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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 02-13-2012
The other day I was in Giant Eagle listening to a dad trying to console his 4 year old who desperately wanted to go the Eagle’s Nest (a visually enticing and electronically captivating holding cell for children of shopping parents).I thought for a minute of intervening in this “aisle #4 to 8” drama and telling the dad to drop the kid off so we could all shop in peace. But I didn’t.
Instead I gave the dad some credit for his persistence. Maybe his kid will learn to push through the agony of not being able to grab and consume the Oreos at eye level. Maybe his kid will discover the value of looking for bargains, using coupons, using cash and sticking to a budget. Maybe when his kid is older and stretching out in life, about to head to college, feeling kind of alone and scared by the decisions ahead, he will remember his father’s strong confident hands guiding him through the aisles of temptation. Maybe he will be able to say “No” to some things others can’t. Maybe when he’s facing tough professors and mind boggling exams he will recall the love of his father who was somehow able to endure complaints and mini tantrums and not freak out in aisle 7.Maybe he will be able to call his dad from a fraternity party when he’s the only one not drinking and say, “It’s hard here, I just needed someone to talk to.” And his dad will say, “I know, you’ll be Ok. You made it past the Oreos in aisle 7.”
And just maybe, in time, he will gather together a glimpse of God’s steady love reaching down and holding on when the way seems so unclear and he will know through it all, that he is loved.
I know these are big hopes, but I like them.
Tom
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Knox News
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
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
