One of the most piercing questions Jesus ever asked comes in Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? This is reinforced in Jesus’ “Great Commission” in Matthew 28 when he tells his disciples to teach others to “obey all that I have commanded you.” It is […]
How About a Party?
Sunday, November 23, will be “Covenant Sunday” at Chapel Hill, the conclusion of a month during which we have focused with laser-like intensity on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We’ve journaled our way through the “Sermon on the Mount,” asking the question, “What does Jesus call me to do as his […]
Chainsaw, anyone?
I have a great mother-in-law. None of the standard jokes apply. And one of the things I most admire is Peg’s desire to bring her family together. At her instigation—and frankly, on her dime—we have regular gatherings of family for the purpose of reconnecting, catching up, playing and celebrating life. This weekend is that at Chapel Hill. For the first […]
Not just about old, dead, Scottish white guys…
I still remember the summer day in 1984 that I drove my rental car into the little town of St. Andrews, Scotland, parked on North Street, and began to explore the place that would play such an important part in my life. I returned the following year to begin a lifelong love affair with the […]
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The Power of the Table
SavvIt was a very unusual Sunday morning for Cyndi and me. We were staying with a pastor friend in a Brooklyn brownstone that looked like it came right out of the Cosby show. Parking is a nightmare so everyone walks everywhere, including to church. We set out on Sunday morning for the ten block march […]
We are hiring the Hackmans… again!
Two years ago the Session, after a nationwide search, hired Larry and Megan Hackman as Assistant Pastors for Chapel Hill. They represented all kinds of “firsts” for us: the first graduates from Gordon Conwell Seminary, the first woman pastor on our staff, our first clergy couple and, in fact, the first clergy couple in the […]
Evening Worship at Chapel Hill
If you didn’t hear my sermon last Sunday, I urge you to do so. It sets the stage for all we are going to be doing in the weeks, months and even years to come. (Sermon) In sum, I spoke of my deepening sense of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus…and invited you […]
I Was Surprised
It was wonderful…and very surprising…sabbatical this summer. As I stood on my very first Paris Metro ride, heading for our hotel, I noticed a woman looking intently at me and then nodding her head toward the man next to me. I suddenly realized that he was trying to pick my pocket and she was warning […]
New Pastor!
As you know, we have been prayerfully seeking the person who will fill the role of Pastor for Renewal at Chapel Hill. Our Pastor’s Nominating Committee (PNC) has dedicated months of searching and praying that God would lead us to the right person. I am pleased to announce that the PNC completed its search and […]
Just to clarify…
You may have heard about a recent ruling by the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) on gay marriage. Chapel Hill is a church in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) denomination, not the PCUSA. The EPC, and by extension Chapel Hill, has not changed their position on marriage and continues to affirm traditional marriage between a man […]