Morning Worship, 9/16/12

Why do words spoken to us eons ago stick with us?  Don’t you remember certain conversations with coaches, teachers, or parents from your past?  And have you wondered why you remember those words?  Why do words, mere words, which have no form or substance, hold such power over us? 

            Words are symbols.  Their power lies in what they represent.  Words represent our thoughts, feelings, and ideas.  When we say a word, we are trying to communicate something from our soul.  That’s why words are such powerful symbols.  They are one window to the human soul.  The ancient Hebrews said words are so powerful, they’re like arrows.  Once released, they can’t ever be brought back.  

Enjoy! 

Morning Worship, 9/9/12

Do you remember that wonderful show CHEERS about a bar in Boston? You could probably sing along to theme song: "Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came!" As I read James, preaching about the importance of treating everyone equally, I wondered: What if the church was like that?




Enjoy!

PRESBY DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Isaac

Dear friends,

Seven years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf of Mexico, destroying homes, devastating the economy, and claiming the lives of many. Because of your generous gifts to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and One Great Hour of Sharing, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has truly been able to help these communities heal and rebuild from that disaster, as well as from the Gulf oil spill in 2010.

Now communities like Plaquemines Parish, profoundly impacted by both Katrina and the oil spill, are in great need once again as a result of Hurricane Isaac. We respond in faith and affirmation that God’s might is greater than any storm.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) stands ready to immediately respond to needs identified by mid councils in the affected areas. Trained National Response Team members are being deployed to provide a ministry of presence and help with assessments and other identified needs. Cleanup buckets and Gift of the Heart kits are being assembled for the cleanup and recovery process. Your generosity will make a big difference in the effectiveness of our response.

How You Can Help

We ask that you stand in the GAP for those who are being affected by this devastating storm:

GIVE. Isaac has both national and international impact; we ask that you prayerfully consider giving online to DR000148. You can give $10 now by texting PDA to 20222.

ACT. Volunteer work teams may be needed to help with cleanup efforts. Contact Eden at the PDA Call Center, (866) 732-6121, to let her know of your team’s skills and availability. You can also download and share this bulletin insert with others to inform them of the needs brought about by this situation.

PRAY. Please pray for those who have already been impacted by the storm and those who will face coastal and inland flooding. Pray for affected families and those who will help with emergency, relief, and recovery efforts. Pray that the hope of Christ will be evident in our response.

Read more about how PDA is responding and download a bulletin insert for use in Sunday services →

Morning Worship, 9/2/12

*Today's sermon was "visual" in that the narrative accompanied pictures projected for all of the congregation to see. Therefore, much will be "lost in translation" merely listening to the audio.

Truth be told, I feel sorry for those Pharisees.  Their name has become synonymous with the likes of all sorts of sorry souls.  Jesus himself called them every name in the book. He called them vipers, greedy and cruel, those who loved too conservatively,  those who loved too liberally, and  those had no sense of spiritual proportion.  Jesus called those Pharisees every name in the book during his ministry.  And we can understand why.




Enjoy!