Lent 2024

This Wednesday, February 14, is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. If you didn’t grow up with Lent (and I know many of you didn’t, myself included), here’s a bit of background.

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “springtime.” It refers to the length of time before Easter, traditionally forty days, when the Church prepares to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Advent helps us prepare spiritually for Christmas, Lent helps us prepare spiritually for Holy Week and Easter.

You may be asking, Do I have to observe Lent?  The first answer is, Of course not! But the second answer is, Why wouldn’t you?  This season is a gift to us in which we may pause and reflect on our lives in light of Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to observe it this year. Typically folks use this time as a chance to give something up: certain foods, certain media, certain habits. In recent years it’s become popular to take something on: daily prayer, for instance, or journaling or Sabbath-keeping. Regardless, the goal isn’t self-promotion (pride) but self-effacement (humility). What will help you humble yourself over the next forty days, so that you can see Jesus more clearly? Whatever the answer is… do it.

For a special focus during Lent, we will be offering a prayer group beginning on February 21 at 6:00pm in the Garden Room (next to the Fellowship Hall).  Be on the lookout for more information!

February Pastor's Letter

Dear church family,

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:10-11

If you’ve been in church with us recently, you’ve heard me quote this Scripture from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. It’s a passage that I believe God highlighted for me at the beginning of the year, and it’s been guiding my study, preparation, and preaching through the Gospel of Luke this winter. I share it with you because perhaps it reflects your desire, too: “I want to know Christ…”

But how do we know Christ? We are, after all, Christians (or “little Christs”), so shouldn’t knowing Jesus be our primary focus? Our modus operandi, our raison d'être, our mission in life? Absolutely. None of us would disagree… yet we might admit that such a task is easier said than done. After all, we can’t meet Jesus for a cup of coffee the way we might meet each other at City Lights or Bojangles; we can’t shake his hand or give him a hug or hear him laugh. But that doesn’t mean we can’t know him.

This is where Scripture comes in: we can open our Bibles and learn more about Jesus in the Old and New Testaments (not just the gospels), because we believe that “every story whispers his name.” This is why prayer is so important: we can speak to Jesus and invite him to speak to us in return, as “deep calling unto deep.” And this is why worship, fellowship, and service are integral to being the church: we can spend time together as the body of Christ, remembering the one who said, “I will be with you always.”

So, I invite you to get to know Christ at First Presbyterian Church as February begins and as we celebrate the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of repentance and renewal before Holy Week and Easter. Lent provides us with the opportunity to examine our lives – not in order to feel miserable because of our sins, but to feel grateful, and to live gratefully, because of our Savior. Lent is, therefore, the perfect time for us to commit (or re-commit) ourselves to the dusty road of discipleship, and to meet Jesus there. I hope you’ll come along.

See you Sunday,
Blake

December Pastor's Letter

Dear church family and friends,

December is here, and another Advent season has arrived. In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus and the coming of our Savior and Lord. In the meantime, what do we do? We worship, pray, and prepare. We decorate our houses and set our tables and open our hearts in wonder. We resist the all-consuming commercialism of our culture and make space for contemplation. We seek justice, show mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). In all this, we watch and wait for the coming of the King.

As we do, I want to invite you to trust, yet again, that this waiting time is not wasted time. As much as we want to rush the process and celebrate Christmas prematurely, God is up to something by inviting us into this time of anticipation. Just think of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, or crying out in exile. Think of Elizabeth and Zechariah, John the Baptist, and – of course – Mary and Joseph. Think of those shepherds, keeping watch over the flocks by night. The hope, peace, joy, and love of God’s people is always forged in the crucible of waiting.

I hope you will take a look at our church calendar and website. There are wonderful things taking place in the life of our congregation, and you are welcome to get involved in any of them. (If you need help, just let me know.) Together, let’s recommit ourselves to walking the dusty road of discipleship, trusting that Jesus was, is, and always will be leading the way.

Yours,
Blake

“As his sheep, we have been given a bountiful lot of prosperity and protection… What does this look like? We might imagine a herd of docile sheep resting freely under a shady tree as he stands with staff in hand, ensuring total serenity in his care. His peace ushers eternal shalom into every avenue of life.”

- from The Eternal King Arrives: Journeying Through Advent with Our Humble and Mighty Savior (our Advent devotional guide this year)

Prayer in the Season of Lent

The season of Lent has begun!

