by Rev. Malcolm G. Smith

The Lord said to His disciples, “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1, 2). Every few months I attempt some pruning. I get out my hedge trimmer or loppers and go to work on some bushes around our house. I am not pruning anything complicated like grape vines, but still — as is the case with pretty much any gardening task — the spiritual analogies or correspondences seem to be endless. Here are a few of the things I was thinking about while I was making a mess in my yard this past weekend.

It takes skill to know what to prune, how to prune it, and how much to prune. The first time or two that I attempted pruning I made many mistakes. I used electric hedge trimmers on bushes that don’t do well with hedge trimmers. They looked alright for a bit but then the new growth was not in the right areas. Another bush I cut back way too much and it took over a year to look alright again. I am grateful that our Divine Pruner is as skilled as He is at knowing what and how much to prune out of our lives at a given time.

It takes a while to grow back. Sometimes even good pruning does make a bush look worse for a while. Chopping out a big branch that’s getting too high leaves a visible hole for a while, but it also means that other new branches will have the space and sunlight they need to grow. In me there are thick and gnarly ways of interacting with other people that grew up years ago that I am trying to cut out of my life. When I do cut them out, it leaves a hole and I don’t always know what to do instead. I am working on trusting that the Lord will help something better to grow, if I make the space and allow Him to flow in with His light and warmth. Sometimes there is an uncomfortable amount of time between ceasing to do evil and actually learning how to do good (Isaiah 1:16, 17).

Pruning is caring. We wouldn’t bother pruning a bush that we don’t care about. We prune it because we care about keeping that bush and because we care about the other plants and things around it. In the long run, it will be better for the bush to be pruned. I don’t like having my spiritual life pruned, but inasmuch as I am doing pruning or the Lord is doing pruning, it is an indication that there is something of value worth caring for in me. The Lord prunes branches that are bearing fruit so that they may bear more fruit. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent,” says the Lord (Revelation 3:19). I hope that you feel loved, even as our Vinedresser might be showing His love by helping cut certain things out of your life.

Previous Pastor Boxes

2026

10/19/2026 - "Talking to God" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
10/12/2026 - "Usefulness" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
10/5/2026 - "Considering Our Roots" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
9/28/2026 - "Christmas Times (and Dates) Are Here" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
9/21/2026 - "Letting Go" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
9/14/2026 - "What Really Matters" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
9/7/2026 - "Practical Repentance" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
8/31/2026 - "In Ten Years..." - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
8/24/2026 - "Facing A New School Year" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
8/17/2026 - "Living to Eternity" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
8/3/2026 - "You Will See..." - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
7/20/2026 - "Creation or Evolution" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
7/20/2026 - "A Chance to Grow In Your Relationship With The Lord" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
7/13/2026 - "Every Moment of Life" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
7/6/2026 - "The Power of Questions" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
6/29/2026 - "Summer Family Worship - We're Trying Something New on August 2" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
6/22/2026 - "To Run and Not Be Weary" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
6/15/2026 - "New Church Day - An Internal and External Holiday" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
6/8/2026 - "What's The Good News?" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
5/18/2026 - "Speaking the Same Language" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
5/11/2026 - "A Guilty Conscience" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/5/2026 - "The Value of Sports" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
4/27/2026 - "Tending our Garden" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
4/20/2026 - "Clarity While in the Midst" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
4/13/2026 - "Joseph, Interpreter of Dreams" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
4/6/2026 - "Recognizing the Lord" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/30/2026 - "Walking the Easter Path" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
3/23/2026 - "Spring Forever?" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
3/16/2026 - "What Should We “Do” with the Future?" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
3/9/2026 - "Guilt" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/2/2026 - "Losing an Hour, Gaining Awareness" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
2/23/2026 - "Paying Attention to the Internal Weather" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
2/9/2026 - "Why Smile?" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
1/26/2026 - "What is the Informal Family Service?" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
1/20/2026 - "A Banquet, Supper, or Dinner?" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
1/12/2026 - "The Return of the Sun" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther

