TEAM SPIRIT, A PENTECOST MESSAGE

On May 31, Pentecost Sunday, I will deliver a message entitled TEAM SPIRIT.

As I conclude a long career coaching High School sports, I will draw the analogy between what goes on with a team and what we are expected to be as a church...

For those of you who do NOT like sports or think that sports is given too high a priority in this culture, I hope and I think you will find that this message IS NOT FOR SPORTS FANS ONLY.....

But I also think my experience in this area makes the analogous thinking make some sense....

In order to do some advance thinking on this.....CONSIDER ANSWERING THE TWO POLL QUESTIONS TO YOUR RIGHT...

PB

GOV. RELL AND THE DEATH PENALTY

The Connecticut House and Senate have both passed a bill to abolish the death penalty. It awaits the Governor's signature. I encourage readers to contact Governor Rell and encourage her to do what is in her power to rid our state of this practice....

PB

PRESIDENT OBAMA AT NOTRE DAME

President Obama delivered an incredible speech today at the University of Notre Dame. It was remarkable for many reasons. It was a serious attempt to establish COMMON GROUND so that people on both sides of the abortion debate can stop screaming and shouting and instead recognize one another as God's children and ACT WITH CIVILITY, too often an abandoned quality.

I'll have more to say about this, probably tomorrow, but, for now, I'd recommend you view it on:

http://www.msnbc.com/

I'd like your reaction...

Pastor Bob

THE DEATH PENALTY IN CONNECTICUT

I am encouraged that there is a serious move afoot to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut. I honestly hope that this effort succeeds. I would be interested in readers' perspectives on this question. In my view, the death penalty sends a bad message, is vengeance based, and is ineffective. I find it hard to justify in terms of the teachings of Jesus, Himself a victim of.....the death penalty of His day....

PB

DOES IT MATTER?

If you are a believing Christian, does it matter if you are Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, UCC or any other church? Are all churches really the same?

Check out our POLL QUESTIONS to the right......

THIS SUNDAY...I'll be preaching a sermon called ' TO BE UCC'.....

I'd be interested in your thoughts on the United Church of Christ...

* What are its distinguishing characteristics?
* is there a UCC approach to theology + church?
* What makes the UCC similar/different from other Christian churches?
* Do these questions even matter?...OR ARE THEY IRRELEVANT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

PB

TO BE UCC

This Sunday, May 17, I will preach a message called :

TO BE UCC

It's a look at the United Church of Christ in the context of Christianity in America...

Watch this blog for updated thoughts this week and maybe a poll or two...

PB