The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, January 1, 2023

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: As we move through Advent, we’re looking at the characters of Christmas. During this five-week worship series, we'll focus on some of th...

Sunday's Message: The Wise Men

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message: The Wise Men: As we move through Advent, we’re looking at the characters of Christmas. During this five-week worship series, we'll focus on some of th...

The SPC Christmas Eve Service

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The SPC Christmas Eve Service: Christ came in simplicity. His mother was a young woman who'd found favor with the Lord. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. H...

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, January 9 and Sunday, January 15, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, January 9, 2023 - That churches fulfill their purpose as lighthouses for Christ.
• Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - That those in the arts would be open to biblical world views and principles.
• Wednesday, January 11, 2023 - That all human trafficking would end.
• Thursday, January 12, 2023 - That we strengthen our global unity rather than casting blame and sowing divisions.
• Friday, January 13, 2023 - That there'll be peace between Russia and Ukraine
• Saturday, January 14, 2023 - That we put aside our self-interest for the sake of our neighbors.
• Sunday, January 15, 2023 - That our leaders have the courage and wisdom to confront the racial divisions within our country.

2023 Lenten devotions: Inward work for outward living

Are you looking for theologically sound, inspiring and affordable Lenten devotions for your congregation? The Presbyterian Outlook is once again offering accessible and inspiring daily devotions for Lent written by editor Teri McDowell Ott. In Examen: Inward work for outward living, Ott explores the ancient spiritual practice of examen that focuses on honest assessment and reflection. With a different theme for each week of Lent, readers are invited to explore the connection between internal contemplation and outward action. Learn more What do you get with your order? A digital, daily devotional that you can print and insert into your bulletin, email out to your congregation, or read like a book at home while drinking your morning coffee Color, black and white, and large print versions of the devotional All files in your inbox on January 30, 2023 Intrigued? View a sample of week one. Pre-order today!

WCC NEWS: Preparing for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, WCC global fellowship shares prayers

As mourners across the world prepare for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on 5 January in St Peter’s Square, the WCC global fellowship shared prayers and expressed empathy for the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 04 January 2023 On 2 January, the body of the pope emeritus was transferred from the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to St Peter’s Basilica to begin the wake and allow thousands of pilgrims to say their last goodbyes. It is estimated that at least 65,000 people came to visit the pope emeritus on the first day of his wake.  Pope Francis will preside over the funeral, which will be attended by hundreds of church leaders.  Many other heads of state will come to pay respects and attend the funeral in an unofficial capacity.  The WCC will be represented by the central committee moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. “With my presence at the funeral service for Pope Emeritus Benedict, I want to express my empathy to the Catholic world for the loss of a person who has been so important for the Roman Catholic Church worldwide,” said Bedford-Strohm. “I want to join the global church community in praying for Benedict that he may now see the eternal love and grace of God of which he has preached so many times.” WCC shares condolences with close colleagues of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (WCC news release, 03 January 2023) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI leaves a legacy of ecumenical dialogue (WCC news release, 31 December 2022) The Ecumenical Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI (WCC feature, 31 December 2022) Vatican News See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Worship resources for Jan. 8 AND Jan. 15, 2023

Worship resources update Providing accessible, sound worship resources has become an essential part of Presbyterian Outlook's identity over the past several years. We often hear that these materials support small and over-extended church staff. We also frequently hear that it would be helpful to have these worship resources available earlier. Because we value our readership and desire to serve the church to the best of our ability, we're listening to you. Beginning today, we will release our worship resources two weeks in advance rather than one week in advance.

January 15, 2023 Second Sunday after Epiphany John 1:29-42 The congregation I serve is a gem. The members are some of the most incredible people you’ll ever meet, dedicated to following Jesus and showing God’s love. They are welcoming and inclusive and committed to ministries of justice and compassion. Together, we ask big questions; we support each other in challenging times; we pray together, march together and stand in solidarity with undocumented neighbors. When I was in the call process, I thought, “this is precisely the kind of faith community I want to help with the spiritual formation of my children.” And yet sometimes, I think we’re one of our city’s best-kept secrets. Our lack of evangelism, which can sometimes feel like self-promotion, means that our Christ-centered communities can fade into the background. We want to let our actions speak louder than words, to witness through our works. There is a lot to be said for that, certainly. If we’re witnessing with our words but our actions don’t match up, that’s a problem. For instance, I think of the many modern messages that are being proclaimed in the name of Jesus that are not reflective of God’s expansive and inclusive love. If we remain silent, people may not realize that the love we show in our lives is the fruit of our faith in Jesus Christ. Since it can feel like a tricky tightrope to walk between proclaiming Christ and demonstrating love, maybe we should look to Jesus for guidance. “What are you looking for?” These are the first words that Jesus speaks in this John’s Gospel.  You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. Thank you to guest writer Stephanie Sorge. Want the Looking into the Lectionary reflection for January 8, 2023? You can find it here. In it, Rose Schrott Taylor wonders if the servant in Isaiah 42 is a prophecy for us as well as Christ. Orders of worship for Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, 2023. These liturgies are free to use. Free hymn in support of asylum seekers by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Uniform Standard Lessons for Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, 2023, by Richard Boyce Weekly Christian ed lessons for Jan. 8 and Jan. 15 by Joelle Brummit-Yale IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... The top 10 Outlook stories of 2022 We've covered a lot of ground this year. Here are the website's most popular stories from the past 12 months.  Thank you, Leslie Scanlon Outlook's national reporter Leslie Scanlon will be moving on to new opportunities and challenges in 2023. We are grateful for her many years of faithful service. — Teri McDowell Ott Mountain biking as a spiritual practice Anna Kendig Flores shares how she picked up mountain biking as a 36-year-old, and what the activity has taught her about herself, the world, and God. Who were the 3 wise men who visited Jesus? The details in Matthew's story about the wise men are slim, and so it raises more questions than it answers. Where were the wise men actually from? Why were they interested in Jesus? And, above all, who were they? — The Conversation  How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now Jo Wiersema reviews James K. A. Smith's new book.  Grateful for our 2022 donors  A word of gratitude and acknowledgment for the many donors who make the Outlook’s ministry possible. Hard times in Texas: Transgender Presbyterian minister Remington Johnson and her ministry of visibility and presence I feel the anxiety. I feel the fear. I’ll still show up. — Leslie Scanlon Presbyterian Outlook is hiring a group of remote, paid interns for summer 2023. Learn more. After more than 20 years of service to the church, Rev. John M. Semmes has announced his retirement, effective February 2023. Alton B. Pollard, III, president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, announces retirement Diakonos Solutions Awards Four Women DMin Scholarships Make your own post for free! Click here.

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