jan. 1. As the ball dropped in New York’s Time Square, the world anticipated the year and all that it…

Pastor’s Corner

Jim Mann When it was late in the day, and the crowd of people listening to Jesus were hungry, Jesus’ disciples suggested Jesus send them away for dinner. This exchange followed, “But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27–28) Our world is in chaos—filled with division and conflict. But God wants us to be peacemakers. In our church, we…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility … He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.” (Ephesians 2:14, 16) Ours is a world of…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.” (Psalm 133:1–2, NIV84) The key to good and pleasant company is given with a…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “Out of the depths I call to you, LORD! Lord, listen to my voice; let your ears be attentive to my cry for help.” (Psalm 130:1–2, CSB) My mom used to say I was “trouble” with a capital T. It doesn’t offend me. Partly because it’s true. But also because trouble is…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.” (Psalm 125:1, CSB) When the psalmist says that those who trust in the Lord can’t be shaken or moved, is he describing you? I want to be a picture of an immovable rock. But the…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2) Life can be a bit scary, can’t it? Think about all the unknowns … about how many things are out of our control. Think of…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann I’ve talked to so many of you during this COVID-19 scare, checking in, seeing if you’re okay. A few of you, not many, I found to be fearful. Some of you, like me, are angry. But 100% of us are anxious. Anxiety is a general sense of unease or uncertainty. Even those…

Pastor’s Corner

Dr. Jim Mann “When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:1–3, CSB) In ancient times, mountains were often considered holy…