We celebrated our Easter services this past Sunday. The sermon for the day can be found here.
For a brief period after we were first married my wife and I attended an Elim Pentecostal Church in West Kirby, England. The Elim denomination had purchased the building from the Presbyterians and the notice board outside still declared itself Welsh Presbyterian, so our first visits were somewhat of a case of mistaken identity. However we enjoyed the exuberance of their worship and the warmth of their welcome.
Pentecostal theology emphasizes the present work of the Holy Spirit as being evidence of the reality of Christ’s living presence. One of the abiding memories of worshiping there was hearing Ray, one of the elders, singing his favorite hymn from the Pentecostal songbook. Ray had a booming voice that would fit well in any operatic production, and his countenance as he sang always expressed intense emotions.
As we celebrate this Easter season of resurrection I still hear echoes of Ray singing with all his might…
“He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
And He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life’s narrow way,
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart.”
The simplicity of the words express a divine truth. That the truth of resurrection is one we need to capture at the center of our being. It is from our center in Christ that we reach out to others, ‘imparting salvation’ through our service.
Prayer : Lord, it as we allow Your love to transform us that we recognize Your presence within. It is as we work with You in serving others that our faith is confirmed. Help us to be Easter people with resurrection as our song. Amen.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Palm Sunday.
This past Sunday we begin our journey through Holy Week with our Palm Sunday service. We reflected on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Our sermon can be found here. 
It is a sad reflection on human nature how quickly the cries of ‘Hosanna’ turn to cries of ‘Crucify’. How easily public opinion can sway between welcome and condemnation. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s villain.
Such can remind us of the importance of seeking the guidance of God in both the good times and the bad times. If we go along with the voices of the crowd we may end up cheering somebody on the way to their death. If we add our voice to shouts of condemnation we may be found accusing the innocent.
Seeking the still small voice of God amidst all the other voices that crowd in on us is never easy to do. Times in the Christian year, such as Holy Week, offer an opportunity to do some intentional ‘listening’. As we recall the fickle nature of the voices of the crowd we are invited to seek God’s guidance as to what is really going on!
Prayer: Lord, our lives are influenced by many voices. Some cry out in fear. Some cry out in despair. Some seek to deceive us. Some come to tempt us. Amidst all the other voices, help us make time to hear Your voice. Speak to us through scripture. Speak in the silence. Speak to us we open our hearts in worship. Help us make the most of this Holy Week to discern Your will for our lives. Amen.
It is a sad reflection on human nature how quickly the cries of ‘Hosanna’ turn to cries of ‘Crucify’. How easily public opinion can sway between welcome and condemnation. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s villain.
Such can remind us of the importance of seeking the guidance of God in both the good times and the bad times. If we go along with the voices of the crowd we may end up cheering somebody on the way to their death. If we add our voice to shouts of condemnation we may be found accusing the innocent.
Seeking the still small voice of God amidst all the other voices that crowd in on us is never easy to do. Times in the Christian year, such as Holy Week, offer an opportunity to do some intentional ‘listening’. As we recall the fickle nature of the voices of the crowd we are invited to seek God’s guidance as to what is really going on!
Prayer: Lord, our lives are influenced by many voices. Some cry out in fear. Some cry out in despair. Some seek to deceive us. Some come to tempt us. Amidst all the other voices, help us make time to hear Your voice. Speak to us through scripture. Speak in the silence. Speak to us we open our hearts in worship. Help us make the most of this Holy Week to discern Your will for our lives. Amen.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Busy Times at FPC Baldwin
Despite the lack of blogs the last few weeks have been busy times at First Presbyterian of Baldwin! This coming Sunday our Children present an abridged version of 'Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' during morning worship. This past Sunday we came together around the communion table and reflected on the experience of Barabbas. (Notes from the sermon can be found here)
Two Sundays ago we were taken to India with a presentation by a mission team including our own Margaret Cook on their recent visit to the Church of North India. And the previous Sunday, whilst I was away leading a youth retreat for youth from John Knox Presbyterian Church in Ohio, the church in Baldwin celebrated Women's Sunday. Again Margaret Cook was the leader of worship.
April marks the start of my third year as pastor here in the church. I have to say it has been a wonderful experience alongside some great people who enjoy their church and the mission it has within the community. It has been quite an experience getting to know a new area and a new congregation over the last two years. One for which I am truly thankful to God!
I still reflect on the fact that my ministry here began on April Fools Day 2009. Scripture invites us to be 'Fools for Christ'. In the face of a world that increasingly belittles faith and makes light of claims to spiritual realities, it is clear many regard our task as foolishness.
But as I see folk feeding the hungry, donating towards Japaneses relief, consistently supporting community initiatives and witness the amazing work that many organizations that meet within the walls of this small corner of God's Kingdom get up too... I am quite prepared to be counted amongst the foolish of Baldwin.
I look forward to days that lie ahead :-)
Two Sundays ago we were taken to India with a presentation by a mission team including our own Margaret Cook on their recent visit to the Church of North India. And the previous Sunday, whilst I was away leading a youth retreat for youth from John Knox Presbyterian Church in Ohio, the church in Baldwin celebrated Women's Sunday. Again Margaret Cook was the leader of worship.
April marks the start of my third year as pastor here in the church. I have to say it has been a wonderful experience alongside some great people who enjoy their church and the mission it has within the community. It has been quite an experience getting to know a new area and a new congregation over the last two years. One for which I am truly thankful to God!
I still reflect on the fact that my ministry here began on April Fools Day 2009. Scripture invites us to be 'Fools for Christ'. In the face of a world that increasingly belittles faith and makes light of claims to spiritual realities, it is clear many regard our task as foolishness.
But as I see folk feeding the hungry, donating towards Japaneses relief, consistently supporting community initiatives and witness the amazing work that many organizations that meet within the walls of this small corner of God's Kingdom get up too... I am quite prepared to be counted amongst the foolish of Baldwin.
I look forward to days that lie ahead :-)
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