From the Pastor’s Desk
April 2025
by Pastor Kenn Curren
“As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is refined; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30 (NASB)
Here we are at the beginning of April and I think it is safe to say that Spring is finally here. We started off the season of Spring pretty optimistic that we would have pleasant weather, then WHAM! We ended up with up and down temperatures, snow flurries, sleet and frosty mornings. It was a disappointment to those of us that enjoy the outdoors, the gardeners, and everyone that was ready for winter to end. We can look around us and find disappointment in many things; politics, children, spouses, our lives, and even some are disappointed with God when things don’t go as they want it to.
The Psalmist reminds us though that “The ways of God are without fault.” (Psalm 18:30) So what is the cure for our disappointments?Max Lucado wrote this in He Still Moves Stones; “When God doesn’t do what we want, it’s not easy. Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and He will get us through it. Remember, disappointment is cured by revamped expectations.”
Max Lucado relates a story about a fellow who went to the pet store in search of a singing parakeet. Seems he was a bachelor and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg.
He felt cheated that he’d been sold a one-legged bird, so he called and complained. “What do you want,” the store owner responded, “a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?”
I think we can use similar questions when we are faced with times of disappointment in our lives.
Peace, Pastor Kenn
On May 17, the Central Valley Lay Servant Ministries will host a class on ministering to individuals affected by dementia at Moreland United Methodist Church. The class is open to all individuals who are interested in learning more about this topic. Further details regarding registration will be provided in due course.
On March 26, Pastor Kenn attended the Loudonville Mohican Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. The Chamber presented Loudonville United Methodist Church with the key to the village in recognition of our 188 years of dedicated service to the community of Loudonville.
Peace, Pastor Kenn
March 2025
by Pastor Kenn Curren
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
John 13:12-17
As Easter approaches, we hear the stories of Jesus and how He came to serve others, not be served (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). Are we living out His example?
Tony Alstott says, “American culture says, ‘Volunteer.’ But Jesus says, ‘Serve.’ Jesus never asked for volunteers. In today’s world, people volunteer because they want to, not because they have to. They say, ‘I’ll volunteer if it’s something I like to do, want to do, and if it fits into my schedule.’ Don’t get me wrong, volunteering is a good thing, but it’s not enough. Jesus called us to be disciples. When we accept Jesus’invitation to follow Him, we no longer volunteer according to our own preferences. Instead, we serve according to Jesus’ preferences. If Jesus wants us to serve in hospitality, hold a baby in the nursery, paint a wall at the food pantry, or give a testimony, we don’t say no. Declining churches are full of members who volunteer according to their own preferences instead of responding to the opportunity to serve where God is calling. Paul says that God has equipped the church with every spiritual gift to accomplish His mission. In your local church, there are opportunities to serve. Volunteers may never fill those opportunities, but servants will. Be a servant. Shock your pastor by asking, ‘I am a servant of Jesus, where am I needed for the sake of the mission to make disciples?’ Then respond to opportunities to serve for God’s glory.
We’ve got a ton of chances to serve around the church and community. What talents and gifts has God given you that you can use to help others? Are you making the most of those gifts? I hope we become more like servants. I hope we’ll do everything we can to accomplish God’s mission for us here in Loudonville and beyond.
Peace, Pastor Kenn
February 2025
by Pastor Kenn Curren
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35 The Message)
Loving one another is the simplest, clearest, and yet the hardest command of all. On the surface, it seems easy enough. We can think nice thoughts and do good deeds. We’re generally nice people, right?
But here’s the catch: Jesus doesn’t stop there. He also says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Now, loving others is a great idea, but Jesus doesn’t say to love just any old way. He says to love like Jesus did. That’s the hard part.
We often think loving one another is easy, especially when we set boundaries. We find it easier to love people like ourselves and often consider those who are different as unworthy of God’s love. But Jesus calls us to love everyone, not just the people we already like. He calls us to love the people who do us wrong. The people the world tells us we should hate, Jesus tells us to love.
Have you ever wondered how Jesus loved? His love was pure, selfless, and without limits. He was willing to give up his life for us. He cared for the poor, sick, and suffering. He taught others about God, how to turn from our sins, and talked about eternal life. Jesus wasn’t just kind; he was compassionate to everyone, even those who were marginalized and oppressed.
True love is like that. It’s merciful, compassionate, understanding, kind, generous, and patient. We’re supposed to love others without conditions, put others needs first, and have a servant’s heart. Are we ready to be radically different and truly love each other?
Peace, Pastor Kenn
January 2025
by Pastor Kenn Curren
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
As we begin a new year, we find many people concerned and worried about events around the world. I came across an article by Mark Sorensen that addresses the storms we face – conflict, heartache, or tragedy. Mark helps us to bring our focus around to the One who gives us hope and assurance amidst the uncertainties in this life. He shares this story that is attributed to author and poet Robert Louis Stevenson, who was traveling on a ship that was caught in a severe storm.
According to Stevenson, many of the passengers were whispering their concerns to one another. “Are we going down? Are we safe?” After a few moments of conversation among the passengers, one person volunteered to travel up to the pilot house and see the captain.
As this passenger made their way through the rain and wind and stepped in to see the captain, it is said that they saw the pilot standing calmly with his hands firmly on the wheel. The passenger, filled with fear, saw the captain slowly turn and make eye contact with him and, without saying a word, simply smiled.
The passenger made their way back down to the other passengers and said, “We’re going to be all right. I’ve seen the captain and, good news: he smiled at me.”
Whenever you are going through a turbulent time and the waves are pounding, take a moment and focus on the one who’s hands are firmly at the wheel. Remind yourself, “I’m going to be alright. I’ve seen the face of the captain and, good news: he smiled at me.” Rest in the knowledge that our God holds everything perfectly in his hands.
Peace, Pastor Kenn
December 2024
by Pastor Kenn Curren
“In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
John 1:4-5 (NIV)
When we look at the world around us, we see the darkness of war, captivity, greed, and broken relationships. We long for Christ to come again and bring light to our world. We worship as those who have a glimpse of that reality, and we long for its fullness. We are those who labor to make Christ’s light more visible on earth. Let us praise God that the light of Christ shines on in the darkness, which has never overcome it.
We begin the Christian Year by celebrating the Holy Season known as Advent. It is a time when we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Messiah. Advent means “Coming.” We celebrate these days of Advent in expectation and preparation for Christ’s arrival.
Advent is a time of expectation, and this is symbolized, not only by the four-week period of preparation, but also by the lighting of an Advent Candle on each Sunday of the season. The flame of each new candle reminds us, the worshipers, that something is happening, and something more is still to come.
The candles are arranged in a circle to remind us of the continuous power of God, which knows neither beginning nor ending. There is also symbolism in the colors of the candles. The three blue [purple] candles symbolize the coming of Christ from the royal line of David. He is coming as the King of Kings as well as the Prince of Peace. The pink [rose] candle is to be lighted on the third Sunday of the Advent season. This candle represents joy. The large white candle in the center is known as the Christ candle, and points to Jesus as the Christ, the Light of the world.
Through the centuries, Christians have observed a time of waiting and expectation before celebrating the birth of the Savior at Christmas. The Advent season is a time for reflection and preparation, but its mood is joyful. Advent has been enriched by Christian tradition to reflect its distinctive Christian meaning. It proclaims the revelation of God’s love as expressed in Christ’s birth in a humble stable, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection! It points to the hope of Christ’s coming again as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Advent makes innkeepers out of all of us, asking each of us to make room for the arrival of Christ The King. Let us, today, prepare Him room in our hearts, our lives, and our homes!
Peace, Pastor Kenn
November 2024
by Pastor Kenn Curren
“And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night.”
Exodus 13:21 (NASB)
When the Israelites left Egypt, they were not following any real plan or have a precise objective in mind. All they could do was follow God. Their former, predictable lives were gone. They may have asked themselves, “Where do we go now?” The answer was to follow God.
J. D. Walt says that we all crave the rhythms, routines and schedules of a predictable life. While following a routine isn’t necessarily bad, it can lead to the slow onset of spiritual sleep. Our spirits were made for the movement of faith, and to hear and respond to the voice of God. But, something inside of us wants to domesticate our faith, to turn it into a predictable routine that keeps us in our comfort zone.
That was one of the lessons I learned during my Spiritual Renewal Leave. We need to break away from the routines and the comfortable life to reawaken our spiritual growth – to follow the cloud by day and fire by night. So many people prefer to be stuck in their predictable situation rather than risk the joy of an unpredictable one. We like to be in control, but we need to learn how to surrender and let God lead.
J. D. Walt says that we can begin walking that road of faith, following the cloud by day and fire by night, when we realize that faith makes life better, not easier. Faith calls us to depend on the Word and Spirit. Faith requires the support of others who are on the same road. Faith means loosening your grip on your agenda and abandoning yourself to Jesus. Faith is looking up and following the cloud by day and fire by night.
The prophet Isaiah wrote these words of encouragement: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13) We don’t know where we are going. We don’t know how we will get there. We don’t know what we will do when we get there. But we have God, and even better, God has you.
Peace, Pastor Kenn
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