Thursday, October 31, 2024

Today in the Mission Yearbook - The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb brings precision and passion to a talk at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - The Rev. Dr. Mitri...: The Palestinian author and theologian shares five theological challenges he’s struggling with October 31, 2024 The Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb conc...
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The Scripture for Sunday - Clean and Unclean (Mark 7:14-23)

During the months of September, October and November, we'll discuss the following parables found in the Gospel of Mark:

During the service on Sunday, November 3, we'll use Mark 7:14-23 to better understand the nature and source of evil. Below is the passage in three different translations. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page. 


What Really Makes People Unclean
(Matthew 15.10-20)

14 Jesus called the crowd together again and said, “Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. 15-16 The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean.”[a]

17 After Jesus and his disciples had left the crowd and gone into the house, they asked him what these sayings meant. 18 He answered, “Don't you know what I am talking about by now? You surely know that the food you put into your mouth cannot make you unclean. 19 It doesn't go into your heart, but into your stomach, and then out of your body.” By saying this, Jesus meant that all foods were fit to eat.

20 Then Jesus said:

What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. 21 Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, 22 unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. 23 All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.

Footnotes
[a] 7.15,16 unclean: Some manuscripts add, “If you have ears, pay attention.”


14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”[a]

17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “So, are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19 since it enters not the heart but the stomach and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Footnotes
[a] 7.15 Other ancient authorities add 7.16: “If you have ears to hear, then hear”

Mark 7:14-23 [Amplified Bible]

The Heart of Man

14 After He called the people to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen [carefully] to Me, all of you, [hear] and understand [what I am saying]: 15 there is nothing outside a man [such as food] which by going into him can defile him [morally or spiritually]; but the things which come out of [the heart of] a man are what defile and dishonor him. 16 [a][If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

17 When Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the [b]house, His disciples asked Him about the parable. 18 And He said to them, “Are you, too, so foolish and lacking in understanding? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile and dishonor him, 19 since it does not enter his heart, but [only] his stomach, and [from there it] is eliminated?” (By this, He declared all foods [c]ceremonially clean.) 20 And He said, “Whatever comes from [the heart of] a man, that is what defiles and dishonors him. 21 For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment). 23 All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.”

Footnotes
[a] Mark 7:16 Early mss do not contain this verse.
[b] Mark 7:17 It was probably Peter’s house.
[c] Mark 7:19 I.e. He abolished all prohibitions given in the Law against certain foods.
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Bible Readings for October 31, 2024

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 31, 2024: Let's read the Bible together in the next year.  Today, our passages are Lamentations 4:1–5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; and ...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Taking a ‘how’ mindset toward disability inclusion

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Taking a ‘how’ min...: Community Circle lifts up resources for disability ministry in churches October 30, 2024 The Rev. Dr. Sarah McKenney What does it mean to be...
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The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah - A Community Crisis (Ezra 9:1–10:44)

According to the Second Book of the Kings, the Babylonians conquered the city of David and moved the people of Judah into captivity. But that’s not the end of the story. Under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, God led his people from their exile, back to the Promised Land. To better understand this wonderful story of renewal and restoration, we’ll follow the outline below:

During our fourth session, we discussed a crisis within the restored community (Ezra 9:1–10:44). Below is a recording of our discussion and the passage we discussed.


Ezra 9:1–10:44 [New Revised Standard Version]

After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons. Thus the holy seed has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, and in this faithlessness the officials and leaders have led the way.” When I heard this, I tore my garment and my mantle, and pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice.

At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the Lord my God, and said, “O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors to this day we have been deep in guilt, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as is now the case. But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God, who has left us a remnant, and given us a stake in his holy place, in order that he may brighten our eyes and grant us a little sustenance in our slavery. For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem. “And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land that you are entering to possess is a land unclean with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations. They have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.’ After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you destroy us without remnant or survivor? O Lord, God of Israel, you are just, but we have escaped as a remnant, as is now the case. Here we are before you in our guilt, though no one can face you because of this.”

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him out of Israel; the people also wept bitterly. Shecaniah son of Jehiel, of the descendants of Elam, addressed Ezra, saying, “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. So now let us make a covenant with our God to send away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Take action, for it is your duty, and we are with you; be strong, and do it.” Then Ezra stood up and made the leading priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear that they would do as had been said. So they swore.

Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God, and went to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, where he spent the night. He did not eat bread or drink water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, and that if any did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all their property should be forfeited, and they themselves banned from the congregation of the exiles. Then all the people of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have trespassed and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. Now make confession to the Lord the God of your ancestors, and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, “It is so; we must do as you have said. But the people are many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a task for one day or for two, for many of us have transgressed in this matter. Let our officials represent the whole assembly, and let all in our towns who have taken foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders and judges of every town, until the fierce wrath of our God on this account is averted from us.”

Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levites supported them. Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of families, according to their families, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter. By the first day of the first month they had come to the end of all the men who had married foreign women. There were found of the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women, of the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. They pledged themselves to send away their wives, and their guilt offering was a ram of the flock for their guilt. Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. Of the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. Of the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. And of Israel: of the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah. Of the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. Of the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. Of the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. Of the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. Of the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. Of the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. Of the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. Of the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu. Of the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. Of the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. All these had married foreign women, and they sent them away with their children.
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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Delivering ‘a grammar of faith that can help us become the church God has always intended us to be’

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Delivering ‘a gram...: The Rev. Dr. José Irizarry delivers a prophetic sermon during chapel service for the PC(USA)’s national staff October 29, 2024 The Rev. Dr. ...
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The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, October 27, 2024

During the months of September, October and November, we'll discuss the following parables found in the Gospel of Mark:

During the service on Sunday, October 27, we used Mark 4:30-32 to better understand the parable of the mustard seed. Below is a recording of the service, a recording of the sermon and a copy of the bulletin. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page. 










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Sunday's Message: The Parables of Jesus - The Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32)

During the months of September, October and November, we'll discuss the following parables found in the Gospel of Mark:

During the service on Sunday, October 27, we used Mark 4:30-32 to better understand the parable of the mustard seed. Below is the text and a recording of the sermon. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page. 


Now, some of y’all may remember, that right at the beginning of last Sunday’s sermon, I said that I’d had a frustrating week, and then I told you why, you know, about how I had the three weddings and meetings every evening and, most important of all, a leaking toilet, something that I was sure this mechanically challenged worrier could fix. In fact, I told y’all that I’d already bought a pack of brass nuts and bolts and rubber washers. And so I was ready to go, and Monday was the day. And for that reason, you’d probably assume that this past week was a whole lot better, you know, no frustrations, right? I mean, I didn’t have any weddings and I didn’t have meetings every night and, praise the Lord, the towel could be moved from under the toilet tank. That’s got to be good, right?

Well, if the week before was frustrating, I think I’d call this past week disappointing. And yes, it was all about that stupid toilet and frankly my lack of mechanical skills, maybe even common sense. You see, I can’t blame the materials. And I can’t blame the tools. And I can’t even blame the instructions, because right on the back of the package with the nuts and bolts and wishers there was a diagram that was so easy to follow, a caveman could do it. And even though, at the beginning, everything was going so well that I was actually starting to feel a little bit cocky, as I was tightening one of the nuts, I heard “crack.” I had broken the porcelain. But not only that, on that broken porcelain, I somehow sliced my thumb. Now it wasn’t deep, but all the blood, well, it was the perfect reminder of my triumph. But on the bright side, at least, Debbie wasn’t there to see it. Let’s just say, at that moment, I was disappointed, moving toward discouraged with a little bit of despair right around the corner. 

Of course, having said that, I think I’m safe in saying that we all probably know about that feeling, don’t we? I mean, we all have certain expectations, and there are times when we know exactly what we want to do or feel or accomplish. And then, something happens; we run into some snag we didn’t anticipate or get some news we didn’t expect or make some mistake we sure didn’t plan. And we end up disappointed. And if it stays there, we’re actually pretty lucky, because it’s really easy for disappointments to cause us to feel discouraged, which is just a hop, skip and jump to despair. I mean, if the disappointment is big or expensive enough, how can it not discourage us from trying again? And you know, if we don’t try again, it may be challenging to muster up the hope that things will ever be better than they are right now, but they could get a whole lot worse. And that’s despair. I mean, I think it’s sort of like what they say about acorns and oaks, from tiny disappointments can grow great despair. And I’ll tell you, I believe that may also be true for congregations as they go about doing the best they can with what they’ve got only to feel as though, with every move forward, they get knocked back a step or two. Let me just say, I think disappointments can be pretty powerful and extremely destructive. 

And I’ll tell you, that’s what we’re going to be talking about this morning as we look at another story from the Gospel of Mark, as a matter of fact, the last one he included in the fourth chapter. You see, during the message, we’ll use the parable of the mustard seed to help us deal with the disappointments we may face as we go about doing what God has called us to do. And as we’re done before, we’ll approach it by, first, looking at what Jesus said, and then, second, what it might mean, and third, what are we going to do about it? And hopefully, by the time we finish, we’ll be better able to handle our disappointments before they lead to discouragement and despair. Now that’s the plan.

And of course, it all starts with the parable itself and what Jesus actually said. Now, this particular story comes at the end of a string of parables we’ve been looking at dealing with sowers and seeds and soils. And as we’ve been going through them, I think it’s clear that the disciples had a pretty good idea about what they should be doing, right? Man, they’re like the guys out in a field scattering seeds. Only the seed they were scattering was the good news and the field was the world around them. You see, based on what we’ve already talked about, that was their job. But of course, that wasn’t all they knew; I mean, they also knew that, in the field, there’d be some soil that, for whatever reason, was not very productive and some that was. In other words, there would always be some folks for whom the good news won’t mean a hill of beans while for others, man, it would change their lives, and the disciple knew this too. And as we talked about last week, Jesus even told them about how and why the seeds actually grew. You see, in a nutshell, it was because of the soil and not the skill of the farmer who scattered the seeds and later reaped the harvest. Now these things the disciples knew. 

And I’ll tell you, with all that in the back of their minds, this was what they heard:

Finally, Jesus said:

What is God’s kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it? It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world. But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade. [Mark 4:30-32, CEV]

Now that’s what Jesus said. In other words, even though we may know what to do and we may know what will happen and we may know what to expect in the end, when we look at what occurs right after we do our scattering, man, that may be really disappointing. I mean, instead of the immediate results being big and impressive and extraordinary, they’re just not. Of course, we really shouldn’t be surprised; I mean, we’re talking about mustard seeds for crying out loud, the smallest seeds in the entire world, something that would seem to have just about the same prospect for success as me trying out for the Boston Celtics. And so, why would we expect anything other than what we see? And remember, that was disappointing. And yet, for all its smallness, for all its obvious limitations, for all its apparent insignificance, given some time, that tiny seed will grow larger than any other plant in the garden. In fact, it’s going to be so big and so wide and so strong that, when it puts out its branches, it’ll cover enough territory that birds will nest in its shade. You see, before his disciples were sent out to start scattering the seeds, this was the story Jesus shared with them. Now that’s what he said.

And I’ll tell you, as we start thinking about what it might mean for us, well, I think the lesson for them was pretty much the same as it is for us. You see, as we go about our work for God and share the good news with others, if all we can see is the result right here and right now, well, frankly that can be pretty disappointing. I mean, just think about it. On the best of days, scattering seeds in an empty field isn’t exactly a glamor job, now is it? And when you consider that for every seed that falls in good soil another might end up on a road or in ground that’s shallow or among a whole bunch of weeds. In other words, no matter how hard we try, some of the seed is just wasted. As a matter of fact, in the face of the needs all around us and the obstacles we’re going to confront and the expectations and the hopes and dreams we might have, the seeds seem so small and success seems so unlikely and the result, man, is just so disappointing. And that’s not the way it should be. I mean, we’re out there, working for God and we’re doing the very best we can; therefore, we should see some immediate results, right? And yet, when we’re done, what have we got: nothing but an empty field, because regardless of our efforts and expectations, we’re going to have to wait to see the plants grow. That’s just the way it is when you’re out there scattering, and I’ll tell you, that can be really disappointing. 

And you know, before sending them and us out, I think that’s why Jesus challenged us to see more, to see more than just the seed and the soil and the scattering and certainly more than size and quality and immediate results. You see, he wanted his disciples and he wants us to see the ultimate outcome, to see what’s possible when tiny seeds fall into good soil, to see what’s going to happen because we didn’t allow the disappointment to cause us to feel so discouraged and to fill us with so much despair that we stop doing what we know we’ve been called to do. I’m telling you, when the seed is planted in good soil it’s going to grow, maybe not right now, but brothers and sisters, God’s kingdom is going to grow. As a matter of fact, it’s going to grow into something that’s so big and so wide and so strong, it can offer protection and comfort and hope to others. I mean, even though we might be disappointed because we think the immediate result isn’t impressive enough and even though we might be discouraged because we believe the response isn’t what we expected and even though, when we compare what we want to what we actually see, we might feel genuine despair and hopelessness, we can still trust, we can trust in God and we can trust that our work will not be in vain. And I’ll tell you, as we apply this parable, that’s what I think it means.

And so now, what are we going to do about it? I mean, what are we going to do about the seeds and the soil and the scattering? And what are we going to do with this story as we struggle to keep moving forward even when we feel like giving up? What are we going to do with a parable about a mustard seed? Well, in my opinion, I think it can remind us of three things that we really need to remember, as we look at ourselves and go out into our world, and let me briefly share with you what they are. 

