David Swift Proverbs 28:13, 25 13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 25… those who trust in the LORD will prosper. Reflection: We all love to find a way to hit reset in our lives. Whether it’s a new job, new relationships, or just the beginning of a new year…getting a fresh start feels good! These opportunities might allow us a clean slate to erase past mistakes, but old habits can often return bringing along the baggage we sought to leave behind. The truth found in Proverbs 28 [...]

By Tom Pace, Senior Pastor Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,     for understanding words of insight, 3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,     righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,     knowledge and prudence to the young— 5 let the wise also hear and gain in learning,     and the discerning acquire skill, wi 6 to understand a proverb and a figure,     the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;     fools despise wisdom [...]

Methodism's founder, John Wesley, first celebrated a covenant renewal as a "Watch Night" service in 1755. In its original use, the term "Watch Night" referred to a gathering for prayer that could last well into the night or even overnight. For a number of years, Methodists would hold Watch Night services for covenant renewal—a fresh commitment to God. It eventually became tradition to hold this service on New Year's Eve. Watch Night services on New Year's Eve have also become an important part of African-American worship, Methodist and otherwise, because the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect at midnight [...]

Happy New Year from the Daily Habit! March 2020 was a month in which we realized that the needs of our St. Luke’s community and the city of Houston were shifting rapidly. St. Luke’s learned to become nimble and innovative very quickly. Many new needs presented themselves as the year went on. We had many new opportunities to minister in new ways in order to bring the Love of Christ to those who needed it most. One need that quickly arose was how to get daily devotional materials into the hands of our friends who were in locked-down assisted [...]

Rev. Michelle Manuel  Scripture: 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. [...]

By Tom Pace, Senior Pastor   9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,  they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to [...]

Fran Brown, Gene Decker Study Class Isaiah 7:14 (RSV) “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Reflection: I am one of those people who is subject to holiday depression. This was especially true when my three children were young. I wanted them to have beautiful memories of our family celebrations, but I didn’t get the Christmas letter written or the matching pajamas bought for the Christmas card photo. My results at wreath-making or cookie decorating or ornament crafting didn’’t match up [...]