Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sermon Notes Brian Conklin – interim pastor Madison Valley Presbyterian Church Jan’s sermon notes:
“Skipping across the lake’s surface The perfect stone seems to dance. Looking for something specific, God has chosen us as Living Stones.
Peter says we’re built on the cornerstone, The most important part of the building. Jesus Christ is our cornerstone – But He was rejected by the world.
Moses struck a stone; there were stones That allowed Christ followers to walk Across the Jordan without sinking. Stones are instruments of God’s work.
God is our steady, certain rock. Each of us is built in His image. Like rocks, if we are fitted together, We can be built into a spiritual house.
God never intended us to be a lone stone – A stone out in the field by ourselves. Faith allows us to be built into a Holy Priesthood – A place where God is encountered.
We are offerings of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Our lives make God visible on earth. Sometimes we feel like a lone stone, But we belong. We’re connected. We matter.
We’re not designed to be lone stones!
We are held together by grace. Living stones are not identical, but As unique individuals, start asking “What is God building among us?”
Where am I placed and why? Can I bear the weight of others? I am strong enough and I am fit. I’m willing to be placed and be a light in the darkness.
Today’s sermon focused on the Good Shepherd. Here are my notes from interim pastor Brian Conklin’s message today.
Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s Most memorized and loved scriptures. It is powerful, impactful, comforting. The care and protection are heartwarming.
The word shepherd means to be a friend – Be a faithful companion who cares. God is our friend, our closest companion. He is faithful; his presence surrounds me.
God guides me along the right paths. Solitude and quiet are part of my DNA. I reflect, marvel, and hear God’s voice. Solitude is not a sad time for me.
Life is tough; we encounter dark valleys, But as a person of faith, I’m comforted. I feel God’s presence and everlasting peace. My cup overflows… abundance is mine.
In a world of scarcity, I am blessed. God provides a voice to be trusted. His voice encourages me to follow Him to still waters. His still, small voice leads me to light, love and hope.
He is with me.
Hallelujah!
Amen?
Love, JanBeek (with my friend Stephanie at fellowship after church today)
By the way, we discovered today that Stephanie has a look-alike in Switzerland! My daughter, DeAna, sent me this photo of her choir girlfriends who were out enjoying social time together. It’s not hard to find Stephanie’s look-alike! I think they could be long-lost twins!!
Our daughter, DeDe, is the third from the right. Looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it?
Gorgeous! But after my last post of April flowers, this is surprising, isn’t it?
It’s Ennis, Montana… and yes, friends, it can snow here on July 4th! So, this April snow should not be a surprise. In fact, after a relatively dry January through March, we are grateful for the moisture in April! It snowed all last night… and then more today. With no wind to blow it off the branches, ain’t it gorgeous?
I am up in my sanctuary, looking out at the magnificent snow covered trees and thanking God for them.
Smile, God loves you. And so do I!
I’m praying for you, For our world, and For peace, please.
I asked AI for a picture of Jesus in the tomb. No, AI, Jesus was not lying in the tomb with his eyes open! So much for artificial intelligence!
We know He was crucified. We know Nicodemus was one of two men who prepared his body for burial.
John 19:39 – “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” John 19:40 – “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”
Today, known as Holy Saturday, also sometimes referred to as “Silent Saturday” is a day when His followers were stunned by His death on the cross. Puzzled by the way the Man they expected to save them was suddenly gone… and in such a cruel way.
We, too, would be puzzled if we didn’t know “The Rest of the Story.” The ladies went the next morning to the tomb. Not sure what they expected to see, but it definitely was not an empty place where Jesus had been laid! Imagine their surprise!
We can endure Good Friday and Holy (Silent) Saturday because we know. We know He is risen indeed! Happy Easter, my friends! Tomorrow we celebrate! Sure, we’ll see a lot of bunnies and Easter eggs and we’ll wonder if they have the whole picture. We’ll wonder if that bunny is a distraction or a blessing. Think about a few ideas that make the idea of Easter bunnies and eggs OK: 1) Bunnies are prolific – alive and lovable. (Well that’s a stretch!) 2) Eggs are a symbol of new life… and one of those plastic Easter eggs empty can symbolize the empty tomb. 3) See the meme below:
What is your mood this “Holy Saturday”? How are you feeling about the Easter egg hunts and the focus on the bunny?
