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# Preston Hollow Church

Love. No Exceptions.

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## Posts

- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.08.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/07/08/wednesdays-word-07-08-26/) - We have so many blessings in our lives, I believe its true we could never enumerate them all. So many of our blessings go unnoticed and just become part of the commonplace. One of the blessings for me, and I’m sure it is for you, is the blessing of someone’s presence in our life. Day
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.01.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/07/01/wednesdays-word-07-01-26/) - As we enter the month of July, there is a lot going on all around us, and all around the world. The war in the Ukraine continues unabated. In Gaza and Lebanon, there is still ongoing destruction and death. The hostilities in and around Iraq are still bubbling to the surface. There is an unprecedented
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.24.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/06/24/wednesdays-word-06-24-26/) - Have you ever taken the time to think about what’s going on in your life, and what true blessings you’ve been given? Sometimes we get mired down with some of the stuff that is disconcerting in our lives. We somehow magnify the problems we face, and then all we see is what is wrong. We
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.10.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/06/10/wednesdays-word-06-10-26/) - What have you done with your life? That’s kind of like an inventory question, asking us to take a look back at all the stages of our lives and consider what all we’ve done, what have we accomplished, what have we built, what have we contributed? What then is the sum total of how we’ve
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.03.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/06/03/wednesdays-word-06-03-26/) - Pride month has begun! It is Pride month across the nation and world. Lots of events, festivals and parades to mark this time. There has been a recent backlash against the LGBTQ+ community. There are those opposed to promoting and celebrating those who identify with this community. Its sad, really, to think there are those
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.27.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/05/27/wednesdays-word-05-27-26/) - It feels like we’ve been going at breakneck speed since the beginning of the year. It has been fast paced and quite exhilarating. This month alone we’ve had so much going on in the life of the church. With a church outing to Capernaum, Mother’s Day, CDC graduation, District Conference, as well as two recitals
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.20.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/05/20/wednesdays-word-05-20-26/) - Have you had the experience of waking up in a melancholy mood, with no apparent reason why? All this week rain is predicted in the forecast, so we are experiencing some overcast cloudy days. We are on the cusp of Summer, with the heat and humidity that accompanies the season. With those two things at
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.13.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/05/13/wednesdays-word-05-13-26/) - What a Mother’s Day celebration we had at Preston Hollow Church! It was awesome. We had a good crowd, the spirit was high, the people were all in a joyous mood. I love those kinds of Sundays. It feels like everything is going great. But what about the Sundays when the spirit is low, the
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.06.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/05/06/wednesdays-word-05-06-26/) - Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and taco Tuesday. A lot of wit was expended on how those two days converged. People said they have been training their whole life to prepare for that conjunction! It made me laugh heartily to read and hear those references. Of course we know Cinco de Mayo is the day
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.29.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/04/29/wednesdays-word-04-29-26/) - I’ve been thinking some on the maxim, “You reap what you sow.” This understanding is rooted in scripture. If we look at this through our understanding of God’s moral order, it does make sense. Whatever you put out into the world, it will eventually come back to you in some form. The primary verse in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.22.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/04/22/wednesdays-word-04-22-26/) - The price of oil and gas is seesawing up and down. The stock market is acting erratically with its ups and downs. It has been declared the Strait of Hormuz is open and closed. We hear of negotiations to end the war in Iran, but each day brings chaos as to whether that is happening
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.15.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/04/15/wednesdays-word-04-15-26/) - It's the day dreaded by many, the day taxes are due. Some of us prepared our returns early, others waited until the last possible moment. The thing about taxes is, they come with real regularity. There is no escaping them. Eventually, we all have to pay up and settle our accounts. The same may be
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.08.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/04/08/wednesdays-word-04-08-26/) - With all the preparations and work that go into our Easter celebrations, we’ve made it! Hopefully you and your family have had a great Easter experience. We journey through the season of Lent to remind us of the solemnity wrapped up in that time of preparation. We know Jesus prepared himself with much prayer, much
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.01.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/04/01/wednesdays-word-04-01-26/) - Here we are in Holy Week. This is the week that began with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and will end with him in the grave. We call it holy because of what was done for us. Jesus came into Jerusalem with the cheering of the people, and was sentenced to death with the jeers of
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 03.25.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/03/25/wednesdays-word-03-25-26/) - What gives us pause in our lives and world right now? What things are we facing that are difficult and hard to process? Do we have joy, sadness, fear, excitement, trepidation, and hope all swirling around in us? This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. This is the Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I have to wonder
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.18.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/03/18/wednesdays-word-03-18-26/) - As we get closer to Easter, and we are witnessing life renewing itself all around us, what are we feeling inside of us? As I watch the signs of Spring, and nature coming alive, I can’t help but wonder what that means for me and you. Are we also being renewed? Is there a burst
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.11.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/03/11/wednesdays-word-03-11-26/) - We are half way through the season of Lent. We are on the cusp of Spring, but still have some Winter-like weather we’re going through. We are in the ‘in-between” times. Its difficult to live in the in-between times, because we’re not quite to a new season, and yet we aren’t exactly in the here
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.04.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/03/04/wednesdays-word-03-04-26/) - By now you’ve seen the news reports of the bombing of Iran by the United States and Israel. This has of course thrown the Middle East into a crisis. This part of the world has been in conflict for over 75 years. In tracking much of the exported terrorism, it has been fomented and supported
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.25.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/02/25/wednesdays-word-02-25-26/) - What are we doing with our time? Our time is a precious commodity and it begs consideration as to what we are doing with it. It seems as if we just finished with Christmas, and now we are into the season of Lent. We are still having some cool weather, but Spring is upon us.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.18.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/02/18/wednesdays-word-02-18-26/) - Hard to believe, but we have arrived at the beginning of the season of Lent. It comes early this year, with Easter coming on April 5th. The dates move from year to year, but the emphasis remains the same. Lent is a time of reflection for all of us. We set aside time for earnest
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.04.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/02/04/wednesdays-word-02-04-26/) - It's hard for me to get images and circumstances out of my head sometimes. They circle around and around, and truly have the potential to keep me on edge. Why are some things hard to digest, harder to set aside? What is it about them that just won’t let us have peace? I subscribe to
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.28.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/01/28/wednesdays-word-01-28-26/) - Well…it has been a frosty few days. Seems as if we’ve had our Winter all in one week. I know many of us can get cabin fever being cooped up for a few days. I have a view of Plano Road from my condo, and I watch the stream of cars going up and down.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.21.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/01/21/wednesdays-word-01-21-26/) - I think I’m officially an “old” person. Chronologically I am in my senior years, but I never really have thought of myself as old. I’m noticing, however, a real desire in me for slowness. Everything around me seems to be going so fast. Traffic, when its not at a standstill on the freeway, it is
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.14.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/01/14/wednesdays-word-01-14-26/) - There’s a lot going on right now. The shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Refugees from Somalia are losing their Temporary Protected Status. Gaza continues to experience military strikes. Ukraine is fighting for its very life. There is unrest in many, many places here and abroad. How do we cope in a time and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.10.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/12/10/wednesdays-word-10-10-25/) - This coming Sunday will be the third Sunday of Advent, with the theme of Joy. But how do we find joy in a world that seems to have a lot of chaos and sadness? We know the price of everything is up, while wages are stagnant. We know there is a great deal of vitriol
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.07.26](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2026/01/07/wednesdays-word-01-07-26/) - Here we are at the beginning of a new year; new possibilities, new opportunities, new life! For me, the new year sparks real introspection. Looking at what has passed, and looking ahead to what can be is what fills my memories and my hopes. Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of our
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.17.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/12/17/wednesdays-word-12-17-25/) - As I begin to write this, its been really chilly outside, feeling like Christmas should. I have looked ahead at the weather report, it looks like we will be in the 70’s on Christmas Day. Growing up in San Antonio, Christmas was often warm. I’m just going to say this, Christmas should have cold weather!
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.03.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/12/03/wednesdays-word-12-03-25/) - Is it just me, or has the Advent/Christmas season seemed to have come so quickly this year? I know we hear it all the time, where did the year go? Every year, the time seems to slip by us ever more quickly. How is it possible we are already in December of the year, and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.19.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/11/19/wednesdays-word-11-19-25/) - Like many people, in the morning when I wake up, I have to wonder what kind of day it’s going to be. Will the political maelstrom be raging today, or will it only be simmering? Will the markets be up or down, or in total chaos? Will the necessities of my life have a price
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.12.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/11/12/wednesdays-word-11-12-25/) - I, like many others, have been scratching my head during what has been called the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States of America. This is not about partisanship, or brinkmanship, its about what is happening to us as a nation. From what I have gleaned listening to the news media and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.29.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/10/29/wednesdays-word-10-29-25/) - We’re closing in on the end of October and all that brings! Halloween, All Saints Day, my birthday! Seriously, I’m thinking about what it means to come toward the end of the year and all that we will yet experience. Do we prepare ourselves for what is coming, or do we just simply let it
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.22.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/10/22/wednesdays-word-10-22-25/) - On my walk this morning, I was thinking about Dottie Vlach. We had her memorial service on Saturday at the church. Dottie was a wonderful person, full of life and always up for an adventure. She was also a dedicated mom, wife, and teacher. Additionally, Dottie was also a humanitarian, giving time and resources to
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.15.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/10/15/wednesdays-word-10-15-25/) - I want to begin by thanking God for the release of the remaining 20 hostages in the Gaza conflict. The Trump administration deserves credit for helping this process along. There appears to be a tenuous peace agreement that is taking shape, and aid has been allowed to flow into Gaza and to the starving Palestinians.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.08.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/10/08/wednesdays-word-10-08-25/) - Do you ever get the feeling things are a little off-kilter, something’s not right, as if you aren’t in-sync with the rest of the world? It can be unsettling, to say the least. You go through the motions of the day, but everything is just not as you feel it should be. What I’ve noticed
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.01.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/10/01/wednesdays-word-10-01-25/) - There is a lot of chaos going on right now. Have you noticed how it seems we are experiencing so much topsy turvy stuff going on around us? This past weekend there was a mass shooting in North Carolina, a Mormon church was the site of destruction and a mass shooting, New Orleans had 5
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.24.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/09/24/wednesdays-word-09-24-25/) - With all of the news in recent days and weeks about this group versus that group, this policy or that policy, this statement or that statement, it has been quite a time of upheaval and chaos. There has been more than enough demagoguery to go around. We are in, as my father would have said,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.17.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/09/17/wednesdays-word-09-17-25/) - Our children in our Child Development Center have been learning about the fruits of the Spirit over the last few weeks. You remember those fruits that are given to us by the Holy Spirit, don’t you? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.10.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/09/10/wednesdays-word-09-10-25/) - Have you had the occasion to either say, or have said to you, “I’ll pray for you”? What does this even mean? I think we toss this word pray and prayer around a little to casually. In the all too often moments after a natural disaster, or a mass shooting, or some other devastating circumstance,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.03.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/09/03/wednesdays-word-09-03-25/) - Well, well, well…Look who’s back in the saddle! I want to thank all of you who take the time to read the Wednesday Word for understanding my need for a pause to recharge my creative juices. I was on vacation this past week and did a sort of whirlwind tour through Texas and Louisiana. I
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.16.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/07/16/wednesdays-word-07-16-25/) - We’ve kind of had a break from the heat of Summer with the cooler temperatures and rains. That’s a true blessing here in the middle of July. I started thinking about the heat of Summer and all the Summer’s past. Even though I’ve lived in Texas my entire life, I have never liked the heat
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.09.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/07/09/wednesdays-word-07-09-25/) - It seems there is more than enough grief to go around these days. The war torn areas of our globe are constantly racking up the numbers of those who are dying. The homicide rate in this country is through the roof. This past weekend there was a double fatal shooting in New Orleans, and an
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 07.02.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/07/02/wednesdays-word-07-02-25/) - This week we will celebrate 249 years as a nation. That seems like a long time, and yet against other nations and empires, its a relatively short amount of time. We have weathered a lot of storms in those 249 years. We have fought many battles and wars, including one that threatened to tear us apart. We have had
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.25.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/06/25/wednesdays-word-06-25-25/) - I’m a little concerned about the state of things right now. Not just the political situation, or the economy, or the environment, but in general. There just seems to be a bent toward anti-intellectualism. There are a great many who are championing removing books, erasing history, denying facts, downplaying scientific evidence. This is concerning on
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.18.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/06/18/wednesdays-word-06-18-25/) - I have had a tremendous blessing over the last month or so. I have had a number of friends who have visited me in worship, and at the church I serve, They, of course, have their own places of worship, but they chose to make the effort to come and visit with me. I just
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.11.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/06/11/wednesdays-word-06-11-25/) - We are at an interesting time in the life of the United Methodist Church. This week the new Horizon Texas Conference has met on the Southern Methodist University campus. Its the first full annual conference meeting after unifying the North Texas, Central Texas and Northwest Texas conferences. In the past year the UMC has made
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.04.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/06/04/wednesdays-word-06-04-25/) - I have the most wonderful privilege of working with some incredible people at Preston Hollow. The staff and volunteers are amazing. There are all kinds of leadership styles which fit all sorts of personalities and situations. Some leaders prefer to manage every detail, other’s prefer to guide and allow others to use their creativity to
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.28.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/05/28/wednesdays-word-05-28-25/) - Have you ever wondered how a bad day starts? Did we get out of bed in a bad mood? Did something happen early on in the morning that soured our outlook for the day? Did a conversation, or an interaction with someone make our day suddenly a downer? I haven’t been going on my morning
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.21.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/05/21/wednesdays-word-05-21-25/) - We’ve all seen the commercials on TV. There’s someone who exhibits some horrible, gasp producing, egregious behavior, and another person looks at them with this incredulous look and asks, “How do you sleep at night?” The one with the awful behavior seems oblivious to what they are really being asked, and they respond, “On a
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 05.14.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/05/14/wednesdays-word-05-14-25/) - It might seem odd, but I’ve lately been thinking about insurance. This is not one of those topics any of us like to really talk about. We have to have insurance for many facets of our lives. We insure our dwelling place, whether its an apartment, condominium, or house. We insure our vehicles. We insure our health. We insure our vacations. We