To guide our time through this holy season, we will be offering a Lenten Prayer Group starting on March 8 at 6:00pm. The goals for the group are simple: we will learn about prayer, and we will pray. No preparation is necessary, other than a heart that is open to the Lord and to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

There is, however, a video series that will aid and deepen our group.  It’s called “Rule of Life: Prayer,” from Practicing the Way, and you can learn more about it by clicking here.  The website will ask you to register, which will grant you access to our church's group page!

We hope to see you on Wednesday nights starting March 8!

Schedule:

• Week 1—March 8—Talking to God

• Week 2—March 15—Talking with God

• Week 3—March 22—Listening to God

• Week 4—March 29—Being with God

• Week 5—April 5—Following God’s Direction

*Please notify the Church Office if you need childcare.

Resources for Prayer

Podcast: “Rule of Life: Prayer” – available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts online.

Prayer Room: Our church Prayer Room is available for you to use anytime the church is open. It is located across the hall from the Sanctuary.

Books about Prayer

There are more books on prayer than anyone could ever read! Where should you begin? Here are some resources that I (Blake) have found especially helpful in my journey with Jesus:

For a general introduction to prayer: Richard Foster, Prayer

• Richard Foster is the founder and former president of Renovaré, an interdenominational Christian ministry that focuses on spiritual formation. I read through this book when I was first ordained in Raleigh and found Foster’s wisdom and insights to be profoundly helpful, especially for a beginner in the school of prayer.

For a guide to praying with Scripture, especially the Psalms: Eugene Peterson, Answering God

• Eugene Peterson is one of my favorite writers and thinkers. In this book he not only explores the importance of prayer for the Christian life, but he opens up the Psalms as the prayer-book of the Bible. In these cries of joy and lament (and everything in between), we see every human emotion laid bare before the face of God.

For a study of prayer through a Reformed lens: P.T. Forsyth, The Soul of Prayer

• Forsyth was a titan of late-19th/early-20th century Scottish theology, and this book bears witness to that fact. Short but chock-full of rich theology and pastoral reflections, this is a must-read for anyone who hopes to recover the practice of prayer in our Presbyterian tradition.

For a study of prayer through an ancient lens: Gabriel Bunge, Earthen Vessels

• I read through this book in 2016, during my first Lenten season in Sylva, and it quickly became one of my favorites. Bunge began as a Catholic priest and monk and later converted to Orthodoxy, and his writing represents his commitment to both the church and the Great Tradition of the Christian faith. Read this book for a look at how the communion of saints have prayed through the ages, and be encouraged to go and do likewise.

Devotionals

These books are meant to be read slowly and contemplatively – more for the “heart” than for the “head” – and often in conjunction with Scripture.

For a short, grace-filled daily devotional: Brennan Manning, Reflections for Ragamuffins

• This was my daily devotional during my first year of marriage to Erin, and I can still picture the kitchen table in Costa Rica where I would sit each morning and drink my coffee and read this book. Manning was a master teacher of the gospel of grace, and this book — full of insights from his various other books — does not disappoint. Read a page each day and be challenged and encouraged by the goodness of God.

For a longer devotional that focuses on morning, noontime, and evening prayer: Phyllis Tickle, The Divine Hours

• To go deeper in prayer, many Christians take on the practice of praying “the hours,” which refers to praying three, five, or even seven times a day on a regularly-scheduled rhythm. These books (three in all) provide guidance for doing this. Tickle was an Episcopalian and draws heavily from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, but this is a helpful resource for anyone desiring an ordered prayer life. It has been my guide for years, one that I read nearly every weekday morning.

For a compendium of daily, household prayers: McKelvey & Bustard, Every Moment Holy

• I confess that I haven’t spent much time with these prayers yet, but trusted friends rave about this as a beautiful resource for daily faithfulness – especially for those who have read Tish Harrison Warren’s Liturgy of the Ordinary and who want to take the next step.

Of course, these lists aren’t exhaustive: there are so many other resources for you to explore. Many of our church members have benefited from Oswald Chambers’ book My Utmost for His Highest. Many have enjoyed Philip Yancey and Timothy Keller’s books (both called Prayer and both in our church library). Many in our church have been blessed by the ministry of Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International. Ask the Lord and your trusted friends to help you and to teach you as we go deeper in prayer together. And above all, don’t let your desire to learn get in the way of Jesus’ invitation for you to actually pray!

Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday, February 22, is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. If you didn’t grow up with Lent (and I know many of you didn’t, myself included), here’s a bit of background.

