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First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven, FL, 637 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, FL (2026)

06/01/2026

Please click below to read our latest Tower Chimes newsletter.

https://firstpreswh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TC260607.pdf

06/01/2026

THE STORMS OF LIFE

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
—Psalm 107:29

Shortly before this picture was taken on Lake Jocassee in South Carolina, a terrible storm had come through. We were on a late afternoon boat tour when the storm came across the lake. The captain of the boat was watching the weather and tucked us into a little area to the side of the lake to keep us safe. He didn’t seem phased by the storm, this is what he did, day in and day out. Even as a Floridian, storms scare me and especially on the water. But once the storm had passed, we had a remarkable time. The hot weather went away, there was a cool breeze, and we discovered amazing sights around this 7,500-acre lake.

The captain led us to these waterfalls around the edge of the lake and even to a beach later where we were able to watch the sunset.

This picture reminds me of life. Sometimes the storms of life come up unexpectedly and sometimes we can see them brewing in the distance. One thing is sure, no matter the wind or the waves, God is right there with us protecting us, calming the waters, and leading us to dry land. If you look at Timothy, he’s soaking wet. We might get wet along the way, but our Savior is right there with us through it all.

Prayer
Gracious Lord, we praise You that You are there with us through all the storms of life. Help us never forget through sunshine or rain, You are there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

-Amy McKee

05/30/2026

GOD'S ARTWORK

"O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is God, and a great King above all gods. In his hands are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed."
—Psalm 95:1-3

I am no photographer, but once in a while I feel I capture a marvelously magical moment in time. This photo of the gorge at Letchworth State Park was taken at dusk on a cool September evening. I have mentioned this park in devotions before as it holds a special place in my heart and memories. As a kid, we frequented this state park about an hour from our home. Made up of over 14,000 acres, the land bears hiking trails, white water rafting, picnic and camping spots, and the mighty Genesee River, tumbling down three substantial waterfalls, as it flows north into Lake Ontario. One family tradition, started when my mom was a child, was attending the annual craft show held every year on Columbus Day weekend.

Before the American Revolution, the land was home to the Seneca people. They called it “Sehgahunda”—meaning the “Vale of the three falls” in their language. They believed that the Middle Falls were so wondrous that it made the sun stop at midday (I wish I could add two photographs to this post so I could share the falls with you, too!).

I absolutely love the colors in this photo. The opalescent sky reflecting off the bedrock of the gorge in between the trees. God’s iridescent purple dome marries perfectly with the green foliage.

One of my hobbies is collecting uranium glass. Uranium glass became fashionable in the 19th century and rose to popularity during the Depression era. It usually has a subtle hint of green, but under black light it glows fluorescent due to its small amount of uranium dioxide (and I know what you’re thinking: but, yes, it is safe, even though I still don’t use it to eat off of!). The reaction creates an ethereal glow of green and purple light. Some of you may remember Marie Hasse; a long time friend of our congregation and a special friend of mine. Her comment on my uranium glass glowing under the UV light was: “It’s gorgeous…well, my two favorite colors together. You can’t improve on God’s color scheme.” Even our green-hued sanctuary is complimented with purple hymnals! We certainly can’t improve on God’s color scheme!

Prayer
Artist God, thank You for this masterpiece we call earth. Your presence surrounds our canvas in vibrant colors and textures. You created the land and the sea for us, and You alone know the depths of Your creation. Help us to see Your hand and palette in all we encounter in places, people, and things. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

05/29/2026

Saturday Nite Live Charity Day at Belk!

Join us Tuesday, June 2 from 12:30–5:30 PM at Belk in Winter Haven for a special day of shopping and giving back.

Donate $5 to Saturday Nite Live and receive:
-A $5 Off Coupon
-A 25% Off Coupon
Coupons will be valid to use June 5-7.

