Sunday, October 31, 2021
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 31, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Minute for Mission: Reformation Sunday
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - The preacher as doubter
The Bulletin for Our Service - Sunday, October 31, 2021
Below is the bulletin for our service, on Sunday, October 31, 2021. We'll start a new, 4-week series entitled "Thankful People Are... During this first service, we'll focus on how thankful people are humble. Remember, you can stream the service live by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube page beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service
On Sunday, October 31, Silgo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs.
- Alice Lucas
- Andy Wiser and Family
- Armed Forces
- Barry Summerville
- Bruce Amsier
- Bruce Bowman
- Bus Clark
- Church Leaders
- College Students
- Dee, Jeremy & Jacob
- Doctors & Nurses & all essential workers
- Government Leaders
- Greyson Whyte
- Jim Mason
- Josh Charney
- Kathy
- Kelly Slagle
- Mary Ann Wise Family
- Maxine Hartle
- Maxine Simpson
- Micki Summerville
- Mr. Wolff
- Nancy Blystone and family
- Nancy Campbell
- Our Youth
- Paul & Mary Jane McKinney
- Police Officers
- Randy Frampton
- Riley
- Ron & Shelly Haines
- Rwanda Partner
- Sam Williams
- Sean Bayless
- The Teachers and Student at Sligo Elementary
- The Rob Varner Family
- Tyler Reed
- Velma Stewart
- World Vision
Friday, October 29, 2021
Remembering Our Brother Rob Varner
He was born on January 2, 1963, in Philadelphia, he was the son of Doc and Marti Varner of Clarion.
Rob graduated from Union High School in 1981 and continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1986.
He was the owner and funeral director of Varner Funeral Home in Sligo and Rimersburg for the last 33 years.
Rob was a member of the VFW Post #7132 of Rimersburg, the Rimersburg Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Clarion, the Sons of the American Legion and the Sligo Sportsman Club.
In his spare time, he liked to hunt, fish, boat, water and snow ski, go camping, hot air ballooning and ride his Harley Davidson.
Rob enjoyed attending NASCAR races and spending time with his family and friends, especially his kids, Sydney and Sutton.
Survivors include his parents; two children: Sydney Varner of Sligo and her fiancé, Jace Hiles, and Sutton Varner of Tucson, Arizona; four sisters: Holli (Rod) Murray of West Middlesex, Beth (Dana) Hawk of Sligo, Dawn (Rich) Herzig of Pittsburgh and Annese (Sean) Bayless of Greenville.
Rob is also survived by his aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and two sons, Shane Varner and Spencer Varner.
Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Varner Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, in Rimersburg and from 5-9 p.m., Saturday at the Varner Funeral Home, 1632 Bald Eagle Street, in Sligo.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, in the Sligo Presbyterian Church, 403 Colerain Street, Sligo. The Reverends, James Rudiger, Mark Deeter and Larry Piper will co-officiate over the services.
Please observe Covid-19 protocols when attending calling hours and services.
Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery in Sligo.
Memorial contributions may be given in the name of J. Robert Varner to Rimersburg Veterans Memorial Park, P.O. Box 705, Rimersburg, PA 16248 or Sligo Veterans Memorial Park, P.O. Box 96, Sligo, PA 16255.
Online condolences may be sent to Rob’s family at www.varnerfuneralhome.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Rob Varner, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 29, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Shining light in the darkness
Thursday, October 28, 2021
The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, October 24, 2021
Sunday, October 24, we finished our series entitled "Walking with Jesus in the Gospel by Mark." As disciples of Jesus, we've been called to follow him by claiming his example and learning from his teachings. From June to October, we're going to focus on the Gospel of Mark so that we might better understand how we might follow our Savior and live as his community.
During the following twenty Sundays, the message will apply following passages:
June 6, 2021 - Mark 3:20-35
June 13, 2021 - Mark 4:26-34
June 20, 2021 - Mark 4:35-41
June 27, 2021 - Mark 5:21-43
July 4, 2021 - Mark 6:1-13
July 11, 2021 - Mark 6:14-29
July 18, 2021 - Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 25, 2021 - Mark 7:14-23
August 1, 2021 - Mark 7:24-37
August 8, 2021 - Mark 8:27-38
August 15, 2021 - Mark 9:30-37
August 22, 2021 - Mark 9:38-50
August 29, 2021 - Mark 10:2-16
September 5, 2021 - Mark 10:17-31
September 12, 2021 - Mark 10:35-45
September 19, 2021 - Mark 10:46-52
September 26, 2021 - Mark 12:28-34
October 3, 2021 - Mark 12:38-44
October 10, 2021 - Mark 13:1-8
October 17, 2021 - Mark 13:24-26, 32-36
Below is a copy of the bulletin, a podcast of the sermon and the video of the worship service.