2025

12/8/2025 - "Why December 25th?" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
9/15/2025 - "Christmas Services: Cancellations, Adjustments, and Bringing Back an Old Favorite" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/9/2025 - "Confidentiality" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
9/2/2025 - "Important Details" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/18/2025 - "Having Time to Reflect on Each Commandment" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/11/2025 - "Sweat (Some of) the Small Stuff" - Rev. Steven Gunther
8/4/2025 - "Intermediate Goods Budget" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
7/7/2025 - "How Do We Respond to Ignorance" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/26/2025 - "Thought Brings Presence" - Rev. John Odhner
5/19/2025 - "Sing Along with the New Church Day Pageant" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/12/2025 - "The Challenge of Choosing" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
5/5/2025 - "Mother's Day" - Rev. John Odhner
4/14/2025 - "Psalms of Easter" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
4/7/2025 - "Silence and Noise" - Rev. John Odhner
3/31/2025 - "In Conversation with Mozart's Requiem" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
3/24/2025 - "Needs" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
3/17/2025 - "Life Without Music" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/3/2025 - "A Season of Repentance" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
2/24/2025 - "Chaos" - Rev. John Odhner
2/10/2025 - "The Blessing of Truths We Don't Yet Get" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
2/3/2025 - "A Marriage Conference" - Rev. John Odhner
1/27/2025 - "I Beg Your Pardon…" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
1/21/2025 - "What Do You “Do” with Swedenborg When Talking about the New Church?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/13/2025 - "What Changes and What Stays the Same" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/6/2025 - "Beginning A New Life" - Rev. John Odhner

2024

12/16/2024 - "Spreading Christmas Cheer" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
12/9/2024 - "Daily Readings" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/2/2024 - "Preparing for Christmas" - Rev. John L. Odhner
11/25/2024 - "Words for Thanksgiving" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
11/18/2024 - "In Person Community" - Rev. Derek Elphick
11/11/2024 - "Celebrating 40 Years of Troop 97" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
11/4/2024 - "Voting Day" - Rev. John Odhner
10/28/2024 - "Loving People Who Are Wrong" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
10/21/2024 - "The Gift of Sight" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/14/2024 - "When Remembering is Hard" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/7/2024 - "Charter Day" - Rev. John Odhner
9/30/2024 - "The Use of Social Gatherings" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
9/23/2024 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/16/2024 - "Communion" - Rev. John Odhner
9/9/2024 - "The Thinking Behind the Preaching Schedule" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/3/2024 - "Listening to What You Hear" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
8/26/2024 - "Many Things to Say to You" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/19/2024 - "Back to School" - Rev. John Odhner
7/29/2024 - "Two Commandments—One Commandment" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
7/22/2024 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/15/2024 - "The Smallest Deviation" - Rev. John Odhner
7/8/2024 - "Loving Our Country" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
7/1/2024 - "My Cup Runs Over" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
6/24/2024 - "Some Fun Facts About the Upcoming GC Assembly" - Rev. Derek Elphick
6/17/2024 - "New Church Day" - Rev. John Odhner
6/10/2024 - "Grapes of Wrath" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
6/3/2024 - "This Year's New Church Day Pageant" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/28/2024 - "Power in the Familiar" - Rev. Derek Elphick
5/21/2024 - "Artificial Intelligence" - Rev. John Odhner
5/13/2024 - "Mental Health Awareness" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/6/2024 - "Not Moping Around" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/29/2024 - "Lay Ministry" - Rev. John Odhner
4/22/2024 - "What is Conscience?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/15/2024 - "Say Hello" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
4/8/2024 - "No More Sermon Reviews" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
4/1/2024 - "Unrecognized" - Rev. John Odhner
3/25/2024 - "Washing Feet" - Rev. John Odhner
3/18/2024 - "Palm Sunday" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/11/2024 - "Coordinating Pastors" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
2/27/2024 - "Diversions" - Rev. John L. Odhner
2/20/2024 - "What Does Having a Relationship with the Lord Mean to You?" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
2/13/2024 - "What is Love?" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
2/5/2024 - "God Don't Make No Junk" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/29/2024 - "Swedenborg's Birthday" - Rev. John Odhner
1/22/2024 - "Building for the Future" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/16/2024 - "Impatience or Urgency" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/8/2024 - "New Year, New You" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
1/1/2024 - "New Plan in 2024 for Young Children's and Informal Family Services" - Pastors Derek Elphick and Malcolm Smith

