St. John’s Lutheran Church

Pastor’s Blog

Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

To Whom Do You Bring Joy?

Last week I mentioned Marie Kondo, the Japanese tidy-up guru, in a sermon. She said that if you want to minimize what you have, you are to hold the object up and say to yourself, “Does this bring me joy?” Of course, I have my response to that. I wonder, though, if you could turn the question around and say to yourself, “To whom do I bring joy?” That, to me, is the real question, especially since Christians like us are supposed to be about joy.

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Can We Forgive and Forget?
Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

Can We Forgive and Forget?

On July 29 I received a shocking notice on my cell phone about a mass shooting in Manhattan, of all places. Apparently the gunman had driven 2,500 miles from his home in Las Vegas to a 44-story office building in midtown Manhattan to go on a shooting spree. His destination was the NFL office where he wanted to take revenge and kill employees because he blamed the NFL for his perceived brain disease. He killed four people in that building who had nothing to do with the NFL.

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The Birth of the Church
Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

The Birth of the Church

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a great festival day in the Church calendar. Behind Easter and Christmas, there is Pentecost. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.

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ST. JOHN’S RYE Y NURSERY SCHOOL ON LMC-TV
Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

ST. JOHN’S RYE Y NURSERY SCHOOL ON LMC-TV

LMC Kids is a locally produced series that highlights the people, places, and values that help shape young children’s lives in the Sound Shore community. Produced by LMC Media Center. 

This episode celebrates the role of faith communities and early childhood programs in fostering connection and inclusion.

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TAKE A MOMENT THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 
Marvin Henk Marvin Henk

TAKE A MOMENT THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 

It’s interesting how you learn to play with guns early when you are a boy. You can play “cowboys and Indians” but you can also play army and soldiers. I watched enough World War II movies when I was young to get an idea about war, and especially World War II, of course.

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How Much Is Your So/u/l/e Worth?
Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

How Much Is Your So/u/l/e Worth?

Sometimes we love to run barefoot, and other times we need a pair of shoes. We live in a world where many people have calloused feet because they can’t afford shoes. Foot pain is almost epidemic, no matter what your income is. There are those who buy and collect shoes. Imelda Marcos was known for owning over 3,000 pairs of shoes. On the Midnight Run people search for shoes. There are some in our country who stuff paper in the bottom of their shoes to cover the holes in the soles. You could be wearing Nike or Hoka or New Balance, or even Prada. One thing, for sure, is we all need a pair of shoes.

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Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

Remembering Jimmy Carter

Yesterday I watched Jimmy Carter's funeral procession arrive in Washington, D.C. and his casket carried into the Capitol. In the atrium of the Capitol he was surrounded by his family and some of the most powerful people in our government. Speeches were made, beautiful music was sung, kind words were shared.

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Matt Hardigree Matt Hardigree

In Memory of Quincy Jones

This week we lost a giant in the world of popular music, Quincy Jones. I first became acquainted with the name Quincy Jones when I started following the works of Frank Sinatra.

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We Recommend

A History of St. Johns

Explore the seasoned history of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Worship

Glance at the St. John’s schedule of services so you don’t miss out.

Events

Find out about all the great things St. John’s has to offer.