You see, first, I think this story reminds us that disappointments are just a fact of life and I include everybody, even Christians. I mean, even though some believers seem to think that following Christ is supposed to make us “inright, outright, upright, downright, happy all the time,” that’s just not the way it is. Let’s get real, from time to time, the seeds are going to seem awful small and the resources really inadequate and the talent mighty slim. And whether it’s a farmer planting his crop or a student taking a test or a church sharing the gospel, the results we see may be disappointing. That’s just the way it is. For example, it’s disappointing when you start a program and nobody comes; that’s disappointing. And it’s disappointing when church attendance isn’t better than it is and when as a congregation, we aren’t as young as we’d like to be and we don’t know why; that’s disappointing. And it’s disappointing when we’re trying to figure out how to do what we’ve been called to do only to face obstacles and detours and challenges we didn’t expect;  man, that’s disappointing. And even though that might not be pleasant for us, I can tell you, it’s not pleasant for me, this experience certainly isn’t new. I mean, just listen to this psalm:

Please listen, God,
    and answer my prayer!
I feel hopeless,
and I cry out to you
    from a faraway land.

Lead me to the mighty rock 
    high above me.
You are a strong tower,
where I am safe
    from my enemies.

Let me live with you forever
and find protection
    under your wings, my God. [Psalm 61:1-4, CEV]

I’m telling you if the Psalmist can feel hopeless, I think we’re allowed to be disappointed, even as Christians, from time to time. You see, that’s the first thing we can remember.

And second, I believe this parable can also remind us that, despite our disappointment, God is still at work. That’s also the way it. Therefore, before our disappointments discourage us from doing what we’ve been called to do, I think we need to remember that God is still out there, working the soil in his fields, preparing men and women to hear and to understand and to trust. Of course, we may not see it. As a matter of fact, given the size of the seed and the quality of soil and the skill of the farmer, any real growth may seem doubtful, God is still actively involved in his creation and within the lives of his children. In other words, our opinions and our feelings and our assumptions really aren’t relevant to the one who holds the universe in his hands. You see, as we pray every single Sunday, his will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. As a matter of fact, it’s a lot like what Paul wrote to the Romans:

We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them. [Romans 8:28-30, CEV]

Although, on occasion, we’re going to be disappointed, we don’t have to be discouraged. Why? Because whether we see him or not, God is at work, and I think that’s the second thing we can remember.

And third, I believe this parable can remind us that the coming kingdom will be glorious. In other words, those seeds that seem so tiny and that soil that seems so poor and those farmers that often seem so inadequate and confused, when God brings them all together, man, it’s going to produce something spectacular. Of that we can be sure. You see, this is the focus of our trust and the basis for our hope. And you know, I believe the Apostle Paul knew this too. I mean, just listen to what he wrote the Philippians:

Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns. [Philippians 1:3-6, CEV]

You see, although we may be living on page 96, in the mind of God, the book has already been written. Therefore, we have no reason to feel despair, to feel hopeless. Our destinies are in his loving and merciful and compassionate hands. And I’m telling you, his coming kingdom will be just as big and broad and glorious as those great big mustard plants that grew from those tiny seeds. And I think that’s the third thing we can remember based on this parable.

As I said a little while ago, on Monday morning, when I heard the porcelain crack, I was disappointed. And as I put a Band-Aid on my bleeding thumb, I was discouraged. And when I thought about Debbie coming home around three o’clock, man, I felt despair. But I guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbles or maybe better the toilet cracks. 

But you know, that doesn’t have to be the case for us, not as we go about sharing the good news to the world around us. You see, even though the seeds seem too small, we know that they will grow into something huge. And even though, as we’re trying to do the best we can with what we have, we may not see the results we expect. Still, we know that something great is coming. And even though sharing the gospel in the world isn’t a cake walk, we know that disappointments are just a fact of life and that God is still working and that his kingdom will be glorious. And that’s true whether my toilet is cracked or not. And next week, we’ll move on to talk about what makes a person unclean and so, if you want to stay clean, you don’t want to miss that one.

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A Thank You from Jodike Bimenyimana

Below is some material we received from World Vision related to Jodike and his community. 






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SPC Halloween Party

On Sunday, October 27, the young people of Sligo Presbyterian Church got together for a Halloween party. After playing some spooky games, we had corn dogs, macaroni and cheese, milk shakes, and bubbly punch. Thanks to Paula Conner, Jodie Hagan, Alice Gallagher, Jake Stewart, Judy Duncan, Mike and Melody Troup for offering their time and talent for our young people. Below are some pictures from the party. 



















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Bible Readings for December 30, 2024

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for December 30, 2024 : Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages Malachi...