SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 9, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ –

The last three weeks you’ve experienced wonderful preaching by three very different pulpiteers. Ken, Steven and Becky each have special voices through which they brought God’s word on humility, engagement, and God’s abundance.

This Sunday I’m recounting a familiar episode I’ve offered to you when Rebecca and I first arrived that I believe has particular and timely resonance for these days.

We were looking for a gift for Rev. Lana Russell who actually delivered a message at my ordination. She’d just accepted a call and had moved to Michigan. We wanted to send a housewarming gift.

Lana and I are both from Texas and may exhibit a frontier sense of humor, a Lone Star look at theology. We stopped by this Christian gift shop and there in the midst of pottery, vases, linens and cards was a rack of dishtowels – you know the kind that you might hang near the cabinet – but that you may or may not ever use. This one towel had three phrases, brief declarations, three brief statements that I want to hold before you –

Hell is hot,
time is short, and
stakes are high.

As our planet bakes and our lives race by, we are struck with the urgency of our witness to the only power that can repair the breach of this moment – the love of Jesus.

See you in worship. Invite a friend (or someone who you wish were :)

Glad to be back!