May Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Church Events, Pastor's Notes

May Day’s are upon us! In the life of the church, May is often a time when our church programs wrap up and take a break for the summer. By now, our Wednesday night downtown program has finished up for the school year, our youth groups are wrapping up, the choir is preparing to go on their summer break, and often session committees will take a month off.
Yet, even while some things wrap up, some great summer activities start. Right now Doug Walters, our Director of Christian Education, has a lot of missions on his mind. He is preparing for 2 youth mission trips (June 10-16 and June 24-28) as well as a Vacation Bible School (July 9-13).
We also have a mission opportunity available for anyone interested in being a part of the Schuyler Vacation Bible School (June 24-28). This is an established VBS that pretty routinely sees 125 or so youth from the Schuyler community return each year to learn about Jesus.
If Vacation Bible School doesn’t seem to be where you feel God has given you strengths, perhaps you are interested in being a part of our Habitat for Humanity Build with the Neighbor’s South Coalition (volunteers are needed each weekend starting June 15 through August 25).
Or maybe you would rather help our in our weekly Pantry food distribution on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. We have many people in need that are able to be helped through this great program.
See, even though some of our regular activities take a break for the summer, mission opportunities can fill some of the time freed up. These activities I mentioned are just some of the opportunities.
Do yourself a favor, and serve God in some capacity this summer. God is calling each of us to serve with the gifts, talents, strengths and abilities that He has given them. How will you respond?
In Him,
Pastor Jon

P.S. It may seem a bit early to be thinking of summer activities, but calendars fill up quickly, be sure to make time for the work God is calling you to do this summer!

Posted May 1, 2012, 6:49 am | Comments Off 

April Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

We now find ourselves nearing the end of our Lenten season.  Most likely you are receiving this newsletter just before Holy Week begins.

We are very excited about our Holy Week plans this year and believe our worship services will connect you with God in a unique wayl.  Palm Sunday, April 1, is also a communion Sunday this year, a time where we can celebrate both the triumpant entry into Jerusalem and the Lord’s Supper.  On Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m., we will once again offer A Living Picture of the Last Supper, and on Friday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m., we will have our Good Friday service focusing on the 7 last words of Christ.  We will gather together again on Easter morning to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and discuss what that means for each individual Christian around the world.

My hope and prayer is that you have used this Lenten season to draw nearer to your Lord through some of the Spiritual Disciplines I mentioned in the last newsletter (Quiet Time with God, Prayer, Devotionals, Scripture Reading and Fasting).

My hope is that you have found a deeper spirituality within yourself.  My prayer is that your knowledge of the Bible has increased through this season.  I have a suggestion for you:

Don’t let it end with Easter.

The Spiritual Disciplines that I have mentioned are not restricted to the season of Lent.  You can spend quiet time with God anytime.  You can talk to God in prayer anytime.  You can read the Bible for meaning anytime.  You can fast anytime.  It doesn’t have to just be between Ash Wednesday and Easter, make it part of your daily schedule to intentionally draw closer to God.

Pastor David and I would love to talk to you about spiritual disciplines you can maintain year round.  We have devotionals, study bibles, and reading plans that can help set up a spiritual discipline plan.

In Him, Pastor Jon

Posted April 1, 2012, 4:05 pm | Comments Off 

March Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

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 

February Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

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 

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 

December Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

The Advent Season is once again upon us as we prepare for the birth and coming of our Lord!  Each year it seems like Advent comes around sooner and sooner.  I was in a store the other day, early November, and I actually heard Christmas carols playing!  It’s hard to believe that we can already be finding ourselves in the Christmas season.  It is so difficult to feel prepared, isn’t it?

Take a deep breath this season, and remember why we celebrate it in the first place:  the Birth of our Lord, in Bethlehem, a place where there was literally no room for the Lord to be housed.  The people of the time had an excuse; they didn’t understand the significance of the baby being born that night.

But we do!

This is a season where we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.  Doesn’t it seem that if we are not feeling peace, due to the franticness of the season, that we might be missing an important part of it?

This is the season when we prepare ourselves for His coming, His presence with us here on earth.  If we are too busy to prepare, we might be missing something.

This is the season of hope, and joy, and  love, and peace.  By preparing our hearts and minds for the true reason behind the celebration, the birth of our Lord, we can hope to spread  hope, joy, love, and peace to the world, that they too might know the peace of Christ, the Joy of Salvation, the Love of God, and the Hope we have through our faith.  Help others this Christmas to know the true meaning of the season, and come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King!

In Him,

Pastor Jon

Posted December 4, 2011, 9:58 pm | Comments Off 

November Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Beginning in January of this year we have been sharing stewardship tips each month in our newsletter, and each week in the announcement section of our worship bulletin. These tips were submitted by the staff of the church in the hopes of helping all of us maintain an attitude of thankfulness and recognition of all that God has given to us.

We have looked at five categories each month: Time, Talents, Treasures, Body, and Earth. Each of these areas represent resources that God has loaned to us in one way or another.  By practicing stewardship throughout the year we seek to recognize the gifts we have received from Him.

