3/20/2025 FPC E-News

First Presbyterian Church

March 20, 2025 E-News

Upcoming Service for the Lord's Day

3rd Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 23, 2025 ~ 10:30 a.m.

Preacher: Rev. Leslie Roper

Sermon: "The One with the Lost Brothers"

Scripture Lessons:

Luke 15:11-20a and Luke 15:20b-32

A Note from Pastor Leslie

I viscerally remember the first time that Jeff got really sick after Daniel had been born. It was a stomach bug that was going around, but it was nasty enough that we didn’t want him to have ANY contact with the rest of us. So, with the exception of occasionally bringing a fresh can of Sprite and leaving it by the door, the boys and I were on our own. And the respect I had for single parents skyrocketed!! The boys are much more self sufficient now, but on the days when Jeff drives to Batesville and I am a single puppy parent for Max, I remember those few early single parent days… and I do not miss them!

On days when the load feels extra heavy, I think of Matthew 11, verses 28-30, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I have to confess that usually when I hear this passage, I envision an animal pulling behind itself a heavy piece of farm equipment, and I have to question Jesus when he thinks that taking on an additional yoke is going to make things easier. Those things look heavy, y’all! So when I am weary, what you have to offer is the chance to pull a cart or a plow through a field? Where’s the rest in that?? Seriously, Jesus, when I am weary from carrying heavy burdens, a pickup truck sounds like much more help. This yoke business is for the birds.

But a friend once reminded us in a sermon on this text that in Jesus’ time, yokes weren’t ever made for single animals, but for two, or even for four or eight. Being yoked meant that you had help. Which starts to make Jesus’ promise sound a little better, at least to my ears. Bring your weariness to me, Jesus says. I see that you are tired, I see that you have given all that you have, and I will not let you keep carrying this all by yourself. My yoke means that you are always connected, to me and to my people. My yoke means you aren’t on your own.

To all of us, Jesus says, come to me. I see how hard you have been trying, and I know that it isn’t easy. I cannot promise easy answers, or that the weight that you are carrying will be magically lifted away. But I can promise that you are not alone. You have me. And through me, you have one another. You have people to help carry the burdens that seem untenable. You have ears to listen when things feel too hard and shoulders to cry on when nothing else seems to help. And I for one can’t think of any better news than that!

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Worship Service

Sermon: "The One with the Disagreeing Sisters"

Lenten Friends

During Lent in the gospel of Luke, we walk with Jesus all the way from Capernaum to Jerusalem, where the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday take place. This year, as we journey with Jesus, we are going to pay a little extra attention to the cast of supporting characters that we meet along the way. Some of them will be old friends, but we will possibly see them in a different light. Some may be new friends that we will meet along the way. All of them, though, will have something to teach us. So, come journey with Jesus and his cast of supporting characters as we walk our Lenten journey.

3rd Annual Lenten Worship and Lunch Series

Each Monday in Lent, you are invited to gather as a Hot Springs faith community as we center worship around Jesus’ “I am” statements. We will begin at 12:05 p.m. each Monday in the host sanctuary with a brief time of worship followed by a light lunch and fellowship. This Monday, March 24, the host church is St. Luke's Episcopal (228 Springs St.) with Rev. Chip Hatcher preaching.

Sandwiches, Sandwiches! We Need Sandwiches!

We will be hosting the Lenten Worship and Lunch here at FPC on Monday, April 7, and we need sandwiches. If you are able to make sandwiches for our Lenten Lunch, contact Tammy in the church office and let her know how many you can bring.

Congratulations, Led!

At this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, our own Led Davis was recognized by the local chapter of the NAACP for his incredible service to our community. Make sure to congratulate Led on this well-deserved honor!

Music Notes from Ian Aipperspach

Continuing the Calvinist/Presbyterian theme from last week, we examine a hymn that is a “new creation” from 2009 and included in Glory to God, a new Presbyterian hymnal. “There is Now a New Creation” is a hymn written in 21^st Century by David Gambrell, Associate for Worship in the Office for Theology, Formation, and Evangelism of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is designed to pair with our lectionary text about the prodigal son (often used for the fourth Sunday of Lent). We begin the first and last stanzas with the statement “there is now a new creation through the grace of Jesus Christ...” emphasizing peace and reconciliation and thanks and adoration respectively for the grace extended by our Heavenly Father. The inner verses reflect the rejoicing of the return of the prodigal son, calling for a celebration, and reminding us that Christ celebrates our return to Him with a joyful feast.

Musically, the tune STUTTGART was written by Christian Friedrich Witt (ca. 1660-1717) and appears in his Psalmodia Sacra, published in 1715, a collection of 356 melodies either written by or collected by him. Many might know the tune as one often used with the text “Come, Thou Expected Jesus,” sung during Advent. Witt served as chamber organist to Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg for the duration of his career and was considered a “good” keyboard player and music director. On his deathbed, he asked for Bach to substitute for him for a Passiontide service. The postlude on Sunday will exhibit Witt’s writing for a solo instrument.

Online Church Member Directory Is Now Available

If you would like access to the directory, please contact Tammy in the church office. An invitation will be sent to you to create your login information. Once you create your login information, you can download the app by going to your cell phone’s app store and searching for Realm Connect. Through the app (if you choose to download it) when pulling up an individual’s profile, you will be able to call, email, or get directions to their house just by touching any of their contact information. You can also update information in your own profile and change privacy settings. If you have any questions, contact Tammy.

Who Knows?

This stained glass window is located in Tammy's office, our office administrator. Do you know the history of this window? Who was it donated by? When was it donated? How much can you tell us about it?

First Presbyterian Newsletter

Every week we send out an updated church news email. If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact the church office, (501) 624-5646. Alternatively, if you or someone you know would like to receive a paper copy, please call the office.

The 2025 Flower Board is available to sign up to donate Sunday flowers!

Located on the wall by the 2 large closets in the Fellowship Hall, pick your date, add your name and special dedication. If you do not wish to write it on the board, or if space does not allow, please call, email or visit the office. You may do this at any time well in advance of your day. Cost is $38.50

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Thank you!

God Bless You on Your

Special Day!

Share your birthday blessings with our graduating Seniors! Each month on the 3rd Sunday, we celebrate church members' birthdays and ask those celebrating this month to make a donation in honor of their birthday to our scholarship fund. Thank you for supporting our graduating seniors!