HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! The Presbyterian Church has suggested that we expand the “Father’s Day” holiday a little and also call it “Men of the Church Day,” expressing our appreciation for all the gifts that men bring to the church. So all men (18 and older), please pick up a small token of our appreciation Sunday, [...]
More than once, I’ve been in a Bible study group, or in an adult Sunday School class, which began . . . not with a Bible reading, or a teacher presentation, or even a discussion, but with a question. And it was a sincere, wondering question, not one of those just-intended-to-prompt discussion questions. Why, it was asked, do we study and hear so little about the Holy Spirit in church? After all, it is, we profess, one of the three persons of God; co-equal with the one we call “God the Father,” and with Jesus Christ, according to our Book of Confessions. We hear a lot about the activities of God the Creator and Lawgiver and Protector of Israel, and a lot about Jesus – but very little about that third person, the Holy Spirit. Why? […]
As our Stewardship Committee has presented to you in the past, we have become convinced of the wisdom of a “year-round stewardship program,” as opposed to one or two Sundays in the Fall, talking about only pledge cards. Stewardship, of course, is about much more than pledge cards; it incorporates use of our talents, our time, our church building and other resources, care of creation . . . And we want to use all those responsibly throughout the year – so we don’t think about “stewardship,” here, only on each second Sunday of November. Our stewardship theme for this year, as readers of our church newsletter know, thanks to Steve Blair, is “Living Generously Begins with Trust”- yes, same as today’s sermon title. And the foundational Bible verse for this year is Second Corinthians 8:7: “But just as you excel in everything . . . in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” […]
Our men-only choir on May 12 (Mother’s Day) featured five singers who provided our special music for the day. The women of the choir will have their chance to outnumber and out-sing (?) them on Father’s Day – June 16. Other women of the church are invited to join us as well – we [...]
NEXT SUNDAY: Pentecost Worship – the story of the Holy Spirit coming to the first disciples; “the birthday of the Christian Church.” Many worshippers, as part of their celebration, will wear red to church, symbolizing the “tongues of fire” mentioned in Acts 2:3. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.