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “springtime.” It refers to the length of time before Easter, traditionally forty days, when the Church prepares to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Advent helps us prepare spiritually for Christmas, Lent helps us prepare spiritually for Holy Week and Easter.

You may be asking, Do I have to observe Lent?  The first answer is, Of course not! But the second answer is, Why wouldn’t you?  This season is a gift to us in which we may pause and reflect on our lives in light of Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to observe it this year. Typically folks use this time as a chance to give something up: certain foods, certain media, certain habits. In recent years it’s become popular to take something on: daily prayer, for instance, or journaling or Sabbath-keeping. Regardless, the goal isn’t self-promotion (pride) but self-effacement (humility). What will help you humble yourself over the next forty days, so that you can see Jesus more clearly? Whatever the answer is… do it.

For a special focus during Lent, we will be offering a prayer group beginning on March 8 at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.  Be on the lookout for more information!

Pastor's Letter

Dear church family,

If you’ve watched TV over the past few months – especially a major sporting event – you’ve likely seen advertisements for a new campaign called “He Gets Us.” The ads are in black in white, depicting images of ordinary life and people while a narrator describes a particular theme and how, surprisingly, it points to Jesus. (One ad, for example, addresses loneliness and culminates with the words, “Jesus felt alone, too. He gets us.”) The ads then direct viewers to learn more at a website: hegetsus.com.

Intrigued by all this, I recently listened to an interview with Jason Vanderground, a marketing professional and one of the campaign managers for He Gets Us. I learned a lot. For instance, Vanderground explained that the ads were devised by Christians trying to use journalism to spread the gospel to a wide audience. He said they have spent approximately $100 million on the ads, with plans to double that amount over the next year. And he said that reactions to the campaign have been predictably diverse. For instance, surveys indicate that some people (Christians and non-Christians alike) have been intrigued and drawn in, while others have interpreted it as contrived and gimmicky; some have questioned its theological and political orientation, while others have questioned the ethics of spending so much money on an ad campaign. What’s undeniable, he said, is that it has a lot of different people talking about Jesus.

I’ll admit: in listening to the interview, I was won over by the campaign’s intentions. For the first time, or the first time in a long time, we all need to get to know Jesus — to take a good look at him in Scripture; to read about what he says and does in the gospels; and to consider if our lives line up with his life, if our mission look like his mission, if our spirits are immersed in his Spirit (and not vice versa). Indeed, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” To die to selfishness and sin, and to rise again to new life in him.

This is the motivation behind our current winter sermon series. From now through Easter, we’re taking a closer look at Jesus by reading sections of the gospel of John. John gives us a perspective like no other, in which Jesus identifies himself with the God of Israel, the great “I Am,” in some creative and powerful ways. “I am the bread of life,” he says. “I am the true vine.” “I am the resurrection and the life.” Each of these descriptions shines light on the one who came as the light of life, the very presence of God with us and for us. I hope you’ll join us this month for Sunday worship and other events in our life together as we take a deeper look at the ways he gets us.

Yours in Christ,
Blake

Winter Sermon Series: "I Am"

Who is Jesus? What does it mean to meet with him? How can we spend time with him, learn from him, and be led by him? One major way is by reading the Bible. On page after page, the words of Scripture bear witness to the Word who took on flesh and dwelled among us. Indeed, as Sally Lloyd-Jones says in The Jesus Storybook Bible: “Every story whispers his name.”

Trusting that this is so, we will be studying Jesus on Sunday mornings for the next few months at First Presbyterian Church! We'll look specifically at the ways Jesus presents and describes himself in the gospel of John, paying special attention to the "I am" statements scattered throughout the book ("I am the bread of life," "I am the true vine," etc.) What is Jesus teaching us in these statements? What does it reveal about who he is and who we are in his light?

I invite you to join us for Sunday School and worship this wintertime as we go deeper in life with God and life together.

Yours,
Blake

Sermon Scriptures & Topics

• 1/15/2023 - John 1:1-18 - I Am the Word

• 1/22/2023 - John 3:1-21 - I Am the Son of Man

• 1/29/2023 - John 4:1-26 - I Am He

• 2/5/2023 (Guest Preacher; Scripture TBD)

• 2/12/2023 - John 6:25-51 - I Am the Bread of Life

• 2/19/2023 - John 8:12-30 - I Am the Light

• 2/26/2023 - John 10:1-21 - I Am the Good Shepherd

• 3/5/2023 - John 11:1-27 - I Am the Resurrection and the Life

• 3/12/2023 - John 14:1-14 - I Am the Way

• 3/19/2023 - John 15:1-8 - I Am the True Vine

Advent 2022

Sunday, November 27 marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. We invite you to prepare for “the Promised One” as we move through this season together!