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.07.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/05/07/wednesdays-word-05-07-25/) - This week we are leading up to Mother’s Day, being celebrated this coming Sunday. For those whose mothers are still living, what an opportunity to tell them how much they have meant to you. What an opportunity to show them your gratitude for all they have done in your life. What an opportunity to express
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.30.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/04/30/wednesdays-word-04-30-25/) - As we prepare to move into the month of May, there is a lot to consider. We have Mother’s Day, graduations, and Memorial Day to celebrate. Each of these have their own unique aspects for us to engage. Mother’s Day is a day set aside for us to honor our mothers, both living and those who have
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.23.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/04/23/wednesdays-word-04-23-25/) - As you have no doubt seen and read, Pope Francis passed away on the Monday after Easter. I’m feeling a mix of emotions. I’m sad for the world, a real leader is gone from our midst. He was a humble and gentle man, who led with much grace and love. He had his detractors who
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.16.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/04/16/wednesdays-word-04-16-25/) - This is the week. The week that left a lasting impression on those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus. It’s a week of action and consequences. How do we even approach this week? Do we do so humbly and solmenly, remembering what Jesus went through? Do we do so with frightful anticipation of what
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.09.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/04/09/wednesdays-word-04-09-25/) - There’s been a lot of anxiety over the recent stock market moves. Lots of handwringing concerning the proposed tariffs our government is applying to products from other countries. It has been a wild ride in this current season of our lives, no doubt. There are questions about pension solvency, social security solvency, and the economy
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.02.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/04/02/wednesdays-word-04-02-25/) - How do we parcel out what is most important in our lives? I want you to imagine with me, someone does something underhanded, malicious, or simply uncaring to you. What is most important? What was done, or how we respond? You see, we cannot control the intentions of another. Most times, we can’t even be
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.26.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/03/26/wednesdays-word-03-26-25/) - How is the state of your soul? Its an interesting question that cannot be answered with just a glib response. Its not a question that one can say, “its fine,” “its ok,” “its great,” or any other such responses we may use when someone asks us how we are. You know how we can do
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.19.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/03/19/wednesdays-word-03-19-25/) - Today is an interesting day, it gives me pause for reflection. Ninety one years ago my mother was born. She led an ordinary life. She was born in San Antonio, Texas and moved around the country, living in Georgia and Florida for a time. Her father, my grandfather who I am named for, was in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.12.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/03/12/wednesdays-word-03-12-25/) - Have you ever thought while you were taking a course in school, “What am I going to use this for?” I knew when I was in high school I needed to take a foreign language to enhance my acceptance into college. Of course, I didn’t take something useful like Spanish! I decided to take something
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.05.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/03/05/wednesdays-word-03-05-25/) - Here we are, it's Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. It seems like we just took down the Christmas tree and put all those decorations away. Now we’re beginning the journey of Lent that will take us to the foot of the cross and eventually to the empty tomb. This is a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.05.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/02/05/wednesdays-word-02-05-25/) - February has been designated Black History Month. I know there will be those who say we don’t designate other months for other ethnicities’ history. I want you to take a moment and think about that. Think really hard about that statement. In any society, those in power write history to glorify their perspective, and subjugate
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.29.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/01/29/wednesdays-word-01-29-25/) - How do we find calm in the midst of what may seem like anxious or frightening moments? Much of the recent news is having a deleterious effect on a great many in our country and even other countries around the world. The media continues to report some very concerning news in regards to rolling back
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.22.25](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/01/22/wednesdays-word-01-22-25/) - As human beings, we were created to be in community. Its written into our DNA. You’ll remember in the Genesis story, after God created one gender of human being, God said it was not good for one to be alone (Genesis 2:18). From the beginning, we were meant to be in the company of others.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.15.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2025/01/15/wednesdays-word-01-15-24/) - My friends we’ve made it into a new year and all that it will bring us. Some of us may be dreading some of what they suppose will happen. Others will see this as a new start with new possibilities and potential. Still others will take a wait and see perspective. However you and I
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.25.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/12/25/wednesdays-word-12-25-24/) - As the festive season approaches, we at Preston Hollow Church would like to extend our heartfelt Merry Christmas wishes to our cherished community. This time of year is all about coming together with family, sharing joy, and creating lasting memories. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to cherish those close to you and celebrate
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.18.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/12/18/wednesdays-word-12-18-24/) - Christmas is almost here, but we’re not quite there yet. We are still in that time of waiting, watching, praying, hoping that what is to come will be just what we need. I don’t know about you, but my sense and reception of Christmas doesn’t necessarily coincide with the calendar. I never know exactly when
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.11.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/12/11/wednesdays-word-12-11-24/) - The theme of the second week of Advent is PEACE. How do we find and/or foster peace in a time when many are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, despondent, fearful, and generally ill-at-ease? The news cycle continually reminds us of all that’s happening around us, and what we are shown doesn’t necessarily foster a sense of peace.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.04.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/12/04/wednesdays-word-12-04-24/) - As we begin the journey of Advent, and also our march toward the end of the year, I have an unsettled feeling down deep inside me. I don’t know if the feeling is because of all that has taken place this year, or if it is trepidation about what might be happening in the new
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.27.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/11/27/wednesdays-word-11-27-24/) - Are we in a good place right now? Do we have enough to eat, clean water to drink, clothes on our backs and a roof over our head? Are we relatively safe where we live? There are those in other parts of the world who cannot answer yes to these questions, and that concerns and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.20.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/11/20/wednesdays-word-11-20-24/) - I know we all have a lot on our plates. We have family obligations, work duties, social groups to tend to, home repairs, and a whole assortment of odds and ends that keep us busy, busy, busy. How do we squeeze one more thing into our day? Do we leave something out? Does something get
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.13.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/11/13/wednesdays-word-11-13-24/) - What does the future hold? That is probably the number one question in many people’s minds right now. We’re closing out 2024, heading to 2025. There is a lot going on. Here in the U.S., there is a change of administrations getting ready to happen in our government. We face a number of issues which
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.06.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/11/06/wednesdays-word-11-06-24/) - By the time you receive this, the election will be over. We may, or may not, have a clear sense of who won and who lost. It saddens me to put the election results in those terms, but that’s the way the contest is configured. There are winners and losers. Its no different than when
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.30.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/10/30/wednesdays-word-10-30-24/) - We are on the cusp of a very important election. There is lots of hand-wringing, lots of tension and fear. If “my” candidate doesn’t win its going to be a disaster. If the “wrong” person is elected the future of our country is doomed. Anxiety is rampant among so many right now. Its palpable, you
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.23.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/10/23/wednesdays-word-10-23-24/) - Do you ever get the feeling you’re all alone in the world? I come from a small family. Both of my parents have passed on into eternity with God. I only have one brother, he and his family live a number of hours away from me. Those of us who do come from small families,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.16.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/10/16/wednesdays-word-10-16-24/) - I’m calling on hope today. When I take in the constant barrage of news, it makes me cringe. Political candidates bashing one another. Countries bashing one another. Even members of families that divide over issues and bash one another. Its all so hard to take in. When I was younger I had a much more
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.09.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/10/09/wednesdays-word-10-09-24/) - I hope this has been a good week for you so far. My father used to say, “You know its a good day when you wake up this side of the dirt.” There’s some real truth to that. When we are blessed to wake up to another day, we have another opportunity to see and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.02.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/10/02/wednesdays-word-10-02-24/) - The power of nature is at once astounding and awe-inspiring, but also can turn deadly before we know it. As it stands now, at least 137 people have died across six states resulting from the power and force of Hurricane Helene. Many more remain missing and unaccounted for. The storm seemed to come up quickly
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.25.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/09/25/wednesdays-word-09-25-24/) - As you may know, I’m childless. I have never had the privilege and honor to be a parent. I have had the honor to care for a few dogs and one cat in my life. Sadly, my last dog wandered off, and since that time I’m not only childless, but pet-less too. I’ve said this
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.18.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/09/18/wednesdays-word-09-18-24/) - Each of us face a multitude of decisions each and every day. How do we process this? Decisions can be easy or hard, or anything in between. Many decisions are almost autonomic. Deciding when to stand, when to sit, when to walk, when to run. There are myriads of reasons for the timing of such
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.11.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/09/11/wednesdays-word-09-11-24/) - Do you ever get the feeling what you say, what you do, doesn’t really matter? We go through our day to day lives, interacting with a variety of people, sometimes consciously, sometimes not even aware of who and how we’ve done so. From the time we wake in the morning, until we lay our heads
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.04.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/09/04/wednesdays-word-09-04-24/) - We are in the thick of the political campaign season, and I’m really beginning to be bothered by a particular subject that has become fodder to be politicized. The subject of immigrants has become one of the cudgels campaigns use to batter one another. Its an easy way to use nameless and faceless vulnerable persons
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.28.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/08/28/wednesdays-word-08-28-24/) - This week, our beloved pastor will be on a brief hiatus from writing the Wednesday Word. We kindly request that you take this time to show love and support to those around you, and to keep our beloved pastor in your prayers as he takes some well-deserved time off. The Wednesday Word will resume on
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 08.21.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/08/21/wednesdays-word-08-21-24/) - Warning!!! The following may appear to some to be political, it really isn’t. I watched the first night of the Democratic National Convention and was left in tears. I waded through all of the hoopla and the speeches of the party loyalists in order to hear Joe Biden speak. It was going to be a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.14.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/08/14/wednesdays-word-08-14-24/) - We are in a sea of change right now. The world is changing so fast around us and it is dizzying to comprehend all that’s happening. Change can sometimes be a slow gradual thing, giving us time to adjust and acclimate ourselves to the newness brought about. Other times, change happens quickly, swiftly, and in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.07.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/08/07/wednesdays-word-08-07-24/) - My dear friends, Peace is heavy on my heart today. Why is the reality of peace so hard to enact? What makes peace so elusive to us? I know I talk a lot about the current state of things. I comment on the divisions here in the United States. I allude to the acrimonious atmosphere
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 07.31.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/07/31/wednesdays-word-07-31-24/) - Hopefully you have been enjoying the 2024 Olympics in its full glory. I was amazed and bowled over by the opening on Sunday. The French are so artistic and dramatic. They have truly placed a high bar for Los Angeles and the 2028 Olympic opening ceremonies. What captured my attention on the opening night, with
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 07.24.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/07/24/wednesdays-word-07-24-24/) - A little confession, I’ve been dealing with some disappointment this week. My friend Moussa has been traveling to come see me since last Friday. He left Ottawa on a train at 4:30 Friday morning heading to Montreal to catch his flight to Dallas. He made it to New York, but of course was caught in
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 07.17.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/07/17/wednesdays-word-07-21-24/) - Sometimes the simplest of things trigger a real insight for me. Its not so much one of those things that is hard to understand or fathom. Its not a revelation which is so deep and profound. Its not even something others haven’t thought of. Sometimes though, I’m triggered to reflect on an occurrence which provokes
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.10.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/07/10/wednesdays-word-07-10-24/) - Summer usually shapes up for me to be a monotonous long drag. The heat is on, the days are long, and it just seems as if it will go on forever. No change in sight. Not my favorite time of the year, at all. What I’m discovering about these long, hot, Summer days is they
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.03.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/07/03/wednesdays-word-07-03-24/) - Tomorrow is the 4th of July. It is when our country proclaimed independence from England. We, the people, the formed government of the United States, will turn 248 years old. We are coming up on a significant demarcation when we will have existed for a quarter of a millennium. Suffice to say, we’ve been around
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.26.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/06/26/wednesdays-word-06-26-24/) - This past Sunday, while we were in church, one of our dear members reported to us the death of their brother-in-law. It was a sudden thing. He was at home and passed out, the ambulance was called. The paramedics did all they could to revive him, and yet he slipped from this life to the next, in an
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 06.19.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/06/19/wednesdays-word-06-19-24/) - Happy Juneteenth! Today we celebrate with our African American sisters and brothers. I’m Texas born and bred and so have always been aware of Juneteenth. Its ingrained in our culture and psyche that today is a true independence celebration for all. I say for all, because not only is it a celebratory time in the lives of African Americans,
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 06.12.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/06/12/wednesdays-word-06-12-24/) - You know, we live in some very stressful times. Many of us carry exceedingly heavy loads in our lives. Recently, there was a situation somone was relaying to me about an encounter they had with another person who was not very pleasant to deal with. I was not present when it happened, I was simply
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.05.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/06/05/wednesdays-word-06-05-24/) - This week was the meeting of the North Texas Annual Conference. It is the last time the North Texas Conference will meet. It was unanimously approved to unite with the Central Texas and Northwest Texas Conferences, and to become the Horizon Texas Conference. The vote clears the way for the South Central Jurisdiction to redraw
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 05.29.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/05/29/wednesdays-word-05-29-24/) - I’ve been thinking about the word trust, and how is it we come to have trust in someone or something. Trust is an interesting concept. The definition of the kind of trust I’m thinking of is found in the Oxford dictionary…”firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” So trust
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.22.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/05/22/wednesdays-word-05-22-24/) - Well, things are beginning to heat up a little out there! Yes, the heat is beginning to return and its getting hot and steamy. Not my favorite time of the year here in Dallas. I am talking, however, about a different kind of heat up. The political season is heating up to extraordinary highs. This
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.15.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/05/15/wednesdays-word-05-15-24/) - God has truly been doing amazing things at Preston Hollow this year. We have been experiencing a movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst. God has blessed our congregation with a joy that seems to be overflowing. After every worship service, Jim Gray and I debrief about what is happening. Its not just the
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 05.08.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/05/08/wednesdays-word-05-08-24/) - So much has happened since I last wrote to you! As you are aware by now, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church met in Charlotte, North Carolina April 23 - May 3 of this year. What a conference it was, my friends. I’ve not seen anything like it in my time in the
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 04.17.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/04/17/wednesdays-word-04-17-24/) - I don’t know about you, but in my every day life sometimes I get bogged down in details, minutiae, and other attention absorbing stuff. Its easy to do. Its easy to let our lives be consumed by what is right in front of us. When this happens, our world becomes really small and we tend
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 04.10.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/04/10/wednesdays-word-04-10-24/) - We had a real treat this past Monday, we experienced a solar eclipse. We’re told this is not as uncommon as we might believe. NASA tells us there are about 2380 solar eclipses of all kinds every 1,000 years. The math breaks it down to roughly 2-3 solar eclipses each year somewhere in the world.
