The Pottsville Associate Reformed Church is hosting a Bonfire and Psalm/Hymn Sing, Saturday, May 19, 2018. We will get started at 6:00pm at The Manse. The Church will provide drinks and each family will bring a favorite Middle-Eastern themed appetizer, entree or dessert. Bring your friends and family and join us for a night of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs! Click here for directions or email us at pottsvillearp@gmail.com for more info.
Tag Archives: Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Bonfire and Hymn Sing
The Pottsville Associate Reformed Church is hosting a Bonfire and Psalm/Hymn Sing, Friday, April 6, 2018. We will get started at 6:00pm at The Manse. The Church will provide drinks and each family will bring a favorite Middle-Eastern themed appetizer, entree or dessert. Bring your friends and family and join us for a night of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs! Click here for directions or email us at pottsvillearp@gmail.com for more info.
Who Is This?
When someone mentions Jesus, what comes to mind? Religious revolutionary? Social justice warrior? Ethical teacher? Failed Zionist leader? Founder of a yet another world religion? Who is this Jesus? For many it is a caricature, influenced by pictures you have seen or by clichés which permeate our cultural ideas of “the historical Jesus.” Or perhaps you remember him from a collection of anecdotes or parables you heard as a child in some Sunday School.
Jesus’ own disciples struggled to understand who he was and what he came to do. From time to time glimpses shined through their own preconceived notions of Him. In a poignant moment, as they were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a furious squall sprang up and threatened to sink their small fishing boat. Half of Jesus’ disciples grew up on these tempestuous waters, fishing with their families from their childhood. Yet even they were convinced that they would not survive the trip. They woke Jesus who was asleep in the back of the boat. They did not ask him to save them – for what miracle working teacher was a match for a force-ten gale? They only asked, “don’t you care that we are about to die?” Jesus stood up in the boat and with a word, brought the waters from tempest to mirror. These seasoned seamen were almost speechless. The only thing they could say of Jesus was, “who is this?” They perceived that there was much more to Jesus than even their imaginations could anticipate.
Who is Jesus? The accounts of him at the end of the gospel of John are really very unexpected. As he faces an unjust arrest, trial, and execution, we seem him not as a failed revolutionary swept up in the unstoppable tide of Roman tyranny and religious jealousy. What we see is that Jesus is the one in complete control of everything that transpires. He told his disciples, “no one takes my life from me. I lay it down and I will take it up again.”
Who do you think Jesus is? Come and find out as we walk through the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, from John 18-21. Join us for worship this Lord’s Day, March 11, at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as we examine John 18 and consider just who Jesus is and what he came to do. Click here for directions. We look forward to seeing you.
Relentless Pursuit
Deputy Marshall, Bass Reeves set the standard for relentless pursuit. Born to slave parents in 1838 in Crawford County Arkansas, Reeves would become the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nation’s history.
Appointed by the infamous Judge Isaac Parker because of his significant knowledge of the area and ability to speak several tribal languages, Bass Reeves earned his place in history as one of the most effective lawmen in Indian Territory, bringing in more than 3,000 outlaws during his 35 years of service.
Though Reeves could not read or write it did not diminish his effectiveness in apprehending fugitives. He memorized every warrant and never failed to produce the right one. Reeves earned a reputation for his courage, success and ingenuity. He was a master of disguises and often utilized aliases. A meticulous dresser, he was known for his trademark hat and two Colt pistols, butt forward for a fast draw. Ambidextrous, he rarely missed his mark. He was so renowned for his relentless pursuit, that noted female outlaw, Belle Starr turned herself in at Fort Smith when she heard Reeves had a warrant for her arrest.
But despite his reputation, Reeve’s tenacity and effectiveness is as nothing compared to the Lord’s relentless pursuit of those He calls. In spite of Jacob’s trickery and his grasping self-concern and self-conceit, the Lord pursued him as he fled from the wrath of his brother Esau. In this pursuit, the Lord revealed Himself and His promises. In running for his life as a fugitive, Jacob found life through the relentless pursuit of God.
Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, March 4, as we examine the story of Jacob’s flight from home in Genesis 28 and consider how God relentlessly pursues us, even when we are not pursuing Him. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you
Bumper Rails
Where were bumper rails when we were young? Bowling was much harder than we imagined and gutter-balls were the mainstay of our early forays into the sport. Children today, however, can experience the euphoria of crushing pins without the disappointment of gutter-dwelling, due to a truly marvelous modern invention – the bumper rail. Throw in an adaptive bowling ramp and your average adult league bowler will be hard-pressed to beat a three year old without a sizeable handicap.
