Fairfield Presbyterian Church - Blog

OUR SENSES - APRIL 18, 2021, WORSHIP SERVICE

4/12/2021

Jesus’ resurrection is not merely a story of hope for the future nor something too good to have true impact on our lives today. The risen Christ invites you to reach out and touch him. The disciples were encouraged to use their senses to fully realized that Christ had risen and was currently among them. Life is complicated. Our tumultuous world and ever-changing circumstances can leave us drained and weary. Unexpected events take place that frighten us and challenge our world understanding. Even positive changes can leave us unsettled or uncertain. Into this chaotic upset, Jesus offers peace that passes our limited understanding, along with a glimpse of God in our midst. youtu.be/CbPqf-9R_Og

APOSTLES OF HOPE for Worship, April 11, 2021

4/6/2021

Jesus didn’t appear to his disciples on Easter with a superhero “I’m back!” speech or a putdown of those who had abandoned him. Instead, it was with a message of peace and forgiveness. He had been crucified because he didn’t behave and speak as people wanted him to, and when he rose from the dead, he didn’t speak as people might have feared he would. His cross and resurrection mean the dethroning of our idols and the possibility of genuine faith in the true God. They mean our reconciliation with God. youtu.be/z-FdiBEVOIo

THE BLESSINGS OF EASTER - April 4, 2021 Worship Service

3/30/2021

In this passage from Mark 16:1-8, we see how people react to the Resurrection, to the knowledge that it’s true, it really happened, Jesus really is risen … risen indeed! And it is not the reaction that we ourselves have come to take for granted. It is a powerful story of triumph over death, but it comes with some hefty responsibilities and consequences. Although the life-changing salvation potential of the resurrection story multiplies with each retelling, it is also a dangerous story to tell. This is true especially for the women of Mark’s gospel, who neglect to tell the disciples what they witnessed at the empty tomb because they are filled with amazement and fear. youtu.be/xStln0rlYNg

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

3/23/2021

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem took place in a way that was unexpected and set him on the path of securing our redemption. In the same way, we will experience God’s action in unexpected ways, all in keeping with God’s great plan for our lives. youtu.be/Dt2qQV5-jwQ

A SEES MUST FALL - WORSHIP SERVICE, MARCH 21, 2021

3/15/2021

No theological statement or theory can adequately explain the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross. Nonetheless, he said that when he was “lifted up,” crucified, he would draw people to him. That has been the case through the centuries. Many are attracted to Jesus the crucified Lord, and changed forever by coming to the cross. youtu.be/jV9fXliZpfI

PREPARING FOR GOD'S PURPOSE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2021

3/14/2021

youtu.be/Iku6dt7UYeg“Why am I here?” is one of the most commonly asked questions in the human experience. The apostle Paul explained in Ephesians 2 that not only are we here for a specific purpose, but that God has been preparing us to fulfill that purpose for as long as we have existed. The first step in finding significance is being reconciled with God. Once our spirits have been reunited with him, we set off on a meaningful adventure that has the satisfying potential to exceed anything we could even imagine. Remember that God’s formula for salvation includes grace and faith. When the two are put together, the result is good works. youtu.be/Iku6dt7UYeg

A WORK IN PROGRESS - SUNDAY WORSHIP FOR FEBRUARY 28, 2021

2/22/2021

We expect to have things our way; we expect to have things go our way ... and we don’t like it when they don’t. We are a work in progress. God is God and we aren’t. No matter what our situation or station in life, God calls us to fulfill our purpose in God’s plan. Abram was ninety-nine years old when God revealed his place in God’s scheme. God deemed Abram a righteous man, as Paul tells us, because of the patriarch’s faith. So, it is with us. youtu.be/-YB3YjCgVDI

TOO GOOD, SO DON'T MISS IT - SUNDAY WORSHIP, FEBRUARY21, 2021

2/16/2021

Lent is not a time of denial, but should be seen as a wonderful time for “pampering and self-indulgence. Sometimes keeping our baptism vows is easy, but at other times, it is very difficult -- enough so that we can understand why people would want to avoid being baptized. But we who are baptized claim membership in the family of God, and need to live so as to reflect well on our heavenly Father. youtu.be/xh7zpXX1uso

THEY WENT TO THE MOUNTAINTOP - WORSHIP - FEBRUARY 14, 2021

2/9/2021

The Transfiguration is a powerful experience in which Peter, James, and John encounter Jesus in all of his glory. This text, however, teaches an important lesson about religious “mountaintop” experiences: all experiences of God’s grace are gifts to be shared with others. youtu.be/vuIb9gFz_ig

QUIET TIME FOR PRAYER - WORSHIP - FEBRUARY 7, 2021

2/1/2021

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus begins ministry right away, defining his identity by action. In the midst of all of Jesus’ teachings and healings, and a battle with evil, Jesus takes time to pray. Prayer empowers us for our ministries. We also need regular times of retreat and spiritual renewal. youtu.be/FtxYmW3o1vY