A cross-marked door at North Lima Presbyterian Church
SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and
A CHALLENGE
We are people who claim Jesus Christ as one crucified (executed by hanging from a tree, as the Bible says), a human being like one of us, who laughed with loved ones and wept over the misguided and hurt.
Yet he is also God with us.
He is 100% God and 100% human. We have experienced him as risen from the dead, connected to all of us because we are immersed in him, and working through all of us for the renewal of the whole world.
He stands at the door - yours and ours - and knocks . . .
The continuing renewal of all creation - the next steps - requires us to take the initiative and do our part.
Please keep in mind that we do not neglect the crucifixion of Jesus as a once and done event. God came calling and knocking first, and still does . . .
Nevertheless, everyday we focus on the crucifixion of Jesus as a seed dying that now births new life in Christ for all of creation. This affirmation of faith includes our congregation because it includes the region and people surrounding
Lima Center.
It includes you.
The power of the resurrection is the power of new, revitalized life in loving service. God has done, is doing, and will do God’s part. God invites us to step up and do ours.
We hope you will help us step up to the challenge, because if you show up here . . .
OUR JOB IS TO HELP YOU NURTURE YOUR ROOTS IN CHRIST, OPEN THE DOOR OF LOVE WIDELY, AND BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!
HERE IS THE CHALLENGE
The Realm of God in stained glass
The Bible uses the image of a garden to help us picture the Realm of God, It shows up in the opening pages of Genesis and it closes the Bible in the Book of the Revelation. In between lie garden texts such as Isaiah 11, where lambs and lions dwell together and a human child leads them. This is one of the images that oversees worship in the North Lima church.
ONE MORE EDUCATIONAL/SPIRITUAL FORMATION EXERCISE FOR YOU
Because we take the Bible seriously, below are a series of links to a PowerPoint study on the gospels. We hope this study challenges you and spurs reflection for you. Please read each gospel as you are studying it!
In many parts of the world, the gospel and the church are controversial. Note how the church below, located on the other side of the world, is protected by both a stone wall and a wire fence.
The PowerPoint presentations found above, on the four literary gospels, may help explain why the one Gospel of Jesus Christ has been controversial and powerful throughout the world.
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Finally, springing from our deep Scottish roots, a timely blessing for you as we part:
“May He who gives the rain to pour,
And wings the blast to blaw,
Protect thee frae the driving show’r,
The bitter frost and snaw!
May He, the friend of Woe and Want,
Who heals life’s various stounds, (pains)
Protect and guard the mother plant,
And heal her cruel wounds!”
Robert Burns
