From Your Pastor

To the First Presbyterian Church family,

We ended last month with celebrating Reformation Sunday and now we are beginning Advent, which emphasizes the coming of the Word - Jesus Christ (John 1:1) So let's go back to the sources! Namely, Scripture and its centrality in the life of the church. This was the rallying cry of the Reformation, and I hope we can use the upcoming liturgical year to reemphasize Scripture and its place in our worship services. I’ve talked about this in past correspondences but here are some links for more on church seasons and the Lectionary.

It’s the suggested scripture texts for each Sunday that especially stand out, as each morning’s readings can be united by a common theme (the hope theme of the 1st Sunday of Advent, the resurrection texts of Easter, etc.). There are usually 4 suggested texts – from Hebrew poetry (Psalms, Job, etc., often ideal for our Call to Worship), another O.T. text, a Gospel, and Epistle (letter by Paul, James, etc.). Starting Sunday, we make sure at least 3 scripture texts are read every morning. For Advent this is especially relevant for our candle lighting/readings. Over the next 4 Sundays and Christmas Eve each reading will actually be from the Isaiah passage from the day's lectionary. This is especially relevant for Advent - as this remarkable prophet has some of the strongest declarations of the forthcoming Messiah.

When it comes to my regular columns, this message may look familiar. Because this is the 3rd time we've done this and I've sent out similar messages in 2021 and 2023 about our upcoming series in the lectionary year. Moreover, there are 3 years worth of texts in the liturgical calendar (again see above links for more) and after this series we will have worked through the liturgical seasons for all of them. Of course, the point is not checking boxes but rather to remember that God’s Word to us is always central. And there is so much of scripture that is overlooked and we need to give it the chance to come into our lives yet again.

I plan to write about more exciting ministries and initiatives happening around here, but they can and should only happen if they are grounded in the Word of God. I hope every Sunday morning Scripture texts are reaching all of your hearts and touching them in ways above and beyond anything I preach about. The Holy Spirit is the great expositor of Scriptures after all. Of course, I am proud of this congregation that as a Reformed Church we have never lost sight of the Word, but nevertheless I’m hoping this renewed emphasis will continue to serve and challenge our hearts ever more.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

~Pastor Peter Martin