Sermon by Rev. Gary W. Charles, November 29th, 2020 Name one person that you know who is not ready to say a speedy goodbye to the year 2020. So, I say thank God it is finally New Year’s! Uncork the bottle! Toss the confetti! Make your resolutions! Kiss your beloved! Happy New Year! Goodbye 2020! Well, obviously, those instructions are a bit premature. We still have more than a month of 2020 left to navigate. But, at least for the church, today is New Year’s Day. And, the firs

Sermon by Rev. Gary W. Charles, November 22nd, 2020 On December 29, 1799, a memorial service for George Washington was held at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia. Two centuries later, I had the privilege of serving that congregation from 1993 to 2004. During that period, I learned a great deal about our first President. When Washington finished his second term, he did not insist on staying in office, even though a significant portion of the population

Sermon by Rev. Gary W. Charles, November 15th, 2020 Some psalms soar. “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, thou are there.” Some psalms make you want to dance. “Praise God with clanging cymbals. Praise God with loud clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Some psalms wrap their arms around you and comfort you. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of de

Sermon by Rev. Gary W. Charles, November 8th, 2020 The poet Robert Frost writes: I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call m

Rev. Dr. Gary W. Charles, November 1st, 2020 - All Saints' Day Scientists at the CDC advise us not to engage in congregational singing during this pandemic. I find their advice wise, but even so, I miss congregational song. I love to watch your faces light up when Linda plays “Glory to God” and some of you even start to sway in a most atypical Presbyterian way. My eyes begin to rain when I see candles lit on a dark Christmas Eve night as we sing “Silent night, holy night, all