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 04.03.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/04/03/wednesdays-word-04-03-24/) - We are living in a time of uncertainty, with lots and lots of what have been dubbed, “alternative facts.” If you listen, watch or read a variety of news/information sources, its understandable how confused you could become. Everyone seems to have a different take on each and every important event which surfaces. How are we
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 03.27.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/03/27/wednesdays-word-03-27-24/) - We are in the middle of what Christians know as Holy Week. Its a funny name to me for a week that seems like anything but holy. We’re told Jesus rides into Jerusalem in a triumphant entry. I’m not sure that’s really accurate. He came riding a donkey, that’s not really a worldly sign of
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 03.06.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/03/06/wednesdays-word-03-06-24/) - In the last few days, the Supreme Court of the United States of America issued a ruling on a divisive case. As with any case of this magnitude, you will have persons who choose sides and are heavily invested in the decision of the court and what it means for the country. The decision in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.20.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/03/20/wednesdays-word-03-20-24/) - Well…Spring has sprung! We are on our way to some truly glorious days. Some rain will fall, flowers and trees will bud out, the whole of nature will be resounding in a triumphant display for all of us to take in. Easter is not quite here yet though, that doesn’t occur until March 31st. Have
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 03.13.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/03/01/wednesdays-word-03-13-24/) - I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention, but the season of Lent has just been going by so quickly. We are in the fourth week of Lent, and Palm Sunday is only one Sunday away. How have we spent this time of Lent? Have we been able to reflect on the meaning of self-sacrifice?
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 02.28.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/02/28/wednesdays-word-02-28-24/) - How is it with your soul? That’s the question of the day. That’s a deep searching we each should take stock of. Its important for us to consider the state of our soul. What we know about the soul is, it is the core of who we are. It is the essence of God in
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 02.21.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/02/21/wednesdays-word-02-21-24/) - Today is an interesting day for me, maybe and hopefully for you as well. A friend of mine is turning 61 today, happy birthday Loyed! I met him when he was a mere 20 years old, oh how time flies. It got me to thinking about all of us, and what we are doing here
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 02.14.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/02/14/wednesdays-word-02-14-24/) - Soooooo, Happy Valentine’s Day! I would say happy Ash Wednesday also, but that’s inappropriate. There is no such thing as Happy Ash Wednesday, its not a day of happiness, its a day of introspection, a day to begin the season of Lent, a day to be reminded of our need to be repentant. Ok, that’s
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 02.07.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/02/07/wednesdays-word-02-07-24/) - Interesting term we occasionally hear, “Liminal space.” Its sort of like, you’re between what is and what is yet to be. One definition I’ve come across says, “Liminal space is the uncertain transition between where you've been and where you're going physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. To be in a liminal space means to be on
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 01.31.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/01/31/wednesdays-word-01-31-24/) - Have you ever felt as if God was distant from you? Did you have the sense God just wasn’t with you, beside you, listening to you? There are times we pray, we fast, we meditate and still we just feel utterly alone, as if no response is coming to us. Let me assure you, this
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.24.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/01/24/wednesdays-word-01-24-24/) - I was having a conversation with someone a few days ago, and from that experience a sadness welled up in me. We had been discussing the person’s work, what their hopes and dreams were as they progressed in their career. I was feeling a real joy for that person, and a hope for their future. Somehow, the conversation
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.17.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/01/17/wednesdays-word-01-17-24/) - Wow! We just had a real arctic blast. Of course its Winter, and we expect some cold weather, but down in the “teens” for several days just about cripples us here in Texas. We just aren’t built for that kind of weather. Hopefully all of you stayed warm and safe. While I was home on Monday, hunkered down under
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 01.10.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/01/10/wednesdays-word-01-03-24-2/) - In recent days I’ve been seeing a word bandied about that peaked my interest. Its a word that has been applied to some politicians and other famous people. The word is “entitlement.” It seems there are those who believe their position, their notoriety, their status, provides them with certain entitlements. I was a bit curious, so I wanted to know the meaning and usage
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 01.03.24](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2024/01/03/wednesdays-word-01-03-24/) - Here we are at the dawn of a new year. I know many of us take this time to assess our lives and even our shortcomings, then we make these grand resolutions to make substantial changes to how and what we do. We vow to improve our health, our finances, our mental health. In a Forbes Health article
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 11.01.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/11/01/wednesdays-word-11-1-23/) - Today is All Saints Day. Its a day we remember and honor those saints who have transcended from this life to life everlasting. Christianity.com says, “All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, is a Christian holiday that is observed on November 1st in Western Christianity. All Saints' Day is a Christian memorial day celebrating the
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 11.08.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/11/08/wednesdays-word-11-08-23/) - I want to share with you about a subject that’s kind of hard to bring up. We generally shy away from discussing this topic with others. We hold it to be a pretty private thing and don’t like to discuss it openly. I know its a subject most of us would just as soon not have to address. I
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 11.15.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/11/15/wednesdays-word-11-15-23/) - We are heading toward the holiday season with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s right before us. These can be joyous times we spend with family and close friends. They can also be times of sadness and sorrow, as we lament the loss of loved ones who are no longer here to share these times with us. As
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 11.22.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/11/22/wednesdays-word-11-22-23/) - I am not generally led to write poetry, but for some reasons these words seem to well up in me this year. Please forgive my feeble attempts, but hopefully you will find some meaning in the words. I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season, with copious amounts of God’s overflowing love and joy. Ode to Thanksgiving
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 11.29.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/11/29/wednesdays-word-11-29-23/) - Hopefully, we have all had a good holiday this past week and weekend, celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends. Some of us have traveled distances to be with loved ones. Some of us have gathered with those we haven’t seen in awhile. Some of us spent time alone or with just one or two others. Some of us experienced
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 12.06.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/12/06/wednesdays-word-12-06-23/) - A lot is going on right now. We’ve experienced the deaths of people close to us, and even deaths of well known figures like Rosalyn Carter, Henry Kissinger and Sandra Day O’Connor. We are privy to almost non-stop news stories of the wars raging in Ukraine and Israel. To a lesser degree, we occassionally hear of the humanitarian
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 12.13.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/12/13/wednesdays-word-12-13-23/) - We are smack in the middle of our holiday celebrations, and heading headlong into the new year. I’m thinking we should pause for just a moment to consider this past year and all we have experienced. What has happened to us personally? What challenges have we faced? What obstacles have we overcome? What great and joyous events have we experienced? What
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.18.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/18/wednesdays-word-05-18-22/) - I was in a meeting recently with other pastors, where we were to vote on issues related to ordination and other business regarding our Annual Conference. Our speaker for the day was a retired theologian, Marjorie Suchoki. Professor Suchoki reminded all of us what it means to be United Methodist, where our roots in Wesleyan theology lie,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.25.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/10/25/wednesdays-word-10-25-23/) - When someone does us harm, either physical, verbal or emotional, it seems our natural inclination is to seek revenge. We want to get back at them. We want to make them hurt like we hurt. We somehow envision some modicum of satisfaction we’ll receive from just such a scenario. Can vengeance bring any of us
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.18.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/10/18/wednesdays-word-10-18-23/) - Spoiler Alert! I may say some things today which you will disagree with. That’s okay, we are not always going to be in agreement. Besides, I’m a grown up, I am able to take criticism and am more than okay with those who disagree with me. I believe the ability to critically reflect on how
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.11.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/10/11/wednesdays-word-10-11-23/) - Last week I told you about how my morning walks happen during the dark hours of the early morning. I would like us to think some more about darkness and what walking in darkness can mean for our lives. Darkness is a metaphor used for a great many circumstances in our lives and the lives
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.04.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/10/04/wednesdays-word-10-04-23/) - As night approaches, darkness descends and with the darkness comes a quietness too. Its interesting to me how quiet the dark can become. You know how it is, you hear lots of noises at night you never seem to hear in the daytime. Creaks, squeaks, muffles, shuffles, ticks, tacks, bangs and bongs all make up
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.27.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/09/27/wednesdays-word-09-27-23/) - As we move into the Fall, or Autumn time of the year, we start to see signs of the season changing. This season has traditionally been about harvest and bringing in a store of food for the Winter ahead. Its also been a season for thankfulness and gratitude. Why at this time do we highlight
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.20.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/09/20/wednesdays-word-09-20-23/) - He’s so nice. She’s so nice. We hear that about people who we see as those who make everyone feel good, warm and fuzzy. We like nice people. We want to be around nice people. They make things so pleasant for all concerned. I’ve even heard others say that about those who are Christians, “they
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.13.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/09/13/wednesdays-word-09-13-23/) - We live in a world that is full of risk. Risk is an interesting word. What does the word bring to mind? Does risk sound positive or negative when we hear it? Merriam-Webster defines risk as: 1. possibility of loss or injury. 2. Someone or something that presents a risk. A bad risk. That doesn’t
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.06.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/09/06/wednesdays-word-09-06-23/) - I had taken a break awhile back from my morning walks but got back to them in July. Of course I’d start back when its boiling hot! Thankfully, its been bearable in the early morning hours. Last week was actually very lovely, low 70’s, slight breeze. Unfortunately, the warmer temperatures have returned this week. As
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.30.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/08/30/wednesdays-word-08-30-23/) - Do mysteries intrigue you? Are there times you sit wondering about the future; what it will hold, what things will happen, what people will cross your path, what new adventures may take place? The Summer of 2023 is winding down, and now we are preparing for Autumn, the Fall of the year. Its been a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.23.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/08/23/wednesdays-word-08-23-23/) - As those who believe in God, one aspect of our belief is based in our relationship with God. That relationship is grounded in our faith, our devotion, our listening and hearing when God speaks to us. One of the most critical parts of our relationship with God is found in our worship. Worship takes on
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 08.09.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/08/09/wednesdays-word-08-09-23/) - I’ve been giving real consideration to what it means to lead. Being called to lead is probably one of the most difficult things one could be asked to do. In a leadership position, your decisions will never satisfy everyone. There will always be those who question what, why, where, and how a leader leads. It's
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 08.16.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/08/16/wednesdays-word-08-16-23/) - I was working in the kitchen the other day, putting a nice salad together. There were some vegetables to chop up for the salad; onions, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, even some olives. I know, I know, there are some who don’t like olives, but it was going to be a sort of Greek salad. It happened all
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.02.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/08/02/wednesdays-word-08-02-23/) - I was having a conversation with a clergy colleague the other day concerning the sacrament of Holy Communion. We were talking about how it should be viewed, and how it should be offered to all as a means of grace. This got me thinking about how we in the church view our stewardship of God’s
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.26.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/07/26/wednesdays-word-07-26-23/) - I am always so very glad to hear of people getting away; relaxing, refreshing, recreating. This is necessary for our physical and spiritual well-being. Its the reason God commands us to observe a sabbath, to rest from our labors and all that occupies us. Summertime is one of those times so many of us choose
- [Wednesday's Word I 04.12.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/04/12/wednesdays-word-l-04-12-23/) - I don’t know about you, but my Easter was fabulous! What a glorious day. The weather was beautiful, and the excitement in our worship service was palpable. The joy that those gathered exuded was infectious. All in all, Resurrection Sunday left me on a spiritual high. Any time I find myself in the position of
- [Wednesday's Word I 04.19.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/04/19/wednesdays-word-i-04-19-23/) - I just read an astounding statistic from January of this year. In the blog, Tracking Happiness, the author writes “‘I’m a loser, I’m not quick enough, I’m never able to do that, I deserve to be happy.’ These feelings of inadequacy occur more frequently than you might think. About 85% of people suffer from low
- [Wednesday's Word I 04.26.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/04/26/wednesdays-word-i-04-26-23/) - Yesterday morning it was my great honor to witness a ceremony that has played itself out over the last couple hundred years. Almost 700 persons; different ages, different ethnicities, different nationalities, different cultures, different religious beliefs, different genders, and different orientations all stood at the Plano Convention Center to take the oath of citizenship in the
- [Wednesday's Word I 05.03.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/05/03/wednesdays-word-i-05-03-23/) - How can I find happiness? That’s sort of the question that comes to me on a regular basis these days. I find I’m generally a happy person, but that’s not quite the same as happiness, is it? Happiness is more of a pervasive feeling, one that infects the whole of our lives. It's kind of
- [Wednesday's Word I 05.10.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/05/10/wednesdays-word-i-05-10-23/) - I’m convicted by the notion of “no mores.” No more conversations.No more smiles or laughter.No more shared meals.No more quiet moments.No more inside jokes and side glances.No more dates.No more birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries.No more vacations.No more dances.No more songs.…No more ANYTHING. When truly tragic things occur, we wonder, or aloud, “Why does God allow such
- [Wednesday's Word | 5.17.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/05/17/wednesdays-word-5-17-23/) - I suppose one of the most famous messages from the 20th century was a transmission from space to NASA control: “Houston, we have a problem.” I want to invoke that same statement in regards to the current state of things in our society. We have a problem. We have a seeming lack of empathy and
- [Wednesday's Word I 05.31.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/05/31/wednesdays-word-i-05-31-23/) - I’ve been thinking a lot about this coming Sunday and weekend. We will celebrate Pride weekend with all of our LGBTQ+ friends and family. Pride celebrations take place in cities all over the world at different times throughout the year. It has been recognized as a way to affirm the dignity and worth of every