Stop by the SNL Table inside Belk to purchase your coupon and support a great cause!❤️

05/29/2026

PORTAGEVILLE CHAPEL

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
—Mark 1:35

This is Portageville Chapel. Built in 1841, this Greek Revival sanctuary served as the first church building in the small community of Portageville, New York - right on the edge of Letchworth State Park. It was built by the Universalist congregation. In the 1950’s, the church was sold to a Seventh Day Adventist congregation. When that congregation disbanded, the building became a used furniture shop. Today, it has been restored to its 1841 glory with the addition of a magnificent pipe organ and 19th-century concert grand piano. It is now a retreat center for organists and musicians.

The only one like it in the country, I had the privilege of staying for a week at the Portageville Chapel and adjacent cottage In the Autumn of 2022. I had the lovely chapel to myself and practiced my heart out on both of its fine instruments. I played some old favorites and learned some new music that I was excited to begin playing. In the pauses between the music, the chapel and its serene surroundings provided a literal sanctuary for prayer and meditation.

There is something to be said about being alone in the solitude and quietness of this quaint chapel. Or, of any sacred space: our church, a forest, the beach; any place where we can be alone with our Creator.

In the cottage, much of the artwork that adorns the walls are music themed. Some prints of medieval manuscripts and contemporary musically inspired poetry remind its visitors of its purpose. There was one piece of art, however, that really resonated with me. Hanging in a simple silver frame and printed in a fanciful script in the middle of a maroon colored border was the saying: Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.

Ironic, isn’t it? For that to be hanging in a retreat center specifically designed for a musician to pull out all the stops on the organ and raise the lid on the grand piano, causing the rafters to rattle. But, the world is loud. Whether we are the cause of that loudness or it engulfs us. The world is loud. We need to remember to make time for the quiet moments. After all, Jesus did. And we all know how ‘loud” his world was…teaching the faithful and standing firm against the critics; feeding the five-thousand and healing the sick. Yet, he still took time to go to the garden and prayed. He was still. He was silent. Listening for that whisper. The Psalmist reminds us to be still and know that God is God. I’ve heard it said that God whispers because God is close to us. Now that is a comforting thought.

Throughout the day, try to find those quiet times of rest and silence…and listen for the whisper.

Prayer
God of Whispers, help us to find moments of rest and sanctuary in our daily lives. Be with us in the stillness and calm us with Your safe presence. Help us hear You in this loud world we live in. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

05/28/2026

COME, SIT A SPELL BY THE FIRESIDE

"After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had began to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it."
—Acts 28:1-2

I have always been intrigued by fireplaces. My parents installed a natural gas fireplace in our living room when I was 12. When I bought my first home, I refurbished a centuries old mantelpiece and installed it in my dining room. When I moved to Florida, one of the first pieces of furniture I purchased was an electric fireplace for my living room (and I know what you’re thinking…really? This is Florida!)—true, I rarely use the heat function on it, but one nice feature is that I can just have the flames dancing in the firebox without the heat! A fireplace makes such a statement in a room and provides a sense of homeyness and warmth (pun intended).

Some of my fellow road-trippers may recognize the fireplace in the picture above. There are hundreds of these formidable fieldstone fireplaces adorned by ornaments and implements of Early America throughout the country. This is, of course, the mighty mantel of that famous tavern for the weary traveler: the Cracker Barrel.

I usually seek out Cracker Barrels when I make a road trip to Western New York. The last time I stopped at one, the waitress sat me down right in front of the fireplace. I thought, “how cool!” and snapped that photo from my seat as I waited for my feast. Throughout history, fireplaces have symbolized more than just heat. They symbolize hospitality; a sense of comfort and safety. They invoke storytelling and conversation with loved ones and strangers. They continue to provide heat and light to all those around it. Historically, they were also a source of food preparation and sustenance. And who doesn’t love a good s’more?

