Author Archives: tmrichmond3

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About tmrichmond3

I am the pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Medford, Oregon. I believe that faith should be able to sustain us, not oppress us.

The Death of Worship

Posted on June 3, 2015 by tmrichmond3

I was new to the church, and was just getting to know the small staff I had inherited. The youth director attended another church on Sunday mornings, a charismatic congregation known for its contemporary worship which involved people raising their … Continue reading →

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Well, THAT Changes Everything!

Posted on April 23, 2015 by tmrichmond3

JOHN 20:1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter … Continue reading →

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For the Forgiveness of Sin

Posted on April 22, 2015 by tmrichmond3

GOSPEL LUKE 24:36B-48 Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do … Continue reading →

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Palm Sunday; Power and Popularity, or Faithful Following

Posted on April 2, 2015 by tmrichmond3

PSALM 118:1-2, 19-29 1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures for ever.” 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I … Continue reading →

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Letting Go of Egypt

Posted on March 26, 2015 by tmrichmond3

In order to live, sometimes something in us has to die. If we are going to live in the Promised Land, we have to let go the parts of Egypt that still cling to us. JEREMIAH 31:31-34 31The days are … Continue reading →

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A Plea for Unity

Posted on March 18, 2015 by tmrichmond3

A while ago I was asked to prepare a paper for a church was that considering leaving the PC(USA) over the issue of same sex marriage (among other things). This is what I wrote to them. In light of the … Continue reading →

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The Grace of Serpents

Posted on March 18, 2015 by tmrichmond3

NUMBERS 21:4-9 4From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have … Continue reading →

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The Marriage Vows of God

Posted on March 11, 2015 by tmrichmond3

EXODUS 20:1-17 1Then God spoke all these words: 2I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3you shall have no other gods before me. 4You shall not … Continue reading →

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Seeing the Promises Rightly

Posted on March 4, 2015 by tmrichmond3

Take a moment and watch the following video. When I first saw this, I was hesitant to present it because I was sure everyone would see the gorilla. I knew it was coming, so to me it was incredibly obvious. … Continue reading →

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The Waters of Promise

Posted on February 25, 2015 by tmrichmond3

GENESIS 9:8-17 8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the … Continue reading →

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