PastorMarkCast

Peter denied Jesus and Judas betrayed him. Why was one reconciled with the Christian community and the other committed suicide?

Some of Jesus' disciples carried swords. They thought that Jesus would have a violent revolution against Rome. No wonder they were disappointed during Holy Week.

How far does Jesus' redemptive work go? Does it apply to Child Abusers. Can such people be saved?

The Community Church of Glen Rock ordained and installed elders and deacons this past Sunday. There is something sacred about these. events. How can God call imperfect people to such sacred tasks?

What makes us succeed and what makes us fail? It begins with self-reflection. Perhaps this look at ourselves can be our Lenten journey.

How do we make room at the dinner table for family and friends? Do we do this in our churches?

We gave out Ashes to the community for Ash Wednesday. It is good to bring the church out of the sanctuary and into the world.

A church from a prosperous town cooked dinner and worshipped with economically stressed people and learned to be grateful.

For medical issues, do we listen to politicians or medical professionals.

I have a new grandson and the world seems to be in chaos now. How can we make the world a good place for this new generation?

I watched the Superbowl even though I didn't care much for either team. Should we not attend worship even if we don't care for the participants?

Whether or not we are happy with who is president, the inauguration happened without violence and was done properly. That is something to celebrate.

Do we listen to ghosts, fortune tells, and psychics, or trust God's providence.

I am working toward fulfilling Dr. King's dream for the sake of my bi-racial grandson.

In this podcast, I reflect on the harm that happens to others when a person does self harm. I urge all who might be considering self harm to get help so as not to hurt others.

Christmas decorations are coming down and a new season is beginning. It is sad, but I have learned to find the joy in every season.

We enjoyed music and lights in our sanctuary at Christmas. Now it is time to bring them out of the sanctuary and into the world.

At Community Church of Glen Rock, one generation helps out another. What can we all learn from this.

My nativity angel has a broken wing. Why do I fix her instead of replacing her?

Listening to music or making music? I'm making music this Christmas and truly feel the joy of this season.

The faith communities of Glen Rock, NJ gathered to celebrate our common Thankfulness.

This is all about giving Thanks, on this, Thanksgiving Week.

Marriage is difficult and even more difficult when the individuals are from different cultures. We all must support such people who begin marriage.

What do we do now that the election is over?

My daughter is a third generation minister in the Reformed Church in America. She faces challenges that her grandfather would not have dreamed of.

My experience with Crop Walk

What do you do when a dog joins a prayer circle?

Mainline churches lament the lack of children in our churches. Have we tried to make them kid-friendly?

Be persistent and don't give up. Neither good times nor bad times last forever.

Sometimes we are called to "do" and other times we are called to "be." Do we have the discernment to know the difference?

Ministers retire but can one truly retire from a divine calling?

People worry about Friday the 13th. I think that it is quite silly to worry about.

I am now ministering in a town that suffered eleven deaths from the September 11 attacks. This year, the memorial is now more real for me.

I spent a week doing "on call" work for hospice. I had to "be there" for people who were dying. Should we not all be "on call" for one another each day?

My favorite news radio station is shutting down. How do I deal with this change in my life? We stagnation or acceptance?

A family that I know is dealing with a dying mother and a sister who has distanced from her.

I recalled how immigrants helped the church that I pastored 40 years ago and he helped me remember how the church blessed he and his family

I'm packing and moving. What do I pack and what do I leave behind? This involves physical items as well as memories and emotions.

I attended a family reunion and was awed by the young relatives who can enjoy simply things.

I expected to not be preaching during this summer, but God had other ideas.

Pastor Mark describes walking with his Grandsons and the trust they have in him and uses this as an example of walking with, and trusting, God.

Pastor Mark discusses walking with his grandsons and the trust they have in him as he contrasts this with walking with God and trusting God.

A friend of mine recently retired from ministry. This is his parable of the gracelessness that he discovered from Christian folks

I've left parish ministry but I've left a good legacy.

Celebrating 100 years of ministry at Clinton Avenue Reformed Church in Bergenfield

I met two folks from Ontario, Canada. They put most of us self-proclaiming Christians to shame by the good works that they do.

I'm hosting a family of Robins outside the parsonage. My cat would like to eat them, but they are protected, much like we have the protection of God in ways that we cannot comprehend.

Recently I visited the Warwick Conference Center in Warwick, NY. It was a trip down memory lane and I used to visit to interest a new generation in our congregation in this wonderful place of Christian nurture.

I feel guilty for not taking care of my Godfather. Let us all resolve to care for our veterans even as we mourn and remember our war dead.

There are three generations of ministers in our family. We all were mentored in the faith. Will new generations be mentored well to hear God if God gives them a call as well?