Centerville First Presbyterian Church

05/21/2026

Common Ground is looking for air conditioning window units or standing units for those who cannot afford them as we enter the summer months. Please contact Jeremy McElvain if you are able to donate toward this mission.

05/14/2026

Something to Think About

Young people — especially those still in school — are always so concerned about what others think. They want to be popular — to "follow the crowd." And actually, older people are often just as consumed with trying to impress others — whether it's bragging with Facebook pics or touting their accomplishments. I've found that, as I've gotten older, the opinions of others have taken a much lower priority in my life. The Bible shows us we should put our focus on our relationship with God rather than with trying to follow what others are doing.

The prophet Joshua had the job of leading the ancient Israelites into the Promised Land. All around them were people who worshiped the Canaanite false gods and wanted the Israelites to do the same. And many of those Israelites wanted to "follow the crowd". Joshua told them:
15 "But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

We need to pray for our young people — that each of them has the backbone to follow God rather than the crowd. And, for those of us who are older, when our time comes and we're heading for our eternal life, may we each be able to say: As for me, I served the Lord, looked to Him for guidance, and tried to emulate Him during my earthly life.

Blessings to each of you — Jan

05/07/2026

Something to Think About

A job that's been hanging over my head for a long time is cleaning out my basement. Seems like "stuff" just multiplies down there! I came up with a plan to take one thing out of the basement each day and either pitch it or put it in my donate to charity box. Then I read that the average American home has 300,000 items in it. Let's see.... If I take one item out each day, I only have to live about 1000 more years and the house will be cleared out. Probably not my most practical plan.....

But it sounds like the Bible tells us that this method is actually a good way to do many things. In Zechariah 4:10, the Israelites were faced with the problem of rebuilding Jerusalem — the Temple and the city walls — and were feeling overwhelmed with the size of the job. Zechariah (speaking for God) told them: Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

So when we, like the ancient Israelites, are feeling overwhelmed by a job, let's follow Zechariah's advice and start getting a little bit done! Those small steps can lead to significant outcomes!

Blessings to each of you — Jan

Centerville First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church, Newton, IA
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
First Presbyterian Church of Oskaloosa, Iowa

04/11/2026

Something to Think About

I'd like to start today by telling you an old Chinese story. A man had a horse. The horse ran off. The man's neighbor said, "That's really bad luck." "Perhaps," said the man.

The horse came back — and brought with him a pack of wild horses — which multiplied the man's herd immensely. "What good luck!" said the neighbor. "Perhaps," said the man.

While trying to break one of the wild horses, the man's son fell from the horse and broke his leg. "Such bad luck," the neighbor said. "Perhaps," said the man.

Then a war broke out. The man's son didn't have to go to fight because of the broken leg. "What good luck!" said the neighbor. "Perhaps," said the man.

The message behind this story is that we really don't know what God is doing in our lives. Sometimes things that look good aren't. For example, how often have we heard of someone who wins the lottery but eventually goes bankrupt and says getting all that money was the worst thing that could have happened. More often, it's not unusual to hear of something bad happening to someone and it's a blessing in disguise.

Back in Genesis, there was a man named Joseph. His brothers sold him to slave traders and he was taken to Egypt as a slave. His life really had its ups and downs — slavery, time in prison -- but eventually Joseph ended up as the second highest official in Egypt. When a famine hit the Middle East, he was in a position to save Egypt from starvation. His brothers came to him (not knowing this Egyptian was their brother!) to ask to buy food. The whole story finally came out and, as Joseph told his brothers that he forgave them, he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)

Romans 8:28 — which is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible — tells us: We know that God makes all things work together for good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. Our lives will have ups and downs. We need to stay focused on God and watch to see how He takes those "downs" and uses them as blessings for us! And we should go to those who are in "down" periods in their lives, and let God use us to help convert those events into good in their lives.

Blessings to each of you — Jan
Centerville First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church of Oskaloosa, Iowa First Presbyterian Church, Newton, IA Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

03/30/2026

Spaghetti is on the menu for the Appanoose County Homeless Coalition Free Dinner tonight from 5pm - 6pm at First Presbyterian Church on Main & Maple. Spread the word to anyone in need of a hot meal and friendly conversation.

03/18/2026

There are events in our lives that don't seem desirable at the time, but turn out to be part of God's protection.

We were talking about a similar situation at Bible study last Sunday morning. David (not yet King) had gotten so tired of King Saul trying to kill him that he'd given up and gone over to live with the Philistines — Israel's long-long-time enemies. David became friends with one of the Philistine leaders, so the man enlisted David and his men as mercenaries in a war against Saul. However, when the other Philistine commanders saw David coming to be with them, they understandably objected, figuring that David was probably trying to get into their ranks to attack them from behind. After all, this was the guy who killed their hero, Goliath! The friendly Philistine leader had to send David and his men back to their wives and families. There's more to the story — read 1 Samuel 29 for "the rest of the story". The point that relates to our discussion today, though, is that David was upset that he couldn't take part in the war — after all, his "occupation" was essentially a warrior. But God arranged events so that David was protected against taking part in a fight against Israel that would have probably worked against him when the time came for him to become king of Israel.

