Pastor John is a committed Christian, believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He preaches Bible based sermons calling all to develop and strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is the day
that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice
and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Background: Pastor John was born in Portsmouth NH and grew up in Manchester NH, West Hartford CT, and Lake Forest IL. He and his wife have lived in Milwaukee WI, the Chicago area, Cincinnati and now Connecticut. Prior to his going into the ministry, John spent thirteen years in the Publishing Industry working most recently for Conde Nast Publications in New York City.

Personal Motto: People don’t care how much you know. People want to know how much you care.

Ministry Background:

July 1998 Senior Pastor
The United Methodist Church of Branford, CT

July 1996 – June 1998 Associate Pastor
The United Methodist Church of New Canaan, CT

September 1994 – June1996 Seminarian In Residence
The United Methodist Church of New Canaan, CT

Education:

1993 – 1996 Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT
Masters of Divinity, May 1996

1976 – 1980 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, May 1980

From our Pastor

Just A Thought

I guess it’s official; the Recession is over! At least that’s what some in Congress and in the media are proclaiming. The Dow Jones has finally topped 10,000 points and corporate earnings are showing some positive trends. The banking industry, buoyed by Government bailout dollars, seems able to pay hefty bonuses again. And all is well in the land of Milk and Honey. Or is it? With one in ten Americans still unable to find work, and foreclosures still on the increase, the recovery has not made its way into the pocketbooks of most Americans. Although the blood letting in my investments has slowed, my net worth is still significantly lower than it was a year and a half ago.

One thing I have learned during this recession is that I don’t like loosing money. Although I save 10% of my income, I have lost far more than I have saved over the past year and a half. It’s like trying to fill a bucket with water – but the bucket has too many holes in it. I don’t like the emotions that cause me to question the future. I don’t like to wonder about college tuition for my kids. I don’t like to worry that I will have too many days left at the end of my money.

But another thing I have learned is not to put my hope in my money. My hope is first and foremost in the Lord. My money will always let me down – my Lord will not. The Psalmist wrote:

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.” (Psalm 146:5-6)

God gives me the freedom to make a choice each and every day. Will I choose to worry and fear about the gold that rusts? Or will I put my hope and trust in the Lord who remains faithful forever? Fear is a choice and so is hope. When my family and I place over 10% of our income in the offering plate, we are making a statement that fear will not consume us.

My prayer for this congregation is that we all find liberation from finding security in what is insecure and temporary and learn to truly put our hope in the One who is truly trustworthy!

“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” (1 Tim 6:17-19 NRSV)

Peace,

Pastor John

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This page was updated on 10/26/2009