Older children may argue that this is an unfair advantage and bowling purists may complain that youngsters need to develop the character that comes from a single-digit score, but bowling alleys have learned that bumper rails and adaptive bowling ramps make the game more fun and significantly reduce crying among its fledgling bowlers.
In a similar way, the Lord graciously protects us when we struggle in our journey of faith. Despite our struggles with unbelief, disobedience and conflict, the Lord, through His gracious providence keeps us out of many gutters and directs our paths when we are too weak to do so. This great truth of God’s kindness in providence does not makes us apathetic or callous toward the demands of obedience or holiness, but rather increases our desire to grow in these areas out of gratitude for Him. How has the Lord guarded and directed your path in the midst of a difficult faith journey?
Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, February 18, we examine Genesis 26 and consider how God graciously protects us when are struggling with unbelief, disobedience, and conflict in our journey of faith. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
No Shadow of Turning
In the great preamble of Ecclesiastes, Solomon laments how quickly we forget significant events which have only recently occurred when he declares,
“There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be, among those who come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:11.
As one theologian remarked, commenting on this verse, “the only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.”
It seems hard to imagine that only a few months ago, we participated in a mass migration to the “path of totality” to witness a total eclipse of the sun. So much of the business of living has happened since then, that this absolutely stunning witness to the glory of our God, his faithfulness and reliability, has quickly given way to the uncertainty of new crises du jour. Indeed we learn from history that we do not learn from history.
Because of advancements in astronomy and mathematics over the millennia of human history, the ability to predict with certainty the exact trajectory, time and duration of something as remarkable as a solar eclipse is a testimony to the power, wisdom and faithfulness of God to create certainties in the midst of what appears to be a very uncertain world.
For the ancient world, however, the unexpectedness of a solar eclipse brought terror. It seemed to confirm the latent fear of darkened pagan hearts and minds that their gods were capricious and angry – unpredictable and bent on judgment and destruction. Yet we read of the God of the Bible that,
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
The word translated shadow is an ancient word which means “eclipse.” The Lord is a God who is constant and kind. He never changes. He is as good as His Word. Consider what the scripture says about God’s promises.
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45
For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Christ Jesus]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, January 14, as we examine the story of Isaac’s birth in Genesis 21 and consider the trustworthiness of a God who makes and keeps promises. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
Unbreakable
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6
Lovers are always looking for a way to declare their unbreakable, steadfast love for one another. One contemporary trend is for couples to place a padlock on a bridge railing and throw the key into the water, symbolizing an unbreakable, permanent commitment. These “love-locks” can be seen on the Junction Bridge in downtown Little Rock. But, the most famous locale for love-locks is the Pont des Arts in Paris.
Lovers have been placing locks there for over a decade to memorialize their unbreakable commitment to one another. But there is a problem. Forty-five tons of locks have accumulated on the historic bridge threatening its safety. With great poetic irony, the City Fathers of Paris have decided to cut off all the locks, utterly destroying the intended symbol.
It is hard to find unbreakable love. Man’s fickleness and self-concern always get in the way. Sin seems always to cut away at the love that was declared to be unbreakable. Yet, the Scripture speaks of a love that is unbreakable.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Nothing can separate us from this love, including our own stubborn sin and inconsistency of faith. The life of Abraham reveals a shining example of this. The man of faith, who is given so many remarkable promises, fails to trust in God’s Word and His Love, time and time again. We see this vividly in Genesis 20 as Abraham allows his wife to be taken again into the harem of a petty tyrant. We might expect God to have had enough, but instead we find quite the opposite.
One commentator rightly noted.
Abraham did but illustrate what is all too sadly common among the Lord’s people — that which might be termed the inconsistency of faith. How often those who are not afraid to trust God with their souls, are afraid to trust Him with regard to their bodies! How often those who have the full assurance of faith in regard to eternal things, are full of unbelief and fear when it comes to temporal things! And how did God act? Did He lose patience with Abraham, and cast off one so fickle and inconsistent? Manifestly Abraham had dishonored the Lord in acting as he did, in setting such an evil example before [unbelievers]. Yet, behold the grace of Him with whom we have to do. Instead of casting him off, God interposed and delivered Abraham and his wife from the peril which menaced them. Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Genesis.