There are many places in the Bible that speak of the protection God gives us:

As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. – 2 Samuel 22:31

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. – Psalm 34:7

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. – Psalm 91:4

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. – Psalm 34:19

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Isaiah 43:2

And some of this protection may not be obvious. We all go through tough times. But we may not realize that even those tough times may be a part of God protecting us from something even worse. Let's give thanks to God for His love and His protection — especially when we're not aware of it!

Blessings to each of you — Jan

02/26/2026

God has a special spot in His heart for foreigners. In Leviticus 19:34, it is written: The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 24:17 gets a little more specific: Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Sounds like someone was sure taking advantage of those who had no power back then! And still happens today, unfortunately....

The prophet Zechariah preached (in Zechariah 7:10) Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.

And this idea that we should be kind to foreigners is not just an Old Testament thing. In Hebrews 13:2 it is written: Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

We need to carry this one step further, though, and recognize that all of us are foreigners in this world. When I was growing up, we moved quite often, and I'd attended five different schools by the time I was in 6th grade. Academically I did fine, but I never quite felt like I fit in. (Part of this might be because I have a very tough time remembering faces until I know a person very well. I'd be a terrible witness to a crime — faces just don't stick in my brain.) When Bill and I moved from the Chicago area to southern Iowa, it was a big culture shock. I felt like a foreigner — and I have a feeling some of our new neighbors considered us city kids to be foreigners! And, to some extent, when I look back over my life, at times it almost doesn't seem totally real — more like a dream.

The Bible tells us why this is so.

Hebrews 13:14 explains: For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.

Paul phrased it somewhat differently in his letter to the Philippians: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20).

In other words, we'll never fully feel at home in a world where Satan has power. We shouldn't feel at home here. Paul tells us why: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) In this world, we're in combat against forces that don't want us to feel at home. As long as we live as servants of Jesus Christ, Satan will be trying to get us discouraged.

But the time will come when we'll go to our real home — and we'll no longer feel like foreigners. Paul described this time to those at Ephesus: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19) In the meantime, the best thing we can do is to be "ambassadors for Christ" (in the words of 2 Corinthians 5:20), bringing the love of Christ to those around us who need a light in this dark world.

Blessings to each of you — Jan

Centerville First Presbyterian Church
Heartland Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of Des Moines
First Presbyterian Church

02/14/2026

Prelude or Postlude?
What do you think?
https://youtube.com/shorts/JnqiBPOpmJA?si=n34Lm3Zw_R2YC1If

02/11/2026

Let's face it -- there are times when life doesn't go perfectly. But is that necessarily a bad thing? Jesus never promised us that life for Christians would go perfectly. In fact, He said the opposite in John 16:33 — that, in this life, we would have trouble. Just look at the disciples — only one (John) died a natural death — and it wasn't due to lack of effort on the part of his enemies! Paul wrote of his "thorn in the flesh" that constantly gave him pain. Once Adam and Eve blew it in the Garden of Eden, life on this earth became tough for everyone here.

We need to realize several things, though. First of all, those tough times don't last. The Bible promises us that things will get better. Peter wrote: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10) Psalm 30 tells us that weeping may tarry through the night, but joy comes with the morning. In the long run, all of our suffering is temporary since, for those of us who believe in Jesus, we're promised in Revelation 21:4 that there will be no pain or suffering in the life to come.

Second, when we're at our weakest, we tend to look to God the most. Paul wrote that Jesus told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Third, seeing others around us going through hard times gives us the opportunity to help them. Paul wrote to the Galatians: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) I think this is one way our tiny congregation really shines — it's so uplifting to see members of our church helping each other.

Last, when things aren't going well, I think it gives us appreciation for those times when we're really enjoying God's blessings. Since Bill passed away, I've missed him every day, yet it makes me really appreciate the 48 years we enjoyed together. Last spring and summer, my knee was giving me fits. Since it's healed, though, when I take Baka out, I frequently give God thanks that I can walk without pain. Without those painful months, I don't think I would have ever even thought about it. This morning, when I woke up, I was able to take a deep breath without coughing — and I gave thanks. Tough times give us the realization that, most of the time, we have so very much for which to be thankful.

We'll all have times when we're feeling low. At those times, let's take encouragement from the Bible that things will get better and that, as is promised in Romans 8:28, God will work everything out for good. Let's give thanks that He loves us so much!

Blessings to each of you — Jan
Centerville First Presbyterian Church
Janet Swaby
Heartland Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of Des Moines

02/05/2026

A reminder that spring is on the way!

Combined with the sunflowers, these coneflowers made a colorful bouquet.