Weekly Check-In - February 21, 2026
The season of Lent, the forty days (not including Sundays) prior to Easter began this past Wednesday. This Sunday, then, is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. There is a lot to look forward to…
Lenten Sermon Series: Psalms Of Worship and Stories of Jesus
Each Sunday our scripture readings will include a passage from the Psalms and a story from one of the gospels. The Psalms were the hymn book of the Hebrew people and illuminate both their understanding of worship and ours today. These worship themes will find vivid illustrations in the stories of Jesus we will encounter, which include some wonderful, memorable stories of Jesus' life and ministry.
February 22
Psalm 32
Matthew 4:1-11
Sermon Title: The Clarity of Confession
Worship Theme: Confessing
March 1
Psalm 121
John 3:1-17
Sermon Title: How We Seek God
Worship Theme: Searching
March 8
Psalm 95
John 4:5-42
Sermon Title: When We Must Sing
Worship Them: Praising
March 15
Psalm 23 - Dwelling God's Eye?
John 9:2-41 - Man at pool blind since birth
Sermon Title: The Good Shepherd - Making Us Whole
Worship Theme: Healing
March 22
Psalm 130
John 11:1-45
Sermon Title: Petitioning God Who Is Able
Worship Theme: Interceding
March 29
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Palm Sunday story
Sermon Title: Making Way For God
Worship Theme: Preparing
April 5 Easter
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
John 20:1-18
Sermon Title: Seeking Sacred Space
Worship Theme: Celebrating
Returning To Worship During Lent - The Passing Of The Peace
The Session met this past Thursday and as we discussed worship, one of the areas the Session is responsible for in the life of the church, the topic of the Passing of the Peace came up. From the time I (George) arrived here as pastor in 2005 through the beginning of the pandemic, the Passing of the Peace was a part of our worship service. It has not returned following Covid. Until now. In the spirit of giving something up or adding something during the season of Lent, the Session decided to bring back the Passing of the Peace during Lent, and perhaps beyond. In our practice the leader will say, "The peace of Christ be with you" and the people will respond, "And also with you." This is followed by a time when the congregation may turn to and greet one another with this same greeting. The Passing of the Peace is a tradition in Christian worship dating back till at least the second century. This Lenten season, as we focus on various aspects of worship, it will return to our worship as well.
Sunday School: We have a DVD study for our Sunday School called The Third Day: Living The Resurrection. This study begins this Sunday, February 22 and continues through Palm Sunday, March 29. No book is necessary. We start at 9:45, begin the DVD at around 10, which is typically ten to twelve minutes and then discuss, wrapping up around 10:30. This is a great time to jump in and give Sunday School a try. We meet in the adult Sunday School room, if you aren't sure where that is, come to the Sanctuary and we'll get you there.
Sunday Evening Zoom Study: "Meeting Jesus On The Road" is a new book by Cynthia Campbell (retired President of McCormick Seminary and also retired pastor from Highland Pres in Louisville) and Christine Coy Fohr (current pastor of Harvey Browne Pres in Louisville). The study will be weekly, February 22 - April 12 (with April 5, Easter off) at 7:00 p.m. and meetings will be between 45 minute and an hour. If you would like to be a part of this study let me (George) know so I can be sure you get the Zoom link when I send them out. You will need the book - you can purchase it on Amazon (or likely other places as well), or I can pick up a copy for you (if you want me to do that let me know - books are $15.84 if I get them for you). If you don't have the book yet, but would like to try it out Sunday night you are certainly invited. Again just let me know that you need the Zoom link.
Choir Practice: Choir will practice this Wednesday, February 25 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Tuesday Prayer Group will not meet this Tuesday, February 24. We will be back on Tuesday, March 2 at 11:00 a.m. in the Activities Building.
Lenten Dinners and Programs are coming. This year's Lenten Dinners and Programs will be Wednesday March 11, 18, and 25. Each night will begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m. with the program following sometime between 6:45 and 7:00. The first two weeks George will share about his trip this past fall focusing on Istanbul, an important city historically in the life of the church, and Ephesus, the ancient ruins that provide insight into the biblical letter, written to the church in Ephesus by the Apostle Paul. The third week we will welcome Ben Blake, a past moderator of the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky and a member of Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church in Louisville. He will share about his pilgrimage journey from several years back when he went to Spain and walked the Camino De Santiago. It is exciting to have the opportunity to welcome and to learn from Ben.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and other opportunities. The work done in these causes supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) – disaster, hunger and poverty – serves individuals and communities in need. This work provides people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
Each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God's love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
Can you find the three new "cloud words" in the above paragraphs? The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be collected Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
Celebrate Life!
George