- [Wednesday's Word I 06.07.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/06/07/wednesdays-word-i-06-07-23/) - It seems to me one of the fractures we are experiencing in our society and world today is a lack of or loss of trust. We have in the past placed an enormous amount of trust in the institutions of our society; schools, government, medicine, legal, financial, and religious. All of these institutions, and more,
- [Wednesday's Word I 06.14.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/06/14/wednesdays-word-i-06-14-23/) - Have you ever been so angry at someone, or some group, you just simply couldn’t move beyond your anger? It happens to many of us, for a variety of reasons. Our anger burns hot within us, we make it a welcome companion in our daily lives. We even nurture and feed it in order to
- [Wednesday’s Word I 06.21.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/06/21/wednesdays-word-i-06-21-23/) - It’s soooooooo HOT! This heat can really sap all the energy out of you. Summer is here and in full force. Of course, being from Texas, we probably shouldn’t complain about the heat, it's a given. If you’re going to live in Texas, you have to make peace with the heat of the long Summers.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.05.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/07/05/wednesdays-word-07-05-23/) - Yesterday was Independence Day, July 4th. It seems as if we pull out all the stops to celebrate the day we declared independence from England and the rule of the monarchy. We decided we needed to be free. And so, our inner patriot comes out in full Red, White & Blue on this day every
- [Wednesday’s Word I 06.28.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/06/28/wednesdays-word-i-06-28-23/) - When my father was still alive, I can remember how the conversation on the telephone would go. I’d call and he would answer the phone. After saying hello, the next topic would always be the weather. “How’s the weather there?” After that discussion, he would simply say, “Here’s your mother.” I know, not much of
- [Wednesday's Word I 07.12.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/07/12/wednesdays-word-i-07-12-23/) - I have a young friend who occasionally reaches out to me with the ubiquitous text, “WYD”? It always seems innocent enough, he’s just checking in with me. That’s what I’m thinking. Not so. Almost invariably, when I tell him what I’m doing and ask what he’s doing, his answer is “Nothing, I’m bored.” This may
- [WEDNESDAY WORD | 07.19.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/07/19/wednesday-word-07-19-23/) - I only have one brother, we are both adopted children from two different families. Although we are not blood-related, we have always been close. As life happens, we have each chosen our own path and lead different lives. These days, my brother is retired and he and his wife spend their days looking after and
- [Wednesday's Word | 5.24.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/05/24/wednesdays-word-5-24-23/) - There are times in our lives when we may have a hard time mustering up a sense of hope. When we look at the state of the church today, we may find it difficult to have hope for its future. This year has been a struggle for many churches to stay alive. Following the Covid-19
- [Wednesday's Word I 04.05.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/04/05/wednesdays-word-i-04-05-23/) - Here we are in the middle of Holy Week 2023. The season of Lent seems to have flown by. It feels like we just finished Christmas, and now we are in the holiest week of the Christian faith. The time leading up to the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. I have to wonder if, as
- [Wednesday's Word I 03.29.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/03/29/wednesdays-word-l-03-29-23/) - Have you ever been so angry you just didn’t know what to do with all that emotion? The kind of emotion that almost threatens to consume you. We are such an incredibly advanced society. We have such knowledge and abilities today that would truly stun and overwhelm those who preceded us 60+ years ago. We are working on technologies
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD I 03.22.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/03/22/wednesdays-word-i-03-22/) - Late last year I was on a 7-day cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean with a group of friends. It was a wonderful getaway right after Thanksgiving. As usually happens when you get home from a relaxing vacation, you want to share your experience with others. As I shared it with my
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.15.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/03/15/wednesdays-word-03-15-23/) - This past Sunday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held their 95th Academy Awards. As always, it's a festive broadcast saluting filmmakers, directors, actors, actresses, musical scores, writers, editors, cinematography, and a host of all the other supporting positions that go into the production of films. The Academy Awards show garners a lot
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD I 03.08.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/03/08/wednesdays-word-i-03-08-23/) - What does it mean to be welcoming? For me, there’s a real art to how you welcome others into a space and place unfamiliar to them. Taking into consideration what it takes for someone to enter a space and place they’ve never been before, to mix with people they’ve never met, to experience a totally
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD I 03.01.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/03/01/wednesdays-word-i-03-01-23/) - Here we are in the liturgical season of Lent, we are also in the Spring of the year. Things are starting to green up, all around us life is starting anew. In Lent we are of course remembering the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, contemplating the love God has for each of us. Some
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.22.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/02/22/wednesdays-word-02-22-23/) - Today marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent, Ash Wednesday. Just a short word about the season of Lent. The season is 40 days long, excluding Sundays as they are considered mini-Easters. This is a season intended for each of us to reflect on our lives, our witness, our discipleship. Many people follow
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.15.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/02/15/wednesdays-word-02-15-23/) - It seems sometimes we get enamored with things, and stuff, and status, and position, and money. So much is in our faces, and we are bombarded with the trappings of the world. Do we have the latest gadget, the most up to date tech, the coolest car, the biggest house? Are we advancing in our
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.08.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/02/08/wednesdays-word-02-08-23/) - How do we use the gifts God has blessed us with? If we truly step back and look at all the many ways God has blessed us, can we then recount how we in turn used those blessings to help others? Blessings we receive come to us not because we’re so good, but rather because
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.01.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/02/01/wednesdays-word-02-01-23/) - I sure hope and pray you are somewhere warm reading this. This Winter weather descended on us quickly. We had a little warning so we could be prepared. I stopped on my way home from the church to pick up a few items to have available to cook, just in case it became too risky
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.25.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/01/25/wednesdays-word-01-25-23/) - Are we following our own paths, our own desires, our own prejudices, our own sense of entitlement and perspective, or are we following Jesus? Its so easy for us to delude ourselves into thinking what we’ve always done is the right thing, what we’ve always thought are the right thoughts, what we’ve grown accustomed to
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.18.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/01/18/wednesdays-word-01-18-23/) - I enjoy the time I spend in worship on Sundays. I feel a real connection to the Divine when I open myself up. This past Sunday, we started worship with a song that truly touched me in hard to explain ways. It has stayed with me since that time. I keep repeating the words in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.11.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/01/11/wednesdays-word-01-11-23/) - I’ve been considering the real meaning of two words which are antonyms of each other: Presence and Absence. I have a strange affinity for opposites. I know its said that opposites attract, maybe that’s a part of why I’m drawn to such things. Its the juxtaposition of one against the other that captures and holds
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.04.23](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2023/01/04/wednesdays-word-01-04-23/) - Well, we made it to 2023. Now what? Every time we turn a new year, it gives us pause to think about the year past and the year ahead. Many people look back at the previous year with a mixture of regret, sadness, and even a little angst about how horrible the year has been.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.28.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/12/28/wednesdays-word-12-28-22/) - You may have had some really good memories about the past year, but you never know what the new one is bringing for you. It’s time to be hopeful, have new dreams and make some new resolutions for the new year in your life. It’s time to connect with each other and make new year
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.21.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/12/21/wednesdays-word-12-21-22/) - Christmas is coming! As a child, we can all remember the excitement, as well as the impatience of that kind of statement. Excited because of all the food, the sweet treats, seeing family we haven’t seen in awhile, and of course the PRESENTS! We just knew it was going to be great when Christmas finally
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.14.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/12/14/wednesdays-word-12-14-22/) - This coming Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Advent, its all about LOVE. What does it really mean to love? We, of course can bring to mind all the trappings of love: two people holding hands, hearts - lots of hearts, animal enthusiasts with their pets, parent with child. The list could go on and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.07.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/12/07/wednesdays-word-12-07-22/) - This coming Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, the guiding theme is one of Joy. We are reminded of the news about joy coming, coming for EVERYONE! We are reminded God is not some distant being, far, far away. God is here, present with us. In fact, that is the literal translation of Emmanuel,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.30.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/11/30/wednesdays-word-11-30-22/) - Friends, we are IN the season of Advent. We are on a journey of hope, peace, love and ultimately Joy! This coming Sunday is the second Sunday of this blessed season, and our focus is on Peace. For many of us, we think of peace as the absence of chaos or conflict. That is one
- [Rise Against Hunger Packing Day!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/28/rise-against-hunger-packing-day/) - Join us on November 20th, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, for the Rise Against Hunger Packing Day! Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief agency that seeks to end global hunger by engaging local volunteers. The organization was formed as Stop Hunger Now in 1998 by Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist Minister, and John
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.16.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/11/16/wednesdays-word-11-16-22/) - Did you know there is a difference between gratitude and gratefulness, versus thankfulness? We so often use them interchangeably we don’t really give it much thought. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week, this has me thinking about gratefulness and thankfulness. We know being grateful is defined as being “appreciative of benefits received.” Thankful on
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD |11.09.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/11/09/wednesdays-word-11-09-22/) - Every once in awhile, someone will suggest some topic I might address here. My friend Bob suggested I might take a look at anger management. Now, that’s a tough one, I struggle a lot to keep my anger in check. Hopefully we can learn a little something together. There are lots of things in our
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.26.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/26/wednesdays-word-10-26-22/) - If you know me, you know I’m a hat guy. Being that I lack any hair on my head, I have to protect it from the elements, mainly heat and cold. I love all kinds of hats. My go to is a baseball cap, especially in the Summer. Sometimes I wear a bucket hat in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.19.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/19/wednesdays-word-10-19-22/) - I remember reading about how doing tasks with your non-dominant hand is good mental stimulation. It can serve to create new brain pathways, thereby helping to fight against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Of course, there are other suggestions as well, like moderate to intense exercise several times a week, strength building, diet, avoiding certain behaviors
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.12.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/12/wednesdays-word-10-12-22/) - There was a popular song many years ago recorded by none other than the iconic Tina Turner. She recorded it on her album Private Dancer and released the single in 1984. The song became her first and only number one single, selling over 1.5 million copies. The song, What’s Love Got to Do with It
- [The Annual Pumpkin Patch is Closed](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/11/the-annual-pumpkin-patch-is-closed/) - Happy Fall, Y'all! The Annual Pumpkin Patch is now closed. Thank you to all who came out to benefit our wide variety of ministries: Preston Hollow Elementary School, North Dallas Shared Ministries, The Birthday Project, the PHUMC Child Development Center, It's a Sensory World, Operation Smile, and Rise Against Hunger.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.05.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/10/05/wednesdays-word-10-05-22/) - What are you anxious about right now? If each of us would really ask ourselves this question, we might discover we have a lot on our plates that seems to result in feelings of anxiety. Did you know, about 40 million adults in the United States are affected by anxiety disorder? Only 36.9% of people
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.28.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/09/28/wednesdays-word-09-28-22/) - We are on a journey, each of us. The church is also on a journey. We are looking of meaning in our lives, but we are also trying to discover where God is leading us. At the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow, we are beginning a process of spiritual discernment as to our vision
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.21.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/09/21/wednesdays-word-09-21-22/) - My most favorite season of the year has arrived, Fall, or Autumn as some call it. For a few days we had some lovely Texas type Fall weather, but I see the heat has returned. Nonetheless, its Fall and I am a happy camper. I love the turning of the leaves, the foods we tend
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.14.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/09/14/wednesdays-word-09-14-22/) - Can we talk about disappointments, and how we handle them? If there’s any sure bet, its that each of us will have our share of disappointments in life. It simply is going to happen. There are lots of things that bring disappointments into our lives. Many times its in our relationships. It might be in
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.07.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/09/07/wednesdays-word-09-07-22/) - Let me begin by giving praise and thanksgiving to God for the faithfulness and generous spirit of all of you. I have returned from my extended time away, renewed and refreshed for our ministry life and witness. My travels have been far and wide, and in that time away I have been able to find
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.31.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/08/31/wednesdays-word-08-31-22/) - One of my most favorite of all the saints is St. Francis. I have in fact, been privileged to visit his tomb in Assisi. It was quite a moving experience to visit his tomb, and to see the threadbare tunic he wore in his sacrificial life. “Francis was born to a merchant family in the
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.24.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/08/24/wednesdays-word-08-24-22/) - As the dog days of Summer are passing by, what have you been praying about and for? Do you pray for someone who is sick, that they will receive healing? Do you pray for financial resources for yourself or others who are needy? Do you pray for strained relationships, that they will be reconciled? Do you pray for the
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.17.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/08/17/wednesdays-word-08-17-22/) - “As a young man, John Chrysostom tried to be a desert monk, but he was deterred by poor health. So he decided to give his whole life to God in the city. He eventually became archbishop of Constantinople, but always insisted on a life of simplicity. John is remembered for his eloquence in preaching, especially against abuses of
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.10.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/08/10/wednesdays-word-08-10-22/) - When time after time, we find bad things are happening to us, or people are heaping evil things on us, we can find solace in knowing nothing of this world will ever come between us and God’s love.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.03.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/08/03/wednesdays-word-08-03-22/) - I have to wonder if giving peacemaking a chance might be the third way for so much of what plagues us right now? Is there anything in this world that cannot be overcome with the peace of God? When we apply peace in situations that are chaotic and where good outcomes are seemingly unattainable, we are being who Christ calls us to be.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.27.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/07/27/wednesdays-word-07-27-22/) - God has a plan and a purpose for you and me also. What is it you see that can be aided by your voice, your actions, your willingness to be used so that this world is a better place because you passed this way?