Where will you find unbreakable, steadfast love? Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, January 7, as we examine the sordid story of Abraham and Abimelech in Genesis 20 and consider the unbreakable love God offers us. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
Here’s The Church
Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, open the doors and see all the people…
There was a day when we could recognize a building as a church by its distinctive features, but now the architecture of sacred spaces runs the gamut. Churches are designed to identify with a thousand different subtly secularized ideas about their mission, vision and community. Some look like schools, others like shopping malls, while some resemble professional office parks and are called campuses. Church buildings come in every conceivable shape and size, each with a corresponding and yet, competing vision of why it exists.
But the church is not the building, and its mission, vision and community, while flavored by the soil in which it is planted, is not as variable as the edifices that house it. The church pictured in the New Testament is not an innovation or departure from the Old Testament covenanted community. In fact, it is explicitly described as “the Israel of God.” On the day of Pentecost, the church is not born as some assert, but new branches are radically engrafted. The essence of the ekklesia, the “called ones” is reasserted, not reinvented, but now with the “dividing wall of hostility removed.”
Acts 2:36-47 reveals a glimpse of this as the picture of the church, its identity, and its impact is reaffirmed in light of Pentecost. In our day, when the mission, vision and community of the church is as diverse as the buildings in which it meets, it is important to return to the exemplar.
What is a Church? What is the Pottsville Associate Reformed Church? Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, November 12, as we examine Acts 2 and consider our identity and impact as a Church. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
The Art of Neighboring
Elizabeth Bennett’s father in Pride and Prejudice was notoriously disengaged from the world in which he lived. He loved the quiet of his study and accepted the society of his neighbors only as a sort of entertaining study in human folly. He famously quipped, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”
For most of us, our neighbors are people we view from a distance and love only metaphorically. We see them come and go, we view them from the window or through the privacy fence. We speculate about their lives, but often don’t know their names. Yet, Jesus taught that our love for our neighbor is cut out of the same cloth as our love for God.
In their book, The Art of Neighboring, authors Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon make an eminently practical observation.
Jesus said to love our neighbors. Sure, the teaching extends to our metaphoric neighbors – people everywhere in need. This extends to the people we work with, the parent on our kid’s soccer team, and even the person on the other side of the world who is in need of a meal. But it also means our actual neighbors – the people who live next door.
Jesus’ command takes us much deeper than most of us are willing to go. This was the case with a lawyer who came forward to test Jesus in Luke 10, asking ‘and who is my neighbor?’ After declaring that the law calls us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves, the lawyer no doubt feels he in over his head and seeks to narrow the field to a manageable and comfortable size. Jesus “takes up” the lawyer’s question with a story about a merciful Samaritan and turns the question on its head from “who is my neighbor” to “who became a neighbor?”
“To whom are you a neighbor” is a very different question than “and who is my neighbor?” To whom are you a neighbor? God is already working in your neighborhood. Are you willing to find out how, simply by being a neighbor? Join us for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church this Lord’s Day, November 5, as we consider our calling to be a neighbor from the story of the Good Samaritan. For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
S.D.G.
‘The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Bach is well remembered for penning Soli Deo Gloria,“To the Glory of God Alone,” at the conclusion of his compositions, especially those intended for the worship of the gathered church. Perhaps this was a poignant way of declaring that it wasn’t the applause of a congregation, the praise of his patrons, or even the respect of his contemporaries that drove him to compose, but he did so for the honor and glory of God alone both in his work for the worship of the church and the edification of his neighbor.
Historian Jaroslav Pelikan commented that this commitment on Bach’s part,
“…bespeaks the conviction of Luther and the Reformers that the performance of any God-pleasing vocation was the service of God, even if it did not lead to the performance of chorales. The Bach of the Peasant Cantata, the partitas, and the concertos was not ‘too secular.’ These were, rather, the expression of a unitary … world view, in which all beauty … was sacred because God was one, both Creator and Redeemer.”
Soli Deo Gloria, the last of the Reformation ‘Solas,’ was one of the key summaries of Reformation thought, declaring that God’s redemptive work was thoroughly gracious, depending upon nothing but the work of God and directed toward nothing but the glory of God. But more than this, Soli Deo Gloria also became a summary of Reformation life as everyday life became the context in which man glorifies God. In a world so enraptured by human achievement and advancement, what continuing relevance can Soli Deo Gloria have? Ought our works also be concluded with the annotation S.D.G.?
Join us this Lord’s Day, October 29, for worship at Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as we consider the question, “Why Does Soli Deo Gloria Still Matter?” For directions click here. We look forward to seeing you.
Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 