Thursday’s Synod School preacher, the Rev. Katie Styrt, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Milan, Illinois, calls John’s account of the wedding at Cana “the kind of miracle that doesn’t line up with good stewardship policies. I don’t know of any church recently that has given away 180 gallons of wine. That’s about 908 bottles. That’s not in anybody’s budget.” Read more »
July 25, 2024
An incredibly generous miracle
Thursday’s Synod School preacher, the Rev. Katie Styrt, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Milan, Illinois, calls John’s account of the wedding at Cana “the kind of miracle that doesn’t line up with good stewardship policies. I don’t know of any church recently that has given away 180 gallons of wine. That’s about 908 bottles. That’s not in anybody’s budget.” Read more »
One of the morning worship services at the 226th General Assembly focused on how greed affects our capacity to embody hope. Associate dean for the Graduate School of Theology, University of the Redlands, the Rev. Ruth T. West, took her inspiration from the Assembly’s theme, “Live into Hope,” and the similarly titled hymn’s (Glory to God, #772) verse: “Live into hope of captors freed of sight regained, the end of greed.” 
Picking up on his Wednesday theme of faith communities and mid councils “seeing beyond the standalone model of being church,” on Thursday Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall told the 540 or so people attending Synod School he’s talked to several attendees about how they’re “creatively using God’s resources to be a blessing beyond themselves.” 
Fifty people attended the 1001 New Worshiping Communities (1001 NWC) lunch at the Marriott’s Skylight Ballroom during this year’s General Assembly to gather and encourage church and mid council leaders to support new worshiping communities and their partnerships with existing churches and mid councils. 
In an ecclesiastical tribute — brimming over with affection, admiration, gratitude, tears, laughter and just the occasional touch of irreverence — the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, was joyfully celebrated for changing the denomination that shaped and changed him. 
After meeting in a retreat for two days ahead of the 226th General Assembly, members of the African American Mid Council Leaders (AAMCL) spoke with Presbyterian News Service about some of the challenges both African American congregations and pastor face moving forward. 
Although the love chapter of the Bible — 1 Corinthians 13 — has become so popular that portions of it are quoted on coffee mugs and embroidered pillows, it has a deeper meaning, one that is relevant to the evolving church of today.
So said the Rev. Jamie White, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City, as she gave a sermon, encouraging her congregation and guests from the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to think more deeply about love. 
Wasatch Presbyterian Church welcomed two busloads of Presbyterians from around the country to an inclusive and eclectic worship service during the PC(USA)’s General Assembly. From the prelude to the postlude, the vibe of vitality through variety thrummed through the sanctuary with classical organ, favorite hymns, a praise band and a small but mighty bell choir. The children’s choir was apparently on vacation for the long July 4 weekend, but the Boomer band was “rocking,” according to one commissioner. 
After two busloads of General Assembly visitors had completely filled the sanctuary of Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, responding with an enthusiastic — if perhaps louder than expected — “And also with you” to the pastor’s traditional greeting, all the Rev. Nathan Sautter could say was, “Wow.” 
A banner on the top awning of Community of Grace Presbyterian Church that reads “God is at work here and all are welcome” is more than just words for this faith community. It is the air they breathe, the smiles they give and their radical hospitality that make them who they are.