I Believe in God the Father Almighty

We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”  For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
-I Corinthians 8:4-6

This summer we will explore the Creeds and Confessions of the church in our sermon series, “I Believe”.  The Presbyterian Church has traditionally been a “Confessional Church”.  It is in our DNA to respond to difficult circumstances by declaring our faith, and stating the implications faith has for action. But we are not the only ones who have been moved to articulate our identity and convictions. We find confessions, or statements of faith, in the scriptures Philippians 2:6-11. Even a declaration “the Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1: 1) was a brave declaration at a time when the emperors of Rome demanded this language be reserved for themselves.

At Ordination, each Elder, Minister, and Deacon is asked the questions: Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?
Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?

Many of us have said “I do and I will” to these questions, not fully aware of what the Creeds and Confessions actually teach.  It is my hope that as we look at the historical context and formation of these statements, we will grow in our own faith and what we believe.  Please join us this summer for 10am worship service as we study together, “I Believe”.

God our Father, we give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; may they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; may they know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice. We remember fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. Amen

We also have a special treat this Father’s Day with our All-Wheels Show.  Bring your car, truck, tractor, whatever, to show and share.