Responding to God in Faithfulness
Mother’s Day
This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. The sermon series, “Faces Around the Cross” will continue with a sermon on “The Mother of Jesus.” An old Scottish proverb declares, “God could not be everywhere so God made mothers.” God is everywhere, but God makes God’s presence felt through our mothers, over and over again. On Sunday we celebrate all that our mothers have meant to us.
There are two additional sermons left in the “Faces Around the Cross Series.” One entitled, “The Unseen Presence,” and one more entitled, “Were You There?”
For the summer, Pastor Green has plans for a new series about “The Power of Habit.” William James said that 40 percent of all we do is based upon habit. We can use this knowledge to our advantage. This promises to be a very different, but hopefully important series.
A tip of the hat goes out to Pastor John Rights for stepping in last Sunday. Pastor Green had an acute sinus infection with a fever, and is being treated with antibiotics.
Youth Sunday!
This Sunday, April 29th, is Youth Sunday. Our youth will take complete charge of both services. In some churches this is cause for plummeting attendance. Not so, here at New Philadelphia. In past years our attendance has climbed on Youth Sunday because of this extraordinary opportunity to hear from the future of the church. I say, “the church,” not just “our church,” because the reality is that many of our youth, once they have completed their education, end up living in other cities, and become active in other churches and denominations. This is o.k. We believe we have sent some extraordinary young people out into the world, the vast majority of whom are actively serving their Lord and actively seeking to build the kingdom of God. Our speaker Sunday is Addison Cheek. There will be some very special music. Please come out and join us. The Pastor
Faces Around the Cross: 6 of 9
The Beloved Disciple
Worth Green, Th.M., D.Min.
This morning, I want to talk about the “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” also known as “the Beloved Disciple.” This reference appears only in the 4th Gospel, and it appears only four times in three incidents. (See Footnote 1) The thee specific references to the Beloved Disciple vary greatly in tone.
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Lent, Holy Week and Easter
We wish to thank everyone who made Lent, Holy Week and Easter such a special season here at New Philadelphia. This would include our speakers during Lent, those who prepared the meals and cleaned up, those Acolytes who prepared the Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, the Choirs, the Band, the Bells of Joy, the Ushers, the Women’s Fellowship for Dave’s reception, Paula Midkiff for her organizational work throughout the season, and many more who must go unmentioned. That said, we absolutely have to mention Hoyle Koontz who filmed and prepared the presentations of the Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews and the Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse. These talks are very interesting. You may view them here. Those will fast connections can view them full screen. The photography of the Bells of Joy processing on Easter Sunday is by Bill Ray III. A gallery is online at here. Thanks to All!
Saying, “God Speed!”
On Sunday we will have an opportunity to say, “God Speed,” to David, Lee, and young David. As you know, David has accepted the call to Christ Moravian Church in Winston-Salem. There will be a reception for the Marcus family in the Banquet Room of the New Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School Hour. Drop-by, enjoy some refreshments, and greet them before going on to Sunday School.
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Responding to God in Faithfulness
Our gospel lesson from Matthew is one of my favorite passages in all the New Testament. This is a story we are all familiar with of the disciple Peter walking on water to Jesus guided by his faith and trust. However, as Peter became afraid and forgot his focus, he began to sink. There are two levels in our gospel lesson today that we could examine. In one level we see Jesus calm the storm. Jesus is the one who brings peace to those who battle storms in their lives. The other level is one where we see Jesus as the one who offers power. Jesus is the one who calls his followers to come and follow him, to respond to his call in faithfulness. For those who are willing to step out from the safety of their boats, Jesus is there to offer his love and support.
