Charles Town Presbyterian Church

Summer Study

Welcome to May!

This is the month when we unofficially kick off the summer, with the Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month. The school year will come to end, graduations will be held for college and high school students, and vacation plans will be well underway.

As you prepare for the summer, I want to invite you to try something different, if your schedule allows. This summer I will be holding a Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at 11am, beginning May 31. Summer Study will meet in the church parlor each Wednesday morning through July 19.

Rather than study a specific book, we are going to do something that may prove to be invaluable: We’re going to learn how to approach each of the different genre in scripture. With each genre, we will discuss why context and translation matter, and we will learn the nuances that affect how we understand the scriptures in each genre.

The basis for the class will be Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for all It’s Worth. This book was life-changing for me, and I turn to it often. It is not required for the class, but it will greatly supplement your experience. Our schedule will be as follows:

• May 31 – The Epistles
• June 7 – Old Testament Narratives
• June 14 – Acts
• June 21 – Gospels and Parables
• June 28 – Old Testament Law
• July 5 – The Prophetical books
• July 12 – Psalms and Wisdom

I hope to see you there!

Blessings,

Pastor John

13 Reasons Why

The hottest show right now on Netflix is a powerful show called “13 Reasons Why,” which tells the story of Hannah Baker, a girl who killed herself. Hannah leaves 13 tapes, each one identifying a person who contributed to reasons Hannah ended her life. There is a quite a bit of buzz about this show, and I have no doubt some of you have watched it. There are several reasons why the show is so popular.

First, it is well done. Though many of the characters are stereotypes, the kids playing these parts turn in gut-wrenching performances. The show moves between the past and the present in a very fluid way, and it is so well done, you know immediately when you’re in either place without the production saying to the viewer, “Now we’re flashing back.”

Second, it’s real. Adolescence was hard for all of us, but now even more so. Our kids daily face the pressures of every one of their peers having a camera (in their phone) and recording every time they mess up. Embarrassing photos (some of which are photo-shopped) are routine. Everyone at school knows everything every time something bad or dramatic happens to someone. The dating rules have changed, too. People hook up first, and then date later. And when you add all of this to the usual pressures of the teen years, it’s no wonder our kids feel so stressed and empty. “13 Reasons Why” navigates these strug-
gles with great finesse and sensitivity.

There are some troubling parts of the show, as well. First, it is nearly devoid of any spirituality. The characters in the show need to know that God loves them unconditionally, and no one speaks that truth or hope into any of their lives.

Second, the language is horrifyingly brutal. The “f-bomb” is used constantly and the dialog is often uncomfortable. Third, it’s overly dramatic. Some of the teenagers who have watched it have said that the issues in the show are present in their peers, but their reactions are not so histrionic. Finally, I worry that the “revenge” of the dead main character through her tapes may have a negative impact on kids.

I encourage parents and grandparents of adolescents to watch the show. However, I do so with big, huge, caveat and word of caution: This is not a Christian show. It’s rated TV-MA. There is cursing, sex, rape, violence, substance abuse and other troubling things. But it may be worth viewing to get glimpse into the world our kids live in and the struggles they deal with. It may start some important discussions you might not otherwise have. It might help you and them understand where to find Christ in the midst of all this.

Blessings,

Pastor John

You can’t ignore the resurrection, not really.

There are plenty of things we ignore. We ignore our doctors when they tell us to do or to stop doing things that will affect our health. We ignore warning signs from a loved when he or she is reaching out to us for help. We ignore the news (and who wouldn’t, given how volatile it has become!). We ignore that check engine light on the dashboard, hoping it will magically go away.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be ignored. But oh, how some people try. It is true that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead must be received in faith. There is none alive who witnessed this miracle, who have seen the risen Christ in person. And we know that, barring a miracle, it is impossible for people to physically rise from the dead.

Scripture tells us, though, that Christ’s death answers the need for a sacrifice for our sins. The penalty for our sins is death. Jesus died in our place, and because his payment for our penalty is utterly perfect, death could not keep Jesus in the grave. The sacrifice of Jesus is, to quote the Puritan pastor John Owen, “The death of death.”

True, we still die a physical death. But instead of fearing the judgment of God after we die, we look forward to the heavenly inheritance that is the gift of God to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us because he loves us. Jesus didn’t die for a cause, nor was he simply a martyr. He is our savior, our Lord. It is an amazing thing that God has done for us – rescuing us from sin and giving us eternal life.

