Our commissioning hymn this second Sunday of Lent is the well-known “Just As I Am” written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835. In one sitting she wrote what she felt is the Gospel of pardon, peace and heaven.
Since then, countless generations have come to Christ at altar calls while hearing “Just As I Am” being sung by choirs great and small. Continue reading Just As I Am
“The Inconvenient Timing of God”
Rev. Jeffrey Long-Middleton
Bradford Congregational Church-UCC
Mark 1: 9-15
February 18, 2018
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Mark 1:14-15i
The timing seems all wrong. Jesus, right after He is baptized, is led by the Spirit (by the Spirit, mind you) into the wilderness. Most of us would have gone with our families to a nice restaurant to mark this passage into adulthood. Then there’s this. John has just been arrested and Jesus goes out and says, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” The tone seems all wrong. The kingdom of God has come near? John was just arrested. Isn’t that proof that God is distant and aloof? Continue reading Sermon Feb 18, 2018
“Seeing Jesus Only”
Rev. Jeffrey Long-Middleton
Bradford Congregational Church-UCC
Mark 9: 2-9
February 11, 2018
“Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.” Mark 9:8i
The disciples had seen one miracle after another. From the first chapter of Mark through the eighth chapter they had seen a man with a withered hand, a man who could neither speak nor hear, the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, a paralytic lowered through a roof by his friends, a blind man, a woman who could not stop hemorrhaging, and many others who were afflicted all healed. But it is not until this ninth chapter of Mark that their view of Jesus is transfigured. Continue reading Sermon Feb 11, 2018
Over the years our church has hosted pancake suppers on the day before Lent starts (Mardi Gras), hiding the Allelujahs, dispensing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Lenten Bible study series, ritual feet washing on Maundy Thursday, a seder, a Passover, Tenebrae, Good Friday prayer vigils, and Good Friday evening services. And for many decades we have hosted the start of the Interchurch Council series of Lenten evening services culminating in our presentation of the annual Choir Festival. Continue reading How we journey through the season of Lent
“The Power of Staying Focused”
Rev. Jeffrey Long-Middleton
Bradford Congregational Church-UCC
Mark 1: 29-38
February 4, 2018
“He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do. ” Mark 1:38i
We all know how important it is to stay focused. Need proof? Try to text and drive. You’ll end up meeting people you never knew before because you will have crashed into them. Focus. You shouldn’t drive when your focus is lost. Continue reading Sermon Feb 4, 2018
Just what are hymns, anyway?
Our hymnals contain three basic categories of congregational songs to be sung: Continue reading Just what are hymns, anyway?
“The Arrogance of Jesus”
Rev. Jeffrey Long-Middleton
Bradford Congregational Church-UCC
Mark 1: 21-28
January 28, 2018
“They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ” Mark 1:25i
There is power here. There is a promise. In these few verses from Mark is embedded the truth of God. But truth is not always tripped over. Sometimes truth requires digging to unearth its beauty and promise. Continue reading Sermon Jan. 28, 2018
February 14 – Ash Wednesday
February 18 – 1st Sunday of Lent
February 25 – 2nd Sunday of Lent
March 4 – 3rd Sunday of Lent
March 11 – 4th Sunday of Lent
March 18 – 5th Sunday of Lent
March 25 – Palm Sunday
“The Immediacy of the Moment”
Rev. Jeffrey Long-Middleton
Bradford Congregational Church-UCC
Mark 1:14-20
January 21, 2018
“And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:18i
Immediately. There must have been something about Jesus. Simon and Andrew, James and John – to a man they left all they had ever known, the people they loved the most – immediately. Had they nothing to lose? Continue reading Sermon Jan 21, 2018
Our commissioning hymn this Sunday is nick-named Saint Andrew’s hymn due to its second verse: “As of old, Saint Andrew heard it, by the Galilean lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for His dear sake.” Here is its back-story.
Bradford Congregational Church is only a few miles south of Vermont’s Caledonia County, so the old hymns of the Scots-Irish are a big part of our tradition. Continue reading Saint Andrew’s hymn