Scottish Heritage Sunday – January 29, 2012

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Sunday, January 29, 2912, at 10:30 a.m. First Presbyterian Church celebrated our annual Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan Worship Service. We celebrated the Scottish heritage of our Presbyterian Church with Scottish music, bagpipes, banners, a beadle, and Scottish attire.  The beadle is a person who is of Scottish heritage and has the honor of bringing forward the Bible which is many times a family Bible.  In the Scottish church, the beadle brings in the Bible, opens it, and takes it out at the end of the service.

Following the worship service, in Knox Hall, was a Ceilidh or a Scottish “happening”. Shortbread, coffee and punch were served while the Scottish Society of Nebraska Country Dancers performed realistic Scottish dances.  The dancer are also dressed in realistic Scottish clothing.

All Scots were asked to bring a piece of their clan tartan to be blessed.  Whatever heritage, all were encouraged to wear something plaid.  It was  a fun time for all. This is a special time for our church, so if you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next year.  It is the fourth Sunday in January.  Come and be Scottish for two hours!

(In the picture above one sees the various tartans from congregation members of the church being blessed and honored.  Check the Photos on our Home page for more pictures of this event.)

Posted January 30, 2012, 7:16 pm | Comments Off 

SCOTTISH HERITAGE SUNDAY

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Posted January 23, 2012, 2:56 pm | Comments Off 

The 151st Annual Meeting of FPC Feb. 5

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The 151st  Annual Meeting of the Congregation of First Presbyterian Church will be held in Knox Fellowship Hall downstairs on Sunday, February 5, 2012. Lunch will be served at 12 noon and the meeting will begin at 12:45 p.m. Copies of the Annual Report will be available.  Reports will be received, officers elected, and Nominating Committee chosen.  All members are encouraged to attend.  Child care will be provided.

Posted January 2, 2012, 1:52 pm | Comments Off 

Janaury Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Happy Day After Christmas!

Last month Lori and I were invited to go to a Matthew West Christmas concert. On his Christmas Album, he has a spectacular song called Day After Christmas. In this song Matthew writes about the letdown that can occur after Christmas, after the presents are opened, the family has gone, and Christmas Dinner has been eaten. In his song he reminds us that even though Christmas is over, the Light of the World is still here in our world.

As you begin this new year of 2012, remember that Good News and great Joy that Jesus Christ is born, and lived, and remains in this world. Just because Christmas Day is over, doesn’t mean Christ’s presence is any different on this world then it was on December 24th. Just because your decorations are being put away does not mean we put the message of Christmas away until next winter. No, Jesus came that we might have life, and have it abundantly, it is a yearlong gift, a gift that should guide us in all that we do as Christians who place their trust in the Lord.

Did you know that the Christian church calendar begins with the 1st Sunday of Advent each year? This reminds us what our lives and our years are about. We begin our Church year, with the anticipation of the birth of a Messiah, and we move throughout the year anchored to that wonderful news. We are able to make it through the year, through the difficult times, through the joys, through the wonders, and through the fears, because we start our year with the birth of a child, a Messiah, who came that we might know love, and peace, and joy, and hope.

So even when Christmas is over, actually BECAUSE the birth of Christ occurred, the light of the world is still here. Let us join together this year celebrating the days the follow Christmas, all year long Let us celebrate together the change that the coming of our Lord has made in our lives.

In Him,

Pastor Jon

Posted January 1, 2012, 12:01 am | Comments Off