retired pastor
Here I Am, Lord; January 14, 2018
Pastor Rebecca Ellenson, ICCM
There are times when it can seem that we have lost our vision. We can feel lost, without a sense of direction or far-seeing vision. Maintaining a sense of direction or seeing into the distance can be hard. We face times when we feel like we’ve done everything we can and we still don’t know how to proceed. Continue reading “Here I Am”
Epiphany Sunday 2018; ICCM
Pastor Rebecca Ellenson; Three Kings?; Matthew 2: 1-12
Many of us have the story of the Three Wise Men all mixed up into the Christmas story, thanks to the inclusion of the three wise men in manger scenes and Christmas programs and children’s stories for the most part. Because of that synchronization of the gospels we often think of the them arriving right on the heels of the Shepherds that first Christmas Day. Continue reading “Three Kings?”
To watch the Blue Church worship services online simply open YouTube and search for Iglesia Cristiana Congregacional de Mazatalán. Then you can choose the worship service you want to watch.
Click here to watch Sunday January 7, 2018.
This is a link to a great blog that I’ve been reading for years. Check this out
Preached on Christmas Eve 2017 at ICCM
Merry Christmas! I am so glad to see each and every one of you here for worship as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. In this gathering we share a few things in common: First, this is not our native land—we come, originally, from somewhere else. We gather as extranjeros—outlanders, foreigners, travelers, in Mexico. Secondly, we gather to celebrate the coming of the Christ, a baby born while his parents were traveling too. We form a special community this night, this gathering is a shelter of sorts, home in a way. Tonight, we hear the familiar songs and scriptures. We will light the candles and remember what this night is all about. Continue reading “Posadas and Piñatas”
My dog is spending the winter with my daughter. I’m hoping I get him back for the summers, but they’re mighty happy together. We’ll see. My dog’s name is Mikko, he’s ½ black lab and ½ German shorthair pointer, but he doesn’t know how to point. He isn’t the least bit interested in sniffing out birds in grassy areas. In fact, he’s afraid of geese. He is not supposed to draw attention to himself but rather to direct the focus toward the object of the hunt. Mikko is supposed to be a pointer, but he’s not. Continue reading “Pointers”
Thanks to some talented young men in the Mexican congregation, our worship services are recorded and uploaded to YouTube for those who want to watch. Just open YouTube and search for Iglesia Cristiana Congregacional de Mazatlán, then you can scroll through the various services and watch whichever one you want. Here’s a link for November 26, 2017.
Love, the Final Word. Preached November 26, 2017 at the English Speaking Congregation of Iglesia Cristiana Congregacional de Mazatlán; by Pastor Rebecca EllensonToday is the last Sunday in the church year. Next week we begin another Advent season. So, I guess it is fitting on this last Sunday in the church year that we read our gospel from what is called the last discourse in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus’ teachings are grouped into 5 major sections in Matthews gospel, beginning with the Sermon on the Mount and ending with this last one which comes right before Jesus is taken away to be killed. It contains his last teachings and centers on the last days, the final judgment. Continue reading “Love, The Final Word”
Just about nine years ago, Steve and I spent our first Christmas in Mazatlán, together with Steve’s mom and her partner. We were thrilled to share our favorite destination with them and they enjoyed it so much. My mind swirls with memories from that week:
After that, on cold, grey winter days in Duluth, I would surf the web, reading the Pacific Pearl online and following blogs about Mazatlán. I switched my screen saver to a photo of the sunset behind Deer Island and started daydreaming about moving to Mazatlán someday.
Well, dreams do come true. Here we are, living in Mazatlán for six months of the year. I’m going to decorate our apartment for Christmas this afternoon. Steve was at church this morning practicing his saxophone with the organist, Mauricio and took these lovely photos that signal this new season of Advent.
Holy God, who came to us long ago in the birth of Jesus, be born in us anew today by the power of your Holy Spirit. We offer our lives as home to you and ask for grace and strength to live as your faithful, joyous children always. Amen.