Author Archives: John Collins

I Want for Nought

My plan, this Sunday (March 19, 2022), is to preach on Psalm 23. Sometimes a new translation can help me see an old, familiar scripture in a fresh light. Frederick Buechner put a rough translation in the mouth of a monk named Elric in his novel Godric:

“God keeps me as a shepherd keeps his flock. I want for nought,” he said. “I bleat with hunger, and he pastures me in meadows green. I’m thirsty, and he leads me forth to water cool and deep and still. He hoists me to my feet when I am weak. Down goodly ways he guides me with his crook, for he himself is good. Yea, even when I lose my way in shadows dark as death, I will not fear, for he is ever close at hand with rod and staff to succor me.” [1]


[1] Frederick Buechner, Godric: a Novel (HarperSanFrancisco, 1980), 114

Worship Tomorrow

We’ve got a lot planned for worship tomorrow. Rev. Dr. Jan Todd will be preaching (but I’ll be there). We’ll be blessing Susie Shaw and Sandy Proctor for their Mission Trip to Panama. The Kids Choir and the Adult Choir will both have an anthem and we’ll be celebrating Holy Communion. Hope to see you there.