Bible Readings for October 1, 2026

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for October 1, 2026:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today, our passages are Isaiah 62:6–65:25; Philippians 2:19–3:4a; Psalm 73:1-28; an...

Mission Yearbook: Presbyterians lift up young adults, justice at gathering

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Presbyterians lift up young adul...: Image The Rev. Dr. Cornell Edmonds, pastor of the Church of the Covenant, chats with the Rev. CeCe Armstrong. (Photos by Rich Copley) While ...

Power in Weakness: The Message of 2nd Corinthians (Paul's Greeting - 1:1-11)

In Second Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explored how God’s power works best in our weakness and how God offers comfort when we’re frustrated and discouraged. He also challenged the Corinthians to give for the sake of others and to share the message of reconciliation. We’re following the outline below:

• Session 1 - Paul’s Greeting (1:1-11)
• Session 2 - A Change in Plans (1:12 – 2:4)
• Session 3 - Forgiveness (2:5-17)
• Session 4 - God’s New Agreement (3:1-18)
• Session 5 - Treasure in Clay Jars (4:1-15)
• Session 5 - Hope (4:16 – 5:10)
• Session 6 - Bringing People to God (5:11 – 6:13)
• Session 7 - The Temple of God (6:14 – 7:1)
• Session 8 - Paul’s Joy (7:2-16)
• Session 9 - Rules for Giving (8:1-24)
• Session 10 - Money for God’s (9:1-24)
• Session 11 - A Major Shift in Tone  (10:1-18)
• Session 12 - False Prophets (11:1-15)
• Session 13 - Suffering (11:16 – 12:13)
• Session 14 - A Coming Visit (12:14 – 13:4)
• Session 15 - In Conclusion (13:5-13)

During our first session, we discussed the letter's background and Paul's greeting (2 Corinthians 1:1-11). The discussion and passage follow.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia, for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many may give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Bible Readings for September 30, 2026

Study, Learn and Grow: Bible Readings for September 30, 2026:   Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today, our passages are Isaiah 60:1–62:5; Philippians 1:27–2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; and...

Mission Yearbook: Michigan artist encourages ‘eyes of wonder’ to see faith in new ways

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Mission Yearbook: Michigan artist encourages ‘eyes...: Image Joel Schoon-Tanis was artist-in-residence at this past summer’s Worship & Music Conference. (Photo courtesy of Joel Schoon-Tanis) ...

The Kiski Weekly - September 20, 2026

 Below is last week's edition of The Kiski Weekly, the newsletter of the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas. 

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, September 27, 2026

On Sunday, September 27, Brenda Haws led our worship service. She used Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Philippians 2:1-13, and her sermon title was "Life On the Other Side of Surrender." A video of the service and the passages are below.

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.

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die.

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed, they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Philippians 2:1-13 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he existed in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

Therefore God exalted him even more highly
    and gave him the name
    that is above every other name,
so that at the name given to Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.