top of page

This Week at First

ree

The last Sunday in October is traditionally celebrated as “Reformation Sunday” as we reflect on Rev. Martin Luther’s complaints and calls for the reformation of the church as expressed in his 95 Theses nailed to the door of the chapel of the Wittenburg Castle on October 31, 1517. In keeping with the spirit of the day, we will ask, "What Reforms Do We Need?” The message will be based on both 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 and Luke 18:9-14.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


2 Timothy 3:14-4:5


 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,  15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[a] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

 

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:  proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires,  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.  As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.


Luke 18:9-14


The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:  10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’  13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”









9am Service:


10:30am Service:

Not available


ree

Laity Sunday: This year, our “guest” preacher for Laity Sunday will be our own Mike Poltonavage, who serves as a Christ Servant Minister. Here is an idea of the direction he will be taking us:


Fear. What do we fear? We’re all afraid sometimes. We’re going to look at an angel’s message from long ago and a favorite holiday cartoon (even though it’s only October). They both tell us why we don’t have to be afraid. Our scripture is Luke 2:8-14 and a few others. Our message is titled simply “Fear Not.”


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Luke 2:8-14


The Shepherds and the Angels

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord.  12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

 

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]








9am Service:


10:30am Service:


ree

In a materialistic world of greed, we often ask, “How much is enough?” This week, that is the question, but it has nothing to do with materialistic wealth; rather, it has to do with our faith. Using both 2 Timothy 1:1-14 and Luke 17:5-10 as our scriptures, we will explore just “How Much Is Enough?”


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


2 Timothy 1:1-14


Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

 

To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Thanksgiving and Encouragement

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.  Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.  For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;  for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

 

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God,  who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,  10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,[a]  12 and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.[b]  13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.


Luke 17:5-10


The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a[a] mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’?  Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’?  Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?  10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”








9am Service:


10:30am Service:


Palmyra First UMC

717-838-2551

520 E. Birch St., Palmyra, PA

©2022 by Palmyra First UMC. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page