When going through some of my travel photos, I stumbled upon this fireplace picture and thought, surely there must be mention somewhere in the scriptures about people gathering around a fire. We know God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and as a pillar of fire to the Israelites. The Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost in tongues of fire. Fire is mentioned throughout the Old Testament to symbolize purity and cleansing; and also as symbolizing the presence of God. But, I was curious if there was mention of fire as a symbol of hospitality. Surely enough, I found it in this verse in Acts.

Paul must have been touched by the hospitality of the strangers in Malta to mention it in his writings. The Maltese welcomed the weary travelers with warmth and shelter and protection from the elements. They invited conversation and fellowship around the warm glow of burning embers.

Maybe it’d be good for us, in this ever accessible and digital world that we live in, to take a moment and gather around the fireplace with friends and family, indulge in conversation and watch the flames dance.

Prayer
God of Fire, help us to show hospitality to those around us. In our church, enable us with the gifts to welcome our visitors. In our homes, provide us quiet times to be in the presence of those we love. Help us keep our fires burning, both physically and symbolically. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

05/27/2026

There’s still time to register for VBS! 🎉 Don’t miss out on an amazing week of fun, faith, and friendships. Sign up today using the link below:
https://vbspro.events/p/firstpreswh

We’re also still in need of volunteers to help make this week incredible for our kids. Whether you can help lead a group, assist with activities, or just lend a hand, we’d love to have you on the team!

Contact Amy McKee or the church office for more information.

05/27/2026

AND THE WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN

"So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpets, they raised a great shout, and the wall fell down flat."
—Joshua 6:20

On the last day of my trip to Germany in 2017, our church group stayed in Berlin. Much of Berlin had an eerie feeling—especially in the architecture of the Communist-inspired utilitarian buildings that were built during the post-WWII reconstruction. However, there was still beauty and history to be found in the architecture of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building, and the centuries old row houses on the Elbe canal that our hotel backed up on. The bricks you see in the above photograph memorialize where the Berlin Wall once stood and can be traced through the reunited city. I was 3 years old when President Reagan demanded: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” It didn’t come tumbling down until more than two years later. I have no recollection of that, but there still was something to be said about standing on the bricks of a wall from a divided nation.

While standing there and now reminiscing through photographs, I couldn’t help but think of the Old Testament story of Joshua and the Walls of Jericho. Of course, the spiritual written about the story is one of my favorite pieces of music (and one I shared recently in church on the piano). But, the story itself reminds us that faith, obedience to God, and patience are crucial for overcoming obstacles that the world tells us are impossible. God gave the city of Jericho to Joshua with detailed instructions on how to acquire it: seven priests with seven trumpets, marching around the city with the Ark of the Covenant for six days in a row, until on the seventh day the priests shall blow and the people shout and the walls will come tumbling down.

No one knows who wrote the spiritual. Like many spirituals and folk music, it had been sung by generations until it was put to pen and paper. Some of the lyrics of the spiritual are as follows:

Refrain: Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho.
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down.

Verse 1: You may talk about the men of Gideon; you may talk about the men of Saul;
there's none like good old Joshua, at the battle of Jericho. (Refrain)

Verse 2: Up to the walls of Jericho he marched with sword in hand.
"Go blow those ram's horns," Joshua cried, "for the battle is in God's hands." (Refrain)

Verse 3: Then the horns began to bellow, the trumpets began to sound,
and Joshua commanded the children to shout, and the walls came tumbling down. (Refrain)

Prayer
Almighty God, in times of trouble, grant us patience as we overcome obstacles that are daunting and seem impossible. Remind us through stories like that of Joshua and other biblical leaders and heroes that with You, nothing is impossible. Keep our faith strong and guide our steps. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

