Introducing our new pastor at Bear Creek, Rev. Mike Conner

Luke 24:13-35

Psalm 51:10

Retirement has a way of making you look back over your life.

Not just the big moments, but the small turns. The conversations you almost forgot. The doors that opened briefly and quietly before closing again.

Lately I’ve found myself thinking about a few of those doorways.

One takes me back to high school when a drummer from our school band asked me to sing lead vocals in his heavy metal band.

Even now, that sentence makes me laugh a little.

I said no, of course.

Truthfully, I’m not even sure why. Maybe I was cautious about the crowd he ran with. Maybe I worried where all that might lead. Or maybe I simply didn’t trust myself enough to step into something that uncertain.

Then another memory surfaced.

Looking at Hebrews 12:1-2

2 Cor 5:16-21

This year, I didn’t get a chance to preach a Mother’s Day message.

And yet over the last few days, I found myself needing to write one anyway.

Maybe because retirement has a way of making you look backward with softer eyes.

Or maybe because some memories take decades before you finally understand what you were really seeing.

with special guest preacher, Rev. John O. Eby

Pastor Brook re-recorded his sermon because the online recording cut out half way through the service. Take a listen - it's worth it!

Confessions of a chronic lyric-misser

I have a bit of a reputation.

Not for great pitch.

Not for knowing all the words.

But for… confidently singing the wrong lyrics.

For years—years—I thought Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond was called:

“Reverend Blue Jeans.”

I sang it that way. Loudly. Repeatedly. Usually in the car… windows up, thankfully.

And honestly… it kind of worked.

“Reverend Blue Jeans” sounds like someone you’d trust.

Not flashy. Not polished. Just… present.

A pastor who shows up in denim.