Blog

True inspirational stories to warm your heart and kindle the spirit

Divine Intervention
Cindy Smist Cindy Smist

Divine Intervention

As I sat at the kitchen table, my eyes zoned out on the quilted pattern of a Celtic cross hanging on my refrigerator. It seemed like only yesterday my son drew it. Now it is one of only a few tangible items I have left to cherish.

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Divorce, Grief, And Loss During The Holidays
Lori Jagow Lori Jagow

Divorce, Grief, And Loss During The Holidays

Know that you are not alone; there are many people who are hurting during the holidays. At Pendleton Center United Methodist Church we have a variety of ministries that can offer hope and encouragement.

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A Reason To Give Thanks
Lori Jagow Lori Jagow

A Reason To Give Thanks

I began to have second thoughts of overbooking myself. I agreed to help only until a replacement could be found.

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The Magic of Shoebox Sunday
Lori Jagow Lori Jagow

The Magic of Shoebox Sunday

There is a buzz about the building, unlike any other day. Excitement is in the air as the holiday season is soon about to kick off with the arrival of Advent, and Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. Trailers line the front of the church parking lot. The church freezer is stuffed with turkeys for our meal ministries, and the altar is shimmering with a sea of colorfully wrapped shoeboxes.

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From Out Of The Darkness & Into The Light
Lori Jagow Lori Jagow

From Out Of The Darkness & Into The Light

It was the year 2011, and after twelve years of marriage, I found myself a single parent, homeless, and destitute. My family and I had been through a horrific and shocking experience that left me with little faith in humanity. Trust was something I no longer knew.

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Laugh More, Love More, Pray More
Pastor Tom Kraft Pastor Tom Kraft

Laugh More, Love More, Pray More

This summer I finally tackled a project at the cottage I have dreaded for twenty years… insulating the crawlspace so we could use the building in cold weather. Cleaning out the mess underneath, raking it, hauling in plywood and insulation, messing with Great Stuff, moving pipes, installing a vapor barrier, and making insulated cupboard doors.

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Let Your Light Shine
Pastor Tom Kraft Pastor Tom Kraft

Let Your Light Shine

It seems I always have a building that needs work. My cottage, my daughter’s house, the parsonage, the Pendleton Church, First Church… there is always something to fix.

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