First Presbyterian Church of Sheffield

VERSE OF THE WEEK

The Lord is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand satisfying the desire of every living thing.

---Psalm 145:14-16

SPIRITUAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

He is great who confers the most benefits.

[Ralph Waldo Emerson]

SPIRITUAL LIFE TIP

Most times when we confess our sin to God, we ask for a general forgiveness for our disobedience and wrongdoing. Part of the cleansing of forgiveness is to face and name your sin, which can be hard to do and which we’re reluctant to do. If you’re Sunday worship bulletin has a printed prayer of confession, use it in your devotional life to grow more specific in admitting your sin to God. Here is a sample: O God, hear us and be gracious. Our faith is slow to deepen because we can’t seem to let go of hard feelings, bitterness, or an often dour spirit. We can’t seem to turn over to You our heartfelt hurt, our misplaced assumptions, and our troubling anxieties. We can be filled with false pride on the one hand, and have too little confidence on the other, which denies Your presence in us. Forgive us, and give us what it takes to put our lives in Your able, loving hands. Reshape us into those who seek first You and Your kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN!

First Presbyterian Church is capturing a vision of its future, namely to heed Jesus Christ's command "to make disciples of all people". The church had decided that the best way to reach for this vision is to become a Six Great Ends congregation. The Six Great Ends of the Church in a word are: evangelism, fellowship, worship, discipleship, ministry, and mission.

We are beginning to take these seriously in our life as God's people in Jesus Christ as we seek to grow together in God's Spirit, mature in God's grace, and join together to further God's work in this broken world by serving His Son, Jesus Christ. Our doors are open to you. Our hearts are open to you as we invite you and encourage you to join with us on our ever-changing and always-fulfilling journey of faith.

A Visionary's Prayer

Almighty God, give me the vision of the church of Your dreams, and strengthen me to live the vision I see. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN!