Dear Friends in Christ, 

Tonight we end our summer worship series with a meditative style reflection on the words that Jesus taught us to pray when we say what we call “the Lord’s Prayer.”  (Of course, we ought to call it “Our Lord’s Prayer” because Jesus is Lord for only some self-identifying Christians.)

Since there’s a controversial “Christian nationalism” movement astir in our society these days, I decided to “google” this term and examine the AI (artificial intelligence) definition of it.  Here’s a bit of what I found: 

The Lord’s Prayer and Christian Nationalism

The Lord’s Prayer is fundamentally at odds with the ideology of Christian nationalism according to many theologians and critics of the movement.  While Christian nationalists may use religious language, the prayer’s focus on God’s transcendent kingdom, challenges a nationalism that exalts a particular earthly nation. 

Theological Contrast Between the Lord’s Prayer and Christian Nationalism

A “Google AI” footnote states: “AI responses may include mistakes.”  Well, of course!  Nobody and nothing are perfect, not even AI!  And its truth, like beauty, is certainly “in the eye of the beholder.”   

But, I find a lot of this AI content to be “on the mark.” – or the opposite of sin which is about “missing (divine) marks.”  But, what about you?

Blessings of Love’s Respect and Compassion Amidst Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling,
Pastor Ed

August 13, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ, 

I’ve shared with you concerns I have about Christian Nationalism, the idea that we should be a Christian nation filled with laws based on some fundamental Christian interpretations of Scripture and beliefs.  So it was, I became concerned when our NH Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin, posted a note to churches warning us to be careful of “new strings” being attached to  Federal Nonprofit grants that churches may use to strengthen building security.  (You can read his note  in this newsletter.)

Then,  I read of a Texas legislator, James Talarico, a young rising politician who wears his Christianity on his sleeve.  But, not in expected ways.  For instance, as a Christian, he opposes a new Texas law requiring prominent display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.   And, yes he opposes it on religious, not political grounds! 

Interested in learning more, I looked up Talarico on Wikipedia  and read this description: 

“Talarico is ‘deeply religious’ Christian… (who) has cited his faith and the teachings of Jesus as the reason for launching his political career (and) describes politics as ‘another word for how we treat our neighbors’…  He is (also) an outspoken critic of  Christian Nationalism and has called it a “cancer on our religion.”

Intrigued, when I learned he’d recently been interviewed by the popular, controversial podcast host, Joe Rogan, I “tuned in.”  I encourage you to do so, too (Episode #2382).  For, theirs is an interesting, timely conversation about Christianity, church, and politics in our day.  And, they cover a lot more ground than what you might imagine.

Blessings of Living in Our Time and times, Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,
The experience of temptation has been a force at work in the lives of humans for a long, long time. The earliest written forms of the story of a famous temptation in the Garden of Eden date to the 10th century BCE. And, oral storytelling about this temptation precedes these written forms by hundreds and hundreds of years.

According to the gospel authors, Jesus experienced temptation from the beginning of his rabbinic ministry to its end. The earliest gospel writer, Mark, reports that right after being baptized by John, Jesus was “driven into the wilderness” to be tempted by Satan. And, in another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, we find Jesus, near the end of his life, praying about temptation.

In between, during his lifetime, Jesus taught followers to pray that they not be “led into temptation.” And, he reminded them of this again, after he prayed by himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. So it is, we sing in John Scriven’s “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, and ask, “Have we trials and temptations? … We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!”

Giving into some temptations brings lots of trouble to our lives and world. So, tonight, in our worship, we’ll not just sing about temptation, we’ll reflect on it as we continue our sermon series on our Lord’s prayer. I hope you might join us.

Blessings of Peace,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,

As our hot summer rolls along, I find myself experiencing lots of air-conditioned air being pushed around by fans. My thoughts wander, and I think of old lyrics written by Seals and Croft who, in 1972, sang “Summer breeze makes me feel fine… Blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind.”

I remember this song because I heard it many times that summer while painting my boyhood Victorian house. I also recall hearing Mungo Jerry’s “in the summertime when the weather is high, you can chase right up and touch the sky.” I perhaps remember these words because I spent a lot of time at the top of a 40 foot ladder!

Like most New Englanders, I appreciate each season’s unique qualities. And, I cherish summer for its beach weather, a pleasant change of pace, and good outdoor times with loved ones and friends.

