Author Archives: joyocala

Holy Communion, or The Eucharist (Greek for giving thanks) is central to our worship. If we are life-long, churchgoing Christians, we remember when this was celebrated very infrequently, maybe only twice a year. As a pastor, I have heard so … Continue reading →

Are you overwhelmed by the needs of our world?  Are you inundated by your own must-dos and the demands of your family and church?  In the midst of our feelings of helplessness, I found these words: “Go Out with Good … Continue reading →

        My sister-in-law and her husband have a magnificent knight’s armor standing in their living room.  Knowing her so well, I’m certain it is polished to a bright sheen, regularly. Of course, a valued knight wore his protective covering to keep himself … Continue reading →

The world in which we live is quite unstable as we all know.  Throughout history, there have been better times and times that were terrible. Wars, natural disasters, political and civil unrest, socioeconomic disparity, and the list goes on. We … Continue reading →

You have to love the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. The man of “short stature” who wanted to see Jesus so badly that he climbed a tree to get above the crowd of people surrounding Him. When Jesus spotted Zaccheus, … Continue reading →

When I was little there were some very difficult lessons to learn. Like: which is the right hand and which is the left; which is a mitten and which is a glove; which is silver and which is gold? By … Continue reading →

As we begin this month of November, I’d like to share with you a stanza from this Thanksgiving poem by Sarah M. Menkin. She wisely urges us to give thanks not only in times of bounty, but at all times … Continue reading →

I truly enjoy painting. I’m not talking about the artistic kind, as in watercolors or oil or acrylic. I have never taken an art class; maybe I will or should someday. I love doing paint-by-number kits. They are so relaxing … Continue reading →

Yesterday we celebrated the Festival of the Reformation.  Once again we looked at Martin Luther’s message to the church of his day and to us.   We heard the reassurance that we are saved in “Christ Alone.”    Nothing that we do … Continue reading →

        Bleat and baa can almost be synonymous.  It is a sound coming from a sheep.  They baa to make their location known to other sheep, or a lamb will baa to find its mother.  A shepherd’s job is to guard the flock from … Continue reading →