Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Special Topics”
What is “Faith for Thought”? Faith for Thought is a one-day conference on September 28th in State College where we explore together how Christian faith connects with our everyday lives. This year’s event is being held at Grace Lutheran Church. This year’s theme is “Seeds of Hope” focusing on the scriptural understanding of human stewardship within the interconnected community of …
Personal Reflection Luke 14:1-24 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on …
Giving Out – The Power of a Gift Pause for Thought Try to remember times when others have done something or said something that has made you feel loved and accepted. The Gift of Encouragement I am frequently surprised by things that other people remember that I have forgotten completely. “Do you remember,” said my very oldest friend recently, “when …
To continue your reflection It is fascinating to note that fasting is a common factor in all major religions and even among those whose reasons for limiting their food intake are not specifically religious, as the proprietors of health spas and Weight Watcher groups can testify. Perhaps what we are looking at is a common human urge to strip life …
Happy Lent, everyone! Each week’s posts for the Chocolate for Lent Bible study and disucssion are online here Through Lent, two or three pieces will be posted each week. Whether you can join the conversation on Thursdays over dinner (after worship) at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center or not, we hope you find the readings, reflections and questions helpful in your journey this …
Personal Reflection Note: This is an exercise in imagination; there are no right or wrong answers. These questions will be discussed during the group encounter. You will find each reading at the end of this post. Read Matthew 4:1-11, 18-22 What would have happened if Jesus had not withdrawn to the desert and been tempted for forty days before he …
Giving up – the Prelude to Change From the author of Chocolate for Lent, Hilary Brand I love chocolate. Dark and bitter, rich and creamy, lemon creams, mint thins, caramels, truffles, pralines, profiteroles, Mars bars, Mississippi mud pies . . . event he names make my mouth water. Caramels, fudge, dream bars and M & M’s. . . . I’ll …
Origins of Lent The name “Lent” comes from the Saxon word Lenctentid, used for the month of March in signifying springtime and the lengthening of days. The idea of a fast before Easter, however, goes way back before Christianity reached the Saxons, to the first centuries of the Church. It seems to have sprung up spontaneously, albeit only practiced for …
Chocolate for Lent! – Bible Study/Discussion Instead of giving up chocolate this Lent, join the Bible study/discussion using the movie Chocolat to direct our conversation about faith, life and devotion. We’ll have the conversation over dinner, and there will be chocolate each week (this means if you are giving up chocolate for lent, you get a reprieve each week for …
