stated clerk's notes - 8/21/25

Laurie Palmer
Aug 21
2 min read

Rev. Laurie Palmer

RE David Perkins asked me if I’d like to stay for the after-worship fellowship, as I was planning to preach at New Braunfels Presbyterian Church on August 17. “Of course!”

Y’all. I drove into the parking lot, and there were men at BBQ pits cooking brisket, sausage, and chicken. They’d been there since before the sun came up that morning.

“Holy cow! They’re serious!”

David greeted me in the parking lot and ushered me inside. We met with the liturgist, and then we headed to worship. The church was practically full. There was a prayer-ground for kids near the front with all kinds of resources for little ones. There were 20 kids and youth, give or take, for the blessing of their backpacks.

Rev. Adam Smith and his family were in worship, as he is their newly called pastor.

It was a celebration day!

And I preached the lectionary. Jesus said, “I came not to bring peace, but division.” UGH! When I read the scripture and said “this is the word of the Lord,” I said, “Usually you’d say, ‘Thanks be to God,’ but I don’t know.” Thankfully, they laughed. The sermon was fine, and a little exegesis helps with the meaning of that hard saying of Jesus. It’s not as depressing as it sounds.

Lunch was AMAZING–so many kinds of baked beans, potato salad, and banana pudding.

Adam and his family were honored.

I can get cynical as Stated Clerk. I hear a lot of bad stuff, sadly. I also hear good things, too. My calling here is obviously administratively heavy. Sunday at NBPC reminded me of the hope of the church–Hope, yes, and the joy of the church.

They’re not by themselves.

When I visit other churches, where I preach or sit in the pew, or catch a streamed worship service, I find that same feeling–a moving of the Spirit that says, “We’re not done! We will not only follow the Light, but be the light to a hurting world.”

May it be so.

Here’s the sign they made for the fellowship lunch: