“Hometown Nazareth” a Great Learning Experience!

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First Presbyterian Church had Vacation Bible School June 20-24.  At that time the boys and girls learned about Jesus in the program titled “Hometown Nazareth.”  This program provided the youngsters the opportunity to learn about Jesus as a boy.  The boys and girls were able to go to the various shops that Jesus would go to, such as Synagogue, the Carpentry Shop, the Dye Shop, the Olive Oil shop, the Farmer’s Market, and many more.  As one can tell from the picture, the boys and girls also were taught songs about Jesus and also acted them out.  They then presented the songs to their parents at a picnic on Friday as a culminating activity and again presented the songs during Worship on Sunday.  As one looks at the “Photo” page located at the top of our website homepage, one can see the various activities done in each of the shops.  The boys and girls also learned a Bible verse each day and also visited Mary’s house.  They saw Mary’s reaction as she learned she was expecting the Son of God, and had a neighbor who had a difficult time believing Jesus was so special.  By the end of the study at the end of the week, the neighbor was a strong BELIEVER.  Everyone, youngsters and adults, had a great time with Vacation Bible School.  This is an opportunity to learn a lot about a section of the Bible in a short time.  Watch our calendar for next year’s Vacation Bible School.  It is something you don’t want your child to miss.  Please contact our church for information about attending regular Sunday School, which will begin August 28.

Posted June 27, 2011, 7:58 pm | Comments Off 

VBS Visits Nazareth to Learn About Jesus!

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First Presbyterian Church is holding Vacation Bible School June 20 through June 24. The boys and girls are studying the life of Jesus by visiting Nazareth! Would you believe that in visiting this important town, one has the opportunity to visit all of the important places a town would hold.  There is Synagogue School, where the boys and girls learn to spell their name in Hebrew. There is also a Carpentry shop, where the youngsters make from wood things that are necessary to live.  The Food Market allows time for treats as well as a chance to see the types of food available to the Nazarenes and Jesus.  The village also provides an Olive Oil Shop and a Farmer’s Field.  New Bible verses are learned each day as well as songs to go along with the Bible verse. Come one, come all to VBS.  It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon. It is for students between kindergarten and grade 5. See the website’s “Photos” for more pictures of our Bible School!

Posted June 20, 2011, 10:46 pm | Comments Off 

June Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

One of those days!

Some of you who have linked up with me on Facebook may be aware that a few days ago I was in a vehicle accident near Clarkson Hospital. I wasn’t just in an accident; I was stopped, at a red light, and rear-ended. Now, I wasn’t just rear-ended, but I was rear-ended by a driver who was likely texting while driving. Not only was the driver texting while driving, the driver also didn’t have insurance. On top of all this, the driver was hysterical while we were waiting for the police to come (I’ll give this one to them, they had an excellent reason to be nervous while waiting for our police department, due to their definite responsibility for causing the accident).

As you can imagine, I had many things I wanted to say to this driver, and I had a specific tone of voice I would have used. In my head, I was justifiably angry that such a self-centered act of driving without insurance, and of texting while driving, was going to result in a monetary and time inconvenience for me.

Here is the kicker……

I had the opportunity to witness to these people (and all the onlookers) how a Christian is called to treat people… you see, I was wearing a lightblue polo shirt that said “First Presbyterian Church, Omaha” on the front of it. Let me tell you, when you are wearing a shirt that proclaims your affiliation with a ministry of Jesus Christ, it affects the way you act and re-act to what is happening.

That is one of the reasons we have our Logo on shirts for people to wear, for the witnessing opportunities. Normally we think of these as witness possibilities when we talk to people and help them, but they also provide an enormous possibility to witness to people when we are reacting to the ugly things in life. I have to tell you, regardless of how I felt about the accident, I am so glad I was wearing that polo shirt!
In Him,
Pastor Jon

Posted June 1, 2011, 1:57 am | Comments Off