Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

The woods and pastures are joyous
in their abundance now
in a season of warmth and much rain.
We walk amidst foliage, amidst
song. The sheep and cattle graze
like souls in bliss (except for flies)
and lie down satisfied. Who now
can believe in winter? In winter
who could have hoped for this?
— Wendell Berry

Are you interested in the connection between your faith and the food you eat?  Join us for a potluck Sunday evening at the home of John and Lee Pray.  We will have a fun meal together.  Bring what you can.  If it is locally grown food, that is great.  If not, that’s okay too.  Afterwards we will have some discussion based on the these two short readings.

Please RSVP to Winton Boyd at winton@orucc.org or 271-7212

(Food and Faith readings for July 20)

posted by Stephanie Coontz (Immanent Frame Blog)

The recent California court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage has elicited a new round of warnings about the threats to “traditional” marriage. Marriage, say foes of the ruling, has always been a union of one man and one woman, with procreation as its central purpose. And Christianity in particular has historically surrounded marriage with sacred ceremonies, reserved for those who understand its solemn meaning, they contend. Compelling either church or state to accept the validity of same-sex unions would force these institutions, in defiance of tradition, to condone marriages of which they disapprove. Continue Reading »

Preached by Winton Boyd on June 22, 2008
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-26;

Early this week, we expect to receive 18 handmade drums direct from Ghana. Because of the internet and international banks and friendships – we were able to dream about, order, partially design, purchase and ship those drums in a matter of a couple of weeks. As we were ordering, our friend Nani was in touch with his friend in Ghana who was literally in the jungles looking for appropriate trees. So, in the matter of a few short weeks, trees that stood in that jungle will be used as drums in this sanctuary. It is amazing. Continue Reading »

Preached by Winton Boyd
Text: Matthew 16:13-17

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.

Introduction –
I had the opportunity, for the second time, yesterday to attend the graduation ceremony of one of my children. If we are honest about it, we know that there are a few minutes of peak interest in an otherwise unremarkable ceremony – those minutes that one’s child lines up, walks the platform and receives the handshake. We may be mildy interested in the graduation speeches, but mostly we are there in recognition of years of studying and work. Continue Reading »