In-person worship services take place in the sanctuary at 11:00am on Sundays. We will continue live-streaming for those who prefer to worship from home via our YouTube page. Here are the upcoming Scripture readings:

• 11/27 - Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44 (1st Sunday of Advent)

• 12/04 - Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12 (2nd Sunday of Advent)

• 12/11 - Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11 (3rd Sunday of Advent)

• 12/18 - Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25 (4th Sunday of Advent)

• 12/24 - Isaiah 62:6-12; Luke 2:1-20 (Christmas Eve)

• 12/25 - Isaiah 52:7-10; John 1:1-14 (Christmas Day)

Need a guide through the season of Advent? We recommend The Promised One, a collection of devotions published by Christianity Today. We will have copies of this devotional available at the church (suggested donation: $10), or you can purchase an online copy here.

Our Christmas Music Program will take place on Dec. 11 at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Members of both our adult and children’s choirs will perform Advent and Christmas music for all to enjoy! We hope to see you there.

We are hosting a service of Worship on the Longest Night on Dec. 14 at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. This will be a simple, contemplative service of wholeness and healing in which we share our grief, name our struggles, and claim the promises of God to make all things new.

We will also be having a Candlelight Service of Worship on Christmas Eve. We will gather on Dec. 24 at 6:00pm in the FPC Sanctuary, and a reception will follow in our Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome, of any age, from our congregation and community!

Dr. John Swinton

First Presbyterian Church of Sylva is pleased to host Dr. John Swinton, Professor of Practical Theology & Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. John will be with us on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10am-2pm (and again on Sunday morning). He will give a presentation called “Finding Jesus in the Storm,” focusing on the intersection of mental health and Christian discipleship. All are welcome to attend from the church and larger community. A light lunch will be provided, and childcare will be available upon request. Please email the church office with any questions or to request childcare: office@sylvapres.org. The event is free of charge, although donations will be gratefully accepted.

About John Swinton

John Swinton is Professor and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He focuses on theology, disability, mental health, and pastoral care. On the Aberdeen website, he writes,

The foundation for much of my research and teaching has emerged from my background in nursing, ministry and healthcare chaplaincy. I worked as a nurse for sixteen years initially within the field of mental health and latterly within the area of learning disabilities. I also worked for a number of years as a hospital chaplain, latterly as a community mental health chaplain. It was whilst working in these fields that I began to gain a passion for developing modes of care that are genuinely person centred and which take seriously the significance of theology, spirituality and religion within the processes of healing, healing and community building.

I am an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland with a strong commitment to supporting the work of the church. I am member of Aberdeen Presbytery and currently secretary of Christ's College, which is responsible for the welfare and education of candidates for the ministry of the Church of Scotland.

Books by John Swinton

Interviews with John Swinton

Holy Week & Easter

King of my life, I crown Thee now / Thine shall the glory be
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow / Lead me to Calvary
Lest I forget Gethsemane / Lest I forget Thine agony
Lest I forget Thy love for me / Lead me to Calvary

We sang these words at the close of our worship service on April 10, as a reminder that the joy of Palm Sunday gives way to the sorrow of Holy Week. The same Jesus who is greeted with palms and fanfare goes on to die, "for us and for our salvation," as the Nicene Creed puts it.

For the first time in three years, we will gather together for a Maundy Thursday meal. Join us on April 14 at 6pm in the FPC Fellowship Hall, and bring a main dish, side, salad, or dessert to share (drinks will be provided). After we eat, we will remember Jesus' Last Supper by sharing in communion together. Then we will gather in the sanctuary for a worship service centered around the cross (beginning around 7:30pm). We will leave the service in darkness as a reminder of Jesus' entombment and descent to the dead. Then we will wait. Because the good news is, Sunday's coming.

Yours in Christ,
Blake

Join us for Easter Worship on April 17:
Sunrise Worship
7:00am at Bridge Park
Traditional Worship
11:00am in the FPC Sanctuary

Lent 2022

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Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. If you didn’t grow up with Lent (and I know many of you didn’t, myself included), here’s a bit of background…

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “springtime.” It refers to the length of time before Easter, traditionally forty days, when the Church prepares to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Advent helps us prepare spiritually for Christmas, Lent helps us prepare spiritually for Holy Week and Easter.

