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This Week at First

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9 AM Contemporary

10:30 AM Traditional



Second Sunday in Lent: We generally think of the biblical message as one of hope, love, and redemption, but a fuller reading of the message also provides warnings for those who are “enemies of the cross of Christ.” This week, our message will be “Blessings and Curses” based on Philippians 3:17-4:1 and Luke 13:31-35.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Philippians 3:17-4:1


17 Brothers and sisters,[a] join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.  18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears.  19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.  20 But our citizenship[b] is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  21 He will transform the body of our humiliation[c] that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,[d] by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.  4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[e] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

 


Luke 13:31-35


The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”  32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me,[a] ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.  33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’  34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[b] you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”









9am Service:



10:30am Service:






First Sunday in Lent: What do we owe to God for all our blessings? Does this change in times of distress? As the Israelites were preparing to enter the promised land, this became a topic for Moses to address to the people (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). Jesus himself faced distress (Luke 4:1-13) and gave us a great example of faithfulness to God the Father. Based on these scriptures, our message will be “Giving God His Due.” This week’s 10:30 AM service will be extra special with the children of Noah’s Little Ark Christian Preschool providing some special music. Be sure to be present to support the kids and their families.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Deuteronomy 26:1-11


First Fruits and Tithes

26 When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it,  2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.  3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.”  4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God,  5 you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous.  6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us,  7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.  8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders;  9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.  10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God.  11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.

 



Luke 4:1-13


The Temptation of Jesus

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,  2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.  3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”  4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

 

5 Then the devil[a] led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  6 And the devil[b] said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”  8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,    and serve only him.’”

 

9 Then the devil[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,  10 for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,    to protect you,’

 

11 and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

 

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.










9am Service:

Recording not available



10:30am Service:





Ash Wednesday: The season of Lent is a time of reflections, repentance, and new beginnings. First Church is joining with Bethany and Campbelltown United Methodist Churches for a new beginning in cooperative ministry by cosponsoring a few special services. Ash Wednesday will be held at Bethany at 7:00 PM and focus on setting the tone for this season of repentance. The primary scripture will be Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 and Pastor Jim will deliver the message.


See you Sunday.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jim


Joel 2:1-2, 12-17


2 Blow the trumpet in Zion;    sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,    for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—2 a day of darkness and gloom,    a day of clouds and thick darkness!Like blackness spread upon the mountains    a great and powerful army comes;their like has never been from of old,    nor will be again after them    in ages to come.


12 Yet even now, says the Lord,    return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13     rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to the Lord, your God,    for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,    and relents from punishing.14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,    and leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offering    for the Lord, your God?

 

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;    sanctify a fast;call a solemn assembly;16     gather the people.Sanctify the congregation;    assemble the aged;gather the children,    even infants at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his room,    and the bride her canopy.

 

17 Between the vestibule and the altar    let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,    and do not make your heritage a mockery,    a byword among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,    ‘Where is their God?’”

 











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520 E. Birch St., Palmyra, PA

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