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.20.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/07/20/wednesdays-word-07-20-22/) - My gentle and good friends, let’s just remind one another of who our sisters and brothers are. Each one is a child of God, each one is endowed with God’s Spirit, each one is made in the likeness of God.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.13.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/07/12/wednesdays-word-07-13-22/) - “Benedict was born in the town of Nursia, near Rome. At age twenty, he left home and lived for three years as a hermit in a desolate cave. There he practiced severe asceticism, maturing in both mind and character. Though he had little contact with the outside world, Benedict gained a reputation for his holy life and discipline. Eventually
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 07.06.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/07/06/wednesdays-word-07-06-22/) - From Common Prayer, we are reminded of the sacrifices of many who stood for their faith. One such ordinary radical was Jan Hus (1372-1415) “Jan Hus was born in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic). He helped launch a vigorous reform of the church in a particularly difficult time in our history known as the Great
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.20.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/29/wednesdays-word-06-20-22/) - I hope the Summer is treating you well, and you are able to refresh your spirit in these long days of the season. I’m going to be taking some time during July and August to just that, refresh my soul and spirit. I’m going to travel to Spain to connect with my friend Moussa who is coming
- [New KidZone Program with Director Katie Williams](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/23/new-kidzone-program-with-director-katie-williams/) - We are so excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new KidZone program! Our goal is to provide a safe and inspiring program to touch children's lives with God's love, teach them God's Word, and provide fellowship while laying a foundation that will keep children interested in the things of God as they grow.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.22.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/22/wednesdays-word/) - Yesterday, I celebrated one of the two sacraments of the Church, Holy Baptism. Normally, baptisms are celebrated in the context of corporate worship, where the church is gathered together. It is an act of worship the whole congregation participates in. I won’t normally baptize persons outside of regular morning worship. I made an exception for our newest member of
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.15.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/15/wednesdays-word-06-15-22/) - “How’s the heat treating you?” That’s a question I remember hearing when I was growing up in San Antonio, Texas. Although I’m Texas born and raised, I have never gotten used to the heat. It can be oppressive and down right stifling. Makes me want to stay still and find a cool spot to sprawl out in. Having said this,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.08.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/08/wednesdays-word-06-08-22/) - I was up and out on my morning walk early, around 6:30 a.m.. Its nice and quiet that time of morning, as well as much cooler than in later morning and afternoon. Almost every morning there is an older woman who passes me, who is always so cheery and bubbly. “Good morning!” She says with a twinkle in her eye. I
- [Special Guest Speaker](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/03/special-guest-speaker/) - We have asked Don King to be our guest speaker on Sunday morning June 12 at 10:30. Here's a little about him. Don is a successful entrepreneur, speaker and author. Don King's newest book is "Get More Promise Out of Your Land" which is based upon the book of Deuteronomy. Don takes the instructions that
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 06.01.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/06/01/wednesdays-word-06-01-22/) - Have you ever retrieved something from the “Lost and Found, and if you did, how did you feel? Losing something can make us frantic to find it. We search and search, we retrace our steps the last time we had it in our possession. We turn other things, literally, upside down to shake out what we are
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.25.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/25/wednesdays-word-05-25-22/) - It’s often said of Methodists, all we like to talk about is grace, we don’t bring up sin. I can see why many might say that, we are a grace-forward people. We believe in grace, and we believe grace is available to all. In 1517, Martin Luther wrote a letter to his collaborator Philip Melanchthon from which
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.11.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/11/wednesdays-word-05-11-22/) - I consider myself a joyful person. I may not always seem like it, or my face may not always betray my inner joy, but by and large, I am genuinely filled with joy. I thought we might explore this whole idea of joy and what it can mean for our lives. It seems to me, joy and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 05.04.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/04/wednesdays-word-05-04-22/) - I’ve been doing some self-care recently by taking early morning walks. I have a trek outlined which takes me along a path following a creek, then through a neighborhood of houses, past a school, a park, and finally along a busy thoroughfare. Initially I decided to start walking as a way to enhance my physical wellbeing, but
- [Mother's Day Guest](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/05/03/mothers-day-guest/) - We are welcoming our guest speaker Sheri Wethersby on Mother's Day. (May 8) She is volunteering to speak. Sheri's roles in her 36-year career as an educator include that of teacher, counselor, administrator and behavior specialist ... sounds like a mother to me! Although the only creatures lucky enough to call her Mom are the
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.27.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/04/27/wednesdays-word-04-27-22/) - If you missed in person worship, you REALLY missed out. My friend, the Reverend Hadley R. Edwards took our in person worship to a whole other level. The word he brought was powerful and one that inspired us all. Thanks to him, the faithful choir members, Russ Rieger and our musicians for the day, the tech team, and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.20.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/04/20/wednesdays-word-04-20-22/) - I’m lamenting today about all the time and energy I’ve wasted in my life fretting over things that should not be my concern. As a child, when I would get in trouble for something I’d said or done, my fall back position was always to bring up the things my brother had done. Call it, “what-about-isms.” My parents
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.13.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/04/13/wednesdays-word-04-13-22/) - Here we are, smack dab in the middle of Holy Week. What do you find yourself doing? Are you cleaning your house, making beds, doing laundry, going to work, cooking dinner, spending time with your children, or parents, or loved ones? Are you going through your normal routine? This is what we do every day of the year,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 04.06.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/04/06/wednesdays-word-04-06-22/) - As probably many of you have felt, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the ever continuing cycle of news that comes my way. The war has continued to drag on in the Ukraine, and now we are hearing of the many atrocities perpetrated against its civilians. There are all sorts of stories circulating about how Mr. Putin
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.30.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/03/30/wednesdays-word-03-30-22/) - As you are wholly aware, we are living through what has been termed “unprecedented times.” So much of how we live our lives has been upended and dramatic changes and shifts have occurred. One of the things in our lives that has shifted maybe more dramatically than others is in the area of worship. Its true, church
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.23.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/03/23/wednesdays-word-3-23-22/) - My friends, what a joy it was this past Sunday to be back in our Sanctuary and back to in person worship. I felt the spirit moving in that place in a very mighty way. If you were unable to attend worship, I hope to see you very soon. We have some exciting worship plans for the Sundays
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.16.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/03/16/wednesdays-word-03-16-22/) - I’ve been thinking lately about how we are capable of affecting and changing the world we live in. There are lots of ways society can be affected by human intervention. There are philanthropists who donate large sums of money in an effort to bring about change. Think Andrew Carnegie, whose contributions planted public libraries all across our nation. Because
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.09.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/03/10/wednesdays-word-03-09-22/) - Can’t quite figure this weather out. Bitter cold, freezing temperatures with ice and snow flurries. Then the weather turns warmer and Spring-like. This week we just returned to a few days of cold again. The weather just can’t seem to make up its mind, its all over the place. Texas weather, what can you say? Of course, those of us who
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 03.02.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/03/02/wednesdays-word-03-02-22/) - First, let me say, I am over my gout attack. The doctor prescribed steroids to reduce the pain and within 48 hours I was almost completely pain-free. Thank you for all of your prayers and concern. Here we are friends, it’s Ash Wednesday. Hard to believe we are in to the third month of our new year. We are
- [Our Return to Worship](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/27/our-return-to-in-person-worship/) - Grace, Peace and Love to each of you. I know we have all been anxiously awaiting the time we can return to in-person worship with our beloved community. The spike in Covid cases has subsided, Dallas County has moved our threat level from Red to Orange. Indeed, we are approaching some sense of normalcy. We
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.23.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/23/wednesdays-word-02-23-22/) - As I’ve sat down to write this, I’m suffering with a flare up of gout. Its very painful for me to walk right now. Hopefully the doctor will be calling in meds to alleviate the flare up. I’m not telling you this looking for sympathy. What has occurred to me is how often life can give us a pushback
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.16.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/16/wednesdays-word-02-16-22/) - I read an article in the most recent issue of The Atlantic which really captured my attention. The title of the article is The Satisfaction Trap by Arthur C. Brooks. The author begins the article with a conversation he had with his teenage daughter about the quest all of us as human beings are on to find satisfaction and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.09.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/09/wednesdays-word-02-09-22/) - I hope and pray all of you made it through last week’s winter storm okay. The temperatures plummeted, the wind blew, the rain fell, and then came the sleet and snow. What a perfect confluence of events to bring a little Winter our way. Of course, the weather people and the safety people were all a buzz beforehand. It
- [Worship Update - February 2022](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/02/worship-update-february-2022/) - Due to the increase in COVID infections, we will remain closed for in-person worship for the month of February Please join us online on Sundays at 10:30 AM on Facebook or YouTube!
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 02.02.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/02/02/wednesdays-word-02-02-22/) - Can you believe it? We are already into February of the new year! As you know, February has been set aside as African-American History month. A time to reflect on the immense contributions, and suffering, our African-American sisters and brothers have made and been through. There are those who question why we set aside a month for promoting
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.26.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/01/26/wednesdays-word-01-26-22/) - For the past 2 weeks, I have had the pleasure and privilege of hosting a couple of friends in my home. One friend, Rev. Hadley R. Edwards, is no stranger to many of us. He has preached for Preston Hollow several times, as well as preaching and conducting the memorial service for my beloved Antoine Bufford. The other
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.19.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/01/19/wednesdays-word-01-19-22/) - How do we judge the situations we find ourselves in? I’m thinking about the times we find ourselves joyful or happy, depressed or sad, anxious or fearful, angry or vengeful. We find ourselves in different states at different times in our lives. How we judge those times and states may have a lot to do with our
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.12.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/01/12/wednesdays-word-01-12-22/) - What a wonderful day today is! Have you given any thought to today? Yes, some of us may have gotten up with some moans and groans. I’m finding the older I get, I have to make noises when I move around. You know, like grunting when I get up from a seated position or out of bed. Groaning a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 01.05.22](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2022/01/05/wednesdays-word-01-05-22/) - A new year stretches before us with so much potential and so many possibilities. I wonder what we will do with these days? I wonder if we will trudge through them as if its an ordeal to get through? I wonder if we will plan, and over plan them so that every minute of every day has a
- [Worship Update - January 2022](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/12/30/worship-update-january-2022/) - Due to a rise in COVID infections, there will be no in-person worship for the month of January. Please join us online on Sundays at 10:30 AM on Facebook or YouTube!
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.08.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/12/08/wednesdays-word-12-08-21/) - I can remember as a child, how much we anticipated Christmas morning. There’s all this buzz and excitement from Thanksgiving on, and all you can think about is Christmas morning around the family Christmas tree. Of course you know, for a child the thought of all those presents glittering under the tree is almost too much. Its a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 12.01.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/12/01/wednesdays-word-12-01-2021/) - We have begun the breakneck race through what is known as the holiday season. We’ve just completed Thanksgiving weekend, and have run headlong into the Advent season, heading toward Christmas and New Years. This season usually feels like a blur to me, so much is going on. Everything is decorated up in a festive manner, so many meals,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.17.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/11/17/wednesdays-word-11-17-2021/) - This week we are continuing to talk about what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, in the end three things remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. Last week we talked some about Faith, what it means and how we build it up and sustain it. This week, let’s talk about Hope. What is Hope? What does Hope mean for us
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.10.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/11/10/wednesdays-word-11-10-2021/) - One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible comes from 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. The Apostle Paul lays out an argument for the supremacy of love in all things. We refer to this chapter often when 2 persons are joining their lives together. Paul tells us if we exhibit all the different attributes of one who is steeped
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 11.03.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/11/03/wednesdays-word-11-03-2021/) - Yesterday was a hard day for me, I’ll explain in just a bit. Maybe some of you have experienced hard days yourself, and will be able to relate. My mind remembered a passage from the Psalms when David was experiencing a hard time in deserted places. Psalm 63: 1-8…1 O God, you are my God, I seek you,
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.27.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/10/27/wednesdays-word-10-27-2021/) - We are living in times that many consider unprecedented. We’ve had to live sequestered from one another for a considerable length of time. Even now, we are still wearing masks and socially distancing in many instances. Our work habits have changed, many of us have been working from home. We have discovered the usefulness of Zoom meetings, and the
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.20.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/10/20/wednesdays-word-10-20-2021/) - Have you ever sat and wondered what is your purpose? Its an interesting exercise to think and discover your true purpose in life. For those of you who have been blessed to be parents, raising your children to become responsible adults who contribute to society is an awesome purpose. To those who have talents in music and
- [Pumpkin Patch- We Are Sold Out!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/10/15/pumpkin-patch-we-are-sold-out/) - Thank you so very much to all the volunteers that came out to help with the Patch. Your hard work made the Pumpkin Patch a HUGE success. We sold out in 15 days, a new Preston Hollow record. Thank you David Edwards for setting up the Pumpkin Patch and making it great!!
