February Note from Pastor Jon

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Do you have Joy?

                        When I offered up the Benediction last Sunday, January 18th,  at the end of our worship service, I prefaced it by saying, “there is no better place to be, then walking in the path that God has chosen for you in your life.”  This was following a sermon regarding how to seek out our individual calls and how to begin finding the vocation that come from God has issued to us.

            Call and vocation are not necessarily the same thing though.  You may be called to a particular ministry, while your vocation may have no direct correlation to ministry (except how you carry yourself while at work).  Answering the call from God to be serving in the ministry that He has given you specific strengths, talents and abilities, results in joy, happiness and fulfillment in our lives.  If you are not experiencing this day-in, day-out joy, perhaps it is worth taking a look at how you are answering God’s call to you.

            We can help you to discover your strengths and call from God.  We have a number of ways that we can help you to discover your gifts, ascertain your strengths, and hone in on your talents, that you may serve the Lord to the best of the abilities that He has given you.  If you are interested in developing your gifts and finding your strengths, please come and talk to me about your interest, and we can decide which method/resource best fits your situation.             

            There truly is no better place to be, then walking the path God has set before you.  God does not call those whom He equips, rather He equips those whom He has called.  How are you being called today?                                                          

                                                                                                              In His Name,   Pastor Jon

Posted January 30, 2009, 10:04 pm | Comments Off 

Protected: Discussion of the Charter for the Long Range Vision Committee

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Posted January 15, 2009, 11:47 pm | Enter your password to view comments 

Scottish Heritage Sunday – January 25, 2009

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One doesn’t have to be Scottish to celebrate Scottish Heritage Sunday.   This is the time, though, where our church will celebrate its Scottish Heritage.  We will celebrate with Scottish music, bagpipes, yes, real bagpipes, banners, a beadle (someone who carries the family Bible to the front of the church), and Scottish attire.  The service begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2009.   All Scots are asked to bring a piece of their clan tartan to be blessed.  This is called “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan.”

Following the service will be a Ceilidh (a Scottish happening) with homemade shortbread  and the Scottish Country Dancers.  They will be in full dress and this will be held in Knox Hall.

Whatever your heritage, however, everyone is encouraged to wear something plaid.  Also please bring your Scottish friends. This is a really fun Sunday!   See you January 25!

Posted January 10, 2009, 5:58 pm | Comments Off 

148th Annual Meeting – February 1, 2009

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The 148th Annual Meeting of the Congregation of First Presbyterian Church will be held in Knox Fellowship Hall February 1, 2009.  Church services are 10:30 a.m., lunch, 11:30 a.m., and the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

Copies of the Annual Report will be available.  Reports will be received, officers elected, and a Nominating Committee chosen.  All members are encouraged to attend.  Child care will be provided.

Posted January 9, 2009, 6:32 pm | Comments Off 

Services for Harold Olsen

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Services for Harold Olsen, who passed away at his home on Wednesday, will be held at First Presbyterian Chuch at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2009. 

Visitation is Friday, January 9th from 6-8pm at Cutler Funeral Home in Council Bluffs

Posted January 8, 2009, 1:16 pm | Comments Off 

January Note from Pastor Jon

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

As I sit in my office, I can gaze out at the snow from earlier this week, even as we anticipate more snow tonight.  It is a remarkably peaceful and quiet world outside as I look through the window as the temperature drops and the light snow flurries continue through the day.

            I am struck by how much can change with such a decidedly simple act of nature, as the snowfall covers all of the marks of the construction project to the South of the church. and that leads me to think about how repentance and asking God for forgiveness can lead us to appear as  pure as newfallen snow in the eyes of God, through the act of our Lord upon the cross. 

            We are now between our two most significant Church holidays, both of which tell of this forgiveness.  Having waited and watched through Advent, we just celebrated Christmas, the coming of our Lord here on earth to live among us, to teach us, and to die for us.  In a few months we will celebrate Easter, when we are reminded that not even death was  powerful enough to stop God’s salvation plan.  It is through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that we can be assured that sin and death are conquered forever.  It is through the resurrection we discover that when confess to the Lord, we are forever more a forgiven people.

            I invite you to start off the new year of 2009 with this in mind.  Remember that all that we confess is forgiven through Jesus Christ.  All of our sins are forgiven and truly forgotten.  Confess to the Lord, receive his forgiveness and then go forth and live a life as pure as snow in His eyes,

               In His Name,     Pastor Jon

Posted January 4, 2009, 8:31 pm | Comments Off