Life In Greencastle

In the pantheon of great Calvinist movies, surely there is none better than  A River Runs Through It .  Okay, I admit it.  There are not too many in the running.  There is the great Dutch film, Babette's Feast  that definitely is worth watching several times as well as some moments in Chariots of Fire  that Calvin would have loved, but Norman MacLean's honest, searching, tragic, and all the while grace-filled movie about a Presbyterian family growing up in the still emerging wild of western Montana wins by a fair margin. The story serves as a memoir of the particular challenges that faced frontier families in a nation that was coming into its own, but also as a common tale of the deep bonds and struggles that every family faces as children grow and obey and rebel and become adults themselves.  It is in many ways a retelling of Jesus' most famous parable:  the story of the prodigal son with new elements like western bars and brothels, fra...

Occasionally, someone will ask me what makes Presbyterians different than - say - other Christian traditions or denominations.  It is a difficult and daunting question to answer, but part of the answer lies in the life of a very bright French man who spent the first part of his life training to be a scholar, and briefly flirted with a career in law - primarily because his own father assured him that such a career has a way of attracting wealth and comfort.  But, such a life was not destined for this man.   Ultimately, his life was altered by a new movement overtaking much of Europe at the time - the Reformation - as well as his own study of the scriptures.  He came down on the side of this new message, and having come down in favor of reformation of the Church he was expelled from his home country - forced to take up residence in Geneva, where he entered its gates for the first time in the late 1530's and entered his name:  M., J. Calvin.  Or, to us:  ...

This summer in worship, we are going to continue exploring the Book of Acts, which will give us a great opportunity to reflect on our life together as a church body.  Below is an overview of where we'll be headed over the next several weeks, along with the passage from Acts that will be the basis for our worship and the sermon.  You'll notice every Sunday will highlight a central theme - like change - and also have a question for reflection.  Perhaps one word in particular seems especially relevant to you. Sunday, June 2nd - Acts 2:42-47 - "That Thing Just Beyond Our Grasp" Theme:  Community Question:  What is your community? Sunday, June 9th - Acts 3:1-10 - "The One Thing We Have" Theme:  Jesus Question:  Is our attention on Christ first and foremost, and are there ways we can make sure our focus remains centrally on Jesus? Sunday, June 16th - Acts 4:1-22 - "A New Wave" Theme:  Change Question:  How do you deal with change? Sunda...

  Join us this Saturday (9 am to 3 pm) OR Stop by the church this week ... To give your two hours to your church home ! Foyer _____Wash windows _____Dust furniture and window sills Sanctuary _____Vacuum pews _____Dust window sills _____Sharpen pencils in pews _____Polish Brass _____Wash scarves Fellowship Hall _____Clean florescent light covers _____Wash windows _____Buff Floors _____Paint Men’s restroom _____Clean tables and chairs Kitchen _____Clean cabinet doors _____Clean counters _____Clean stove _____Clean florescent light covers _____Clean refrigerator _____Clean microwave Parlor _____Vacuum floor and upholstered furniture _____Dust tables, window sills and book shelves _____Clean florescent light covers _____Wash windows _____Organize photos in an album Outside _____Weed front flower beds _____Clean south flower bed _____Clean north...

  Is there good news we can share ? And - if so - with whom should we share it? What does it look like to giv e our lives over to Go d? And is it possible in today's world of violence and division to be zealous with love and for unity?   Jo in us on Sunday s as we begin to explore the good news that was shared in Jerusalem, Jud ea, Samaria ... And the good new s we have to share even today througho ut the earth.        

God is our refuge and strength,    a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;  though its waters roar and foam,    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. -Psalm 46:1-3 (NRSV) Join us this evening as we join others in prayer for those affected by the bombings in Boston. We will gather at 6 pm in our church sanctuary for a service of prayer  and listening to God's words of encouragement and consolation.