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.13.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/10/13/wednesdays-word-10-13-2021/) - I have a serious question for us to ponder today. Is bigger, better? I know that sounds like a funny question, but I believe its important for us to ask ourselves. I grew up in a small 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with asbestos shingle siding. It had a carport that my parents closed in and added a
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 10.06.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/10/06/wednesdays-word-10-06-2021/) - You know, I absolutely love the Autumn time of the year. Maybe I love it because I was born in this season. Maybe I love it because I long for the cooler, crisper weather. Maybe I love it because of the smells, the colors, the tastes. Whatever the reasons, I’m not sure I can nail them all down, it
- [WEDNESDAY WORD | 09.29.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/29/wednesday-word-09-29-2021/) - JUMP START YOUR DAY! I learned very early in my life how to start my day with God. I learned it from my Paternal Grandmother who spent her mornings in prayer and scripture reading as she moved forward to face the day ahead. In the Autumn Season I would stand or sit close to her window and
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.22.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/22/wednesdays-word-09-22-2021/) - What motivates us to change? What in us can help guide us to change our attitudes, our speech, our actions, our hearts? It’s an interesting question to consider. I would guess most of us are not always pleased with what we say and do. I would further guess, we would not be all that excited to have others see
- [Annual Pumpkin Patch](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/14/annual-pumpkin-patch/) - Join us for our annual Pumpkin Patch! The Pumpkin Patch is open every day from September 26 - October 26. It is open Sunday-Friday from 2-6pm and Saturdays from 9-6.Pick out your favorites from our HUGE variety of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes!Plus, every Saturday, the "The Pudgy Pumpkin Gift Shop", featuring fall decorations
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.15.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/15/wednesdays-word-09-15-2021/) - Do you know what the world is really lacking right now? Well, its lacking a lot of things, but today I’m thinking of kindness. Plain, simple, every day kindness. I just don’t see a lot of it around right now. What I do see is many people feeling emboldened to indulge their shadow natures full on. There is a lot
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.08.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/08/wednesdays-word-09-08-2021/) - As I’ve been reflecting this past week on all that seems to be going on around us, what is it any of us can do to make a difference? The Covid pandemic continues to rage, causing us to live life differently than we have before, and making it inconvenient to do a lot of things
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 09.01.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/09/01/wednesdays-word-09-01-2021/) - I think sometimes we have a tendency to take friendships for granted. Friends are enjoyable to be around, to hang out with, to go places with, to party with. Notice, I said “with,” friends are with us in much of what we do. Being with someone means they are sharing some of the joys of your life. They are
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 08.25.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/25/wednesdays-word-08-25-2021/) - As some of you may have been aware, I spent the past weekend in the hospital battling a bladder/kidney infection. Several years ago I was diagnosed with stage 2 bladder cancer. As a result, after intensive chemotherapy, I had some radical surgery. In that surgery, my bladder was removed and a neobladder was created. The neobladder is a wonder
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.18.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/18/wednesdays-word-08-18-2021/) - I hope and pray this day is finding each one of you well and safe wherever you are. We have entered into another dangerous time concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, now we are facing a huge surge from the Delta variant. By all accounts, this variant is much more transmissible, and more difficult to treat. We have seen
- [Sunday School Update](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/17/sunday-school-update/) - Sunday School has been put on hold until further notice due to the rise in Covid cases.Please watch for updates on returning in person.
- [Masks required...](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/13/masks-required/) - Due to the rise in recent Covid cases, we will be requiring masks to be worn during in-person worship on Sunday mornings. We want you to feel safe while worshiping with us.
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.11.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/11/wednesdays-word-08-11-2021/) - I’ve just returned from a spontaneous trip to Atlanta. An old friend of mine ran across my mind the other day, and I text him to tell him he was on my mind and just to let him know he was thought of and loved. His name is Dibwe Simone Ntumba, he’s from the Democratic Republic of
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 08.04.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/08/04/wednesdays-word-08-04-2021/) - We are in the midst of what has been historically called the “Dog Days of Summer.” You know, I’m fascinated by words and phrases. I get a real kick out of discovering their origin and how they fit into our understanding of the world around us. So the dog days of Summer for 2021 are from July
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 7.28.2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/07/28/wednesdays-word-7-28-2021/) - Picking up from our discussion last week dealing with creeds in our Christian context. The other creed of great importance is known as the Nicene Creed. Its true origins are more codified in a historical time and place. The place was Nicea, which is now modern day Iznik in Turkey. There was a council convened
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 7.21.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/07/21/wednesdays-word-7-21-21/) - If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend a little time this Wednesday, and next Wednesday talking about the Creeds of the Church. We get new people in our community of faith and they become accustomed to following along with the liturgy of the church, but maybe not always familiar with why we say some of
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 7.14.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/07/14/wednesdays-word-7-14-21/) - When do you practice the art of listening? I know you’re going to say you’re listening all the time. It's not as if you can turn off your ears and just decide not to hear what’s going on around you. That is true, our ears are always “On.” As my father got older, my mother complained he was
- [Watts of Love Chalk Fundraiser](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/07/08/watts-of-love-chalk-fundraiser/) - Chalk Couture is a DIY company that partners with an organization called Watts of Love. Watts of Love delivers solar lights plus micro-business and resource training to areas of the world that face extreme poverty. In these areas, most homes are lit by dangerous kerosene lamps that often cause burns, asthma, or other breathing ailments.
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 7.7.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/07/07/wednesdays-word-7-7-21/) - My balcony faces a utility easement that doubles as a walking trail as well. Very nicely laid out and paved. You almost forget its a utility easement for megawatt high power lines when you’re on the walking trail. It’s almost like having to stand back from the trees to see the forest, if you will. Sitting on my
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 6.30.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/06/30/wednesdays-word-6-30-21/) - As we approach the July 4th holiday and celebration, I’d like to reflect a little on what it means to be patriotic, and what the Bible has to say about patriotism. In Psalm 33:12-17, the Psalmist writes: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 6.23.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/06/23/wednesdays-word-6-23-21/) - If you haven’t paid attention, the month of June has been designated as Pride Month for LGBTQ+ persons to feel affirmed and accepted in their identity. As a part of this month, I was asked to write a deeply personal letter to myself on the day I came to terms with my own identity. Knowing what I
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 6.16.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/06/16/wednesdays-word-6-16-21/) - I ran across a statement recently that said, “You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.” I really, really like that statement. It can make so clear who and what we were created to be. You’ll remember in the Gospel of John 1:1-5, we’re told “In the beginning was the Word,
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 6.9.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/06/09/wednesdays-word-6-9-21/) - My new home came equipped with a Ring doorbell. I don’t know who thought of that invention, but it is truly remarkable. Of course, it didn’t come without its complications. For you to get the intended use out of this device, it has to be connected to your wifi signal in your home, and then also to a
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 6.2.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/06/02/wednesdays-word-6-2-21/) - I got up with tractors on my mind. I know you’re probably thinking I’ve lost it. “What in the world is he going to do with a tractor today?” Agriculture was transformed with the introduction of tractors. These were slow moving machines with a tremendous amount of traction power. It helped to prepare the fields by tilling up the
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 5.26.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/05/26/wednesdays-word-5-26-21/) - This upcoming weekend leads us to the Memorial Day holiday. As I know you’re aware, it is a day of remembrance for all those who served and died in our military keeping us safe and free. It originated in the years following the American Civil War. It started out being called Decoration Day, as people would decorate the
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 5.19.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/05/19/wednesdays-word-5-19-21/) - Friends, I hope you’re as excited as I am about the upcoming in person worship on Pentecost Sunday. We have been absent from one another for such a very long time. A verse of scripture comes to mind about our absence, Genesis 31: 49...”The Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 5.12.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/05/12/wednesdays-word-5-12-21/) - We’ve experienced some unseasonably cool days and wet weather. It has really been a welcome surprise. If you are a native Texan, or have been here any length of time, you know how precious this kind of surprise can be. We know as we approach the Summer, rain usually is in short supply, as well as cool temperatures.
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 5.5.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/05/05/wednesdays-word-5-5-21/) - Today is Cinco de Mayo. If you didn’t know, it is a celebration commemorating the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. According to Wikipedia, it is actually “more popularly celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, the date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 4.28.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/04/28/wednesdays-word-4-28-21/) - Well, its been a long journey, but I have finally moved into my new place and trying to settle in. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for me during this anxious and stressful time. This move has got me to thinking about new beginnings, starting over, turning to a new chapter. That last one, is
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 4.21.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/04/21/wednesdays-word-4-21-21/) - Does anyone, besides me, have a problem with patience? I’m one of those people who wish for patience, and I want it right now! That’s not how it works though, is it? It’s said that patience is a virtue, somehow that part about it being a virtue escapes me. When you’re short on patience it feels like anything
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 4.14.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/04/14/wednesdays-word-4-14-21/) - As many of you know, I’m in the midst of moving places of residence. I’ve sold my home and bought a condo closer to the church, about 15 minutes away. It’s been hard going through years of memories and oodles of stuff, paring down the collection. Its been hard to go through mine and Antoine’s stuff, what to
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 4.8.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/04/07/wednesdays-word-4-8-21/) - Have you ever cared for someone you had no reason to be concerned about? What a strange question to start out with, don’t you think? We are now into the Great 50 Days of Easter, the time from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Its a time for us to reflect on everything we’ve witnessed, experienced and been
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 3.31.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/04/01/wednesdays-word-3-31-21/) - Do you ever forget what day it is? During this time of the pandemic and social distancing, it has happened to me on more than one occasion. It happened just today, our wonderful office manager, Maria, reminded me it was Wednesday. Ah, the Wednesday Word is due. I had to get crackin’. I had worked on what I wanted to
- [Wednesday's Word | 3.24.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/24/wednesdays-word-3-24-21/) - What a glorious Spring day this is turning out to be! It feels like we really need some good days ahead as we have weathered many storms this past year. (Literally and figuratively) Spring days remind us of all that God is bringing to life in creation, and we too are springing to new life. Oftentimes, we
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 3.17.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/17/wednesdays-word-3-17-21/) - Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I hope you’re wearing a bit o’ the green. It’s said, on St. Patrick’s Day, everybody is a little bit Irish. St. Patty, as some call him, is known as the patron saint of Ireland, and is credited with having banished all the snakes from the island. Of course, that last part is a bit
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 3.10.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/10/wednesdays-word-3-10-21/) - Well, by gosh, Spring is in the air. With Spring comes a flurry of activity for many folks. Spring Break for the kids. Gardening for those so inclined to dig in the dirt. Cleaning out our spaces for those fastidious types. And finally, moving. Spring is one of those busy times for families who are considering moving to new places. Some
- [Congregational Journey Toward Racial Justice Enters Pilot Phase](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/04/congregational-journey-toward-racial-justice-enters-pilot-phase/) - 14 churches have committed to participate; 7 churches have officially begun the work A little over a year ago, at Covenant Day in January 2020, Bishop Michael McKee announced the beginning of a new initiative called the Journey Toward Racial Justice. In his remarks on that day, Bishop McKee said clearly that racism is sinful
- [Finding Ways To Support Our Neighbors In Need...](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/04/finding-ways-to-support-our-neighbors-in-need/) - Since last Saturday, North Texans have endured 139 hours of temperatures below freezing, widespread electricity outages, burst water pipes and extensive property damage. Such suffering spread across all points of Texas and to many other nearby areas. I continue to pray for families who have lost loved ones and for our communities that will not
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 3.3.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/03/03/wednesdays-word-3-3-21/) - There is a question that many have posed; “Should you do something just because you are able to?” That question is appropriate to ask for scientists when conducting experiments and proposing new processes to the world. Just because we can replicate DNA and make a clone, should we? Just because we can prolong life beyond the body’s
