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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.
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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.
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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
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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 01-30-2012
A few weeks back in worship we passed out star gifts. Each person in the sanctuary received a word on a paper star (hope, pardon, time, peace, healing, innocence, delight, comfort, boldness, dignity… to name a few). We are so prone toward giving, doing, achieving that to simply receive a gift was unique. But this is the order of things in God’s realm. God always gives first, and then we are invited to respond. God always seeks to encourage and strengthen us, we learn to receive. The words are meant to remain with us, on a refrigerator, on the wall, on a dresser. We are to think on the word and consider how God is bringing that word to reality in us as a gift.
That morning after the service, one man came up to me with a blank star. We laughed and thought how beautiful. This individual is an extremely accomplished professor and musician. Instead of a word that might push him toward greater mastery, he got nothing. Just blank emptiness. Calm silence. Being. But we couldn’t leave it there. Immediately we jumped to the Latin phrase tabula rasa, meaning a blank slate upon which anything can be written – an open and responsive life, ready for and trusting in God’s initiative.
A lady at a coffee shop said something like that to me a few weeks back. She commented on the beauty of the day, looked at me and said, “It’s what you make of it.”
I was speaking with a couple a few years back. She was annoyed with the time her husband would retreat, needing some space, needing silence. As a self-professed extrovert, this silence drove her crazy. So she would stand outside the room where he was thinking / retreating, and say, “So how much longer are you going to be in there… 10, 30 minutes? It would help me to know how long I’ve got to wait.”
After they both finished laughing at the situation, I mentioned that his silence, in time, might become a valued gift to her. Perhaps in the space, with the silence, she will discover what her words and social activity shut out. Maybe she will hear her thoughts instead of speaking them. Maybe she will hear God as he whispers peace and stillness into her life. Maybe she will breathe slowly and rest. Maybe she will be ok, being alone, being with God – until he finally comes out.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. But you refused and said, “No! We will flee upon horses” – therefore you shall flee! and “We will ride upon swift steeds” therefore your pursuers shall be swift! (Isaiah 30:15-16)
Before riding away into what's next, enjoy calming, healing and quiet gift of God’s presence. Breathe.
Tom
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Knox News
Food Pantry Needs
During the month of February, please fill the red Love Buggy, now located in Fellowship Hall, with spaghetti sauce for the North Olmsted Oxcart Food Pantry and chili for the JKPC pantry. Beginning next quarter we will have the two pantries in coordination and will be collecting only one food item. Thanks for your patience.
Craft Fair Returns
The JKPC Preschool will be hosting the craft fair this year on Saturday, November 10. If you are interested in being a part of this event, please contact Nancie Rachocki at 440-235-4148 or mnrachocki@att.net. We will put you on the list to receive information as it becomes available. Registration forms will be available shortly.
