In the story of God, as we tell it, there is a barrier that exists between the Created world and its Creator. A wall. Sin, we say, separates us from God, and separation from God is unbearable. And our story goes on to say that God, seeing that we had no hope in ourselves of… Read more »
December 4, 2021
A Gift Opens Doors — Proverbs 18:16
In the story of God, as we tell it, there is a barrier that exists between the Created world and its Creator. A wall. Sin, we say, separates us from God, and separation from God is unbearable. And our story goes on to say that God, seeing that we had no hope in ourselves of… Read more »
By Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo The Church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life [from “The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity,” Book of Order- F-1.03] Gospel Lesson: Matthew 19:16–30 The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being a Matthew 25 church that is actively engaged… 
By the Rev. Susan Krummel I am not usually a fan of a pastor or someone in my position using themselves as a good example. If pastors tell a story from their lives in a sermon, I think it should be a story about how they learned something about their faith because of a failing… 
By Chris Roseland Over the past year amid a pandemic, protests and politics, I often heard many pastors, elders and mid council staff say that they are having a particularly hard time making ends meet. People aren’t giving the way they used to give. These churches and presbyteries are struggling to do more with less,… 
By Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo Jesus points to a widow who gives out of love. She did not seem embarrassed about a small gift, nor did it prevent her from giving. The Passover week was the time for the annual pilgrimage, and there were crowds going to the temple to bring their offerings. Amid this multitude there… 
Engaging the children of your congregation with the four General Assembly mandated churchwide Special Offerings has never been easier or more important. There are numerous ways children can connect with the Christmas Joy Offering. We have a number of resources available online to help you as you engage your young people. This year’s curriculum was… 
Ogden Memorial Presbyterian Church in Chatham, New Jersey, typically supports a Mission of the Month – ranging from food pantries to animal shelters to housing for domestic violence survivors – that receives a great response from its members. So when Pastor Kathi Heath suggested spending their summer focused on beekeeping in the Presbyterian Giving Catalog,…