Author Archive: Pastor Carol Grace

Sweet Holy Spirit (NRSV) Matt 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” One of the things I love about The Church at Rock Creek is the emphasis placed on baptism. There is seldom a Sunday when we do not have multiple baptisms. Usually, I watch on the large screen in the worship center, but last month a good friend’s grandson was baptized, and I stood there, united with family and friends, as he publicly expressed his faith and followed Jesus in baptism. As I watched the faces of those gathered that morning I thought of the song “Sweet, sweet Spirit” by Dolores Akers. I’m sure you know the hymn: There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, And I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each face And I know they feel the presence of the Lord. While we are singing praise songs prior to the sermon, I often take a moment to look around at my fellow worshippers, and there it is— “sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.” When I was still active in the ministry, I began each service with prayer, and each prayer included the invitation to the Holy Spirit to come and fill us to overflowing. You see, it is only when we have the overflowing presence of the Holy Spirit ourselves that we can follow the commandment to make disciples—we may extend the invitation, but it is the Holy Spirit who does the work. May we begin each day in Bible reading and prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to send people across our paths that we can help, and may we have the confidence in our faith that is vital to living out the Christian life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

♦ March 14, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

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♦ March 12, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

Make every Effort (NRSV) 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape …

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Love that Covers multitude of Sins (NRSV) 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may benefit glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. “…for love covers a multitude of sins.” Don’t you love that? Years ago I made several posters for my Sunday School Class. On one poster I drew a globe, and almost covering the globe was a cross with the caption, “love covers a multitude of sins.” This scripture is so action oriented … maintain love, be hospitable, serve one another…so that God will be glorified. I am reminded that even when we are at rest, or in a time of prayer, or in a season of watching and waiting, we are never to be passive. Instead, we are to actively seek the Lord and retain an awareness of the needs of those around us. When I was preaching, I would sometimes tell the congregation that I was called to preach the Bible, but I was not called to knock on your front door to be sure you are living the Bible. It is the Holy Spirit who works within us to mold us into God’s image, and it is the Holy Spirit who places spiritual gifts within each believer for the building up of the Kingdom. May we remain sensitive to the leading of the Spirit as we continue on the pathway of holiness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

♦ March 11, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

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Have You Not Heard?

♦ March 8, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

(NRSV) Is 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.   I have been reading the Bible for …

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Grace that is Greater than All Our Sins

♦ March 7, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

PSALM 103:12“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12MICAH 7:18“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” – Micah 7:18EPHESIANS …

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