I pray your Holy Saturday was a time of quiet meditation… A time to focus on why Jesus had to die And what His death means for us all. Without tomorrow, without the resurrection, He’d just be another forgotten martyr. But, He is risen indeed!
Happy Easter, my friends. God bless you! Love, JanBeek
This week my dear friend, Mona Durham, age 96, died peacefully with her family gathered round.
Mona’s family and the leadership team of our church decorated the sanctuary and fellowship hall beautifully for her memorial service today.
Her ashes, in a container under the purple cloth, were sent into the hands of God as Jesus and St. Peter must surely have welcomed her into heaven. She was a True Believer.
The floral arrangements were spectacular.
There was a beautiful display of photos depicting Mona with many of her beloved family. She had four children and seven grandchildren. Four of the grandkids shared stories about how her life impacted theirs in such loving, meaningful, lasting ways.
I took notes (as is my habit) as I listened to their stories. Here are my notes:
Mona Durham’s was a 96 year life well lived. She lived heartily loving and laughing; Tough, fair, sarcastic, always available, Humble, reliable, stable, and always hospitable.
Mona wasn’t delicate or sheltered. The last of three daughters, she was the son… The son her dad never had! How he loved her! Oh how she loved him, others, and this Madison Valley!
She was a woman of grit and grace, loyal and hardworking. Volunteered with church, History museum, blood draws, Elections, Women’s Club & Cattle Women’s Association. Her later years were less busy, but never less purposeful.
She gave her life to quietly helping others. Her strength, honesty, love, and strong values Were the glue that held the family together. Also the fact that she always had fresh cookies!
Mona’s strength was grounded and rooted. Her faith was deep, honest and clear. She carried struggles quietly with endurance. Her life will endure in each of us who loved her.
Following the service, there was a time of fellowship with beautiful trays of meats and cheeses (prepared by Deemo’s in Ennis).
Deemo’s also prepared this beautiful, tasty tray of veggies.
The family extended a special thank you to the caregivers at Home Park and Madison Valley Manor for the dignity, kindness, and care they showed Ramona in her final years. In lieu of flowers, they asked that donations be made to Madison Valley Historical Museum (where Mona was a faithful, treasured volunteer) or Bear Creek Schoolhouse (where she attended 1st to 4th grade and then later volunteered to help with fundraisers to maintain it – and organized pinochle parties every March). She loved playing cards, doing 500 – 1000 piece puzzles, and keeping in touch always with her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by us all!
Mona’s smile was infectious!
Mona’s granddaughter, Tori, summed up what most of her family would agree was an important take-away:
“I see so clearly that her impact isn’t simple or singular, it’s generational. What she has given us goes far beyond memories, she’s given us a way of living.”
“She never once told me how to live, but she sure as hell has shown me!”
Your shared love inspires us to pass it on. Thank you, Mona.
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I used to share my sermon notes after church every Sunday. I still take sermon notes every Sunday, but not always in poetry now, and not always shared. I just got outta the habit. But, today’s sermon begs to be shared. It’s Palm Sunday… the start of Holy Week for us Christians. It’s a time to share our faith. That’s one of Jesus’ commandments! So here’s what I heard our interim minister, Brian Conklin, say today:
Jesus rode a donkey on a path of pain, Not a magnificent steed’s ride of triumph. The crowd expected a powerful leader – Not a man who would die a horrific death!
Was Jesus alone in His heartbreak? Was He alone asking, “Take this cup?” Was He alone saying, “Not My will… But Your Will be done?”
Jesus died a “flop” in the eyes Of His followers. They misunderstood. They didn’t believe the message: “I’ll die, but in three days I will live again.”
Obedience, care, compassion, humility – These were the Lordship of Jesus. Peace… and a willingness to suffer… These were His expressions of Power.
The Way of Jesus wasn’t domination. Not then – not now – So tell me, Which parade are you following? Which path do you choose?
