July Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Independent? Not so much.

This month we will be celebrating Independence Day on Monday, July 4th.  While most of Omaha is going to be lighting up the grill, having people over, and probably lighting off a lot of fireworks, we should take pause to think about who we should recognize that we still are dependent upon, and what our independence allows us to do.

We celebrate this July 4th because we are recognizing the independence we have of a country ruling over us, taxing us, and making decisions that affect us without seeking our representative comments.  Another significant aspect of what we celebrate on Independence Day is independence from the Church of England.  We are free to worship God in our own method, without oversight from a particular church or country.

Over the years, this eventually became what we know as freedom of religion, the ability to worship the God in a way that is meaningful to us.  To some this means choosing not to worship or believe in an Almighty maker, but that really is quite a departure from the original idea of independence regarding HOW we worship God, not even broaching the question of IF we worship God.

We, as Americans, love the fact that we are independent of a ruler or set of laws telling us how to worship, but we must continue to accept the basic understanding of the level of dependence we have on God as our creator, Jesus Christ our redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as our sustainer.  It is through God that we exist, through God that we survive, and through God that we can seek to change the world for the better.  Join me this month, and every month as we celebrate the dependence we have upon God as our creator, our provider, our nurturer, our helper, our comforter, our champion, and our sustainer!

In Him,  Pastor Jon

Posted July 1, 2011, 10:02 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 

May Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Spring Is Here!

This past Saturday I spent some time cleaning up my lawn.  Before I got too far into it though, I sharpened my lawn mower blades, checked the oil, added fresh gasoline, and put air in the tires of the mower.  Had I not done these things, obviously the lawn mower would not have worked the way it was intended.  In fact, I could do more damage to the lawn!

The same is true of our faith, if we are not constantly maintaining our tools and sharpening our understandings, we risk being ineffective, or even damaging to our faith.  How can we sharpen those tools?

Worship – We are called as Christians to be together and worship.  If we are not regularly gathering to praise our Savior, then we risk not fully acknowledging where our blessings come from, and where our help is to be found in a time of crisis.
Study – We also know that we learn when we can bounce ideas around and talk about them as a group.  Are you part of a study group?  If not you are missing out on a valuable learning opportunity in which you can be a part of a group that talks about the meaning of our faith, and what it means to be faithful in today’s world.
Prayer – As Christians, we are called to be in an attitude of prayer all the time.  Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing.  Are you maintaining an attitude of prayer in all that you do?  It is difficult!
Service – The Christian life is more than just thinking like a Christian, it involves our body as well.  How are you serving, to spread the message of Christ’s love to the world?
Fellowship – Christian fellowship is also a part of building up the body of Christ.  We have many wonderful fellowship opportunities at the church:  Mariners, mission projects, youth groups, studies, committee membership, as well as many other activities in the church exist to help build fellowship, and in some cases combine Worship, Study, Prayer or Service with a Fellowship activity.

Focusing on these five categories of living your faith can help you to maintain a sharp faith that is effective and healthy as you live your life for the Lord!

In Him,
Pastor Jon

Posted May 1, 2011, 12:05 am | Comments Off 

April Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

            A few weeks ago I began a sermon series on the names by which we know God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Think about what it means to be named.  Nicknames tell us about a person, and the Old Testament and New Testament people were able to identify that which they believed, through naming their God.  God was identified early in our history as “I Am”, and Jesus as “God with us”, while the Holy Spirit is known as “helper”.  These are just three of the names by which we know our God.  There are so many other names by which God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit can be known to us, names which can have meaning to us as we seek to understand our faith.

            The most important name we might know right now is that of “Savior”.   Jesus Christ IS our savior.  He was born as one of us, lived as one of us, was tempted as one of us, suffered as one of us, and died like one of us.  Anyone can do that, but only a Savior keeps the story moving, and does what we humans could never do: Resurrection!  Only a savior does what humans never could, bridge the gap between humanity and heaven, beating Sin and Death in the process. 

            Thank about this for a moment:

The conquering of Sin and Death by a human?  Impossible.  
The conquering of Sin and Death by a Savior…. Now, that changes things. 

            All is changed through Jesus Christ and his death, and more important, resurrection after the grave.  In believing this message, we find an Easter Hope like we could NEVER know without our Lord, and our Savior, whose everlasting life we celebrate this Easter, 2011.  Find the Easter Hope that is waiting for you, and then share that hope with others this Easter.