The month of November is typically the month when churches have Stewardship Sunday, a time when members are called to examine what they currently are doing in terms of the stewardship of God’s resources. Church members are called to regularly evaluate whether they will be increasing their commitment to support the church with their time, talents or treasures.

Unfortunately, the side effect of a November stewardship drive is that often churches don’t talk about stewardship during the rest of the year. However, we are always called to return thanks to God, to think about the blessings we have received, and to give a portion of those blessings back to the Lord in the form of tithes and offerings.

This is one reason that the staff has written up stewardship tips, to help us have a weekly and monthly emphasis on various ways we can improve our stewardship of our time, talents, treasures, bodies, and the earth. The hope is that through these attempts we have helped to keep an emphasis on all we have received from God at the very forefront of our minds.

It is my prayer that as we approach Stewardship Sunday this year you will prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do in response to the blessings you have received from him.

In Him,
Pastor Jon

Posted November 1, 2011, 12:00 am | Comments Off 

October Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

The Season Changes

I am writing this in Mid-September and we already hit a cold evening last night when the lows hit the upper 40’s.  In the middle of September!  We already are starting to see summer in the rear view mirror and need to think about getting ready for the Autumn and Winter months.

We also have seasonal changes in our lives and the life of the church.  Over the course of this week we have seen:

  • Several church members who have been called home to be with their Lord
  • I have been setting up premarital counseling plans with members who will be getting married.
  • Last night we started up our Wednesday Night Downtown ministry after taking a break over the summer and we were stunned by how many came to join us!
  • David and I have been visiting three members who are healing following surgical procedures.
  • The Pantry distribution time has changed to better address the needs of those who use it
  • Our Church fielded a large corps of volunteers to hand out flags at the 9/11 concert at Turner Park

It seems Heraclitus of Ephesus almost had it right when he said, “The only constant in life is change.” We of course know that this Greek Philosopher didn’t have the benefit of knowing of another constant, regardless of the season of our lives that we find ourselves in: The love that God has for his church and the people of the church.  That is how we know we can turn to God in times of sadness and grief, in times of needed healing, in times of starting new life together, in times of service to the people around us.  God loves each of us, and the minute we call on him as seasons change in our lives, he will be there, just as he always is, to join you in whatever you are facing or celebrating in life.

In Him, Pastor Jon

Posted October 1, 2011, 12:01 am | Comments Off 

September Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Step Out and Serve:  Everyday

On August 21st, a number of friends and members of First Presbyterian Church participated with other churches in Omaha, joining them in the “Step Out and Serve”event.  Following the Presbyterian Women Mission Luncheon, the group split up and headed to three different mission sites, working at a Habitat for Humanity House, fixing up the location of  the new Park Avenue Community Center (at 29th and Leavenworth), and preparing bags in our own Pantry preparing for our weekly distribution on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.

These were great opportunities for us to get out on Sunday afternoon and serve the community in a variety of ways, but this was just one day.  We have a mission to serve in all of our capacity, each day of our lives.  This one day was a great start, but shouldn’t we be looking at ways we can step out and serve each and every day of our lives?

What are some programs, or missions that you can participate in to share the love of Christ to the world?  These should be things you are already interested in.  If you like gardening, there are many places that would love to have you help them look more beautiful.  If you love cooking, several programs feed people and need people to cook for them.  If your talent is in relationships, there are many ministries which would love people to come and spend time with their members.  Regardless of what strengths and talents God has created you to have, there are ministries which would love to have someone exactly like you to work with, exactly as you are!

God created us with unique gifts and abilities, each day we can be seeking to use those God-given gifts to share the gospel with the world though our mission outreach, where will you serve today?

In Him,
Pastor Jon

Posted September 1, 2011, 12:48 am | Comments Off 

August Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Step Out and Serve: August 21

This month First Presbyterian Church of Omaha will be joining churches across the city as we Step Out and Serve after worship and the PW Mission Lunch on August 21st. Throughout the month of August, leading up to the 21st, we will be asking people to sign up to take part in one of the service projects we are participating in, so that we can get T-Shirts ordered, and brown bag lunches for the people who are unable to be seated at the PW Lunch due to overflow conditions.

We will have several mission sites here in Omaha that will hopefully allow anyone to serve in some capacity on that Sunday. We have some ideas we are still finalizing, but one of the options will certainly be working in our own pantry, for those of you who cannot be out in the warm late summer sun.

It is less important where we are serving, as opposed to THAT we are serving. We are called in Matthew 25 to reach out to all who have need, as if it were Jesus Christ himself who we are working with. This is a commission that we must take seriously, a commission to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that all too often has only seen the hands and feet of a disinterested society.

Come and join us as we serve our neighbors and our city in sharing the joyous faith that each of us has come to know makes a huge difference in our lives. Step out and Serve on August 21st, and on many other days as well, and be the physical way that Christ shows his love to a people that desperately need to know that ‘someone’ out there cares about them.

In Him,

Pastor Jon
P.S. Perhaps you cannot be with us on August 21st. Consider joining us as we serve a meal at Neighbors United on Saturday, August 13th. If you are able to help, please call the church office and we will put you in touch with our coordinator for that meal.

Posted August 1, 2011, 12:01 am | Comments Off 

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