Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison
Richard Flanagan, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. (2013, Audible, 2014), 14 hours 59 minutes What a complex book. At times I loved it and other times I wondered what I was doing immersing myself within these words. The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a title taken from Basho, a famous Japanese haiku poet … Read more Recent readings
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJune 13, 2021Hebrews 13:7-14 Thoughts at the Beginning of Worship In preparation for today’s worship, I found myself rereading portions of Joseph Small’s wonderful book, Flawed Church, Faithful God. I like the title, for it accurately describes our situation. Toward the end of the book, he addresses the situation many churches find themselves … Read more Hebrews 13:7-17: Leadership
I have been reviewing some old writings about my days at Williston 9th Grade Center. Click here to read an earlier story about Ms. Gooden. ### I always dreaded going back to school after a long break, but the morning of January 2, 1972 was the worst. Heading to the bus stop, I shuffled my … Read more Williston’s 1971 Snowfall
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJune 6, 2021Hebrews 13:1-6 At the Beginning of Worship We gather on the first day of the week, on the day of resurrection, to worship. Why? What does it mean? Think about this in our time together. Today, we’re beginning our exploration of the last chapter in Hebrews. We have completed … Read more Christians Should be Outstanding Citizens
I am currently taking a week off and spending it at my dads. It’s hot here, but we have been out paddling kayaks in the morning. The wind has been too strong for us to go out into the ocean fishing, so we’ve been paddling kayaks over to Masonboro Island in the morning before the … Read more Frank and Roosevelt and the making of bread
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesMay 23, 2021Hebrews 12:14-29 Sermon recorded on May 21, 2021 at Mayberry Church Introduction at the Beginning of WorshipToday is Pentecost. It’s a day to recall the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those disciples who gathered in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension. We’re told in Acts that it appeared as if … Read more A Better Way to the Summit: Hebrews 12:14-29
Background 2021 marks fifty years since cross-town busing began in Wilmington, NC. That spring, those of us in the eighth grade at Roland Grice Junior High, left school thinking about the fall. Having paid our dues as seventh and eighth graders, were ready to be “king of the hill” as ninth graders. However, due to … Read more Williston Ninth Grade Center: Ms. Gooden
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesMay 15, 2021Hebrews 12:1-13 Sermon taped at Bluemont Church on Friday, May 13, 2021 Thoughts at the beginning of worship: We’re on a journey. It’s a familiar Christian metaphor that we’ve seen through our time in the Book of Hebrews. As Christians, we are not settlers on this earth, we’re pilgrims. … Read more Keep Going: Hebrews 12:1-13
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesHebrews 11:23-40May 8, 2021c2021 The recording was made on May 7 at Mayberry Church. Thoughts at the beginning of worship For the past two weeks, I have been slowly reading Garrison Keillor’s memoir, That Time of the Year. I savor a chapter or two each night before bed. Keillor often gives praise for … Read more Be a Vehicle for Something Greater than Yourself
Series introduction In the summer of 1976, I began working at Fox Holsum Bakery in Wilmington, NC. I had just finished my first year of college. For the summer, I had a job traying bread. At the end of the summer, as I wrote about last week, the plant manager asked if I would be … Read more Harvey and Ernest in the Bakery