I don’t know all the reasons people try and ignore the resurrection of Christ. Pride, anger, pain – these things (and many more) factor in to how one receives the good news of Christ’s resurrection. But if the Bible is right, if the Christians have found the truth and Jesus Christ is the way, then ignoring the resurrection has great cost. And even if someone prefers that God leave well enough alone, we must remember that one day we will all appear before God’s judgment. Those who have believed and embraced the resurrection of Jesus will be welcomed into the kingdom of God. A far worse fate awaits everyone else.

Don’t ignore the resurrection. Believe it, and receive the grace of God.

May the risen Christ be praised today and for all eternity!

Blessings,

Pastor John

This weekend marks the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday ushers in a week where we consider what our Lord experienced leading up to his betrayal, his beating, his death, and then, ultimately, his resurrection. We begin with the high of the triumphant entry, work our way to the low of Maundy Thursday, wait out the Great Vigil of Easter, and then experience the greatest of celebrations with the resurrection of Jesus. It is tumultuous, emotional week, and for good reason.

There are some acute reasons for what is going on in Jerusalem during this unique Passover celebration. A young rabbi from Nazareth has come to town, and it is rumored he can do all kinds of miracles. People hear that he may have even raised Lazarus from the dead! And so, they are excited.

Some are threatened. The Jewish leaders and Roman occupation stands to lose in a very significant way if, in fact, this Jesus fellow is who says he is. The Jewish feasts were big business, and if, at the very least, Jesus convinces them to no longer participate, the financial implications will be significant. And there are, of course, other acute reasons Jesus was a threat to many people in power.

In the bigger picture of God’s plan for salvation, much more is going on than threats to the wealthy and powerful. God has chosen this moment to be the pivotal moment of his plan of salvation. God the Son will give his life to appease the wrath of God the Father and make it possible for people to have a relationship with God by his grace through faith. And that sacrifice and promise are sealed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

To get (us) to this point, Jesus will suffer. He will endure agony upon agony for our sake. He will be mocked and tortured for purposes only he can see. His enemies will taunt him mercilessly, and strut around thinking they bested this threat.

Hardly anyone realized that Jesus had bigger purposes on his mind, that he was the Messiah of God’s people. We are often guilty of that kind of narrow thinking. We are convinced God will act in a particular way, only to find God surprising us.

The death and resurrection are huge surprises, and they bring to all people the very hope of God. My hope and prayer for each person this Holy Week is that they reflect deeply on the words, actions and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ during the time of his passion, death and resurrection.

In so doing, you will experience tremendous blessings.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Last Saturday, women from all over the Eastern Panhandle filled the sanctuary of Charles Town Presbyterian Church for a one-day conference with featured speaker Kelley Latta.

The “Awaken to your Purpose” event was over a year in the making. Last spring, the Presbyterian Women began to wonder if such an event were possible. They took their idea to the Discipleship and Family Ministries committee, who heartily endorsed the idea.

The women’s conference was no easy feat. There was a ton of advertising. Since it has been so long since we’ve done an event like this, we had to consider all possible PR points – word of mouth, social media, website, print media (newspapers and banners). Meals and snacks had to be planned. Worship had to be coordinated. It was an “all hands on deck” moment for CTPC. By the grace of God, everything went well! The women had a great day. They were encouraged and inspired, and the day served as a reminder to all of us that when we submit to God, that our church can do great things for Christ’s kingdom.

Several people should be thanked for their help. Jason Largent, Mark Stafford, and Debbie Stafford led worship in the morning; Judy Smoot led worship in the afternoon; Gary Scott, Larry Lloyd, Thane Van Zomeren, David Weil, Frank Donadio, Allen Rogers, and Doug McDonough helped all day in the kitchen and anywhere else they were needed; Roger Snook assisted me with sound.

There were some women from our church who were instrumental in helping to pull off this event. Were it not for Lazan Rogers, Diane Mayhew, Patsy White, or Marsha Dibbern, last Saturday would not have happened. It was their It was their vision and commitment that made this day of ministry possible.

It was day of blessing for the women who attended, and a great day for CTPC.

Blessings,

Pastor John

Charles Town Presbyterian Church hosted a special guest March 25th:

with over 75 attendees:

Inspiration and Lunch and more pictures on our Facebook event page.