Pastoral Notes

This is a collection of thoughts I (Steve) have shared with the NLPC family or in pastoral conversations. If you would like to respond to or discuss anything I’ve written, please use the form on the Contact page.

Cornell University Sage Chapel photo credit: Georgia Fowler

Thoughts on Fasting
The NLPC family would fast together twice a year. This is a guide to the discipline of fasting.

Thoughts on Love
This is a short video depicting statement about love in 1 John.

Thoughts on Sympathy & Empathy
Public statements objecting to calls to be empathetic prompted these thoughts.

Thoughts on Masks, Vaccines, & Discipleship
This is pastoral guidance offered to the church family during the COVID pandemic.

Responding to the George Floyd Verdict
This is a call to prayer, humility, & repentance.

Thoughts on the 50th Anniversary of MLK’s Assassination
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was killed on April 04, 1968.

Prayer & the Las Vegas Shooting (2017)
Public violence is an occasion to reflect on how to pray & respond.

Thoughts on the Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II, England’s longest reigning monarch, died on Sept 08, 2022.

Thoughts on Blood – Easter (2021)
Mid-pandemic and mid-chemotherapy, I reflect on receiving blood transfusions during Holy Week.

Thoughts on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation (2017)
Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenburg on Oct 31, 1517

Thoughts on Voting
This is pastoral guidance on the privilege and responsibility of voting.

Thoughts After the Election (2016)
This is a pastoral reflection on living faithfully after the 2016 Presidential election.

Thoughts on the Election (2020)
These are pastoral thoughts shared prior to the 2020 American Presidential election.

Thoughts on January 06
Pastor Scotty Smith leads us in prayer.

Thoughts on the 20th Anniversary of 911
Sept 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of 911.

Thoughts on Dying Well
As cancer brings a specter of death, Tim Keller, Lydia Dugdale, and I reflect on death.

Thoughts on Freedom (July 04)
How do we as Christians in America practice & promote freedom?

Thoughts on Patrick of Ireland
St. Paddy’s day is a fun celebration inspired by a great Irish saint.

Thoughts on Dobbs
In the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health, the SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade.

Thoughts on the Russian Threat & the Gospel
I shared these thoughts during the early days of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Praying for Ukraine & Against Putin
This exercise in imprecatory praying led to my prayer being read into the Congressional Record.

Thoughts on Valentines Day
What does St. Valentines teach us about love?

John Stott Birding Day
John Stott was not only a magisterial pastor-theologian, but also an avid birder.

Thoughts on Earth Day
To learn more about creational stewardship, get acquainted with A Rocha where 2 NLPC alum couples are serving.

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