PASTOR’S DEACONS DEVOTIONAL MARCH 2020 REV. ZACHARY L. BAY “Lord, teach us to pray.” So say the disciples in Luke 11, prompting Jesus to teach them one of two versions of the Lord’s Prayer in the Bible. Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer is shorter and more terse...

"HAVE YOURSELF A LIMINAL LITTLE LENT" GENESIS 2:15-17;    3:1-7 MATTHEW 4:1-11 MARCH 1, 2020 (LENT I) REV. ZACHARY L. BAY Two months ago today, I was packing a bag to head off to South Africa for a two-week Doctor of Ministry Travel Seminar. Kristy’s family was...

My Doctor of Ministry travel seminary to South Africa was a large experience. One of the largest this boy from northeastern Kentucky has ever had. I knew when I was gearing up to leave that I was heading to a nation that was not unlike my own. Well meaning friends...

“Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly” Micah 6:1-8   Matthew 5:1-12 Rev. Zachary L. Bay Micah 6:8 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. You likely don’t remember it now, but six or so years ago, Kristy and I made a brochure to introduce ourselves to you all....

“Called…for what?” 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4     Matthew 4:12-23 Rev. Zachary L. Bay I have preached this Gospel Lesson passage numerous times. You have heard it preached more times than I have preached it. There is a lot to work with, here. Today, I want...

“Be It Resolved” Isaiah 9:2-7    Luke 2:1-20 Rev. Zachary L. Bay Have you decided on your New Year’s resolution yet? Maybe you’ll try to eat better this year. Or exercise more. Perhaps your goal is personal, or maybe it’s professional. Maybe you’ve grown cynical with...

"Love Works" Isaiah 7:10-16    Matthew 1:18-25 Rev. Zachary L. Bay Love. Today is the Sunday devoted to it. Well, of course, they all are—but this one is named Love by the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath that the Daniels led us in lighting a few moments ago. The...

"Keep Noticing" Isaiah 35:1-10     Matthew 11:2-11 Rev. Zachary L. Bay Gaudete Sunday. The Sunday of Joy, and re-joi-cing. The Sunday on which we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath and en-joi-n our hearts to the joy of the season with our service of...

I do a lot of reading. As if the pastorate itself doesn’t require enough, I read for class and for health and living and for pleasure, too. It may sound odd to you—or it may not—but if I were to count my friends, I’d include among the number some of my books.

Preaching begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, and begins again. It is a labor of love. Love of words. Love of Scripture. Love of people.

Recently, my congregation approved the building and support of a new website in 2019. I’m excited about this good decision, and I receive it as an invitation as the pastor to ponder how we will talk about and present the good news of what God is up to among us at First Baptist Church.

In an Advent sermon last year, I named that I believe that the first word of Advent, on the tongues of the prophets, is “Repent.” Turn around. Change course. Make an intentional decision to live a better life, both for your sake and for God’s sake in the world.