In Him,       Pastor Jon

Posted April 1, 2011, 10:54 am | Comments Off 

March Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

40 Days of Lent

         On Ash Wednesday, March 9th, we begin the 2011 Lenten Season. Lent, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter, is traditionally viewed as a time when Christians focus on their Spiritual Disciplines. Similar to how Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for his ministry, we are called to spend these 40 days each year, renewing and strengthening our Spiritual practices.
          When we look at Spiritual Growth, it sometimes may feel difficult to wrap our minds around, but Spiritual Growth is really simple to define: Spiritual Growth is anything that draws you nearer to God. Prayer, Fasting, Worship, Scriptural Study alone or in a group, Sunday School Class, writing or reading a daily devotion, personal reflection on God, Singing to the Lord, as well as many other things, all can lead us to a closer walk with God.
          The joy of being a Christian is that we are promised we will never be alone. Hebrew 5: 5-6 tells us:
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
          The purpose of our work on Spiritual Disciplines during this time of Lent, is to help us recognize the presence of God in our lives through Jesus Christ and to identify the presence of the Holy Spirit as we seek to go about our lives as the Hands and Feet of Christ in the world.
          Knowing that we are promised that we will not be left or forsaken by Christ once we receive him, we are assured of a love that will not let us go, a love that suffered and died for us at the end of this Lenten Journey. We also know of the joy that comes after his death, for his love was so strong that even Death could not defeat it.
           Join me this lent in seeking to know more about this love for us, shown in the person of Jesus Christ.
                                                       In Him, Pastor Jon

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

February Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

These last few weeks I have been focusing on what some of the great leaders in the history of Christianity have had in common.  Beginning with the 3 Wise Men, and looking at Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Knox and Billy Sunday, I see an ongoing theme of 5 things that Christian Leaders have:

  •          Truth-seekers
  •           Face Obstacles and Persevere
  •           Have a vision
  •           A part of a community
  •           Make their task a central purpose of their life.

 When you look at this list there is only one outside factor that contributes to this list of Christian Leadership traits, and that is being a part of a community.  The others, truth seeking, perseverance, visioning, purpose, those are internal characteristics that we either have, or we do not…. But community, community is an outside factor that affects how well we might succeed in our mission.

Are you a part of a community that can help you succeed in what God is calling you to do?  I would like to think that you know you are welcome at First Presbyterian Church, welcome to be a part of our community, which is seeking to answer God’s call to each of us, both individually and corporately.  All it takes is one step, talking to someone about what your vision is, finding someone who has the same interest, call, or vocation, and establishing a team based ministry, where each person helps the others, and all find their tasks at hand to be stronger, better and more enjoyable.

Come and find your community here at the church, come and fulfill your mission, come and be a part of something far greater than could ever be accomplished alone.  Come, and be a part of what God is doing in the city of Omaha and the world!

In Him,
                                                Pastor Jon

Posted January 31, 2011, 8:33 pm | Comments Off 

January Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Happy New Year!

      Welcome to 2011!  As we look with fondness of the year that was 2010, we look forward to a new year, a new start for our lives.  This is the time that we make promises of things we will change, things we will being doing, or stop doing as we begin the next year.
     In my sermon of Loyalty Sunday, November 19, 2010, I challenged each person present to consider their own personal stewardship, which can be broken down into 5 areas.  Over the next year, how do you plan to give back to God of what He has given us:  Time, Talents, Treasures, our Body, and the Earth?
     Stewardship of Time: In the sight of God, who gives life to everything (1 Timothy 6:13) How will you give back to God of the time he gives us?  Each breath we take, each heartbeat, each minute we live is given by God, in what way can you give a portion of that back?
     Stewardship of Talents: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139: 13)  God gives each of us unique abilities, spiritual gifts, talents, and strengths.  How can you, being exactly who God made you to be, use those things that make you who you are, to serve God?
     Stewardship of Treasures: God gave us “riches and wealth and gives power to eat of it, to receive our heritage and rejoice in our labor – this is the gift of God  (Ecclesiastes 5:19) Everything we thing we possess is really God’s, on loan to us.  Scripture calls for us to give back to God a portion of these (a tithe), out of thankfulness and celebration.  What are you giving to God this year?
     Stewardship of our Body: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; (1 Corinthians 6:19)What sort of shape is your temple in?  What can you do this year to make that temple clean and sparkling, unblemished and appropriate for the Holy to dwell within?
     Stewardship of Earth: To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Exodus 10:14).  How are we treating that which belongs to the Lord?  What can you do to reduce, reuse, and recycle the creation so that we can be good stewards of that which God has given us?
     In Him,
                                                Pastor Jon

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

December Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

     As I write this, it is Veteran’s Day… early November, and already here I am writing what can only be described as my Advent and Christmas Newsletter article.  I was driving around between meetings yesterday and noticed an outdoor shopping mall near 72nd and Center already putting up their Christmas Decorations. 

