Ogden Presbyterian

03/30/2021

In many ways Jesus was very clear about his mission, particularly in Luke’s gospel (https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=453256550). Even as “Lord of All,” being a servant was core to who he was. Before he goes to the cross he tries to instruct his friends about this:

Luke 22:24-30
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus tells us here “I am among you as one who serves.” So, if we are his disciples, and we are to be like him, how does this statement form our hearts, and inform our daily lives? Perhaps this week you can consider whom God is calling you to serve this week – and follow up on that.

Tedd

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is up...

03/29/2021

This week I will be sending out scriptures daily chronicling Jesus throughout Holy Week (yes, that is a lot of emails in your Inbox this week. I understand and appreciate your patience). Since each gospel is a little different, this is not an exact science. Feel free to check out the scriptures listed in parentheses for alternative readings.

Here is what happened on the day after Palm Sunday. After a good Sunday night rest, Jesus heads back to his dad’s house, and is not pleased:

Mark 11:15-19 (see also Matthew 21:12-23; Luke 19:41-48)
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; 16 and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”?
But you have made it a den of robbers.’
18 And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. 19 And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples* went out of the city.

What was the Temple really for? Why was Jesus so upset? How do you see this scene with the Holy Week ‘eyes of love’? Jesus took the Temple so seriously because it was his father’s house – where God’s presence and glory (shekinah) lived. It was where the Light emanated from. He was willing to clean it up and correct things, even at the risk of upsetting the current leaders (verse 18). He was unwaveringly committed to his faith in God and God's house, and helping the Light pushing out the dark. How can you not respect his efforts, particularly when he puts his life at risk. It’s fantastic how the “whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching”. They too were putting their lives at risk following him. Would you have stayed and followed knowing how things might end?

Tedd

03/17/2021

On the 5th Sunday of Lent, as we are one week away from Holy Week, we hear from the prophet Jeremiah. He is sharing God's thoughts on a new covenant (agreement) between God and God's people (the people broke the old covenant due to their sinfulness and following other gods). So God is trying again. As you read the word “heart” in the passage, you should read “will, volition, mind” not emotions or things we may naturally think of with the word “heart.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

What does it mean to you to have God's law written on your hearts? How do you live that out?

Tedd

02/10/2021

This week we see Jesus where he is so comfortable: at the margins of society. In chapter 1 of Mark’s gospel, Jesus moves from the synagogue (place of worship), to a friend’s house, to the very edge of society where the outcasts and undesirables are. In this passage, he violates Jewish purity laws, shatters traditional boundaries – in order to show God's love, release the power of the Kingdom and set this man free.

Mark 1:40-45
40 A l***r came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

This passage has at least 2 levels: 1) the broader level: the story of God/Jesus going to those most in need and bringing love and healing to them; 2) the personal level: the transforming, healing possibilities when a person, any of us, approaches Christ. Which of these speaks most to you today? Why is that?

Let’s talk more on Sunday, PT

02/03/2021

Morning – it feels peaceful as I look out upon our world covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. As the Scouts lead us in worship this week, they will speak to us of adapting, adjusting and persevering – feels timely! Here are our two passages:

Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Isaiah 43:1-5
43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my sight,
and honoured, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;

That Romans passage, huh? suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us. May you live in, and be filled, with hope this day. God IS good.

PT

01/20/2021

When we see Jesus at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, he has been baptized, spent 40 days in the desert, and just called the disciples – we pick up where we left off last week. Now he is doing the work of his ministry (there are three different pieces to this passage. We will be focusing on verses 29-31):

Mark 1:29-39
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ 38 He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Notice how Jesus took time out of his busy schedule to pray – even when “everyone is searching for him.” That really highlights the power and importance of prayer – connecting with God in a deep, intimate way. After that time, he was able to go out and “proclaim the message” and “cast out demons.”

More on Sunday,
PT

01/06/2021

Today, January 6th, is Epiphany, which we celebrate in worship this Sunday. Epiphany is the revealing or appearance of Jesus, particularly to the Magi (or Three Wise Men). It takes place 12 days after Christmas. Here is the passage we will consider:

Matthew 2:1-12
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Can you think of a time when Jesus was revealed to you? What was that like? Where are you most likely to notice or be reminded of Jesus? I think it is important to note that the wise men saw this star which led them to Jesus because they were looking, and they had eyes trained to see it. Good advice if you are looking for Jesus.

See you Sunday,

PT

12/23/2020

Folks, it’s almost time! Christmas Time! Our Christmas Eve service is Thursday the 24th at 7:00. We will be on Zoom (inbox me for link) and also livestreaming on Facebook. Looking forward to celebrating with everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And here is one of the lessons for Christmas Eve:

Luke 2:6-20
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

What is your favorite part of the Christmas Story from the Bible?

PT

12/09/2020

This Sunday the 13th is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and we hear from Isaiah as we consider the Longing to know we are not alone; as well, Ellen and her daughter Joanna have created a video to help remind us we are not alone – you won't want to miss it! Now a word from Isaiah on behalf of your Creator God:

Isaiah 43:1-7
43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my sight,
and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’,
and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.’

You may want to go back and re-read that out loud and listen to what God is telling you (and will remind you of on December 25th). Today, remember “you are precious in God's sight, and honored, and God loves you.”

See you Sunday,

PT

11/27/2020

Friends, in preparation for worship this Sunday, Nov. 29th, I am asking that you be prepared to answer this question: share a moment or time when God was active in an important way for you.

10/28/2020

Howdy all y’all,

If you would like to attend worship, this Sunday Nov. 1 is last name letters M-Z. Please call the church office to notify us you will be coming.

In our Thursday 1:00 bible study, we are walking through Ephesians. Here is what we are working on this week – and I feel it is a good reminder for the current times we are living in:

Ephesians 4:1-4, 25-5:2
4 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

What does it mean to “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called”? What does that look like in your daily lives, your actions, your words? If you were to live this “worthy life”, what would change in you?

I have more thoughts for Sunday,

PT