Sunday's Message - The Very Best Time of Year
As disciples of Jesus, we've been called to follow him by claiming his example and learning from his teachings. From June to October, we're going to focus on the Gospel of Mark so that we might better understand how we might follow our Savior and live as his community.
During the following twenty Sundays, the message will apply following passages:
June 6, 2021 - Mark 3:20-35
June 13, 2021 - Mark 4:26-34
June 20, 2021 - Mark 4:35-41
June 27, 2021 - Mark 5:21-43
July 4, 2021 - Mark 6:1-13
July 11, 2021 - Mark 6:14-29
July 18, 2021 - Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 25, 2021 - Mark 7:14-23
August 1, 2021 - Mark 7:24-37
August 8, 2021 - Mark 8:27-38
August 15, 2021 - Mark 9:30-37
August 22, 2021 - Mark 9:38-50
August 29, 2021 - Mark 10:2-16
September 5, 2021 - Mark 10:17-31
September 12, 2021 - Mark 10:35-45
September 19, 2021 - Mark 10:46-52
September 26, 2021 - Mark 12:28-34
October 10, 2021 - Mark 12:38-44
October 17, 2021 - Mark 13:1-8
October 24, 2021 - Mark 13:24-26, 32-36
On Sunday, October 24, 2021, we concluded the series by looking at Mark 13:1-8. The passage, the message and the podcast is below:
Mark 13:24-27, 32-36 [Contemporary English Version]
In those days, right after that time of suffering,
“The sun will become dark,
and the moon
will no longer shine.
The stars will fall,
and the powers in the sky
will be shaken.”
Then the Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory. He will send his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the earth.
No one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows. So watch out and be ready! You don’t know when the time will come. It is like what happens when a man goes away for a while and places his servants in charge of everything. He tells each of them what to do, and he orders the guard to keep alert. So be alert! You don’t know when the master of the house will come back. It could be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or in the morning. But if he comes suddenly, don’t let him find you asleep.
Now, let me ask you a few questions, and I want you to be as honest as you can. Question number one: how do you feel knowing that Halloween is seven days away? OK, question number two: how do you feel knowing that Thanksgiving is thirty-two days away? And question number three (and I bet most of y’all already know where I’m going with this): how do you feel knowing that the Christmas is sixty-two days away? Now, for me personally, I can say without fear of contradiction: stressed, stressed and really stressed. Of course, Debbie and I will be moving everything we own up here in about four weeks, and that sure doesn’t fill me with serenity now. But you know, next year, as we enter that last week of October, I’m thinking I’m still going to be stressed. I mean, give me a break; there’s a lot to do and it’s all got to be done in seven days or in thirty-two days or in sixty-two days. Now that’s what I call pressure.
But I’ll tell you, that’s not the way it used to be, and I’m talking about back when we were kids. I mean, back then, this wasn’t a season of “should dos” and “have tos.” Instead, the period from before Halloween through Christmas, man, that was by far the best time of year. But that’s really not a surprise.I mean, it stood in contrast with having to go back to school with the weather still summery warm. But now, having endured September, we had reason for hope, right along with a bag full of candy, turkey with oyster dressing and a bunch of toys under the tree. And I’ll tell you, since during these 62 days, we’d spending a lot of class time cutting out construction paper pumpkins and tracing our hands to make turkeys and of course gluing cotton balls to all kinds of stuff, because every Santa needs a beard, I mean, since that was our focus, at least for me, this time just got better and better.Now that’s the way it was, back in the day. And looking back, I think it’s amazing how fifty-five years and a whole lot of responsibilities can change how you approach what’s actually the same time of year.
And I’ll tell you, doing that, well, I believe it makes a lot of sense, because I think a lot of very sincere and dedicated believers look at the return of Jesus a lot like most of us above the age of twenty-five view the next sixty-two days. I mean, give me a break, excluding those who’ve simply decided to ignore it, you know, like we talked about last week, I know a whole bunch of Christians who feel a heck of a lot more pressure than peace thinking about Jesus coming back. For example, I believe a lot of them approach this time with all kinds of fear and dread. And why shouldn’t they? I mean, along with coming back, Jesus will then judge the world, right; something like he said in Matthew: When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. [Matthew 25:31-32, CEV] Jesus is coming back to judge us. I’m telling you, a lot of folks feel fear and dread as they look toward this great and terrible day. And because of that, they also approach it with a lot of confusion and frustration. And again, why shouldn’t they? My gosh, if the time’s coming when Jesus is going to separate the livestock, I want to be on the right side. Man, I want to be hanging with the sheep. And I’d also like to know when it’s going to happen so that I’m not caught by surprise doing something baaad. I mean, knowing the day and the hour, that would be nice, right? And I’ll tell you, other people know that’s what we want. There are all kinds of folks offering all kinds lists of the right things to do and making all kinds of predictions identifying exactly when they should be done. And although that may sound great, all their lists are different and all of their predictions have been wrong over and over again. And with all of this going on, no wonder a lot of believers are confused and frustrated. You see, when you get right down to it, these believers are just plain stressed, and I think that’s how a lot of Christians approach the return of Christ. And you know, when you think about it, although the reasons aren’t the same, the response is really not all that different from how many adults approach this season of holidays.
