8:30 in the morning and we are the only car on the Lincoln road, not counting a dozen or so trucks parked along various pullouts and left by hunters much earlier in the morning. One hunter was already returning with the large rack of his success jutting high above the box in the back of his pick-up.

Actually, only 2 cars passed us on our drive up the Lincoln Road. It was a quiet but beautiful Sunday morning drive. Roads were completely snow-packed but in good condition.

Lincoln was not yet fully awake when we arrived in town at a quarter of ten with just a few folks out and about. No one was at the church this early and I didn’t have a key so Cynthia and I took a drive down main street.

When we returned to the church we noticed the welcome banner strung along the fence in front. The Methodist Church is a welcoming church and this congregation attempts to put it into practice.

The Lincoln Community United Methodist Church gathers for worship in a very light and airy sanctuary. And when the music begins, the acoustics are great and the singing is strong and filled with praise. The people in the congregation built this new worship center about 10 years ago and I think they did a rather marvelous job!

Preaching for the first time in about a year and a half was once again a rewarding experience for me personally as a pastor. The congregation of 40 to 50 people was an intimate gathering and their attention to the sermon kept me alert and focused. Following the service I was especially pleased by comments and conversation that revealed not only that people were listening to the sermon, but they were thinking about the message and going deeper into their own well of faith to draw out lessons for the day and for themselves. I felt appreciated and more confident that I have something to offer as the new pastor at the Lincoln Church.

Cynthia made an interesting observation. She was surprised to see me dressed in a sport coat and tie for a change. I looked strange to her. She has become so accustomed to seeing me in Carharts and work shirts that she thought I looked a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I’m not sure I need to wear Carharts in order to be more comfortable preaching but I have a feeling that in Lincoln the people probably wouldn’t mind. They are a very friendly and appreciative group of people and I like them already!