You may be asking, Do I have to observe Lent?  The first answer is, Of course not! But the second answer is, Why wouldn’t you?  This season is a gift to us in which we may pause and reflect on our lives in light of Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to observe it this year. Typically folks use this time as a chance to give something up: certain foods, certain media, certain habits. In recent years it’s become popular to take something on: daily prayer, for instance, or journaling and letter-writing. Regardless, the goal isn’t self-promotion (pride) but self-effacement (humility). What will help you humble yourself over the next forty days, so that you can see Jesus more clearly? Whatever the answer is… do it.

For a special focus during this Lenten season, we at First Presbyterian Church are studying Following Jesus by Henri Nouwen. Want to read along? You can order a copy by clicking here. We will be meeting on Wednesdays at the church from 6:30-7:30pm for discussion and prayer. We welcome you to join us as we walk the way of Christ together.

• To learn more about Ash Wednesday, click here.

Lent Study: "Following Jesus"

The season of Lent has begun, and we at First Presbyterian Church will be studying the book Following Jesus by Henri Nouwen, starting March 9 at 6:30pm. Questions? Contact the church office!

Here is the study outline:

• March 2 - Ash Wednesday Worship (please read the Introduction and Chapter 1 before next week!)

• March 9 - Chapter 1: The Invitation

• March 16 - Chapter 2: The Call

• March 23 - Chapter 3: The Challenge

• March 30 - Chapter 4: The Cost

• April 6 - Chapter 5: The Reward

• April 13 - Chapter 6: The Promise

Pastor's Letter

“Who do you say I am?”

This is Jesus’ question to his disciples in the gospels, and it is his question to us as well.  He doesn’t ask us who scholars or skeptics or saints say he is; he asks us who we say he is, guided by Scripture. 

We might say that Jesus wants to make things personal.  Not private, but personal.  He wants to spark conviction in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit, so we can turn from our sin, call him our Lord, and follow him on the dusty road of discipleship for the renewal and restoration of the world. 

I once heard the Scottish professor and writer, Andrew Purves, put it this way: “The great theological question,” he said, “is essentially a who question: not ‘how did you do that?’ or ‘what did you do?’ or ‘can I do what you did?’ The essential question is, ‘Who are you, Lord?’”

I don’t know about you, but this “who question” has become more important to me during the past two years, both in terms of Jesus and in terms of his body, the church. 

Living through a pandemic has made me depend on Jesus more than ever – as all my idols have been interrogated and so many of my comforts have been stripped away.  Who is the one who loves us without fail, who will never let us down, and who promises to give us hope and a future?  It’s Jesus, Emmanuel, our Savior. 

At the same time, living through a pandemic has made me realize the importance of community – as Zoom meetings, quarantine, and endless TV and Internet commentary have revealed the primordial truth that “it is not good for man to be alone.”  Who are the people that Jesus has given me to share the journey?  It’s you.  The people of First Presbyterian Church, living as the body of Christ and an outpost of God’s Kingdom. 

I know I sound like an owl or maybe like Dr. Seuss, but the “whos” make all the difference – the “who” of Jesus, and the “who” of you.  Because when they come together, we get the cruciform (cross-shaped) witness of the church, a witness that this wounded and weary world so desperately needs. 

Take a deep breath and consider how you can enter into February with Jesus and with others, too.  Can you spend some time reading Matthew this month?  Could you come to Sunday School and worship on Sunday mornings?  Why not give me a call or send me an email so we can get together and catch up?  The Christian life is always personal, but never private.  Let’s keep walking the path together, trusting the Lord to lead the way.

Yours in Christ,
Blake

Image: Owls in Flight by Victoria Lakes

Advent 2021

You’re invited!

This Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. We invite you to “prepare the way of the Lord” as we move through this season together.

In-person worship services take place in the sanctuary at 11:00am on Sundays. Masks are required for worship and other gatherings, and we encourage you to socially-distance. We will continue live-streaming for those who prefer to worship from home via our YouTube page.

Please see the information below about upcoming events, and join us if you can!

Need a guide through the season of Advent? We recommend God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is a powerful daily devotional based on Bonhoeffer's writings. We will have copies available at the church (suggested donation: $10) or you can order your own through City Lights Bookstore or elswhere!

Join us for a Service of Worship on the Longest Night on Dec. 15 at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. The holidays are not always "merry and bright.” Let's walk through the darkness together and renew our hope in Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

We will also be having an Outdoor Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. We will gather on Dec. 24 at 5:00pm at the Phillips home across the church parking lot. Please bundle up and bring a folding chair if you'd like to sit (the service won’t be too long, so you are welcome to stand). Masks are optional, and candles and light refreshments will be provided. In the event of inclement weather, we will move the service into the Sanctuary. We will notify the congregation of any changes by noon on Christmas Eve.

