First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, a saying you’ve probably heard, and likely have personal experience with. For myself, I would probably add a corollary statement that would say something to the effect that: “and the best way to his stomach is with home baked apple pie!”. My Uncle Leonard was a personal mentor in my lifelong appreciation of all things related to apple pies. My Uncle was a special person, both to me and to our whole family. His small farm w

As we approach our national day of Thanksgiving, I simply want to share with you the Thanksgiving Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln made to the nation at a difficult and troubled time in our national life. A century and a half later these words still bring tears to my eyes as I read it. I commend it to you for your own prayers and meditations in this season of thanksgiving. Peace and joy to all of you, Thanksgiving Proclamation By President Abraham Lincoln (1863)

It's snowing as I write this blog. Not just a flurry, not just a flake or two, here and there. A full-on, three inches and counting, sticking-to-the-road snow. It's blowing. The pine trees at the back of the yard are waving at me. The hummingbird feeder on the shepherd's crook (And why is it still out there?) is moving clumsily, back and forth. If you know me, you know that nature is where I generally find God most easily. So it feels a bit hypocritical to admit that thi

The leaves are going to fall.... and we are going to have to pick'em up. Temperatures are going to drop.... and we are going to have to bundle up. Our favorite teams are going fail us.... and we are going to have to suck it up. Christmas advertising is going to start.... and we are going to have to toughen up. Pastor Kimber-lee's Installation is going to take place.... and many of us are going to show up. We hope you will join us this Sunday, November 10, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. f