FPC Prosper

(2026-02-20)

Earlier this week I ran into an acquaintance at a local store, and she greeted me with, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Now, anyone who knows me knows I’m always up for celebrating Christmas without regard for that the calendar says. However, before I could respond, she added, “In this dark and broken world, we need to find reasons to celebrate.”

Later that afternoon, a thought popped into my mind. “Not so fast there, preacher boy.”

What about John 1:1 (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.)

Perhaps instead of looking for reasons to celebrate ––we should acknowledge the fact that we always have a reason to celebrate.

We have a reason to celebrate every day. 

What we should do is share the light.

The good news of the scriptures.

Of God’s eternal and all-encompassing love as expressed in John 3:16—(For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.)

And let me tell you, if that isn’t reason enough to celebrate, then I don’t think you are ever going to find one.

Peace and blessings—Pastor John

On this day devoted to sharing love, it felt like a good time to take a moment to celebrate and appreciate every one of you. To remind everyone that this congregation – our congregation – you and I are known for the love, compassion, and grace we share with each other and with the world. Happy Valentine’s day – Pastor John

Love, grace, and forgiveness.

John 3:16 tells us –

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Then in Matthew 22:23-40, Jesus responds to a question about which of the commandments is the most important.

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love God…

Love each other.

Love, grace, and forgiveness – God’s gifts to us.

Love, grace, and forgiveness – How we should, are called to respond to God’s gracious gift.

A life filled with love, grace, and forgiveness is the true blessing reserved for believers.

Peace and blessings – Pastor John

Good morning, everyone.

Sadly, the elements have conspired to keep us from worshipping together this morning for a second week in a row.

The situation we find ourselves in is not ideal, nor is it how you or I would like it, but as they say there is not much we can do about the weather. We can either complain about how things are, or shrug our shoulders at adversity and make the best of the day the Lord has given us. Remembering that it is better to be safe than sorry.

The worst of mother nature’s wintery tantrum is behind us. And as I write these words I am reminded of the time the Jesus and the disciples were crossing the lake and the wind blew, stirring up the waves to the point they feared the boat would sink and they would be lost.

And while our situation is not as dire as what the disciples were experiencing, we are threatened and inconvenienced by the weather. This morning, we find ourselves in much the same boat as the disciples. 

So, let’s do the same thing the disciples did – trust Jesus and ask God’s blessings on each other, family, friends, and some stranger you have yet to meet.

You can read all about boats, storms, and trusting Jesus in Mark 4:35-41.

 Jesus Calms the Storm

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Peace and blessings – Pastor John