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 2.24.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/02/24/wednesdays-word-2-24-21/) - What a difference a week makes! We have catapulted into some very nice warm days. Spring is on its way. Hopefully all of you made it through the great blizzard of ’21 unscathed. So many people had to do without water, without electricity, and even without any heat source. It was deprivation on a large scale. This week we also marked
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 2.17.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/02/18/wednesdays-word-2-17-21/) - Well here we are, its a cold, snowy day in the Dallas area. I’m hoping and praying all of you are safe and warm. I know many have experienced rolling blackouts that are frustrating, leaving many cold and feeling disconnected. Hopefully the system will be brought back online and made able to supply the needs of all of
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 2.10.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/02/10/wednesdays-word-2-10-21/) - Last week we talked a little bit about Groundhog Day and the predicting of the future. Next week will begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. So, this week I want to delve briefly into the topic of Anticipation. Anticipation is the act of expecting something to occur. It is not a positive or negative feeling, its
- [WEDNESDAY’S WORD | 2.3.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/02/03/wednesdays-word-2-3-21/) - Yesterday was Groundhog Day. Its Punxsutawney Phil’s 15 minutes of fame. The media attention is all about him on his day. Everyone wants to know, “Well...did he, or didn’t he see his shadow?” They don’t so much care if Phil got some rays of sunshine or not, they want to know what’s the prediction for the end of Winter. For
- [Wednesday's Word | 1.27.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/01/27/wednesdays-word-1-27-21/) - The word that has been running across my mind this week is, obedience. I know, I know, that’s a harsh sounding word. It isn’t a word many of us are comfortable with. I would venture to say, none of us like the idea of being told what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and
- [Wednesday's Word | 1.20.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/01/21/wednesdays-word-1-20-21/) - I hope and pray today is a good day for you. Today is Inauguration day, the changing of our executive branch of government. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, today is a day of change. Change comes, whether we are prepared for it or not. Change is a certainty and it can give each of us
- [Wednesday's Word | 1.13.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/01/13/wednesdays-word-1-13-21/) - I’m thinking a lot about compassion and strength today. We are living in times that seem so devoid of compassion. Strength is equated with power and might, in order to display strength it is often associated with the exercise of power and aggression. This is so far from what I believe we as Christians are supposed to understand
- [Churches Needed For Red Cross/NTC Blood Drive Goal](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/01/08/churches-needed-for-red-cross-ntc-blood-drive-goal/) - The Conference sets a target of 2,000 pints donated during 2021 drive. Churches are needed to help save lives through a special North Texas Conference-wide series of blood drives January to May 2021. St. Stephen UMC and Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Moore were enlisted to help a lay member who runs North Texas blood donations after
- [Wednesday's Word | 1.6.21](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2021/01/06/wednesdays-word-1-6-21/) - Friends, I want to talk a little bit about family today. If you know my story, you know I was orphaned at birth, either by a mother who did not want me or could not care for me. I have no idea which of those statements actually apply, but as an orphaned child, I carry with me
- [Wednesday's Word | 12.23.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/23/wednesdays-word-12-23/) - A weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. We certainly have the weary world part covered, but are we ready for the new and glorious morn. Are we ready for peace goodwill toward men? Are we ready to recognize that no matter what happens in this world, we have a savior,
- [Wednesday's Word | 12.30.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/30/wednesdays-word-12-30-20/) - I don’t know who wrote this Christmas song, or when, but I remember it from my earliest years. My mother, who grew up in the Catholic church and shared her clear soprano voice in the church choir, used to sing the song to my sister and me as a lullaby at bedtime. Shepherds, now go we To
- [Advent-Fourth Sunday](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/18/advent-fourth-sunday/) - This advent season we are called to revisit the meaning of one of the most important seasons in the life of our Christian faith. While doing this work, God’s grace is awaiting in our hearts. It is waiting in the community around us that we have yet to discover and see. Let us be that agent
- [Wednesday's Word | 12.16.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/16/wednesdays-word-12-16-20/) - As we tiptoe closer to the manger over the next week or so, I want us to consider the passages in Luke that tell the story of Mary visiting her relative Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel has just delivered some astonishing news, and Mary has just delivered her world-changing “Let it be”. And now, immediately and
- [Antoine Bufford Memorial Service](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/13/antoine-bufford-memorial-service/) - The Memorial Service for Antoine Bufford will be Saturday, December 19th at 10:30am at the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow:6315 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, Texas 75230 *Please remember to wear a mask and follow Covid-19 social distancing protocol
- [Christmas Love Offering...](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/10/christmas-love-offering/) - This December we will be collecting a Christmas love offering. A love offering is a special offering that is above and beyond your normal giving to the church. We encourage you to prayerfully and sacrificially give so that we can continue to reach people in our community for Christ through missions and service. Throughout history of
- [3rd Sunday of Advent](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/12/3rd-sunday-of-advent/) - Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. ... Laughter and shouts of joy are signs of coming restoration, says the Psalmist. It is an important reminder in the Advent season
- [Christmas Eve Communion Box](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/09/christmas-eve-communion-box/) - Christmas Eve will be a little different this year due to Covid. We want you to be prepared for the Christmas Eve Service on the 24th, so we have put together a Christmas Box with a few items to help you engage in the service with your family. We want you to feel connected with
- [Wednesday's Word | 12.9.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/09/wednesdays-word-12-9-20/) - For Unto Us A Child Is Born “Christmas is a season of not only rejoicing but of reflection.” — Winston Churchill Have you ever noticed how babies bring out the best in people? Think about it: people talk softly, kindly, and lovingly around babies. Families gather together to see the brand new baby. Friends send
- [We Must Strictly Follow Protocols To Continue Doing No Harm](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/04/we-must-strictly-follow-protocols-to-continue-doing-no-harm/) - The ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 virus has brought pleas from public health officials to our community. In a recent meeting, faith leaders were asked to warn our congregations of a possible spike in the number of cases in the coming days. They have discovered that the increase in cases we are seeing comes from
- [Wednesday's Word | 12.2.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/12/02/wednesdays-word-12-2-20/) - Generally, I write something for our consideration on Wednesdays, purposely focusing on the smaller community of the UMC of Preston Hollow and those who follow us. Today is different. The intentional audience is wider, yet my hope is, it is still a word for all of us. I am weary of all the division and side-taking that
- [Wednesday's Word | 11.25.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/26/wednesdays-word-11-25-20/) - On this Wednesday before Thanksgiving, its appropriate to talk about what we’re thankful for. Its a strange time, and may seem difficult to find things to be thankful for. Of course there really are innumerable things we should be thankful for. Because of the current climate with Covid-19 and all the attending protocols for social
- [Wednesday's Word | 11.18.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/18/wednesdays-word-11-18-20/) - We are, as a people, in the midst of very difficult times. We all know this, and accept the circumstances as they are. It doesn’t make it any easier, nor does it help us to endure. To quote somebody, somewhere, “It is, what it is.” Knowing and accepting we are in a particular situation, doesn’t
- [What Are You Thankful For?](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/13/what-are-you-thankful-for/) - During this Season of Giving, it is important to pause and reflect on all the things we are thankful for (especially this year)…. the love of family and friends; the blessing of good health; continued employment… Thanksgiving Sunday is November 22nd and we’d like to ask a big favor of you. We’d love you to take
- [Wednesday's Word | 11.11.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/11/wednesdays-word-11-11-20/) - On this Veteran’s Day, let us take a moment to remember all those who are serving in our armed forces, both here and abroad. Also, let us remember those who have served in previous years. The women and men who put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf are to be honored and respected for their willingness
- [Angel Tree Gifts](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/06/angel-tree-gifts/) - For the Angel Tree this year, Preston Hollow Elementary and the Serve Committee are trying something new to better protect the kids, parents, and our church community during the pandemic. Instead of buying presents and bringing them to the church, we are asking everyone to donate money for each child. We have twenty five little angels
- [Wednesday's Word | 11.4.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/11/04/wednesdays-word-11-4-20/) - As we begin this new day, the day after a contentious election, one fraught with much anxiety, anger, disappointment, and hope, we need to take a breath. As of this writing, we don’t know the outcome of the election. As of this writing, we are still alive and able to welcome a brand new day.
- [In-Person Worship Update](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/30/in-person-worship-update/) - The United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow's Leadership Council has decided that we remain closed for in-person worship. We have a large population of older congregants and vulnerable peoples. As we come into Winter, we expect a resurgence of a large number of Covid-19 infections, and we know large gatherings of people make it very
- [Wednesday's Word | 10.28.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/28/wednesdays-word-10-28-20/) - Let me start this way...You are a beloved child of God. Please read that again, You are a beloved child of God. Whatever your current circumstance, whatever problems you may be facing, whatever criticisms are being hurled your way, whatever financial, emotional or relational issues are plaguing you right now, YOU are a BELOVED child of God.
- [Dallas Bethlehem Center Kicks Off 2020 Thanksgiving Food Drive Campaign](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/23/dallas-bethlehem-center-kicks-off-2020-thanksgiving-food-drive-campaign/) - Dallas Bethlehem Center (DBC), one of the United Methodist Women's National Mission Institutions of the North Texas Conference, needs your help to make this year's Thanksgiving holiday special for DBC families. Donations of selected food items will be accepted via drive-up, drop-off, @ Dallas Bethlehem Center4410 Leland Ave.Dallas 75215 Drop off times: Nov. 1-17from 11:00am-3:00pm,
- [Wednesday's Word | 10.21.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/21/wednesdays-word-10-21-20/) - Please forgive me, I’m a little weepy-eyed as I sit to write to you today, its Tuesday night by the way. Some heavy things have come down recently that have me in a little bit of a funk. Last week I received word that our friend, mentor, former D.S. and former pastor of Preston Hollow, Mike Nichols,
- [Wednesday's Word | 10.14.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/14/wednesdays-word-10-14-20/) - Its been rattling around inside my head to talk about the idea of civic duty, and what that should mean to us. There are some who would say to keep the civic and religious separated and distinct. There’s some good historic precedence for doing just that very thing. We have witnessed in the past how religious persecution has
- [Wednesday's Word | 10.7.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/07/wednesdays-word-10-8-20/) - In this incredibly divisive time, many are given the opportunity to speak against those they oppose. Circumstances are fluid, and there never seems to be a lack of opportunity to run down, tear down, throw “gotcha” moments at those we disagree with, or openly revile. Its the nature of political discourse in today’s world. We demonize those who
- [School Supply Drive Update](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/02/school-supply-drive-update/) - Preston Hollow Elementary School is so very grateful for the generous donations made by the members of Preston Hollow. David and Elizabeth Edwards took the money donated and purchased the school supplies they needed. The school will begin in-person classes starting Mon. Oct. 5. Please pray for a smooth and safe day. Thank you again
- [Pumpkin Patch Cancelled for 2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/10/02/pumpkin-patch-cancelled-for-2020/) - We are sad to announce the cancellation of our Pumpkin Patch. Unfortunately, COVID has forced us to make the decision to close the patch this year. We felt the decision to cancel is in the best interest of the community. The Pumpkin Pyle is a family owned business that supplies the DFW area with the
- [Wednesday's Word | 9.30.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/30/wednesdays-word-9-30-20/) - If you’re like me, disappointments don’t settle on you very easily. Nobody likes to be disappointed. It leaves you feeling as if you failed somehow. You didn’t achieve what you set out to do, you didn’t make the impression you had hoped for, you have an empty feeling where you had hoped to find real satisfaction. I’m not
- [Update On In-Person Worship](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/23/update-on-in-person-worship/) - Dear friends, Our bishop, Bishop Mike McKee, has approved the Metro District churches to reopening-person worship with strict protocols of mask-wearing, social distancing, and limited singing. For our church, the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow, it is the overwhelming opinion of our Leadership Council that we remain closed for in-person worship. We have a large
- [Wednesday's Word | 9.23.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/23/wednesdays-word-9-23-20/) - As I write to you today, I am at the foot of the Sangre De Cristo mountains in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is a lovely Fall morning here, with clear skies. I’m lodging in downtown Santa Fe, and my balcony has a magnificent view of the town and the mountains beyond. I chose Santa Fe for some
- [Mentors at work...](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/18/mentors-at-work/) - Dear PHUMC Family, A family that several of us have been mentoring for a couple of years now have had a rough summer. Actually, since the Stay Home orders came down. Imagine if you will, two children, one going into the 7th grade (girl) and a boy going into the 3rd grade living in section 8 apartments near our
- [Wednesday's Word | 9.16.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/16/wednesdays-word-9-16-20/) - I just got word that a dear sweet lady who is a member of a former church of mine, is in the last steps of her earthly journey. It makes me sad to know she is leaving us, and yet happy that she will be going home to be with God. May God bless her and keep
- [Help Golden Cross Academic Clinic With Needed Baby Items](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/11/help-golden-cross-academic-clinic-with-needed-baby-items/) - The North Texas Conference United Methodist Women’s 2020 mission project is a "baby shower" for the Life Shines Bright Pregnancy Program of Methodist Dallas Medical Center's Golden Cross Academic Clinic. The program needs many items, but UMC is concentrating on collecting donations of the four most-requested items: onesies, infant clothing (gender-neutral), diapers, and baby wipes.
