Florida Presbyterian Church

"Hidden, Revealed, Proclaimed" Message May 2

"First Let Go" Message April 25

From the Pastor’s Desk Life from Death I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20... As I take my morning walk around the neighborhood these days, I am amazed by how much the earth has changed in a few short weeks. The snow is long gone (and not missed), the grass is turning green, flowers are pushing up everywhere and the trees are covered with buds of new leaves. Spring is an annual reminder that death and resurrection are built into the rhythm of nature as they are built into the rhythm of Christian life. A seed goes into the ground and is buried. No light shines on the seed. And there, in the dark, God does his miraculous work. The seed dies and a plant is born. Until the seed dies to what it is, it can never become what God wants it to become. From the death of the seed, something beautiful will come. During Holy Week, we follow Jesus on a similar journey. On Good Friday, Jesus dies and is sealed in a tomb. There, in the dark, God does his most miraculous and marvelous work. From the death of the crucified Jesus comes the life of the Risen Christ. Jesus the Christ returns, the same and yet not the same. He is recognized by his scars, by the wounds that brought our healing. In some way that I do not fully understand, Jesus’ death was my death and his resurrected life is now my life. The old sin nature that is in me has begun to die, and a new nature is being born in me. The death of the old nature is a miraculous rebirth, a new beginning. Until I die to what my old nature is, I cannot become what God wants me to become. We are called into being by God at our creation; we are called into new being by redemption. What is happening in nature around me is a mirror of what God is doing in me. Dying brings new life. Death and resurrection are built into the rhythm of the Christian life. As you celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday, reflect on what Jesus’ death and resurrection mean. Let God do his miraculous work and breathe new life into you. God will make you something beautiful. God is the One who brings life out of death, and beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

From the Pastor’s Desk Treasure Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earthBut store up for yourselves treasures in heavenFor where you treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21...Continue reading

"Before the Parade Passes By" Message Palm Sunday

"Lobsters, Fish, and Sheep" Message April 18

From the Pastor’s Desk Hosanna! When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:7-9...Continue reading

"Freedom' Message March 21

From the Pastor’s Desk Christ Be with Me In him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28... All across the globe today, people will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland, of course, it is a national holiday. Apart from the British Isles, the day is celebrated in such diverse places as the U.S. and Canada, Japan, Korea, Argentina, and the International Space Station. Traditions vary some by location, but often include parades, festivals, church services, shamrocks, wearing green, and drinking Irish beer and Irish whiskey. St. Patrick’s Day became an official feast day in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches in the early 17th century. Lenten restrictions on fasting were eased for the day, and consumption of alcohol was allowed. Since the early 1700’s nearly 10 million Irish have immigrated to other countries, bringing their culture and traditions with them. But the story of the historical St. Patrick is much richer and more satisfying than a glass of green beer. Patrick was born into a wealthy British family in the early 5th century. At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. For six years, he labored as a shepherd, and at some point during this time, he became a follower of the Good Shepherd. He was able to make his escape from Ireland, returned to his home, and studied to become a priest. Instead of serving a church in Britain, Patrick returned to the country where he had been enslaved, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland, and later a Bishop. Over the many years he served the Savior in Ireland, thousands of people were converted. Legend says that Patrick would often use the three leaves of the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity. I don’t know if the legend is true, but St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and recognized for bringing Christianity to the Irish people. He is frequently pictured holding a cross in one hand and a bunch of shamrocks in the other. The following prayer is attributed to St. Patrick: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three. By Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen. However you celebrate the day, if you do, take a few quiet moments to reflect on St. Patrick’s words, and this Irish blessing: May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.