Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley
Senior Pastor
Favorite Bible Passages:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16 NRSV
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 NRSV
John 3: 16 is Christianity 101 for me. Faith is God reaching out to us in love so that we might be in relationship with him. I love that this verse is one of the most well-known texts in the Bible. Micah 6: 8 is the follow up. Jesus, the living word, modeled what faith looks like. It’s active: doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God. Christians are called to live as he did. So together, these texts tell us how much God loves us and has done for us; AND they tell us how we can respond in love and live for God.
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Kyle McCain
Pastor
Favorite Bible Passage:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God— what good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NRSV
Saint Paul’s words in Chapter 12 of his letter to the Romans serve as encouragement to me for how to live a life of faith, rooted in the teachings of Jesus. I find permission to live differently than the culture around me and to say no to cultural influences that create tension and conflict. I think Paul’s reference to “this world” points to the physical world that operates under political, social and economic systems that create competition and division. Instead, he offers up a transformative alternative by the “renewing of your minds”, that is the mind of Christ. This renewal is the process by which we discern the will of God for our lives, testing it at every step to be sure we are following where God is calling, leading and sending us. God spoke so clearly to me through this passage at a time when I was questioning what I had been pursuing for so long. After 20 years of chasing success by the worlds standards, I was encouraged to take a different path. The daily study of scripture and weekly group meetings with others became the instrument of God’s renewing effort. Over time the thing I was wearing myself out to gain diminished in value and the pursuit of God’s will for my life became my new center. It was then that God revealed His call to pastoral ministry and I am so pleased to have heard and responded. I am blessed use the gifts God has given me to do the work He has called me to.
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Kelly Regueira
Director of Children’s Ministry
Favorite Bible Passage:
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14 NRSV
Jesus wants a relationship with everybody, no matter how small! This verse drives our ministry with children here at Harrison. Every child should feel welcomed and loved here, when they are worshiping with their parents, attending Children’s Worship or Sunday School, or attending a special event. We strive to help children understand that they are a special and important part of the church family. Children are never too young to begin learning about Jesus and his love for them!
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Karen Perry
Office Administrator
Favorite Bible Passage:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
This verse provides so much comfort, reminding us that God is always near. In particular, I love the statement that God is guarding not just our hearts but also our minds, caring for our physical, emotional, and mental health needs. I am thankful to God for loving our whole selves and reassuring us with his gift of peace at all times.
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Jennifer Siebenaler
Contemporary Music Director
Favorite Bible Passages:
But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me GOD – not even death itself is going to come between us!” Ruth 1:16-17
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
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Zach Hugo
Interim Traditional Music Director
Favorite Bible Passages:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.”
Psalms 51: 10-13.
These verses are the text of the first solo I ever sang in church. It reminds me that the reason we raise our voices in song and worship is to ask for God’s help in transforming us into our best self. We are also called to use those gifts he has bestowed on us to bring others into his presence and show them God’s love through our own love and actions.
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Andrew Willner
Maintenance Technician
Favorite Bible Passage:
Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.
Psalms 128:1-2
I like this Bible verse because this reminds me to be happy in all circumstances and to be thankful for what God has given me at all times.