Category: Smithtown First Presbyterian Church
-
“The Joy of Rejoicing!”
Theme: We rejoice in Jesus who conquered death forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NRSV): Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is…
-
“Taking God as Granted”
Theme: God calls us to obedient discipleship, but when we fail and seek our way back to God’s path, God graciously forgives us, restores us, and invites us back into God’s Kingdom, feeding us at the Lord’s Table, so that we might find strength enough to try again. Matthew 21:33-46 (NRSV): ‘Listen to another parable.…
-
“The Forgotten Forgiveness”
Theme: We are called to forgive others, as God first forgave us, but we are not expected to condone sin, nor to forget to forgive ourselves. Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV): Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven…
-
“God’s Time”
Theme: Wisdom is better than folly, and thus, despite the limitations on our lives that we know exist, God gives us life and the pleasures of food, drink, love, work and play, to enjoy. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV): For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be…
-
“Rocky’s Reward”
Theme: Whether faith comes as a gift, or as the result of a lifetime of persistent worship and prayer, in our faith-seeking, Christ rewards all by welcoming us into his church: Christ’s loving community that loves the world. Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV): Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,…
-
“Accepting the Exception”
Theme: Great faith is persistent, even in the face of God’s silence, God’s challenges, because God is all-loving and gracious to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV): Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that…
-
“Faith Walk”
Theme: God’s Revelation to us through Christ encourages us to have Faith in Jesus and his saving grace that we can find in the worshipping community we call church even in turbulent times. Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV): Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he…
-
“Omakase – Trust Me”
Theme: Christ the Compassionate is worthy of our faithfulness: Christ heals us, feeds us, and cares for us — and calls us to do likewise in ministry and mission. Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV): Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard…
-
“Who’s Sorry Now?”
Theme: God provides for us even when we prove to be our own worst enemies. Genesis 21:8-21 (NRSV): The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her…
Ellen Clark Clemot 