2023

12/4/2023 - "Presents" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
11/26/2023 - "Christmas Lights" - Rev. John Odhner
11/20/2023 - "Your Perfect Body" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
11/13/2023 - "Be Useful" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
11/7/2023 - "World Peace" - Rev. John Odhner
10/30/2023 - "Failure" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
10/23/2023 - "Why Does Time March on Without Our Approval?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/16/2023 - "New Dads Group Starting in November" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/9/2023 - "Reconnection and Conflict" - Rev. John Odhner
10/8/2023 - "It's All Good" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
9/25/2023 - "Stability and Change" - Rev. John Odhner
9/18/2023 - "The Unexpected Merciful Face of God" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/5/2023 - "Darned If You Do" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
8/28/2023 - "Always an Egg" - Rev. John Odhner
8/22/2023 - "Community Suppers: What We've Got Planned So Far" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/14/2023 - "Life is a Camping Trip" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
8/7/2023 - "Community Supper" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/31/2023 - "Hope for the World" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
7/24/2023 - "Re-Creation" - Rev. John Odhner
7/17/2023 - "Summer: A Chance to Try Worshipping as a Family" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
7/10/2023 - "Sacred Fire" - Rev. Solomon Keal
7/3/2023 - "Life, Liberty, and Happiness" - Rev. John Odhner
6/26/2023 - "The Leaves of Summertime Trees" - Rev. Solomon Keal
6/13/2023 - "What Should We Call It?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
6/5/2023 - "June Imagery" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
5/30/2023 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. John Odhner
5/22/2023 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
5/16/2023 - "When Should a Young Person Start Taking Holy Supper?" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/8/2023 - "Survival Shelter" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/2/2023 - "May Weddings" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/17/2023 - "Harrowing" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/11/2023 - "What Will and What Will Not Last" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
4/4/2023 - "Easter" - Rev. John Odhner
3/28/2023 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/21/2023 - "First Day of Spring" - Rev. Solomon Keal
3/14/2023 - "The Need for Filters" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
3/7/2023 - "'Tis the Season" - Rev. John Odhner
2/28/2023 - "Beauty and the Beast" - Rev. Solomon Keal
2/21/2023 - "The Book That Made Heaven Rejoice" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
2/7/2023 - "Learning to Use the Lord's Truth Responsibly: A Reflection from Scout Sunday" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/30/2023 - "Eagles" - Rev. Solomon Keal
1/23/2023 - "SWEDENBORG'S 335th!" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
1/16/2023 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/9/2023 - "Smile" - Rev. John Odhner
1/2/2023 - "How to Be Prepared to Take the Holy Supper" - Rev. Malcolm Smith

