You know when you meet someone who has been through so many struggles in her life this past year yet has the most positive attitude toward life and sees her struggles as not a curse but a blessing from God?  You know when you talk with a person who has had her life turned upside down yet still maintains faith and hope for what is yet to come on the journeyand seeks to be that person who can make a difference in the lives of others?  That is when you are able to see how God is still speaking in our lives today.  Amen

As I sit back and watch the evening news and reports on the devastation Hurricane Sandy has brought to so many lives, my heart cries out for God's people.  As they begin to rebuild their lives, may we continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ, may we be ever thankful for our God who is present and walking beside them offering love and compassion for all.

The United Church of Christ is in the midst of reflief efforts on the east coast right now.  If you would like to contribute to their relief efforts, you may give a monetary donation during the worship service at any time.  Just mark on the memo line of your check or offering envelope "Hurricane Sandy Relief".  Please join the UCC as we journey with those who have lost their homes, their jobs, and their family.  "Lord in your mercy....hear our prayer."

A new semester has begun for me at Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio.  A new journey to go on, new friends to be made, and new thoughts on how God was present throughout history and continues to be present in our lives today.  This semester begins my Field Education and I am looking forward to be in collaboration on this particular journey with the church, my supervisor, my professor and classmates as projects begin to be formed, case studies are discussed, and our minds are stretched. 

I want to thank all those who have volunteered to be a part of the church field education committee.  These brave souls will be evaluating me and giving me valuable input on how I may grow to be a better pastor in this venture together.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Together, with the help of God, we can continue to grow together in God's love, God's mystery, and God's wonderful surprises along the way!

God B

What a wonderful Blessing of the Backpacks this past Sunday!  We had beautiful children with their backpacks all ready to return to school receiving a blessing for the school year and we also had another surprise!  The cutest little dog you have ever seen decided she needed to be a part of the worship service too!  So she came in the front door and trotted right up to the altar where all of the children were gathered for the sermon and was God's surprise for the day!  She was so happy to be a part of the service that her little tail just wagged and wagged from all of the attention she was receiving.

When we at Republic UCC say "All Are Welcome" we mean it!  May God bless our children and their teachers this week as they return to school and may God bless all creatures big and small. :-)

You can view the video of the blessing under the multimedia tab of this website.

May the love, peace and blessings of Christ be with each one of you this day.

    June 29th and 30th the youth went on the hunt to find how God is still speaking at Kings Island.  And what they brought back with them was amazing!  Upon returning from two days in the park, the water park, and the SpiritSong concert featuring Toby Mac, Owl City and Red in over 100 degree temperatures, what they brought back from their experience is how everyone was like a part of the family of God at the concert, and even in the park.  They saw God speaking in the heat, in the water, in the music, and in their fun and fellowship together and listening to the gift of music praising God.  It was such a joy to see the smiles and laughter and committment of our youth in worshiping God outside of the walls of the church!  The concert and the waterpark were a hit!

Today we honor those who have graduated from High School and College during worship.  I seen a few of our graduates grow up from being small children to young adults.  I am so proud of all of their accomplishments and am excited to see what God has in store for them on their next journey in life.  All of our graduates are college bound and I wish them wisdom in their studies, joy in their new adventure, and all the love and grace God has to offer.  May you be blessed each and every day and know we will miss you but look forward to your visits when you can so we can hear all about your life and what you have learned along the way.