Blog of FPC Lebanon

Baptism of the Lord OT Lesson: Genesis 17:10-14 (NLT) This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant. NT Lesson: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (NRSV) As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptise you with water; but One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to unt...

OT Lesson: Lamentations 3:19-27 (ESV) Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. NT Lesson: Hebrews 13:5-8 (NRSV) Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider...

Christ as Head of the Church, Conscience and Truth Introduction Good morning! Winter has arrived, and I hope you are all staying healthy and well as the cold weather sets in. Today marks the final Sunday in our Reformation sermon series. Next Sunday, Thanksgiving Sunday, we will welcome Lauren Rogers as our guest speaker, sharing on the topic “Becoming a Matthew 25 Church.” Following the service next Sunday, we’ll gather in the fellowship hall for our Harvest Dinner. As always, the church will provide bacon-wrapped turkeys and drinks. If you’d like to contribute a dish, there’s a sign-up sheet at the back of the sanctuary. However, even if you don’t sign up, you’re welcome to bring any dish you’d like to share. Looking ahead, Advent begins on Sunday, December 1st. As announced in the newsletter, this year’s Advent services will feature monologues from the major characters of the Nativity story. Additionally, there’s another sign-up opportunity for the Advent Candle Lighting, and the...

Introduction Good morning. Yesterday was the busiest Saturday at this church since I arrived. We had two celebrations: the celebration of life for Mildred Flanary in the morning, and the retirement celebration for Bud Hunter. I believe that Mildred was truly blessed, living to the age of 104. I wish and pray that all of you may be like her—living long, healthy lives and achieving much. Some obituaries are very short, containing only basic details like when someone was born, whom they married, when they died, and the names of surviving family members. Those short obituaries make me sad. But I appreciated Mildred’s lengthy obituary; it showed that she achieved a great deal in her lifetime. She has been a tremendous blessing to us, not to mention to her family. Additionally, we celebrated the retirement of Bud Hunter yesterday. We thank him and God for the wonderful twenty-two years filled with beautiful organ music. Martin Luther’s Life Now, let me begin what I am here to do—preach. A...

Introduction Good morning. I missed you last Sunday. But today I am saddened to share that Mildred Flanary, a remarkable woman who inspired so many of us, passed away yesterday at the age of 104. Let us keep her family in our prayers during this time. John Knox: The Father of the Scottish Reformation In my last sermon, we explored the life and influence of John Calvin. Today, we turn to one of his most devoted followers, John Knox—a towering figure in the Christian Church and a leading force in the Reformed tradition. Often hailed as the father of the Scottish Reformation, Knox’s life was defined by a fervent faith, powerful preaching, and an unwavering dedication to the principles of the Protestant movement. His legacy endures in the Presbyterian Church, continuing to shape Christian thought and practice even today. Early Life and Education Born around 1514 near Haddington, a small town east of Edinburgh, Scotland, John Knox came from humble beginnings. Little is known about his...