Finding Comfort
From January 5 through February 23, 2020, the staff of FPCM preaches a sermon series based on the first 23 question and answers of the Heidelberg Catechism. The sermon series is titled “Finding Comfort”.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
The Heidelberg Catechism was written by two young German theologians in 1563 to help instruct the church, and particularly young people, in the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. The Calvin Theological Seminary’s Center for Excellence in Preaching offers a helpful companion guide based on the 52 Sundays the Catechism could be preached. Note that beside the questions and answers is the indicator for the appropriate Lord’s Day. The Center offers helpful summaries, both biblical and theological for each of the Lord’s Days. Go to the site and click any of the Sundays as listed.
Regular Worship Times
Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 11:00 am
Education Hour 9:45 am
Contemporary 11:00 am
Education Hour 9:45 am
Now How do I Live?
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Luke 18:9-14
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Q86. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?
A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, is also restoring us by His Spirit into His image, so that, with our whole lives, we may show that we are thankful to God for His benefits, so that He may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living, our neighbors may be won over to Christ.
Who’s in Charge?
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Romans 8:28-39
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Romans 8:28-39
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Q27. What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. The almighty and ever-present power of God by which God upholds, as with His hand,
heaven and earth and all creatures and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and
drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and
poverty—all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by His Fatherly hand.”
A. The almighty and ever-present power of God by which God upholds, as with His hand,
heaven and earth and all creatures and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and
drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and
poverty—all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by His Fatherly hand.”
Q28. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?*
A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well; and for the
future, we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in
creation will separate us from His love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s
future, we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in
creation will separate us from His love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s
hand that, without His will, they can neither move nor be moved.”
What Must I Do?
Sunday, February 9, 2020
John 15:1-17
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
John 15:1-17
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Q21. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed
to us in Scripture, it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit creates in me by
the gospel, that God freely granted, not only to others but to me, forgiveness of sins,
eternal righteousness, and salvation. These are gifts of sheer grace, granted by Christ’s
merit.”
A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed
to us in Scripture, it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit creates in me by
the gospel, that God freely granted, not only to others but to me, forgiveness of sins,
eternal righteousness, and salvation. These are gifts of sheer grace, granted by Christ’s
merit.”
Where’s the Way Out?
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Isaih 53:1-10
Dan Wonneberger preaching
Communion and Annual Meeting
Isaih 53:1-10
Dan Wonneberger preaching
Communion and Annual Meeting
Seeing Clearly
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Luke 7:36-50
Rev. Keith Grant preaching
We welcome Rev. Keith Grant to our pulpit. Keith Grant, Pastor at Riverside Community Church in Horsham, PA has served as an actor, spokesperson, corporate trainer, and as A Praying Life trainer.
Luke 7:36-50
Rev. Keith Grant preaching
We welcome Rev. Keith Grant to our pulpit. Keith Grant, Pastor at Riverside Community Church in Horsham, PA has served as an actor, spokesperson, corporate trainer, and as A Praying Life trainer.
Is There Any Hope?
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Romans 5: 12-21
Kelly LePenske preaching
Romans 5: 12-21
Kelly LePenske preaching
Q6. Did God create people so wicked and perverse?
A. No. God created them good and in His own image, that is, in true righteousness and
holiness so that they might truly know God their Creator, love Him with all their heart, and
live with God in eternal happiness to praise and glorify Him.
Q7. Then where does this corrupt human nature come from?
A. The fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in paradise. This fall has so
poisoned our nature that we are all conceived and born in a sinful condition.
A. No. God created them good and in His own image, that is, in true righteousness and
holiness so that they might truly know God their Creator, love Him with all their heart, and
live with God in eternal happiness to praise and glorify Him.
Q7. Then where does this corrupt human nature come from?
A. The fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in paradise. This fall has so
poisoned our nature that we are all conceived and born in a sinful condition.
What’s the Problem?
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Matthew 22:34-40
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Matthew 22:34-40
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Q4. What does God’s law require of us?
A. Christ teaches us this in summary…”You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
A. Christ teaches us this in summary…”You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
What is My Comfort?
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Isaiah 40: 1 – 11
Lord’s Supper
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Isaiah 40: 1 – 11
Lord’s Supper
Rev. Stuart Spencer preaching
Q1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
A. That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