- [Wednesday's Word | 9.9.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/09/wednesdays-word-9-9-20/) - Reflecting on this past Labor Day, I have seen some Facebook posts that reminded me of my past and also of what the future holds. In my former life, prior to seminary and pastoring churches, I worked for then Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. I worked as a cable splicer and cable repair technician. As a craftsman, that’s
- [School Supplies Donation Deadline is this Sunday!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/04/school-supplies-donation-deadline-is-this-sunday/) - School this year for our Preston Hollow Elementary is a little different this year. Online learning will start in September, and in-person learning will hopefully begin in October. Please pray for the teachers and staff and all the children returning to the classroom. We are asking for our Church family to help support a School
- [A Letter From Our Bishop](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/27/a-letter-from-bishop-mckee/) - Click here to download copy of this letter. August 27, 2020Brothers and sisters in Christ,With a new school year underway and football leagues at (almost) every level making plans to begin a fall season, many of us are wondering if now is the time to resume in-person worship services or other kinds of ministry gatherings
- [WEDNESDAY'S WORD | 9.2.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/09/02/695/) - My daddy’s word to me was “sticktoitiveness.” He always told my brother and me the only true way to success, to achieving anything of real value, was to have the quality of “sticktoitiveness.” Of course, what he was referring to was perseverance. My daddy had an eighth grade education and as an adult received his GED. He served in
- [Wednesday's Word | 8.26.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/26/wednesdays-word-8-26-20/) - Do you ever get tired of it all? By that, I mean, do you ever just take in every thing that seems to be going on and become so very tired? The Covid-19 pandemic has raged on and on, changing so much of our life. We are sequestered from family and friends, barely getting out of our
- [Wednesday's Word | 8.19.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/19/wednesdays-word-8-19-2020/) - I recently made a purchase of a bicycle. I know I need to do something for some exercise and to tend to my physical body. A clergy colleague and friend of mine recently started riding a bicycle, he posted about it and it inspired me to consider the same. The older I get, the harder it becomes to
- [Wednesday's Word | 08.12.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/12/wednesdays-word-08-12-20/) - I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what it means to be in community. A couple of definitions of the word community sort of get at the root meaning of the word… a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.a feeling of fellowship with others, as
- [School Supply Drive](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/07/school-supply-drive/) - We are asking for our Church family to help support a School Supply Drive for Preston Hollow Elementary. The school drive will last for the month of August. We will order supplies after Labor Day. Please do not send or drop off any supplies , we will use the donation money to order the list
- [Wednesday's Word | 8.5.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/08/05/wednesdays-word-8-5-2020/) - First, let me simply say blessings on you as we enter into August. You and I have been truly blessed, even in the midst of all we are going through. God has been with us, and continues to work in and through our lives and witness. We are blessed with another day which we can honor God with
- [Wednesday's Word | 7.29.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/29/wednesdays-word-07-29-2020/) - Its been a strange year so far. We are completing the seventh, and about to begin the eighth month of 2020. The year has become a blur and with the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a most unusual year so far. Life, and how we’ve been living it has changed dramatically. Along with the changes, at least for
- [Church Family Shout Out...](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/28/church-family-shout-out/) - We are asking for our Church family to do a video shout out like we did at the close of this last weeks Live-Stream. Just hold your phone on it’s side (horizontally) and record a short 10 - 15 second video giving a greeting and love to our Preston Hollow Church Family.. You can email your
- [We Need your Favorite Hymn!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/24/we-need-your-favorite-hymn/) - We are going to proclaim August as "Favorite Hymn Month!" We want you to send Russ your favorite hymn. During the month of August, we'll sing your hymn and announce your name on the LiveStream. Please send your favorite hymn to: music@umcprestonhollow.com In the subject line please put "Favorite Hymn"
- [Wednesday's Word | 7.22.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/22/wednesdays-word-7-22-20/) - I’ve been wrestling recently with the idea of forgiveness in the midst of these unprecedented times. We find ourselves locked in, sequestered, quarantined, isolated from each other. Many folks have found various ways to handle this time by taking up activities and hobbies, such as; cooking, baking, gardening, cleaning and organizing, painting, reading and writing. These are worthwhile pursuits
- [Wednesday's Word | 6.10.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/06/10/wednesdays-word-06-10-20/) - I know its been a tumultuous time these past days and weeks. This week we saw mourning and grief for Mr. George Floyd on full display. We have had time to absorb the magnitude of systemic racism and its cost to our society and way of life. There is palpable anger, resentment and even sadness.
- [Wednesday's Word | 7.15.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/15/wednesdays-word-07-15-20/) - We are in what has been called the “Dog Days of Summer.” That phrase strikes me as particularly funny. What does if even mean? Does it mean, when its hot the dogs simply stay on the porch in the shade and pant? Why dogs, everybody is hot during this time of year. The sun is out, its fiercely hot, and
- [Wednesday's Word | 7.1.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/01/wednesdays-word-7-1-2020/) - Here we are, on the cusp of the 244th birthday of our nation, and there is so much to be thankful for. With the pandemic raging, with the social unrest causing uncomfortable conversations among many of us, the shaky economic situation, unemployment at record highs, we should be thankful. Does it seem a little bit crazy to
- [Wednesday's Word | 6.24.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/06/24/wednesdays-word-6-24-2020/) - I woke up with a song playing in my mind, over and over and over. Does that ever happen to you? It is almost relentless and it just keeps playing. I have found that I derive much meaning from book themes, song themes, art themes. They are flashed across my consciousness. Its almost, no, I would say it has become
- [Wednesday's Word | 7.8.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/08/wednesdays-word-7-8-2020/) - Last week I talked about thankfulness for all that we encounter in our lives. I want to start by saying how thankful I am to be the pastor to the wonderful people of the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow. This past week the North Texas Conference released the list of appointments for the 2020-2021 appointive year,
- ["Say Their Names" Memorial](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/07/08/say-their-names-memorial/) - The United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow has been selected to display a Black Lives Matter memorial on our front lawn. So many lives taken way too early. Each life had a story, and each life deserves to be remembered. Please stop by to see this memorial. It is very moving.
- [A Letter From Our Bishop](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/06/29/a-letter-from-our-bishop/) - Click here to download copy of this letter. Greetings in the Name of the Risen Christ! The ongoing public health crisis with the spread of COVID-19 threatens our physical health, economic health, and our spiritual health. As I have stated before, I was convinced back in March that the closing of churches for public gatherings
- [Wednesday's Word | 6.17.2020](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/06/17/wednesdays-word-6-17-2020/) - Some of you may have guessed, I’m a bit of a history buff. I enjoy learning and knowing the history of people and places. History is one of those accessible ways we come to be familiar with what goes into making a person who they are or forming a group of people’s perspective and ethos.
- [America Sings Project](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/06/11/the-america-sings-project/) - This past Memorial Day, producer, Jim Gray, and artistic director, Russ Rieger invited musicians from all across the country to create a “Virtual” choir honoring those “heroes” who gave so much….and to honor those frontline workers who are giving of themselves right now. The response was great! Singers and instrumentalists from the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills
- [God Bless America Project](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/05/26/god-bless-america-project/) - On Memorial Day 2020 the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow released the America Virtual Choir's unique rendition of "God Bless America". The God Bless America project included singers and instrumentalists from sea to shining sea and was performed and produced in memory of the brave patriots who died in active military service. To learn
- [Wednesday’s Word | 5.27.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/05/27/wednesdays-word-5-27-20/) - I can remember back to a sermon a not so favorite past bishop of mine preached. In the sermon, he talked about politics. He spoke about how churches and pastors generally eschew speaking about politics for fear of angering one constituency or another. He reminded us that all of life is politics. Jesus practiced politics
- [Wednesday's Word | 5.13.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/05/13/wednesdays-word-5-13-20/) - I still have my Easter wreath on my front door, and my Easter decorations in my home. I know we’re in May, which is late Spring heading to Summer. Here’s the deal, we are still in the 50 great days of Easter. The liturgical season of Easter lasts from Easter morning, all the way until
- [Wednesday's Word | 5.6.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/05/06/wednesdays-word-5-6-20/) - During this time of social distancing and sheltering at home, I’m guessing you, like me have some valuable time to yourself. Time which we spend in a variety of ways; completing some home projects that had been put aside, exploring new recipes, catching up on housework, and even more time for meditation and prayer. In my
- [Wednesday's Word | 4.29.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/04/29/wednesdays-word-4-29-20/) - We have been through some trying times in the last weeks. No doubt about it, it has been very tough. The thing is, we are a tough people and can handle adversity, because we have a God who is tougher still. God didn’t let the Hebrew children down when they were in captivity in Egypt.
- [Wednesday's Word | 4.22.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/04/22/wednesdays-word-4-8-20/) - Maybe I’m the only one to feel this way, but I’m suddenly very aware of all that is around me. I’m feeling particularly blessed today. You might ask, how is it possible that I am feeling so blessed? This six week isolation has given me time to reflect on what I hold near and dear.
- [Wednesday’s Word | 4.15.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/04/15/wednesdays-word-4-15-20/) - We finally made it to Easter, to Resurrection Sunday! I hope and pray you feel the very presence of the risen Lord in your lives. Indeed, Christ has risen from the dead, he is not bound by disease, or viruses, or pandemics, or pestilence, or even death. Christ is alive and walks among us. We
- [Wednesday’s Word | 4.8.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/04/08/wednesdays-word-4-8-20-2/) - Here we are in the middle of Holy Week, the time of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus washing the feet of his friends. Jesus celebrating Passover with his these same friends-giving them (and us) a new holy meal to celebrate. Jesus taking those friends into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus is arrested,
- [Wednesday's Word | 4.1.20](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2020/04/01/wednesdays-word-4-1-20/) - As I begin to gather my thoughts to offer a word today, I want all of you to know you have been weighing on my heart and mind this week. I miss so much your smiles, your hugs, your warmth and the real connection I feel we have with one another. Those things cannot be
- [Palm Sunday](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/03/01/staying-focused/)
- [Love. No Exceptions.](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/03/08/walk-on-water/)
- [Walk by Faith](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/02/22/walk-by-faith/)
- [The Prize (Part 2)](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/02/15/the-prize-part-2/)
- [The Prize (Part 1)](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/02/08/the-prize-part-1/)
- [All Things New](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/2015/02/01/all-things-new/)

## Pages

- [Home](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/)
- [CDC Home](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/cdc-home/)
- [Child Development Center](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/child-development-center/)
- [Meet the Teachers!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/cdc-home/cdc-teachers/) - Ms. Bobbye Family is everything for me. If home is where the heart is, then mine is there, putting up the latest holiday decorations, having coffee in the morning, or playing dominos with my family around the dinner table. Since 2019, I have been a stepmom to 3 beautiful daughters, and since 2022, I have
- [Donate](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/america-virtual-choir/donate/)
- [Worship Online](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/worship-online/)
- [Meet The Team](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/meet-the-team/)
- [Child Development Center Registration](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/cdc-home/cdc-registration/) - Rates and Fees
- [Pumpkin Patch](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/pumpkin-patch/)
- [Believers' Got Talent](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/believers-got-talent/) - The Finalists! The Semi-Finalists! Welcome to Believers’ Got Talent! This isn’t just a singing competition—it’s a celebration of faith, talent, and the power of praise. We wish to inspire young singers so you may inspire others and glorify God with your voice! The Ultimate Vocal Praise Competition Who Can Enter? Age: Contestants must be 18 years old or younger as of July 1st, 2025. Residency: Open to Texas residents only. How to Enter
- [Kidzone](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/kidzone/)
- [Pumpkin Patch 2024](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/pumpkin-patch-2024/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Easter 2025](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/easter-2025/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Christmas Concert 2024](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/christmas-concert-2024/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Christmas Concert 2023](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/christmas-concert-2023/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Tree of Angels 2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/tree-of-angels-2021/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Weddings at UMC Preston Hollow](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/weddings-at-umc-preston-hollow/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Photo Albums](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/photo-albums/)
- [Calendar](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/calendar/)
- [Meet The Pastor](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/meet-the-pastor/)
- [Serve The Community](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/serve-the-community/)
- [Music and Arts Ministry](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/music-and-arts-ministry/)
- [Fall Festival 2018](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/fall-festival-2018/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Music Ministry](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/music-ministry/) - < Back to Photo Album
- [Prayer Request](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/prayer-request/) - Let Us Pray for You
- [Survey](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/survey/) - What is your favorite song from the 1970s?
- [Poll](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/poll/)
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- [Online Giving](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/online-giving/)
- [America Virtual Choir](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/america-virtual-choir/)
- [Serve Your Church](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/serve-your-church/)
- [Children and Family Ministry](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/children-and-family-ministry/)
- [Worship In-Person](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/live-worship/)
- [Times & Location](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/times-location/)
- [Events](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/events/)
- [Events](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/event-directory/)
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- [Follow Us](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/followus/)
- [Weddings](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/weddings/)
- [Re-Grand Opening: Sunday March, 20th](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/re-grand-opening-sunday-march-20th/)
- [Missions](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/serve-your-church/missions/)
- [Rise Against Hunger Event](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/rise-against-hunger-event/)
- [Fall Celebration](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/fall-celebration/) - Fall Celebration Service RSVP
- [Pentecost Sunday](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/pentecost/) - Pentecost Sunday Outdoor Service RSVP
- [Orchestra](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/america-virtual-choir/orchestra/) - AMERICA ZOOM ORCHESTRA RECORDING GUIDELINES America Virtual Choir is excited for your participation in the “America Sings Project!” Click here to listen to the music. Please email us at music@umcprestonhollow.com for your score. We have parts available for the following instruments: Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola Cello Bass Trumpet 1 Trumpet 2 Trumpet 3 Trombone
- [Youth](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/youth/)
- [About Us](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/about-us/)
- [Sermons](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/sermons/)
- [Ministries](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/ministries/)

## Galleries

- [Easter 2025](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/easter-2025/)
- [Pumpkin Patch 2024](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/pumpkin-patch-2024/)
- [Christmas Concert 2024](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/christmas-concert-2024/)
- [Christmas Concert 2023](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/christmas-concert-2023/)
- [Music Ministry](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/music-ministry/)
- [Tree of Angels 2021](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/tree-of-angels-2021/)
- [Boo Bash](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/boo-bash/)
- [Weddings at UMC Preston Hollow](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/weddings-at-umc-preston-hollow/)
- [Breakfast with Santa 2018](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/breakfast-with-santa-2018/)
- [Fall Festival 2016 at Preston Hollow UMC](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/fall-festival-2016-at-preston-hollow-umc/)
- [Fall Festival 2018](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/fall-festival-2018/)
- [Live Natively!](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/live-natively/)
- [Spring Fest 2018](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/spring-fest-2018/)
- [Crazy ‘Bout the Mouse Musical Dinner March 2017](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/envira/crazy-bout-the-mouse-musical-dinner-march-2017/)

## Categories

- [News](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/news/)
- [Sermons](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/sermons/)
- [Events](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/events/)
- [Wednesday's Word](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/sermons/wednesdays-word/)
- [America Virtual Choir](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/america-virtual-choir/)
- [Community Outreach](https://prestonhollowchurch.com/category/community-outreach/)

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