Finally, we invite you to give to one or more of the following needs for Advent and Christmas as you are able:

• First Presbyterian Church - attn: Cornerstone Campaign

• First Presbyterian Church - attn: General Fund

• Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth, & Families

Thank you!

The Season of Lent

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent. If you didn’t grow up with Lent (and I know many of you didn’t, myself included), here’s a bit of background…

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “springtime.” It refers to the length of time before Easter, traditionally forty days, when the Church prepares to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Advent helps us prepare spiritually for Christmas, Lent helps us prepare spiritually for Holy Week and Easter.

You may be asking, Do I have to observe Lent?  The first answer is, Of course not! But the second answer is, Why wouldn’t you?  This season is a gift to us in which we may pause and reflect on our lives in light of Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to observe it this year. Typically folks use this time as a chance to give something up: certain foods, certain media, certain habits. In recent years it’s become popular to take something on: daily prayer, for instance, or journaling and letter-writing. Regardless, the goal isn’t self-promotion (pride) but self-effacement (humility). What will help you humble yourself over the next forty days, so that you can see Jesus more clearly? Whatever the answer is… do it.

For a special focus during this Lenten season, we at First Presbyterian Church are studying and praying through Backyard Pilgrim by Matt Canlis. Want to read along? You can order a copy by clicking here. We are also meeting on Wednesday at noon for “Wednesdays on the Way” to walk on the Sylva Greenway while we discuss each week’s readings. We welcome you to join us as we walk the way of Christ together.

Pastor's Letter

“This is the way.”

So says the titular character in The Mandalorian, a hugely successful TV show (and current favorite of the Daniel family) now streaming on Disney+.  The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter who abides by an ancient belief system called the “Way of the Mandalore,” which requires him, among other things, to keep his helmet on whenever he’s in the presence of other people.  So, throughout the show, characters will ask him to remove his helmet and he refuses, saying: “This is the way.”

I wonder if we Christians can learn something from this sci-fi hero – not so much about helmets (although, perhaps, mask-wearing?), but about faithfulness and discipleship.  Like the Mandalorian, we have a way to follow through life.  Except our way is not an ancient belief system, but a person who is himself the Way.  Remember what Jesus told his disciples in John 14?  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  Remember what Jesus said to the fishermen in Mark 1?  “Come, follow me.”  These verses remind us that if we want to know the way, we should start by knowing Jesus – and then we should follow as he leads us. 

My hope for myself, you, and our congregation is that we might walk in the way of Christ in every aspect of our lives.  These are disorienting times, and it’s easy for us to lose our way.  We Christians, like everyone else, have not been at our best lately. As the world has changed around us, we’ve struggled to find our footing.  Yet God is good, his grace is sufficient, and he invites us again and again back to the way of Christ.  We know from Mark’s Gospel that this is a way of baptism, calling, friendship, mission, and compassion.  As Lent begins, we will see that it’s also a way of cross-bearing, simplicity, service, and self-giving love.  None of this is easy, but it’s so, so worth it.  This is the way.

Yours in Christ,
Blake

Mark: The Way of Christ

On Christmas Eve we heard the good news of Emmanuel, "God with us." But who is the God who is with us? Who, in other words, is Jesus Christ? And who are we in his light?

This is the focus of the gospel of Mark, and it will be our focus in this winter season. We invite you to join us as we study Mark together and recommit ourselves to the way of Christ. You can access our live-stream worship services on Sunday mornings at 11:00am by visiting www.sylvapres.org.

Weekly Sermon Scriptures*

• 1/10/2021 - Mark 1:9-15 (Baptism of the Lord)

• 1/17/2021 - Mark 1:16-20

• 1/24/2021 - Mark 2:1-12

• 1/31/2021 - Mark 6:6-13

• 2/7/2021 - Mark 6:30-44

• 2/14/2021 - Mark 9:2-10 (Transfiguration Sunday)

• 2/21/2021 - Mark 11:1-11 (First Sunday in Lent)

• 2/28/2021 - Mark 11:12-26

• 3/07/2021 - Mark 14:1-11

• 3/14/2021 - Mark 14:12-26

• 3/21/2021 - Mark 14:32-42

• 3/28/2021 - Mark 14-15

• 4/1/2021 - Mark 15:33-41 (Palm Sunday)

• 4/4/2021 - Mark 16:1-8 (Easter Sunday)

*Scripture passages subject to change!

