First Presbyterian Church Austin

What if God asked what our best possible connection to love might be, and decided to come to us in a way we could understand, a way we could counter the bad ideas, a way we could hear and see and accept that would get us beyond all the misunderstood words?

What if God asked what our best possible connection to love might be, and decided to come to us in a way we could understand, a way we could counter the bad ideas, a way we could hear and see and accept that would get us beyond all the misunderstood words?

First Presbyterian Church Austin

A meditation at the afternoon family service.

The old prophet told them the new king would be a shepherd, but they missed the Messiah because they wanted a conqueror.

The old prophet told them the new king would be a shepherd, but they missed the Messiah because they wanted a conqueror.

The old prophet told them what they would see in God’s light, but they missed the Messiah, because they kept their eyes closed.

The old prophet told them what they would see in God’s light, but they missed the Messiah, because they kept their eyes closed.

The old prophet gave them a Key made from refined gold, but they missed the Messiah because they tried to open all the wrong doors.

The old prophet gave them a Key made from refined gold, but they missed the Messiah because they tried to open all the wrong doors.

They read the promise from the old prophet about the tree of Jesse, but they missed the Messiah because they were looking at the roots more than the branches.

They read the promise from the old prophet about the tree of Jesse, but they missed the Messiah because they were looking at the roots more than the branches.

Pilate the Politician did not see Jesus as a threat and was ready to give the Jews their King. But they chose a bandit instead. In spite of both sides getting what they wanted, the Giver King gets all the thanks.

We think love is a matter of the "heart," but John says it is a matter of life and death, being willing to die for those we love. Then he tells us simply to believe in Jesus Christ, God's son, and "love just as he commanded us." Can it be that simple?

The shouts of Hosanna and the jubilant parade will soon change to shouts of "Crucify him" as we head into this Holy Week, because Jesus wasn't who people expected. What do we expect of Jesus, and where do we fit into the pictures of Holy Week?

The shouts of Hosanna and the jubilant parade will soon change to shouts of "Crucify him" as we head into this Holy Week, because Jesus wasn't who people expected. What do we expect of Jesus, and where do we fit into the pictures of Holy Week?

Deep in Lent, we are down to DESTINY. Christ is asking us if we will follow a loser, and lose our other pictures of our life for the new picture of him that will shape our destiny.

Deep in Lent, we are down to DESTINY. Christ is asking us if we will follow a loser, and lose our other pictures of our life for the new picture of him that will shape our destiny.

There is a difference between RESCUE and saved. What if a Savior was not interested in rescuing you from trouble so you could keep doing the same things? What if he wanted to save you from the things you keep doing?

What needs to be overturned in your life?

What needs to be overturned in your life?

An "image" of a sculpture or painting becomes art when it sparks our imaginations. But WONDER is past imagining. What makes you say "WONDER-FULL" and mean it?

An "image" of a sculpture or painting becomes art when it sparks our imaginations. But WONDER is past imagining. What makes you say "WONDER-FULL" and mean it?

What drives you WILD? What makes you want to run to the wilderness? There is WILD there too! What makes you think it will really be different there? Maybe the difference is who you see everywhere you look?

What drives you WILD? What makes you want to run to the wilderness? There is WILD there too! What makes you think it will really be different there? Maybe the difference is who you see everywhere you look?

Many of us spend an awful lot of time, money and energy on what we wear- yet Paul here says that the most important thing we clothe ourselves with is Christ.  How much time, money and energy do we put in clothing ourselves in his wardrobe?

We don't think "about giving things up" unless it's Lent. Giving up isn't always sacrificing something. Giving up can be not doing something for the sake of someone else's need. Giving up might also mean giving praise and thanks for what God has done.

We don't think "about giving things up" unless it's Lent. Giving up isn't always sacrificing something. Giving up can be not doing something for the sake of someone else's need. Giving up might also mean giving praise and thanks for what God has done.

Jesus knew he could teach fishermen to fish for people. So what lessons might transfer that will help us fill our church nets with new followers?

The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus, but Jesus knew that the most important commandment was so clear that children can show us all how to love.

Jesus tells a story about a wedding banquet, about people who wear the wrong robes and the people who put the right robes on to celebrate with the King.

Why would Paul give up his claims to authority and pedigree? What in the future was worth his "forgetting what is behind"?

Titles have confusing meanings. For example, how can you apply the titles "Servant" and "Lord" to the same person?

Titles have confusing meanings. For example, how can you apply the titles "Servant" and "Lord" to the same person?

Whenever Jesus starts with, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." as surprise (and sometimes a challenging one) shows up.

Paul had thought God was a righteous Judge, but he realized that God looked like Jesus, and Jesus had never condemned anyone but the people who were the self-righteous judges.

The recording that follows is an entire worship service for the start of our Fall Season. We sang a Festival of Hymns arranged by John Rutter, with brass and tympani accompaniment. We hope you enjoy this window into our worship at the church. We ask that you honor the copyright restrictions with music and not use any part of the recording for your own purposes. Thank you, and sing along with us.

Love is more than a Hallmark greeting card sentiment. It's a way of living that is humble and generous in spirit.  

When the Order of Worship puts the offering at the end, it is much more than an interlude for a collection.

When the Order of Worship puts the offering at the end, it is much more than an interlude for a collection.

A woman with deep need and great faith teaches Jesus a lesson. When we set aside our assumed ideas about the world or about scripture or about Jesus, we may see some new truth in what is left over. Jesus did.

Fear and faith are in the air every day of our lives. We can cave to the storm or cope with the gale. We can trust the guy who walks on water, and who is there through the night.