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First Presbyterian Church of Mount Clemens

“So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10

Dear Friends,


As we begin a new season in the church, it is good and right to think about what we mean when we pray “give us this day, our daily bread.” It is all about God’s provision. If we see God as a parent, we know that if we have a need, God will provide exactly what we need. The scripture verse above proves the case. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.


When Moses took the Israelites into the wilderness, the people realized that the provisions they had available to themselves in Egypt were not present in this place. They complained about the conditions in the wilderness. They now were faced with basic physiological needs. They were concerned with their food resources. We can understand this if we or people we know wonder where their next meal will come from. Bread is the most basic food of life. In those days, every family was careful to bake bread to have it readily available. Whenever I travel, whether it is by plane, train, or car, I make sure that I bring basic provisions like something to eat and drink. When Moses brought their complaints to God, God responded by giving them manna in the mornings, quail in the evenings and water to quench their thirsts.


When Jesus was with over five thousand people, he decided to feed them instead of sending them off to find their own provisions. When Jesus referred to himself as the Bread of Life, he was saying, “All that you need, I myself will provide.” But what does this mean? Is it only limited to food and drink?


In the devotional “The Lord’s Prayer” the author reminds us about the hierarchy of needs developed by Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970).

·        The first level of need is physiological: food, shelter, and sleep.

·        The second level up is that of safety and security: body, employment, health, and property.

·        The third level is belonging: love, affection, family, friendship, and intimacy.

·        The fourth level is esteem: achievement, confidence, position in a group, and status.

·        And the final fifth level is self-actualization: achieving individual potential.


The author says, “we might believe the top of the pyramid is stepping fully into our anointing and calling to live our life on purpose for God.”


However, it must be all consuming for those who are stuck on the first few levels to be able to achieve or even maintain self-actualization. Increased costs are causing people to have to make choices about how they use their financial resources. John and I faced times of scarcity whether it was income, employment, health, and community.  There were times when we robbed Peter to pay Paul. We found though that if we put our trust in Jesus, every need would work out in time. And so far, God has not let us down. Things may have worked out differently as we would have liked, but what we did receive was better than we could ever have imagined.


As we head into the fall, I hope you will keep in mind something that is in our Book of Order, and that is that God gives to the church everything it needs. We may feel like we are in a time of scarcity but when we trust in Jesus to provide for us personally and corporately, we open ourselves up to a season of great abundance.


May we have that kind of faith and trust now and forever.


I thank God for you,

Pastor Kathy

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The oldest and most purchased book is the Bible. It is filled with wonderful stories of our ancestors that include family drama, conflict, wars, poetry, songs, prayers, mysteries, and miracles. Interwoven throughout is the story of God’s faithfulness, love, patience, wisdom, grace, judgment, and forgiveness. For anyone wishing to take a deep dive into these sacred stories, the first step is choosing a translation that best helps the reader to understand and interpret the message. Since the invention of the printing press, there have been a plethora of different translations written that are based on the original source documents and put into the language of the people. Each generation and each faith community have their favorite go-to version. The list below shows the most common or popular versions that a reader may want to consider when choosing what version they will use to begin their study. We recommend that a reader use Biblegateway.com to check out each version before purchasing a Bible. BibleGateway gives more options to consider, but this is a good beginning. The Top 10 Best Selling Protestant Bibles 1. New International Version (NIV 2. King James Version (KJV) 3. New Living Translation (NLT) 4. English Standard Version (ESV) 5. New King James Version (NKJV) 6. Christian Standard Bible (CSB) 7. Reina Valera (RV Spanish) 8. New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 9. The Message 10. Nueva Verson International (NVI Spanish) You can find descriptions about these and other Bibles at Bible Versions and Translations Online (biblestudytools.com) . One of our favorites is the Voice Bible (2012). Here is a description: The Voice™ is a faithful dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all the truth and wisdom of God's Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching, The Voice invites readers to enter the whole story of God, enabling them to hear God speaking and to experience His presence in their lives. It is written for the new reader and combines historical and study notes. Have fun selecting a version that works best for you. It can also be helpful to have a couple of different versions that can add to your understanding. We at First Presbyterian have the New Revised Standard Version in the pews but often read from other versions during worship and Bible studies. Our next blog will give the reader next steps in reading the Bible.
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As we journey through the Lenten season, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Clemens invites you to view this sacred period through a unique lens: the colors of Lent. Traditionally, the liturgical calendar associates specific hues with the season, each carrying profound meanings that can enrich our spiritual practices. This year, we've expanded the palette to include black, white, and orange, alongside the traditional colors, offering a broader spectrum of reflection. The Colors of Lent: Black symbolizes our sin and the ashes from Ash Wednesday, reminding us of our mortality and the need for repentance. Green signifies new life and hope, a reminder of the redemption that comes through Christ. Orange represents youthfulness, vibrancy, and creativity, encouraging positivity and happiness in our faith journey. Purple reflects God's love, royalty, and the nobility of Jesus, the King of Kings. Blue denotes deep reflection, urging us to confront our darker side to clear the way for spiritual clarity, like the sky after the clouds have parted. Yellow illustrates the light within us and God's presence guiding us like the sunlight. Red emphasizes importance and sacrifice, honoring the martyrs of our faith and Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. White symbolizes Easter's joy, representing purity and the cleansing of our sins through Christ's sacrifice. Praying with Colors: To physically manifest this journey, we encourage you to create a string of beads in the colors mentioned above, culminating in a cross to symbolize resurrection and healing. This tangible representation serves as a tool for meditation and prayer, allowing each color to guide your reflections on the corresponding aspects of your faith and life. The Cross: The addition of a cross at the end of your string of beads is a powerful reminder of Jesus' resurrection and the hope it brings to a broken world. It's a call to remember the ultimate sacrifice made for us and the transformative power of Easter. Embrace the Season: This Lent, let's embrace the opportunity for growth and change that this season offers. By reflecting on the meanings behind these colors, we invite a fuller, more vibrant understanding of God's love and our journey toward redemption. Let the colors of Lent guide your prayers and meditations, enriching your spiritual journey toward Easter. Join us in praying the colors of Lent this season, and may this practice bring depth and richness to your Lenten observance.
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