Luke 6:46-49: There is a lot that is practical about Jesus. It has to do with receiving Him, and then (this is the practical part), doing what He tells us. In the case of this parable, it means: dig deep and put your foundation on solid rock, in order to keep from being shaken. That is what Jesus will do for you, today. This is a Wekivaword.

Now Is the Time to Speak - Winning Hymn in the 2012 Macalester Plymouth United Church 17th Annual Hymn Contest

February 20, 2013

Macalester Plymouth United Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, is pleased to announce the winner of its 17th annual hymn contest, a search for new hymn texts that address the scriptural call to speak out loudly and clearly against injustice, and to unite with others working for change.

The winning hymn, Now Is the Time to Speak, was written by the Rev. Dr. John A. Dalles, the pastor of Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, Florida. He is a graduate of both Lancaster Theological Seminary (UCC) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PCUSA). A life member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, his hymn texts have been published in a number of denominational hymnals.

2012 Prize Winning Hymn

 Now Is the Time to Speak

by the Rev. Dr. John A. Dalles, Longwood, Florida

Meter 6666D

Suggested tune: INVITATION (MAKER)

Now is the time to speak

of work informed by prayer,

of hands to help the weak,

of bravery to dare.

O may we not keep still,

for there is much to do:

Speak out to do God’s will,

God’s justice to pursue!

Now is the time to speak,

the time to mull has passed;

the future still is bleak

for all who are downcast –

They struggle to provide,

they struggle to be heard,

they call us to their side

to speak God’s saving word!

Now is the time to speak,

for words can lead the way;

achieve the aims we seek

by speaking out today!

May conscience conquer fear,

may courage vanquish doubt.

The time to speak is here:

in faithfulness, speak out!

*****

Copyright © 2012, John A. Dalles

Daniel 9:14 – Behind even the deepest mysteries of what God does, trust that what God does is right. This is a Wekivaword.

YARD SALE!!!

Come to the 6th Annual Wekiva Presbyterian Church Yard Sale,

this Saturday, March 9, from 8 AM to 2 PM.

Tons of good sales and treasures you cannot pass up!

Food - Games - Fun - Good Deals - So Much More!

There are bound to be some undiscovered treasures waiting for you!

Wekiva Presbyterian Church PC(USA)

211 Wekiva Springs Lane

Longwood, Florida.

Look for the big bell tower! See you there!

One Great Hour of Sharing

We receive the One Great Hour of Sharing during Lent.  The offering goes to help mission outreach of our Presbyterian Church (USA).  It is good to remember that some of the funds go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, so that when storms like Sandy ravage the USA, Presbyterian Disaster Relief workers can be on the spot immediately with tangible help from our giving.  We also benefit the Self Development of People program of the PC(USA) by One Great Hour of Sharing Giving.  For one example of how your OGHS offering makes a difference LOCALLY, see this story of how the Self-Development of People committee has awarded grants arising from that special offering to ten projects nationwide, including local recipient the Brevard Drop-in Center, a place where folks with mental health challenges help each other gain employment skills in a peer-to-peer setting:  http://bit.ly/15TiVj4

Gifts of Women Sunday

Today we Celebrate the Gifts of Women in worship. 

We are reminded of the Presbyterian Women down the years who have taught, preached, prayed, led, opened mission fields, begun colleges and schools, and more.  One particularly meaningful Presbyterian Church (USA) connection is Mary McLeod Bethune (July 10, 1875 – May 18, 1955), an educator from South Carolina who attended the Trinity Mission School run by the Presbyterian Board of Mission for Freedmen, and Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College). 

Bethune opened the Literary and Industrial  training School for Negro Girls in Daytona in 1905.  The school merged with the Cookman Institute for Men in 1923, and is now the acclaimed Bethune-Cookman School. 

We are thankful for Mary McLeod Bethune and all Presbyterian Women who have made a positive witness for Christ in our world.

Today is World Day of Prayer.

Take some time today to pray.

And expand your prayer life today in such a way that the concerns of the world that God so loved are part of what you pray and at the core of how you prayer.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has long been at the forefront of prompting our members to pray on this day.

World Day of Prayer encourages congregations of all denominations across the world to pray on a common theme. This year the theme is: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35).

Read and reflect upon the larger passage of which this verse is a part, today in your devotions.

Consider: Who have I classified as a “stranger” and neglected to welcome? And then find ways to draw the circle of Jesus’ love larger in your own life.

This is a Wekivaword.