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Once common phrase that didn’t make this sermon series is, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” And like ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’ and the other colloquialisms in this sermon series, “Cleanliness is next to godliness’ is at best, only half true. We can thank our very own John Wesley, who delivered a 1791 sermon titled “On Dress” in which he says: “But, before we enter on the subject, let it be observed, that slovenliness is no part of religion; that neither this, nor any text of Scripture, condemns neatness of apparel. Certainly, this is a duty, not a sin. Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness.”Read More →

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Several years ago,Rolland Lang did some research down at the Geneva History Museum about our church and unearthed this photo. It is the earliest photo we have of Methodists in Geneva dating to around 1839, when the first Methodist class started in Geneva with two women and one man. Next week, on Sept 27th, we will mark 149 years of Methodism at the corner of 2nd and Hamilton Streets and 184 years of Methodists in Geneva, and I keep thinking about the faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and leadership of these women (and surely some men too), who by faithfulness gave the Methodist movement roots in Geneva.Read More →

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Sunday, Sept 10th is our Back to Church Sunday. Sunday School for all ages is back. The Chancel Choir is back. I’ll be back from my retreat. We’ll be launching an engaging worship series that invites us back titled, “Does the Bible Really Say That?” where we will explore five different phrases we often think come from the Bible: All we need to get back to church is YOU! But getting into a new routine is a challenge. In the Hamilton household our back-to-school routine is new. Meghan has a new schedule as she is in new buildings this year. Lily started high school withRead More →

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As this is being published, I’ll be packing the car with gear, books, my favorite Bible, good old paper and pen and my laptop to spend a week in the southern Rocky Mountains, for my worship planning retreat. I’ll be praying and studying over the info many have shared while talking it over with one of my best friends, Matt, who is a UMC Pastor in Nebraska. He is joining me on this retreat and engaged in the same process of planning for his church in 2024. Being a 15-minute drive from reliable cell phone service and 25-minutes from the internet at an 8,000 feetRead More →

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This blog post isn’t a yellow pages ad for ghost removal services. Having had a change in our staff configuration, I think it’s time for an update and reminder on who does what on staff and who you can contact to assist in your ministry at UMCG. For our visual learners, I have put the UMCG org chart at the bottom of the post. Rob Hamilton, Senior Pastor – I am called to preaching, pastoral care, some teaching, committee work, head of staff, and administration. I am the only full-time staff person and my day off is Friday. Dr. Greg Coates, Director of NextGen Ministry,Read More →

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This coming Sunday I’ll begin a series on discovering the call to justice from the prophet Isaiah called, The Shout! The titles and theme of this series comes from a book and study by Rev. Hannah Adair Bonnier called ‘The Shout, Finding the Prophetic Voice in Unexcepted Places’ which came into being after the death of Sandra Bland in 2015. To begin to talk about where we find justice (or its absence) we have to know what justice is. My sermon this Sunday will feature this video as an introduction to the biblical understanding of justice from The Bible Project. The operating definition form theRead More →

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This Sunday, I will launch a new series on justice called, “The Shout: Discovering the call to justice from the prophet Isaiah.” This series, like many of the other preaching series this year, have come from a place of input, conversation and prayer. Some of you may recall that last summer, about this time, I sent a survey around the church asking for input on topics, themes, books of the Bible, questions that would be beneficial to you in your path of discipleship. I then shared those results and asked us to pray while I went up to my family’s little cabin high in theRead More →

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Last Sunday’s sermon titled “A lesson in hermeneutics and exegesis” made (at least) one error that didn’t go unnoticed by many. I made reference to four, very specific terms: hermeneutics, exegesis, textual criticism and historical criticism. But then I never defined them or mentioned them again! I broke one of the cardinal rules of preaching — and probably teaching and public speaking as well — don’t bring up something in a sermon, if you don’t plan on addressing it. How could I make such a rookie mistake?!? Well, I started with the intention of being more true to the title, and then felt led inRead More →

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Effective July 1, 2023, Bishop Dan Schwerin has set my appointment to The United Methodist Church of Geneva, marking my third appointment as your Senior Pastor after having four appoints as your Associate Pastor.  I am so proud to be pastoring UMCG! We recently welcomed three new members, had the most successful Swedish Days booth for missions – ever, and held our first Tri-Cities Vacation Bible School! This happened all amid the hard work of saying goodbye to Pastor Lisa and her family and starting to conceive of a new leadership in ministry as we move to one pastor and start a new position withRead More →

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Or maybe the stinging criticism is “Clearly, you Methodists haven’t read the Bible.” “Don’t you listen to God’s word — the Bible clearly states…!” On average, I receive a comment like this about once a month. At first, I’d get defensive. Afterall, I’ve spent $100,000 of my own money and seven years of my life to study the Bible as a pastor. I’ve been taught to read it since I learned to read. I read two to four passages of the Bible for my personal devotions before the sun rises every day. I probably spend six hours a week studying the Bible in preparation forRead More →