by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 21, 2022 | Sermons
In this continuation of our look at idolatry, we acknowledge that it would be disingenuous to only point our fingers outward. As I indicated in the first sermon in this series, the most insidious idols are things that, in their proper place, are beautiful, good, and holy. Last week we saw how the bronze snake God told Moses to make to serve as a channel of God’s healing in the wilderness eventually came to displace God and became an idol. Centuries after Moses, King Hezekiah had to destroy it for that reason.
Across the millennia, the Christian church has been battered and bruised by idols allowed to run rampant in our midst. We are on the precipice of repeating one of the most harmful mistakes in the history of the church: making God’s altar synonymous with the government of a nation. Sunday we’ll look at why this is such a problem and how we can be on our guard.
— Pastor Anne
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by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 14, 2022 | Sermons
Last week was focused on learning that idolatry isn’t about what a thing is but about how it functions in our lives. This week we’re going to zoom in closer to see how idols behave so that we can identify them before they get out of hand. Of course the easiest way to spot an idol is if you have a little black terrier named Toto who can run up and pull back the curtain. But, if Toto is unavailable, there are some definite signs that something other than God has elbowed its way into the top spot. Join me Sunday to learn to spot them.
— Pastor Anne
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by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 7, 2022 | Sermons
This sermon begins a series on the initial few commandments that are meant to guard against idolatry. Why? Because life in the United States in 2022 is beset with idols, and it is killing us in both our private and public lives…we’re going to begin with a broad look of what idolatry is and isn’t, with some contemporary examples. Across the weeks we’ll move into why we create them, how to recognize them, and, most importantly, how to strip them of their power.
— Pastor Anne
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by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 4, 2022 | News
This Sunday, we will be joined by Asako Shibata (piano) and Kevin Owen (French horn). They will provide our prelude and postlude, as well as some special music during communion. All are welcome… join us if you can!
Kevin Owen and Asako Shibata have been performing together throughout New England for about 15 years. Kevin is a professional French horn player, arranger and conductor. Asako is a performer and piano teacher with students throughout Winchester. They are married and live in Medford. When the Red Sox are losing, they often retire to their music studio and sing, play recorder and piano duets as well a piano/horn repertoire, for the entertainment of their two cats, Luna and Julius.
by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 3, 2022 | News
Again this year, we are supporting Housing Families by contributing to their annual school supplies drive. On Sunday, August 7 and Sunday, August 14, we’re collecting ball point pens, pencils, highlighters, magic markers, loose leaf paper, rulers and more. (Click here for a complete list of items needed.) If you can’t bring your donations to church on Sunday morning, the church office at office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056 to arrange a time to drop them off. Thanks so much!