But you know, that doesn’t have to be the case, not with us.You see, we can look forward to the return of Jesus less like how an adult feels about the holiday season, and more like how a child looks forward to Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas. And for me, what’s really neat is that we don’t have to deny reality and try to climb into a rose-colored alternative universe to do it. Instead, we can simply ground our approach in the very nature of God and in his word. Let me explain.
In those days, right after that time of suffering,
“The sun will become dark,
and the moon
will no longer shine.
The stars will fall,
and the powers in the sky
will be shaken.”
Then the Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
He will send his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the earth. [Mark 13:24-27, CEV]
Now tell me that’s not good news. But this didn’t just come from Jesus. Listen to what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:
We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. Our Lord Jesus told us that when he comes, we won’t go up to meet him ahead of his followers who have already died.
With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever. Encourage each other with these words. [1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, CEV]
I’m telling you, feeling dread and fear, man, that’s just a waste of time and energy, because given what God has promised in his word, we have every reason to feel anticipation and excitement as we approach Christ’s return. That’s one.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”
Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” [Matthew 25:33-40, CEV]
You see, we know what to do, right? And this can be our focus. And since we’re doing this in response to the one who’ll gather us from all over the earth, this can also be a source of joy. You see, when we love our God and when we love our neighbor, we’re offering a great, big “thank you” to the one who loved us before he created the universe. And I’m telling you, because of this, we can approach Christ’s return with both focus and joy. And that’s two.
Of course, as it relates to entering the holiday season, I believe most adults will always feel some stress and pressure. As a matter of fact, I think it’s all the stuff we choose to do that helps our children really enjoy their yearly trip through Halloween and Thanksgiving to Christmas. But you know, as it relates to coming of Jesus Christ, there’s really no reason for any of us to face it with fear and dread or confusion and frustration. Instead, we can approach his return with anticipation and excitement as well as focus and joy. And you know, if we do, maybe we’ll come to view this period just like our children view the holiday season, you know as the very best time of year.
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 28, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘They correct themselves when they become aware of things they need to change’
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 27, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘No one comes to this table because they deserve to’
Churches, Denominations and Religions: Presbyterian Church USA Weekly News
Witness, Share and Evangelize: News from Presbyterian World Mission – October 2021
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Faces in the Crowd: People in the Story of Jesus (Peter - part 3)
Our Wednesday Morning Bible has been watching the series The Chosen. As we await the new season, we're looking at some of the people in the story of Jesus.
During this fifth session, we considered the Apostle Peter as presented in Acts.
We considered the following material during our discussion:
In General
- Luke and Acts are two volumes of one book.
- Acts was written at least 40 years after the event described and emphasized the unity, strength and success of the early church.
- Peter continues to be the spokesman for the group – Direct the class to Act 2.
- Note that the sermon Peter preaches is almost identical to the sermons preached by Stephen and Paul.
- We’ll focus on Peter and not the other stuff happening in the passage.
In the selection of Judas's replacement
Acts 1:12-26 – 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his homestead become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it’;
and
‘Let another take his position of overseer.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
The Healing in Solomon’s Portico
Acts 3:1-26 – 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. 12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17 “And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, 21 who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. 23 And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out of the people.’ 24 And all the prophets, as many as have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also predicted these days. 25 You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
The healing are more spectacular than Jesus
Acts 5:12-16 - 12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16 A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
Peter raised the dead
Acts 9:36-43 - 36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
The witness to Cornelius
Acts 10:1-48 - 1 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2 He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3 One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8 and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18 They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20 Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days..
His role at the Apostolic Council
Acts 15:1-21 – 1 Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. 3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8 And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9 and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 10 Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18 known from long ago.’
19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 26, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - ‘Our model for that is Jesus’
Monday, October 25, 2021
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 25, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Building faith connections that last a lifetime
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Witness, Share and Evangelize: Minute for Mission: United Nations Day 2021 – Vision for a Better World
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 23, 2021
Pray, Praise and Worship: Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World
The Bulletin for Our Service - Sunday, October 24, 2021
Below is the bulletin for our service, on Sunday, October 24, 2021. We'll focus on Mark 13:24-26, 32-36, and the title of the sermon is "The Best Time." Remember, you can stream the service live by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube page beginning at 10:00 a.m.
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Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service
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