Guiding Questions*

For Interpretation:

1. What do I learn about God in this passage?

2. What do I learn about people?

3. What do I learn about relating to God?

4. What do I learn about relating to others?

For Application:

1. What does God want me to understand/think in this passage?

2. What does God want me to believe?

3. What does God want me to desire?

4. What does God want me to do?

*From “8 Questions to Help You Understand and Apply the Bible”

Pastor's Letter

Lately I have been reflecting on the earliest creed in the Christian faith.  It’s just three simple words:

“Jesus is Lord.”

I’m sure you’ve heard this creed before.  It has been the cry of Christ’s disciples from the first century to today.  But what does it mean?

First of all, it’s a theological claim.  When we confess Jesus as our Lord, we are saying that he is God.  He's not sort-of-God or less-than-God.  He is, as the Nicene Creed tells us, “the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”  So, this is a claim about God the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  We may not fully understand this claim but, as Christians, we believe it, profess it to be true, and depend upon it for our salvation.

As the same time, to call Jesus our Lord is say something political.  The first Christians were members of the Roman Empire, which required all its citizens to affirm that Caesar was Lord.  But those Christians wouldn’t do that, because to call Jesus “Lord” is to say that no one and nothing else is – not Caesar, not any other ruler, not a political party, not a popular ideology, not the Self.  Only Jesus.  Claiming this certainly put those Christians at odds with the status quo, but it also led them to bear faithful witness to a different way of life, the Kingdom of God.  And as Christ’s disciples today, we must do the same by understanding our lives, including our political life, in terms of Christ our Lord and not the other way around.

Why do I bring all this up? 

Because this creed is good news that rings out from the cross and empty tomb and we need to remember it today, in the year of our Lord, 2020.

As we turn the calendar into November and experience the most contentious election season in recent memory, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we continue to wear our masks, wash our hands, practice social distancing, and combat the coronavirus, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we try new things with Sunday worship, Zoom calls, and our life together, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we offer a response to racial injustices, social unrest, and the ongoing need for reconciliation, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

As we seek to fulfill our mission as a congregation to make disciples who love Jesus, the church, and their neighbors as themselves, we remember: Jesus is Lord.

To help us remember this, I will be preaching a short sermon series on this creed through the month of November.  This series will culminate with Christ the King Sunday, which will lead us right into Advent.  We have made our way through the Psalms of Lament on Sunday mornings; now let’s look to the Lordship of Jesus, and find our hope in him.

With you on the dusty road of discipleship,
Blake

Worship from Home

A Service for the Lord’s Day
June 7, 2020
Trinity Sunday

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Prelude

“The Potter’s Hand” - performed by Courtney Umphlett

Call to Worship – Psalm 8 (The Message)

God, brilliant Lord,
    yours is a household name.
Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
    toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
    and silence atheist babble.
I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
    Why take a second look our way?
Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
    bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
    repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
    even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
    whales singing in the ocean deeps.
God, brilliant Lord,
    your name echoes around the world.

Opening Prayer

Holy, holy, holy God, we worship and adore you—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today in our worship we long for a glimpse of your glory, seen perfectly in Christ, our Lord.  As we worship, may we gain new insight about the mystery and wonder of your love.  And may we find new ways to mirror that love in our world, through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Opening Song

“Holy, Holy, Holy”

Prayer of Confession

Father, you have come to meet us as we return to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, you died on the cross for our sins.
Christ, have mercy.
Spirit, you give us life and peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Please hear us as we confess our sins and shortcomings, confident of your grace.
(Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear the good news and rejoice: We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but we have received a spirit of adoption.  When we cry, “Abba! Father!”, it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.  In him, we are forgiven.  Thanks be to God!  Amen. 

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:1-2

Sermon – A Letter of Friendship

Song of Response

“Who Is Like The Lord Our God”

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: we adore you for your threeness and oneness, a holy mystery. We are in awe of that same unfathomable mystery reflected in the world around us: your beautiful creation; the complexity of an atom; the birth of a child; relationships of mutuality, reciprocity, trust, and love. We praise you for who you are, and for who you have created us to be as your image-bearers and partakers of the divine nature.