05/26/2026

WE WILL NOT FEAR

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult."
—Psalm 46:1-3

This is the chancel of the Castle Church (Schlosskirche) in Wittenberg, Germany. The church was built between 1489 and 1509 by Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony. In 1883, the church was renovated to reflect a Neo-Gothic/Prussian esthetic (highly decorated and ornamented compared to the original). I visited this church in May of 2017, the same trip with my church group where I visited Bach’s church in Leipzig. The Schlosskirche is an important edifice in Christian history as it was on its front doors in 1517 where a young monk named Martin Luther nailed a list of his grievances against the Roman Catholic Church, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

On our trip, we worshiped in this sacred space almost daily. One of the most memorable experiences was singing Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in this very sanctuary. A favorite by many, not just Lutherans (ironically, the hymn has also made it’s way into a number of Catholic hymnals!), “A Mighty Fortress” is a paraphrase of Psalm 46. No one is quite certain when Luther wrote the hymn, but many scholars believe it was written for the Diet of Speyer in 1529. For centuries later, it was believed that Luther borrowed or adapted a “pub song” as the tune for his hymn (which was a common occurrence in his day). However, through extensive research, contemporary musical scholars agree that Luther composed the tune to go with his words.

Singing “A Mighty Fortress” in the very space that sparked the Reformation was quite an emotional experience. Luther, and the author of Psalm 46, remind us that we have nothing to fear in this world for God alone is our refuge and strength. The psalmist goes on to remind us that even in extreme circumstances, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea and though the waters roar and foam, we will not fear.

Prayer
Mighty Fortress, help us to not fear. In our most difficult days, help us to be still and put our trust and hope in You. Remind us daily of Your strength and the refuge You provide to each of Your beloved. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

05/25/2026

CONNECTED THROUGH THE AGES BY OUR FAITH

"Therefore, we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."
—Hebrews 12:1-2

These are the communion vessels from the St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) in Leipzig, Germany. They date to the 18th century. No longer in use at the church, they are housed in a glass case, as you see in the photograph, in the Johann Sebastian Bach Museum across the square from the church. Bach was the organist and choirmaster at the Thomaskirche from 1723 until his death in 1750.

As you know, Bach left us an enormous collection of music, both sacred and secular. He is the very foundation and baseline for much of Western music as we know it today. I feel a connection, not only to Bach, but also to God whenever I play, sing, or listen to his music; as I’m sure many of you do, too. When I visited Leipzig in 2017, I saw portraits that Bach sat for as well as a multitude of musical manuscripts in his own writing. I saw furniture from his own household and instruments (a bass viol, a brass horn, and an organ) that history tells us he purchased and played during his tenure in Leipzig. But it was in front of these ornate communion vessels that I felt the strongest emotion. Not only were these cups used during Bach’s time at the Thomaskirche, we know that he and his family received communion from them.

Connecting with Bach on a non-musical level was quite an experience. Sharing faith with such an historic figure and knowing that he communed and celebrated the Lord’s Supper as we do today made me think of the above verse from Hebrews. We ARE surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses and connected to them through our faith.

I think contemporary praise music has come so far from the praise songs I first learned as a youth. The songs being written today have so much more “meat” and sustenance to them than most praise songs from 30+ years ago. I really think its neat with artists like Keith and Kristyn Getty and David Crowder and Mercy Me (just to name a few) who take old hymns and breath new life into their text and melodies. I had a music theory professor in college who always saw the singing of hymns as connecting us with those who’ve gone before; with that great cloud of witnesses. Kind of neat to think of the millions of people who’ve sung “Amazing Grace” and the hymns of F***y Crosby throughout the ages and that we can connect with those saints today. Not to mention the millions upon millions of the faithful who’ve shared a simple, yet life-giving and sustainable meal of wine and bread.

Prayer
God of the Ages, we thank You for the great cloud of witnesses still relevant in our lives today. Guide our paths like You guided theirs. Bless us like You blessed them. Enable us to feel connected to the saints who have gone on before as we, like they did, share Your love and message with the world. Amen.

-Jeremy Rath

First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven, FL

06/01/2026

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Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 2pm
Sunday	8:15am - 12:45pm