Complacency, complicity, cruelty, pride? Love, humility, obedience, compassion? I choose the latter path – but the road is painful! Really? The Via Dolorosa… the way of suffering?
What path do you choose?
Back at home, I decided to do a little research. That path of suffering is sometimes known as Via Crucis (Latin for “Way of the Cross”). It is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path Jesus took, forced by Roman soldiers On His way to His crucifixion. It’s the winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The current route has been established since the 18th century. It is marked today by 14 Stations of the Cross. Nine of them are outside, in the streets, with the remaining five being currently inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
AI generated this image of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. My “Path of suffering” doesn’t look like that. It’s not paved. It is much more like that first one: dark, barren, windey, foreboding. Jesus didn’t promise us a bed of roses. During this Holy Week, We are asked to travel with Him as He is arrested, tried, scorned, rejected by His very followers, denied by Peter three times, and Ultimately put to death. That’s the path. It’s not a pretty one. But, don’t stop there! If Jesus had done so, He’d be a forgotten martyr!
Walk on with confidence! Remember where your chosen path leads! Amen?
The sermon title at church today was “In the Wilderness.” The message by our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, was inspired by Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Here are the sermon notes I took as I listened to today’s message:
It’s no accident That Jesus ends up In the wilderness
It’s a place of clarity He spent forty days – Forty days and nights there
These forty days of Lent Are our chance, like Jesus, To stand up for our beliefs
What happens in the wilderness Doesn’t stay in the wilderness Jesus rejects political power
The promise of the Gospel Is that God has gone – He has gone ahead of us
Like our Lord Jesus, We venture into the wilderness It’s a place that propels us forward
In seasons of disorientation We wander without a clear end in sight We feel alone, but God is ahead of us
Instead of feeling overwhelmed Accept Jesus’ inspiration Let God catch and shape us
Gain inspiration in the wilderness It comes when we walk with Jesus May we gain clarity of purpose
May we walk with courage May we wander with a clear end in sight And let the wilderness propel us forward.
{{{Donna}}} posted this on her blog 6 years ago at https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/ She quoted Matthew … and I decided to repost this today to follow up on my post from yesterday where I explored the subject of seeking happiness. What are you seeking? {{{Donna}}} chose this:
Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. … Each day has enough trouble of its own… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live … So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. … “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”
I asked Donna, “Do you know that song?” She replied, “I do!” and then she sent me the song she was singing.
Here’s the one I was singing:
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God…”
Here I am up in my sanctuary… early morning squished head!!
What is it you seek? Is it the Kingdom of God? Let’s pursue God first.
What are “all these things”? The scripture was referring to food and clothing… the basics… and reminding us how God takes care of the birds and the lilies of the field.
When I pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, I am seeking His wisdom. I am seeking the peace that only He can give. I am seeking understanding and the deep compassion that God’s Son taught us. I am seeking to exemplify His love ❤️ and the joy that comes with Trust in His Promises. 🙏🏽 I seek His righteousness so that I may exhibit greater patience, kindness, gentleness, and goodness.
Seek Ye first the kingdom of God … and all these things will be given unto you.
Jesus prays with me each day!
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Pray for discernment I love the Lord’s perfect will Freckles and lashes!!
SnapChat can do wonders!
Hah!!
Do not let the world Trick you into seeking pride – It’s a dead-end street.
Do not let the world Trick you into seeking wealth – Not in hoarded coins.
Do not let the world Tell you what to dream about – Look in God’s Word.
Let the Son set you free. You shall know the Truth And the Truth shall set you free. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. In all your ways acknowledge Him.
I pray for you, my friend… For your health, happiness, safety, And for God to guide you in His Way.
The following poem was inspired by the message from our visiting pastor this morning, Phil Taylen.
Be anxious about nothing Let your requests be known To God who hears your pleas In you, His love has always shone
Read one chapter of Philippians each day for a week Your life will catch the contagious joy God has a plan for your life He’s sending that message daily through His Boy!
Don’t let your struggles pull you down Lean on Jesus and celebrate His love Behold, the Savior of the world is here God sent His Son for us from Heaven above.
Philippians 2:2 New International Version then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. New Living Translation Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. English Standard Version complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
