The Messenger - September 21, 2011 - Built to Last
"Built
to Last"
by Rev. Neal Neuenschwander
"The farther backward you look, the farther forward you can see."
(Winston Churchill)
Before coming here to San Pedro, I had never served a church more than 20 years old. I'd always seen myself as a "suburban church" guy, and I'd always liked the thought of "building up" a church that had no historical "baggage" from the start. But when I tried to reach this goal, I very quickly learned that every church has "baggage"--even if it's only 10 or 12 years old. I also learned that every church has "pearls"--golden moments in it's history--but many of these pearls are lost as years turn into decades and the moral heroes of each generation pass.
Fortunately, some churches, like our own, have kept pretty good records from past decades. And some churches, like our own, still have a pretty good memory of defining moments that occurred 20 or 30 or sometimes even 50 years ago. Of course, it's always a mixed bag. Much like the stories that we read in the Bible, there are scenes of timidity and of courage, moments of great confidence and moments of despair. But, in all the these moments, God is faithful, God is calling, and God is helping us to meet each challenge that we face.
I think this story is inspiring, and when I place that story in the context of the economic, political, and cultural challenges that the people of our city faced, I get excited about the things that God was doing here. That's why I am planning to preach a series of sermons called "Built to Last: 128 at the First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro." Each sermon will focus upon 2 or 3 decades of our church's history, and each one will describe a crucial challenge of that era. Each challenge will also be placed within the context of a vital Scripture text, and the message of that text will shed light both on their challenges and our own.
If you are one of those great church members who like to read ahead, here are the Biblical passages I will be preaching, the central theme of those passages, and the era that each one will address.
September 25 Jeremiah 29:1-7 "A Compelling Sense of Call" (1883-1907)
October 2 Acts 15 (selected vs.) "A Season for Refinement" (1908-1941)
October 9 Acts 2:42-47 "When Faith is Fashionable" (1942-1968)
October 16 Luke 4:14-21 "Our Mold for Missions" (1969-1991)
October 23 Rev. 2:1-5, 7a "Rekindling a Real Love" (1992- 2011)
October 30 Jeremiah 19:1-7 "Reclaiming God's Call" (2012 - )
As you rediscover the spiritual power that each generation of our forebears used to overcome the challenges of their day, I believe you will gain strength for your own. I'll see you in church!
Neal
Coming Events
- All four volleyball teams have practice games on Saturday, October 1st.
- The next Men's Breakfast is Saturday, October 22nd, at 8:30am
- Contact Jim Peacock for further information on these events (310-702-6730).
Calendar
Fri, Sept 23
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sun, Sept 25
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
Mon, Sept 26
3:00 pm - Youth Fund Raiser
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
Wed, Sept 28
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
1:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
4:00 pm - Homework Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir Rehearsal
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir Rehearsal
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir Rehearsal
5:45 pm - Dinner for Jr. and Sr. High Schoolers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir Rehearsal
Thu, Sept 29
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fri, Sept 30
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sun, Oct 2
Communion
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
11:00 am - Alternative Christmas Market
Amy Hubbard is the new editor of the Messenger.
To make comments or be added or deleted from The Messenger mail list click here
©2011 - First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro