Poems and Prayers
office@firstpresracine.org (office@firstpresracine.org)
Full to the Brim: Even in the desert, Jesus expands our definitions of a full life. It's not the life the Tempter presents: a life defined by excess power, control, or reign. Jesus sees beyond this facade and says, even in the midst of fasting, “One does not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4). Excess is not abundance, but there is more. There is a fuller life we are called to live. Even in the midst of struggle, oppressive forces, hardship, and grief—God's promises spill over, like the bounty of the first fruits from the ground. Even in the desert, you are called to the riverside to be washed by grace.
Put Your Lights On: The season of Epiphany ends with one last moment of dazzling brilliance on the mountain top. We are reminded of the intimate relationship between Creator and Christ and asked to listen to the life of Jesus.
Put Your Lights On: Seeing the light of Chirst in the lives of friends and loved ones, but loving enemies is a burning challenge for the people of God.
Put Your Lights On: Jesus' sermon on the plain offers illumination for our path through this world with both blessings and curses. Luke 6:17-26 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
The light and life of God in Christ is meant to be shared in community. Our call to join this community as disciples will radically alter our lives. Are we ready to leave everything and follow? Text Luke 5:1-11 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
There will always be people who are less than pleased with the message and mission set forth by Jesus. As children of the light we must continue to wallk in the way. Text: Luke 4:21-30 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
Luke provides us with Jesus' mission statement for his ministry as a vision for how we are to live as people of the Christ community. Text: Luke 4:14-21 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
Part of finding our inner light is seeking to enjoy life in the spirit of Christ. The story of Jesus' first sign in John (the wedding in Cana) has our Lord turning water into wine so the wedding party can continue. Text: John 2:1-11 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
We celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.orgTo participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
Epiphany -- Story of the Magi coming to child Jesus. juxtapostion of "stars" of the political realm like Herod and celestial star that leads to Christ. Matthew 2:1-12
Text: Luke 3:1-6 We look at the call of John the Baptist and our call to find our wilderness. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visitwww.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here:https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
This sermon from the first Sunday of Advent 2021 is based on Jesus' sermon in Luke 21 and asks us to prepare for the coming of Christ into our world. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here: https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
This week we begin our stewardship season looking at 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and thinking about how we plant and tend all of the blessings that come from God. During the sermon Pastor Darren used a basil plant, green pepper and a butternut squash to illustrate how God makes provision for the multiplication of the seeds of goodness and love in our lives. Each seed produces a plant that through fruit or flower produces 10s of other seeds. We hope you enjoy this message! To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through Paypal here: https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
This is the last sermon in a four-part series focusing on our church's abolitionist heritage and connection with the Undergound Railroad. Each week we've focused on a different pattern from Ozella's Quilt Code that can be found in the book Hidden in Plain View. "North Star: The North Star has always been critical to navigation on the seas as well as for land travel. Many cultures and traditions use the drinking gourd, the Big Dipper, as a guiding light to the North Star. This pattern in the code told escaping slaves to follow the stars." -- God's vision for the future should act as a North Star for the living of our lives and our navigation through hostile territory. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through PayPal here: firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
This is the third sermon in a four-part series focusing on our church's abolitionist heritage and connection with the Undergound Railroad. Each week will focus on a different pattern from Ozella's Quilt Code that can be found in the book Hidden in Plain View. "Shoofly: A pattern referring to an actual person who might have aided escaping [enslaved people]. Ozella stated that "mathematicians" were the folks who devised the code in the first place and that these mathematicians were similar to what we know of today as fraternities. A Shoofly would be familiar with the secret language." The texts speak of the "foolishness" of the Christian message according to the "wisdom" of this world and the call for us to develop our own language that counters the prevailing wisdom of today. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through PayPal here: firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
This is the second sermon in a four-part series focusing on our church's abolitionist heritage and connection with the Undergound Railroad. Each week will focus on a different pattern from Ozella's Quilt Code that can be found in the book Hidden in Plain View. "Log Cabin: This pattern referred to the act of drawing a symbol on the ground in order to recognize persons with whom it was safe to communicate. A black center in the quilt block is a sign of the Underground Railroad; sometimes a yellow center represented the "function of the cabin as a light or beacon in the wilderness as a safe house." -- The scriptures speak of our role as a community and as individuals to bear the light of Christ and be conduits of God's shalom, wholeness and liberation. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through PayPal here: firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
Patterns of Liberation: Tracking Christ – October 3, 2021 This is the first sermon in a four-part series focusing on our church's abolitionist heritage and connection with the Undergound Railroad. Each week will focus on a different pattern from Ozella's Quilt Code that can be found in the book Hidden in Plain View. This week our focus is the Bear's Paw pattern, and the Scripture texts are Psalm 26 and Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:10-12. "Bear's Paw: A pattern used as a visual reference reminding the fugitives to follow the actual trail of a bear's footprints through the mountains. These footprints would undoubtedly indicate the best and safest path and would also lead to food and water." -- The Hebrews text talks about Christ as the "exact imprint of God's very being" and our unity in God. Bear tracks and Christ's imprint as metaphors for path to liberation. To find out more about First Presbyterian Church of Racine visit www.firstpresracine.org To participate in our ministry, you can donate through PayPal here: https://firstpresracine.org/give/give-now
by Gerard Manley Hopkins THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs— Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
“Voluntary in G Major," by Samuel Jackson Performed by Alejandro Alumbreros Psalm 63:1-8 Read by Debbie Yale “Be Born in Me," by Francesca Battistelli Performed by Megan Griffith—vocals, Alejandro Alumbreros—piano
“Come into His Presence," by Lynn Baird Performed by Alejandro Alumbreros Psalm 27:1-5, 7, 13-14 Read by Jim Eastman “Celtic Prayer." by Mark Cabaniss, arranged by John Purifoy Performed by First Presbyterian Chancel Choir
“Ronde,” by Tielman Susato Performed by Recorder Ensemble: Pat Badger, Ken Nakayama, Mark Paffrath Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Read by Sarah Seversen “Gloria, Gloria," by Jacques Berthier Performed by Pat Badger—recorder, Roberta Moulds—flute, Mark Paffrath—guitar & vocals
"Reflection on a Day," composed & performed by Mark Paffrath Isaiah 58:6-14 Read by Jessica Smith "Simple Gifts,” by Russell Schulz-Widmar Performed by Alejandro Alumbreros
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