Speaking of a change of pace, this is what our Wednesday summer evenings feature. We share fellowship and eat dessert first. Then, we have shorter, simpler worship – in air-conditioned air! So, hopefully, we experience both physical and spiritual refreshment. If you haven’t yet joined us, I hope you might. For, before we know it, it will be Fall!

Blessings of Summer Refreshment of All Kinds,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,

I often joke that one subject we don’t talk about in church is politics. I also add that I believe there’s a relationship between religion and politics, and the question is: Which follows which?

I believe we can and should talk about religion and politics because our views on politics are a reflection of our faith. Or at least, I think they should be. How about you?

This does not mean I endorse a candidate for office in a sermon or newsletter. I simply comment on political issues and actions of elected officials when it’s relevant to a Biblical text or concern – or our Christian faith.

But, not all church pastors have kept or keep to this boundary between faith expression and endorsement of candidates. Many fundamentalist and evangelist church pastors actually distribute “who to vote for” cards to members of their church. I know because I’ve received them from worshippers who’ve attended such churches, and I’ve received endorsement materials in the mail.

Whether this is legal or not is another story. But the reality is that enforcement of any law has been minimal and just became weaker. If you’re interested in this subject, please see the statement released by United Church of Christ legal counselor, Heather Kimmel. click here.

Blessings of Freedom of Expression and Exercise of Responsibility,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope you had a nice 4th of July holiday and weekend. I spent the 4th with family and dear friends on Lake Winnipesaukee, and it was quite special and relaxing – especially since I didn’t have to prepare a sermon for this past Sunday!

However, I also spent some somber moments on the 4th of July in prayer because I found myself concerned and grieving the direction in which our nation seems to be headed under the leadership of our current Executive Branch and Congress. Giving their decisions and actions of the last few months, millions of children will needlessly die in poorer nations around the world. And, millions of poorer families will suffer needlessly from lack of food security and health care in our own nation.

Amidst these realities and prospects, we’ll be starting our Wednesday summer evening worship tonight. Over the summer, we’ll be reflecting on prayer in general and the Lord’s prayer in particular. And, we’ll be praying it as well as our own prayers.

Given all our thoughts and feelings about what’s happening in our nation and society, I wonder how our praying – and our responses to praying as Christians – will be affected. How about you?

Blessings of Well-being in Christ,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,
Earlier in June we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. On it we commemorated the birth of the Christian church, and we asked, during our sermon time, “What needed birthday gifts might we give to the church?”

Next week, on the 4th of July, we’ll celebrate the birth of our nation. Likewise, we may ask what needed gifts might we give to our nation for its birthday. This, we’ll do from a Christian perspective on this upcoming Sunday when one of our sermon questions will be, “What needed gifts might we Christians give to the United States for a birthday present?”

I’ll give you a hint: I don’t think it’s something called Christian Nationalism! But, come contribute your reflections and thoughts, and we’ll see what our Christian birthday gift list looks like.

Blessings of Citizenship in God’s Realm of Creation and the United States,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ, 

Last Sunday, on Pentecost, I asked, “What would be a good birthday gift to give to the church?”  Several responded, “More people!”   And, a few more added, “Younger people and children!”   Indeed, people, especially younger people and children, would be good gifts for the church!

But one person mentioned what I think would be an even better gift.  She said, “People who share their faith outside the church!”

In an age when more and more people have never gone to church, it’s important, if not essential, we be more visible with, and more vocal about, our faith.  This doesn’t mean we have to speak like fundamentalist Christians whose goal it is to convert people to their beliefs.  But, it does mean we ought to be prepared to share with non-church goers why we do what we do and why we attend church.

We’ll be talking more about “being more visible” as our new Church Vitality Team begins its work with our coach and consultant, the Rev. Paul Nickerson.  Bridget, Heather, Kaddy, and I will start our planning this summer with Paul, and we’ll be sharing our learnings and ideas with you – all with the aim that we might become better “gifts” for the 21^st century church.

Blessings of God’s Spirit,
Pastor Ed

Dear Friends in Christ,

This upcoming Sunday, the 50th day after Easter, is Pentecost Sunday. It’s the church’s birthday. Therefore, it’s ours, too!

So I wonder… given that we sometimes harbor birthday wishes, if you could ask for a birthday gift on behalf of the church, what would it be?

This question, we’ll consider in our worship next Sunday when we celebrate the church’s birthday. I hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it, feel free to call, text or e-mail me your birthday wish for the church.

Happy Birthday!
Pastor Ed