-
Worship at John Knox
In worship we offer to God our praise, confessions, and attention. In worship we receive God’s presence, pardon, and power to live out what we believe. In worship we celebrate the gift of community and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Each week we have the chance to be addressed by scripture, supported by those around us, and reminded of our true identity and sacred story.
Please Join us!
At John Knox, we have two worship services every Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. For details about holiday worship, special events, and guest Pastors, you can view our entire worship schedule.
-
Education & Caring
We are students, every one of us and the moment we stop learning, something is wrong. We seek to learn more about God and thereby more about ourselves. In learning together we come to a deeper understanding of the Bible, we come to appreciate our reformed heritage (the church reformed, always being reformed), and we are encouraged by a community that keeps us true and connected. We also care. We gather up the courage to ask for help when we need it. We also find ways to offer help and train ourselves to be more effective in our care giving.
-
Outreach
We’re not just trying to preserve our well-being. At the end of every service the pastor offers the following charge to the congregation: “Go out into the world in peace; have courage. Hold on to what is good and return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, help the suffering, honor all people, love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Though we have encountered God in worship, we leave with God and head to our homes, our neighborhoods, and our world to put faith into action. There is more to our faith than warmhearted sentiment. The faith lived out in word and deed is bold, dynamic, and intense in its love and service.
Welcome to our Church
The congregation of John Knox Presbyterian Church welcomes you to this preview of our life together. We hope you will explore this site; but better yet, we hope you will join us. Our congregation is warm and welcoming, inviting all to worship, serve, share and explore the love of God known through Jesus Christ. May God bless you richly as you continue your personal journey of faith in Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan, Pastor
| FILE | Description | FILE SIZE |
|---|---|---|
 John Knox Church Brochure | 36 Kb |
A few weeks back I attended a PC (USA) conference on Discipleship. One of the leaders, Tod Bolsinger of San Clemente Presbyterian Church in California, talked about a recent expansion their church underwent. They were originally founded by a church an hour south of them. This church sent members 1 hour north to lead Bible studies and fellowship gatherings for children, youth, and adults on the beach of San Clemente. After 25 years they were finally ready to build their church. All were a part of pounding in nails and raising the walls on their very first church expansion. Well, 80 years later, the church was facing new challenges and discovering new energy and vision in the area of intergenerational ministry. They were discovering that grandparents wanted to see their grandchildren or other children while they worshipped and shared in fellowship. Teens were wanting to be a part of the outreach and growth of the church and liked not only being included but vital to the health of the church.Monday Message 01-23-2012
We were in Ft. Myers, Florida when Hurricane Mitch started gathering strength in the Fall of 1998. Mitch moved north up the Gulf Coast of Florida and then suddenly angled West. We watched in fear as this tremendous storm struck our friends in Nicaragua and caused devastating landslides in Honduras. Thousands of people died, many more disappeared. Every bridge in Honduras, 150 of them, was totally destroyed, with the exception of one (above) that was engineered, built, and donated by Japan. The Hurricane changed the course of the Choluteca River so drastically that the river no longer went under the bridge.
A number of authors and speakers have used this as a metaphor for changing the culture and the need of the church to shift, adapt, and respond to the changing currents in our culture today. It’s a good metaphor. Japan has even used the photo in advertisements to suggest what fantastic bridges they construct.
I’m not sure how to use it. I can’t talk about Hurricane Mitch without thinking of the desperate pleas I remember receiving from our friends in Esteli, Nicaragua who e-mailed petition after petition asking for prayers until all was silent. When communication resumed, Esteli had become an island. The rivers had risen with such force that they washed away people and homes and left the city without water and access to food. The pleas were for help.
Maybe that’s what I see in the photo. If people need help, if people can’t cross over the raging rivers of tragedy, addiction, debt, abuse, anxiety, and disease, then we as the church had better start making a way toward their door. If life has changed so dramatically that people no longer recognize their surroundings or know what endures than we had better be near them as a stabilizing force. If people won’t come or can’t get to the church, we better get to them. If they have given up on God, given up on hope, given up on life, then we better make a way. If Jesus loved us enough to bridge the distance between heaven and earth, than we should do the same for those who stand on a distant shore, lonely, lost or afraid. May we hear the pleas, notice the needs, and start constructing by our words and deeds, bridges of hope and healing, justice and mercy.
Tom
Please help us reduce our waste by signing up for our digital email newsletter.
Knox News
Knox News - February 2012
Lenten Nights 2012
February 22 is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The pastors will be offering imposition of ashes and the Lord’s Supper in the sanctuary from 11 am to 1 pm. Come as you are able any time during those hours. In the evening, at 7 pm, there will be a special worship service with the imposition of ashes.
Our annual Lenten Night series will begin on Wednesday, February 29, and run for 5 weeks. Dinner is at 5:30 pm for a small fee and classes begin at 6:30 and end at 7:45 pm. Child care will be available and plans are being made for Lenten learning experiences for all children through 8th grade. High school students are welcome to join adult classes or help with the younger kids. Join us as we celebrate Lent in our new space with our church family!
Classes are outlined below. To register for Lenten Night classes, please visit the Spiritual Growth table in the Gallery or sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office. We need accurate numbers by February 22.
The Hole in Our Gospel
What if followers of Christ looked beyond church walls and worked together to address the needs in our world? What if we not only knew the statistics about poverty, hunger, and injustice but cared enough to act? What if you signed up for this class and found yourself making this vision a reality?
Text, What does God Expect of Us? The Hole in our Gospel: The answer that changed my life might just change the world, by Richard Stearns. Presenter, Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan.
24 Hours That Changed the World
Walk with Jesus on his final day. Sit beside him at the Last Supper. Follow him to the cross. Desert him. Experience the resurrection. This class is designed to help us better understand the events that occurred during the last 24 hours of Jesus's life. Video filmed in the Holy Land will be shown weekly.
Text, 24 Hours That Changed the World, by Adam Hamilton. Presenter, Jan Hart.
Live Life Abundantly All of Your Days
There is much written about aging but fact of the matter is, we are all going to age as we continue to walk this earth and will be faced with decisions that impact our ability to live the abundant life God intends. Health insurance, lifestyle and living options, advanced directives, end of life choices and funeral planning will be discussed is this series.
Facilitated by Cathy Nichols, Connie Smith and Rev. Gordon Blasius with possible guest speakers.
Sticky Faith
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably wondered how their faith shaping your children’s life? Most parents would give anything to anchor their children with a vibrant faith that 'sticks.' Join us as we interact with Sticky Faith Parent Curriculum (video-based study) to explore strategies and practical ideas to encourage spiritual growth. To learn more check out http://stickyfaith.org/parents.
Facilitated by Rev. Susanne Bendoritis
Exploring Theology
Do you enjoy reading and talking about theology and how it applies to the Christian life? A very accessible book caught my attention as a way for disciples of Christ to understand theologian, Karl Barth (1886-1968). If you are interested in joining me, please obtain the book ($15 on Amazon.com) and come to class ready to discuss chapter 1.
Text, Barth for Armchair Theologians , by John R. Franke. Presenter, Rev. Jessie MacMillan
