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As we find ourselves a few days into the Lenten season, we should remember the purpose of Lent, and what we believe concerning it. Lent is a time for spiritual growth and recommitment. We do not give something up as a sign of commitment or sacrifice, rather we give things up so that during the Lenten season we might replace them with endeavors worth of God.

Give up television? That’s great, but replace that time with time for prayer, or bible study, or devotionals.

Are you giving up a type of food? Every time you crave that taste, remind yourself of the one who provides that food, and of the fact that many around the world lack daily sustenance. Take the money you would have spent on that food, and give it to a program designed to stop hunger.

Giving up an unhealthy behavior? Modify that with a positive faithful activity, and each time you get the urge to snack, or smoke, or sip, or curse… replace the urge with a prayer to God.

Actually, for Lent you don’t even have to give something up. You could make your 2012 Lenten Journey one in which you draw nearer to God through Spiritual Disciplines such as:

o Daily Quiet Time with God (in the morning or evening)
o Daily Prayer
o Daily Devotionals
o Daily Bible Reading
o Fasting one day a week

These are just some of the ways you can draw nearer to God this Lenten season. Through an intentional walk and seeking out of God, you will find that your walk with the Lord is a bit more in step then it was, and you can more easily sense his will for you in your life.

In Him, Pastor Jon

Posted March 2, 2012, 11:32 am | Comments Off 

Posted February 27, 2012, 10:56 pm | Comments Off 

First Presbyterian Church held a wonderful Ash Wednesday Service on February 22. It began with dinner at 5:45 p.m. and then the church service at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is not required, but you do not want to miss our Lenten Wednesday night services.

The worship them is “2×2, bring a friend, neighbor, relative, and find out about Jesus’ emphasis on working together.”  Jesus wants us to celebrate in a community, and the themes for the following Wednesdays are as follows:

So, you’ll notice that our Lenten Series are Titled 2X2 and instead of emphasizing what we’re giving up, we’re emphasizing the Godly thing with which we are replacing.  So we have:

Ash Wednesday –  2X2 In COMMUNITY Repent from ISOLATION

February 29 –  2X2 In SERVICE Repent from APATHY

March 7 –  2X2 In GROWTH Repent from LAZINESS

March 14 – 2X2 In LEARNING Repent from IGNORANCE

March 21 –  2X2 In ACCEPTANCE Repent from JUDGMENT

March 28 – 2X2 In CARE & APPRECIATION Repent from ENVY

Christ very clearly stated that where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with you. So join us each Wednesday, make some new friends, and attend our Lenten services.  You won’t regret it.

Posted February 23, 2012, 3:33 pm | Comments Off 

On February 12, 2012, First Presbyterian Church took in six new member into our congregation. We are pleased to have Paige, Jeremy, Doug, Linda, Gloria, and Lee as new members.  Welcome, everyone!

If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, first visit our church and get to know some members of our congregation.  Visit with Pastor Jon or Pastor David about becoming a member.  You may want to participate in a Bible study group if you wish.  Get to know us, our worship service, and you will want to join us.  We frequently have New Member Sundays, so come and be a part of one of them.

Posted February 13, 2012, 9:42 am | Comments Off 

First Presbyterian Church honored our Boy Scout Troop, Troop 31 and our Girl Scout Troop, Troop 45664 on Sunday, February 12. The Boy Scout Troop brought in the Colors for our service, and led us in The Pledge of Allegiance.  Our church had Eagle Scouts present as well, and our minister, Pastor Jon, was one of them.

Troop 31 has been under continuous sponsorship of the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha, Nebraska since its original charter of April 6, 1917. Since that time, Troop 31 has produced a total of 117 Eagle Scouts!  Girl Scout Troop 45664 has been with us for many years as well.

The church gives each troop a check to help them with their troop needs.   It is an honor to support these troops as they grow into mature young adults.

Posted February 12, 2012, 9:15 pm | Comments Off 

In the January newsletter, I shared with you on the results of the Engagement items of the Gallup ME25 survey, comparing the results from May of 2010, with the results from the survey we completed in November of 2011. Those results showed that all of the engagement items increased. The engagement items listed last month have to do with how the survey respondents feel connected to First Presbyterian Church of Omaha.

In this month’s results comparisons on the Spiritual Commitment side of things, you will see that not all of those results increased, and a few even decreased. These have to do with how respondents feel connected to their spiritual side of their life. Even though the average score on two did decrease, we see spectacular growth when we compare these results to the results from 18 months ago. In both 2010 and 2011 the results were generally much higher than the national average, so the best we can compare to from that point on is to our own results in previous surveys.

The problem in all this, however, is if we look at results and feel satisfied. There is always an area to work on. These past 18 months a lot of focus has been made on spiritual growth, and as a result we say large increases in the survey results for questions in that area. Does that mean that we have reached a point where we can stop our quest for spiritual growth and a closer walk with Jesus Christ?  By no means!

The journey we are on needs constant striving, consistent seeking, and focused determination to be nearer to our Lord then we were the day before. It is only though recognizing that the journey never ends, that we can set our attitude to be one of searching for ways in which we can learn more about God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.

Should we celebrate our results? Absolutely! We have done great things, but now the question we must ask each other is, what are the next great things that God is calling us to do?

In Him, Pastor Jon

Posted February 2, 2012, 2:42 pm | Comments Off 

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 

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

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 

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 24^th. 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 1^st 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 

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