We come to you today with heavy hearts, for though you have created us for love, we have turned away and created such hate instead. Our world, our nation, our community, and our hearts bear witness to this. These days are filled with the cries of the lonely, the angry, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Help us to hear them. Help us to respond with grace. Most of all, help us to trust in you as the one who promises to send justice down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Break our hearts for what breaks yours, that we might truly be the church you are calling us to be and learn to live in love.

In humility and in hope, we offer our prayers to you today for:

• Creation and its care… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Our nation, its leaders, and its people… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Our community and those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• The church universal as it works on your behalf… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Our local church in its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Friends and family with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us. And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord.  (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779.  Thank you!)

Offertory

“Let Us Break Bread Together”

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

A Prayer in the Absence of the Lord’s Supper

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are present in the Sacrament.  We love you above all things and we long to receive you.  Since we cannot at this time receive you sacramentally, we ask that you come spiritually into our hearts and unite yourself to us.  Never let us be separated from you.  We pray this in your name, amen.

Closing Song

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you now and forever.
Amen.

Russian icon by Andrei Rublev (1360-1430) depicting the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18).

Worship from Home

A Service for the Lord’s Day
May 31, 2020
Pentecost Sunday

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Prelude

“There is a Hope” - Steve Baxley, soloist; Michael Collings, guitars/bass

Call to Worship – Psalm 104:24-33

How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up.
When you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face, they are terrified.
When you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Opening Prayer

Spirit of the living God, visit us again on this day of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Like a rushing wind that sweeps away all barriers,
come, Holy Spirit.
Like tongues of fire that set our hearts aflame,
come, Holy Spirit.
With speech that unites the Babel of our tongues,
come, Holy Spirit.
With love that overlaps the boundaries of race and nation,
come, Holy Spirit.
With power from above to make our weakness strong,
come, Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Song

“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”

Prayer of Confession

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.  I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.  Whoever has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me.  He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”  Guided by the truth, let us confess our sin to God. (Silent confession)

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear the good news and rejoice: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death.  And if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through the Spirit, who lives in us.”  Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

Scripture Readings

Sermon – The Descent of the Spirit

Song of Response

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

Affirmation of Faith – from The Westminster Confession of Faith

The Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and equal in power and glory, is, together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshipped throughout all ages.  He is the Lord and Giver of life, everywhere present, and is the source of all good thoughts, pure desires, and holy counsels in men… The Holy Spirit, whom the Father is ever willing to give to all who ask him, is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He regenerates men and women by his grace, convicts them of sin, moves them to repentance, and persuades and enables them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. He unites all believers to Christ, dwells in them as their Comforter and Sanctifier, gives to them the spirit of Adoption and Prayer, and performs all those gracious offices by which they are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all believers being vitally united to Christ, who is the Head, are thus united one to another in the Church, which is his body.

Prayers of the People

We praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your creative power and redeeming love.
Spirit of fire, you came as a rushing wind, breathing life and hope into dead bones and cold hearts on Pentecost.  We thank you for your presence in creation, in the church universal, in our worship, and in our lives.  We pray now for your intercession as we lift up…

• Those who are sick and alone (especially ___________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Those who are grieving (especially ___________), may they lament and receive hope because of you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Those who lack food, shelter, and are in situations that are unsafe (especially ___________), bring help. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• For those who provide care (especially ___________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Those who work and reside in places with limited resources for safe practices (nursing homes, military facilities, prisons), please make a way for justice and fair treatment. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Adults and children who suffer from mental illness or addiction, grant them provision, friendship, and freedom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Those who are profiled, mistreated, or even killed because of the color of their skin, bless them and lead all of us to repent of the sins of racism and to strive for your kingdom in which all people are valued and loved. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Civic leaders, that they would use their authority to pursue justice and safeguard the well-being and dignity of all. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• Leaders in education, businesses, and faith-communities, that they would have wisdom and courage for good decision-making around the topic of reopening. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

• The church, that we would breathe and so bear witness to your love and power in us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We lift up these prayers, trusting that you hear us.  And we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Tithes and Offerings

With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord.  (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779.  Thank you!)

Offertory

“Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” - performed by Margaret Hale

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Closing Song

“The Blessing - South Africa”

This song was recently shared with Blake as a response to the death of George Floyd and the ensuing race riots. We offer it as a part of our worship and as a reminder of God’s kingdom of justice and peace, in which people of “every nation, tribe, people and language will stand before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).

Benediction

May the love of the Father enfold us.
May the wisdom of the Son enlighten us.
May the fire of the Spirit kindle us.
And may the blessing of the Lord God
come down upon us and remain with us,
now and forevermore.
Amen.