2022

12/20/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/13/2022 - "Christmas Spirit" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
12/6/2022 - "Christmas Outreach" - Rev. John Odhner
11/28/2022 - "God with Us" - Rev. Solomon Keal
11/21/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
11/14/2022 - "Thanksgiving is Coming Soon" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
11/7/2022 - "Choosing Our Leaders" - Rev. John Odhner
10/31/2022 - "HALLOWE'EN" - Rev. Solomon Keal
10/17/2022 - "Gratitude for the Chance to Worship Together" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/10/2022 - "Colors" - Rev. John Odhner
10/3/2022 - "Charter Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
9/26/2022 - "The Sad and Beautiful Reality of Serving Different Uses" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/20/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/13/2022 - "Feeding His Flock" - Rev. John Odhner
9/6/2022 - "The Season Begins" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
8/30/2022 - "The Importance of What Happens After The Worship Service" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/23/2022 - "August Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/16/2022 - "Community" - Rev. John Odhner
8/9/2022 - "Walking the Lord's Commandments" - Rev. Solomon Keal
8/2/2022 - "Quick! have more fun before it's too late!" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
7/12/2022 - "Community Worship" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/5/2022 - "Africa and Asia" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
6/21/2022 - "Inclusivity of the Church" - Rev. Solomon Keal
6/14/2022 - "The Lord Leads the Church" - Rev. John Odhner
6/7/2022 - "Seeing the Light of Heaven" - Rev. Eric Carswell
5/31/2022 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
5/24/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
5/10/2022 - "Arguments" - Rev. John Odhner
5/3/2022 - "Swedenborg Foundation" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/26/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/19/2022 - "A Divine Mission Being Served By Fallible Humans" - Rev. Eric Carswell
4/12/2022 - "Pastor's Box" - Rev. John Odhner
4/5/2022 - "A Moveable Feast" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
3/29/2022 - "The Christian Symbol of the Cross" - Rev. Eric Carswell
3/22/2022 - "The Strength of Inner Peacefulness" - Rev. Eric Carswell
3/15/2022 - "A Message from our Head Pastor" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/8/2022 - "Prayer Service for Ukraine" - Jeremy Simons
3/1/2022 - "Invading Boundaries" - Rev. Solomon Keal
2/22/2022 - "The Olympics" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
2/15/2022 - "Love is Always the Heart of the Matter" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
2/8/2022 - "Unmasked" - Rev. John Odhner
2/1/2022 - "Groundhog's Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
1/25/2022 - "January Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/18/2022 - "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
1/11/2022 - "Zeal for the Common Good" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
1/4/2022 - "Reflecting on the Past Year" - Rev. Eric Carswell

2021

12/21/2021 - "A Christmas Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/14/2021 - "Santa Claus" - Rev. John Odhner
12/7/2021 - "The Christmas Tree Sale" - Jeremy Simons
11/30/2021 - "My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
11/23/2021 - "Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclaimation" - Rev. Solomon Keal
11/16/2021 - "Getting Ready for Thanksgiving" - Rev. John Odhner
11/9/2021 - "May Our Lives Bear Fruit" - Rev. Eric Carswell
11/2/2021 - "Human Heart" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/26/2021 - "What is Easy for One is Difficult for Another" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
10/19/2021 - "Pumpkin Spice" - Rev. Solomon Keal
10/12/2021 - "A Healthy Congregation: Worship, Instruction and Community" - Rev. Eric Carswell
10/5/2021 - "Charter Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
9/28/2021 - "Adapting and Modifying" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
9/21/2021 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/14/2021 - "Remembering and Forgetting" - Rev. Eric Carswell
9/7/2021 - "Meaningful Work" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
8/31/2021 - "End of Summer" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
8/24/2021 - "New Church Education" - Rev. Eric Carswell
8/17/2021 - "Laurel Camp Jubilee 2021" - Rev. Solomon Keal
8/10/2021 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/3/2021 - "Tranquility" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
7/20/2021 - "Nina Finkelday" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
7/13/2021 - "Elphick's Arrival" - Derek Elphick
7/6/2021 - "When will it be over?" - Rev. John Odhner
6/29/2021 - "The Fruit and Leaves of the Tree of Life" - Solomon Keal
6/22/2021 - "New Church Day" - Jeremy Simons
6/15/2021 - "Being Useful for the Sake of Use" - Erik Buss
6/8/2021 - "The Future of the Church" - Eric Carswell
6/1/2021 - "Manifested in Person" - Phil Schnarr
5/25/2021 - "It's Easy to Believe Things That Aren't True" - Jeremy Simons