Sharing God’s Love, Welcome, and Justice
On Our Corner, in Our City, And in the World
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Fourth Sunday in Lent: Lost & Found
Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of the parable of the Lost Sheep is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good Shepherd is by our side. | @sanctifiedart
Lent 2025: Everything (in) Between
This year’s series for Lent is “Everything (in) Between.” The themes of this series are an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to transformation.
Each weekly sub-theme explores two supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “grief & hope.” We often consider these ideas to be opposing. However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We find that these dichotomies are false. We might begin to see a full spectrum instead of black and white. We might find that God is present in between. And so, this season, we invite you to look beyond black and white binaries and easy answers. We encourage you to notice the dichotomies that define our lives, but also imagine where God might be meeting us beyond the categories we create. This theme may resonate with anyone who is in discernment or trying to find their way through an undefined space. It will may speak to anyone who feels as if they are living in a divided world. It is for those who seek a spiritual life that engages with complexity instead of avoiding it. This Lent, we’re trusting that God shows up in shades of gray, rainbow hues, and everywhere in between. | @sanctifiedart
Faith communities unite in declaration to defend refugees March 4, 2025
Church World Service | Special to Presbyterian News Service
In an unprecedented moment of moral reckoning, Church World Service (CWS) has issued The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation. Among the signatories is the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and executive director of the Interim Unified Agency.
With 45 initial signers, including Church World Service’s Covenant Members, this declaration is more than a statement — it is a solemn and unshakable commitment by religious leaders and organizations to stand against policies that endanger refugees and immigrants.
At a time when the United States faces defining choices about its treatment of the displaced and persecuted, this powerful declaration is a collective stand for justice. It calls on all people of faith to root their advocacy in scripture and directly challenges political leaders to remember that the U.S. identity is inseparable from its immigrant history. The way the nation treats its most vulnerable will not only shape communities at home but will define the country’s moral standing in the global arena.
Following the administration’s executive orders that oppose the proud American tradition of welcome, directives to abdicate our leadership around the world, and enactment of policies that keep families separated, the Declaration says:
“Together in faith and rooted in love, we resolve to continue in the centuries-old practice of Christian communities walking alongside refugees and immigrants in their pursuit of safety and dignity. We pledge to restore and promote hospitality and welcome to those seeking refuge — regardless of where they are from, how they pray or what language they speak.
“Guided by our faith, we stand together against the sweeping measures that are devastating vulnerable families and jeopardizing their futures. These actions not only cause immediate harm but also threaten our country’s long-term ability to welcome and support those in need. We grieve for the families who have been torn apart, had years-long reunification plans cancelled, been detained and deported, have been unjustly blocked from accessing asylum protections, and have been left without access to the basic assistance they need to thrive.
Joined by CWS’ Covenant Members and faith leaders and communities across the country, this declaration comes at a time of uncertainty for the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
To read the full article click here.
Worship In-Person and On-Line
In-Person: Old First invites you to join us in person at the church at 11:00 am every Sunday.
On-Line Worship at Old First: Old First Presbyterian Church livestreams worship services on both Sundays and holidays. You can view this week’s livestream by clicking here.
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