First Sunday of Christmas

Christmas, the birth of Jesus, does not end with Jesus laying in a manger. It is an amazing revelation of God's love, that he would send his Son into the world so that we might live through him.

Christmas Eve

Like the shepherds, let us go an see the Christ-child that God has given.

Our worship service tells the story of God's great expression of love through, song, scripture and the sacrament of communion.

Please consider gathering communion elements from your home for communion such as bread, crackers, water, juice or wine and a candle to light later in the service.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:
* Isaiah 9:27-
* Luke 1:26-38
* Luke 2:1-7
* Luke 2:8-20

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The gift of Jesus reveals God's love.

Today's service was made from today's live worship service using Zoom.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:
* Psalm 89:1-4,19-26
* 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

The Third Sunday of Advent

When things seemed at their darkest, when hope was hard to find, God's people were given reason to rejoice..

Today's service was made from a live worship service using Zoom.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:
* Zephaniah 3:15
* Hebrews 12:1-3

The First Sunday of Advent

God's peace is found in God's ways and as we fulfill God's purposes in our lives. We often fail to experience this peace when we expect God to change our circumstances, rather than offer ourselves to God's transforming power. As God works in our lives many of the things we would otherwise avoid become the very places where God will bestow his greatest blessings as we serve him in the midst of the world's greatest needs.

Today's service was made from a live worship service using Zoom.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:
* Isaiah 9:1-7
* Colossians 3:12-15

The First Sunday of Advent

Into the darkness of loss, fear, need, and disorientation, the light of Christ shines forth giving hope and revealing our path forward.

Today's service was made from a live worship service using Zoom.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:

* Jeremiah 33:14-16
* Matthew 4:12-16

The Gift of Gratitude

The Gift of Gratitude Thankfulness is often considered something we do when we have everything we want or need. Instead, the real power of thankfulness is when things are difficult. Thankfulness is not only the result of having reason to be grateful, it is also the path to discovering reasons for gratitude.

When we take even a moment to think of what we can be thankful for, it opens our eyes and heart to sparks of hope, even when things are dark. Then, having seen one thing for which we are grateful, we begin to see others, which together bring a little light to dark times and places.

Through Prayer

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote the following words:

It is easy to sing happy songs about Jesus when things are going the way we want, but God's great desire for us is to know that we can rejoice even when things look the darkest.

Trusting God

If we are experiencing even a fraction of the stress, anger, and frustration that fills the internet, social media and news, it would drive us mad.

In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar, having claimed himself sovereign, was inflicted with a severe mental illness, even eating grass like a cow. Then, after a length of time, he looks to God and says,

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation."

Recognizing that God is in control, not him, he regained his sanity and praised God who is sovereign.

May the same be true for us.

The sermon for this sermon is shared by Rev. Bill Westlund. Bill and Katie have been a part of Oviedo Pres for many years. Bill is a retired Presbyterian pastor, former army chaplain, and the current president of Victorious Ministry Through Christ.

Bill Westund recorded this video before our recent election, and its message of hope and opportunity, in the midst of COVID-19 and chaos, is needed.

Scripture passages for this Sunday:
* Colossians 1:15-20
* Daniel 4:27-37

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/gDkSXsWo2EQ

Saint? Who me?

Today is All Saints Day, a time to remember Christians who have gone before us, and their example of faith, love, humility and service revealing what it means to be a Christian.

As protestants, we talk more about the multitude of saints with a small "s" than the elite with a capital "S." Nancy and I know a pastor who would greet his congregation every Sunday saying, "Good morning saints." They would reply, "Good morning." Then he would say, "Good morning sinners." The very same people that answered as saints then respond, "Good morning."

Christians are both,  saints and sinners. We are sinners who have been made holy by Jesus. 

Today's sermon is shared by Rev. Karen Estes who was a seminary classmate of Nancy Graham Ogne and she and her family are part of the Oviedo Pres family.

Scripture passage for this Sunday:
* Luke 19:1-10

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/wsWQV5pNMAU