fumcapastorDec 10, 2020What smells? My wife, Mary, likes to pick on me because I like things to smell nice and I’m particular about smells. We have several candles and wax...
fumcapastorDec 3, 2020HopeHello First UMC Alachua! This last week in service we began the Advent season together. Advent, as I mentioned on Sunday, is all about...
fumcapastorNov 30, 2020Happy Thanksgiving (A few days late)!Hello First UMC Alachua! I know that today may not look the way that you had hoped it would look. Today, along with the rest of 2020 is...
fumcapastorNov 19, 2020Pastor Augie's Ramblings for the Week of November 22ndHello First UMC Alachua! One year ago today, Thursday the 19th of November, a good friend of mine was struck by a car right in front of...
fumcapastorNov 12, 2020Weekly E- Letter for the week of November 15thHello First UMC Alachua! Have you ever been given a piece of advice by someone and at the time you received it you didn’t want to hear...
Pastor JFeb 6, 2020It Is Time to Show Up!I just watched a television commercial. The tag line was "Life is about showing up. I am here." Christmas is about God showing up. God...
Pastor JJan 6, 2020Christmas - Is That All There Is?Have you ever heard that expression after all the Christmas presents are opened? Kids say it. However, I believe adults think it more...
Pastor JDec 2, 2019Christmas: The Prince Who Became a Pauper!We are coming into the most beloved season of the year. It is not just for children, it’s a time for everyone. Already, our grandchildren...
Pastor JDec 2, 2019Hi there! I'm the New Church Budget...And I don't feel very good. In fact, I probably need therapy because of my low self-esteem. I never seem to be what people want me to be....
Pastor JOct 1, 2019Greatest Commandment: Practice, Preparation & PerspirationJesus’ answer to the scribe when asked “What is the Greatest Commandment?” was to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength...
Pastor JSep 4, 2019Go! Be the Church!Go! Be The Church is a sermon series I started on August 25th. That is who we are called to be—The Church—The Body of Christ. I believe...
Pastor JJul 29, 2019How Much Should I Give to the Church?That is a good question. Have you ever asked yourself that question? Or, discussed it with your spouse? Lynette and I frequently talk...
Pastor JJun 29, 2019Decaffeinated ChristianityThere is a phrase coined by Anglican Bishop Michael Moore: “Decaffeinated Christianity.” Moore defined it as ‘a faith that won’t keep you...
Pastor JJun 5, 2019Happy Birthday, Church! - For Adults and for Family Pentecost is the birthday of the church. But a birth is not an end, it is a beginning. This Sunday, June 9th, we celebrate the day of...
Pastor JJan 30, 2019Epiphany Challenge of 2019By now, some of you are wondering why I am using “Epiphany” as a challenge for the whole year. Isn’t the Season of Epiphany just for the...
Pastor JDec 12, 2018God's wonderful gift to the world... and our hearts!A cartoon from a few years ago showed a woman saying to her husband, "Good grief, Henry. Here's Christmas at our throats again!" Do you...
Pastor JOct 8, 2018Almost Too Good to be True!What if I told you that there is a proven way to: - Increase life expectancy of your children or grandchildren by 8 years. -...
Pastor JSep 1, 2018Is Sunday School "Old Hat"?Is it just me or does Sunday School seem just so ‘old fashion,’ like something out of the past, that isn’t relevant anymore? Some people...