     We have had discussions this week at the church about how it seems like Christmas is being thought about earlier and earlier each year by the establishments, and sadly shook our heads… but there is another side to this, that perhaps might make it a bit more palatable to my fellow Christians in the faith.

            Advent is a time when we are to be waiting… waiting for the birth of our Lord, and waiting for His anticipated return.  We are to be in a state of heightened readiness, remembering what it was like to be waiting for Jesus’ birth, over 2000 years ago, and waiting, ready for his return which could be tonight, next year, ten years from now or even thousands of years from now.

            In that light…. It doesn’t quite seem so wrong to be waiting for Christmas in early November.  I remember one time my Mother came to visit years ago and I had not taken my Artificial Christmas Tree down.  I explained to her (thinking fast) that it was symbolic of the constant state of waiting for the birth and return of our Lord, and that the evergreen was green year round.  (It didn’t work).

            Now, while I was using that as an excuse, the base argument is valid.  We are to be ALWAYS waiting, ALWAYS watching, ALWAYS ready, anticipating our Lord.  So when you notice what seems to be the commercialization creeping in on Christmas, use that as a way to remind yourself of that state of waiting we are each called to. 

May Christ be a real presence in your homes this Season as you anticipate His birth!

In Him,
                                               Pastor Jon

Posted December 4, 2010, 9:02 pm | Comments Off 

November Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

             These last few months we have been looking at the Be-Attitudes, the Attitudes surrounding being a Christian and living in the secular world:

  • Gifts – Recognizing the gifts we have that come in many forms from God, and being generous by recognizing that God is the originator of all things
  • Service – Recognizing that Jesus Christ shows us the ultimate attitude of what our service is to be like.
  • Thankfulness – Recognizing that thankfulness and gratitude are appropriate responses to the gift of grace and salvation we have through Jesus Christ.
  • Perseverance – Recognizing, as Pastor David preached, that Perseverance plus Prayer equals Transformation.
  • Learning – Recognizing that our learning about our faith never ends, that our spiritual journey continues as we seek to grow closer to God.
  • Reformation – Recognizing that being in a reformed faith, we are constantly seeking to be reformed and transformed in our lives.
  • Love – Recognizing that Love for each other as fellow Christians is the response we are to have as a result of the Love we have been shown by God through Jesus Christ.
  • Diligence – Pastor David helps us recognize that combining each of these attitudes and adding in Diligence, we tap the unstoppable force that is the Power of God!
  • Stewardship – Recognizing that we give thanks to God by giving back out of the plentiful bounty that we have received from Him.

What attitude, and Be-Attitude is being seen in each of us as we go about our life in the world?  Is it an attitude of Service, or Thankfulness, or Love, or Perseverance, or any of those listed above?  Or is it perhaps a different attitude that we would not want to see written up on the front page of our newsletter?  Our Attitudes make an immense difference in how the world views our faith and those who follow Christ… what attitude are YOU reflecting?

In Him,
      Pastor Jon

Posted November 11, 2010, 4:21 pm | Comments Off 

October Pastor’s Manna

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

Your personnel committee has been busy at work interviewing candidates to fill our open positions of Director of Music and Financial Administrator.  They also have hired a part time office assistant as well.  Please join me in welcoming the  three newest staff members at First Presbyterian Church!

Lacie Boehme:  Lacie is our new Financial Administrator here at the church.  She started with us in the last full week of September and looks forward to handling all financial aspects of the church.  She comes to us with experience in Payroll, bookkeeping, insurance, human resources, and charity financial administration.

Phil Franco:  That pleasant voice when you call in the afternoon is our very own Phil Franco.   Phil, who has previously served as a front office volunteer, and has helped cover when the office was empty, is now on our staff, regularly working in the afternoons as receptionist and helps with general office duties as well.

Timothy Houfek:   Tim is our new Director of Music.  He starts with us on October 15th, when he concludes his service to Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church.  Tim grew up Presbyterian, and has experience in Traditional Music, Praise Music and Children’s Music.  He has served churches in Wahoo, Omaha, and Elkhorn, and has served as adjunct instructor of Voice and Choirs with Park College, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum.  He also is a private instructor of Voice and Piano.

All three of these persons are excited to be working at the church and look forward to helping the ministry of First Presbyterian Church flourish in Omaha, and the world!  Please welcome them as they begin their time with us!

In Him,
                                    Pastor Jon

Posted November 11, 2010, 4:20 pm | Comments Off 

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