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November 12, 2014
A Devotional Life

Read:  Revelation 19:6-9  

 

"And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are true words of God.'" (Revelation 19:9) 

           

            Today's passage from Revelation is one of the most beautiful images the New Testament has to offer us. The scene is after all those who would seek to undermine the Lord have been defeated - once and for all - and all the saints are left to rejoice and praise the Lord. To be sure, such an image can probably be of great value in times of trouble, trial, and tribulation. It can remind us that ours is the victory through the Lamb of God. When life is feeling cruel and the world heartless, we can take heart in these sort of future images. Yet Revelation was never meant to be read only for our future imaginations. It was written to inspire our present faithfulness.

            After the bride has been made ready for this royal wedding (and here, the imagery of bride belongs to the catholic church and the groom is, of course, Jesus Christ), we are told that she is clothed "with fine linen, bright and pure" (Rev. 19:8). But John, the author of Revelation, is not contented to let this image stand as a metaphor without explanation, as he quickly adds: "for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

            These righteous deeds include the ones you did yesterday, the ones I hope you do today, the ones you plan to do tomorrow. Each of these deeds is another fiber wound through the fabric of the bride's wedding dress. And this is important to cling to this image not only because we take it on faith that it is true, but because it reminds us that our actions echo into eternity. Our faithfulness today clothes us in our eternal tomorrow.

            Think about it: Every boring committee meeting at church, every self-sacrifice for our children and grandchildren, every donated box of food to the food bank or hour spent caring for the homeless with Family Promise, all of these things and so many more are present in heaven. They don't pass away with our lives; they aren't dismissed with time; each act of righteousness persists into eternity and has a role there. You see? One of the most beautiful images the New Testament has to offer us!

            So keep this meditation close to your heart as you go about what can so often feel like the day-in and day-out drudgery of life. There is - even when we're least aware of it - eternal significance to our daily living. Yes, even on a "hump day" Wednesday. Amen.

 

A Worshipful Life
"...We're Faithful"    
 

Faithful giving has never been about merely tithing.  Today's passage from Leviticus explains how generosity begins even before the harvest.  In ancient Israel, farmers were required to allow others to "glean" from their fields. Only after all the gleaning and harvesting was the tithe presented.  In the end, being generous isn't founded in what we have, but in the trust we have that God does actively provide, "our daily bread."  Once our needs have been met by God, we are freed to meet all the other needs before us.

Cherub's Corner
     

We welcome all our children here at Center Church and are blessed with a few young faces in worship. We value their presence and love it when they participate in our community of faith. However, we realize that sometimes our children need to spread their wings and play. We would like to experiment with the idea of a Cherub's Corner for those 3 and under. This area will be located near the library in the narthex. There will be soft blocks, books, crayons, and a few quiet toys along with a soft cover to sit on. Parents are welcome to sit with or near their child, or can take some of the toys to the pew with them.

 Blessings!
Our Singing Faith

 

"A hymn of glory let us sing!

New songs throughout the world shall ring:

Christ, by a road before untrod,

ascends unto the throne of God".

 
These ancient words, penned by a seventh or eighth century English monk, are a fitting introduction to the new hymnal for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Like the hymn above, this hymnal emphasizes the sovereignty of God, a central theme in the Reformed tradition. It proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ - risen from the dead and ascended to "the throne of God," reigning with justice and love in the ongoing story of salvation. It lifts up "new songs" that have arisen from the church "throughout the world." It explores some new directions in congregational song, including roads "before untrod" in a
Presbyterian hymnal. It seeks, above all, to offer a "hymn of glory" to the triune God.
 
                                                       Coming soon to a pew near you...

The 216th General Assembly (2004) of the PC(USA) authorized the research into the feasibility of a new Presbyterian hymnal. The results were reported to the 217th General Assembly (2006) which authorized its research and development. Glory to God was developed by the 15-person Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS), a committee of musicians, scholars, pastors, and theologians. The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC), the Office of Theology & Worship (OTW of the PC(USA), and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) collaborated to develop the project. After reviewing over 10,000 submissions, 3 years of meetings, and countless hours of homework, the PCOCS's final meeting was in January of 2012. The new hymnal was commended for use in the PC(USA) by the General Assembly, and was published in 2013. Glory to God  contains 835 hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs covering all major historical and contemporary sacred genres.   The PCOCS diligently sought to compile a new resource that would accomplish to: "unify a diverse church", "serve and enrich a changing church", and "strengthen God's church for a new generation".

 

"O risen Christ, ascended Lord,

all praise to you let earth accord.

You are, while endless ages run,

with Father and with Spirit one."

 

In these words we find the end of all worship and the goal of human life - to join the hymns of heaven and praises of earth, here and everywhere, now and always giving Glory to God.

                                                                                                                                         - Linda Boice

For further information about Glory to God, please visit the Presbyterian Hymnal Project website at www.presbyterianhymnal.org 

 

 

A Servant's Life
Upcoming Events
  • Stewardship Season is upon us!  Our guest speaker during the Christian Education hour this week is Steve Soff, Volunteer Coordinator at Greater Washington County Food Bank.  Steve will lead a conversation about hunger and food insecurity as both a social and a local issue.  He will also help us explore how Christians can and should be an important part of feeding the hungry.
  • Sunday November 16th and continuing through Sunday November 23rd , we will reflect on "Why We Give."  Reminder: During these two weeks, we will join together as a whole community during the 11:00 a.m. worship hour (8:30 services are canceled) for worship, reflection, and special musical guests.  Our stewardship season will conclude with a catered Consecration Luncheon on Sunday November 23 following worship. Please RSVP so we have an accurate head count for lunch.  Follow this link to make your reservation on line . Luncheon RSVP
  • Center's Presbyterian Women have set November 12th for a "Celebration of Thanks" with a pot-luck meal (main course will be provided) at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 we'll have a worship service, based on the Psalms, ending with communion. A free will offering will be accepted to support the 2014 Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women. Please join us for a time of food, fellowship and praise to God.
  • Paint 4 Preschool.  Was a wonderful success.  Nearly 40 people cane to paint and sip and show their support for the preschool fundraiser.  we raised about $1000!  Thanks everyone who contributed and attended. 
  • Senior Highs mark you calendars.  November 14th will be another epic lock-in!  Becky Boyer will have all the details for the all-nighter!
  • "Cocoa, Cookies, and Crazy Sweaters" (aka Hanging the Greens) on Tuesday, November 25, beginning at 7 p.m. - Please plan on attending our November fellowship event as we serve the church by preparing it for Advent. In order to keep things fun and festive, everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite crazy Christmas sweater. Cookies and cocoa will be provided as we work together to prepare our church for Christ's advent (just as we worship together to prepare our hearts for His advent). No reservations needed. Please just plan to show up on time and have a good time.


 

A Joyful Life

"Is that a Steel Curtain or a wet blanket?" or Pittsburgh Dad at the Steeler's Game (as we all mourn their loss to the Jets): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vV9NNz0KD8