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Showing posts from April, 2023

Have We Forgotten How to Dare?

Colesville Presbyterian Church Silver Spring, Maryland April 23, 2023 Have We Forgotten How to Dare? Luke 24:18-35 ; 1 Peter 1:17-23 Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kauiv3byQk0 ;  (Scripture and Sermon start at 34:14) I n the 1980s (do any of you remember that far back?) there was a weekly syndicated newspaper column titled “Thanks a Million,” written by millionaire Percy Ross. He had decided to give away his money while he was still living. Each of Mr. Ross’ columns featured several requests and his responses. At one point he was receiving over 10,000 letters a week. Here’s one he received, postmarked Newark, New Jersey: “Dear Mister Percy Ross: You are so generous to help so many people. I am poor too but I get bye. I don't need money. I live under a bridge and it has a steam pipe under so I am warm in winter. There is a diner close bye and the dumster is always got food in that trukers don't eat. So I got every thing and don't need money. But I see you in the

More Than a Name

More Than a Name Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Christian Community Presbyterian Church Bowie, Maryland April 16, 2023 D id you know that Presbyterian Christians have a tendency to keep their faith in our heads. Yes, most of us are more intellectual than emotional about our faith. When was the last time you saw a Presbyterian hot and bothered about Jesus Christ? Hot-and-botheredness usually has to do with someone moving the chancel furniture or changing the font on the bulletins.  If intellectual faith—head faith—and emotional faith—heart faith—were riding the playground seesaw most of us Presbyterians would be sitting on the end of the seesaw on the ground. Faith communities that are heavy into an emotional faith would weight the seesaw in the other direction. Head faith and heart faith need to be in a balanced tension where each aspect of faith—each rider on the seesaw—has an equal chance. When we come to church, we don’t leave our brains or our hearts at the door. God calls us to be complete p