North Decatur Presbyterian Church

5.10.20. Rev. Erin Reed Cooper preaches on May 10th. In May, we explore the 9th and final Big Idea of the Bible: Beloved Community.  Beloved Community is an idea popularized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was first articulated by 20th-century philosopher Josiah Royce. It is, “a spiritual or divine community capable of achieving the highest good as well as the common good.” The roots of such community are in the Scriptures themselves, in images such as "the people of God,"  "the Body of God," and "the ekklesia." In May, we explore our calling to Beloved Community and ask what this kind of community offers to us  and demands from us in the world we share today.

5.3.20. In May, we explore the 9th and final Big Idea of the Bible: Beloved Community. Beloved Community is an idea popularized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that was first articulated by 20th century philosopher Josiah Royce. It is, “a spiritual or divine community capable of achieving the highest good as well as the common good.” The roots of such community are in the Scriptures themselves, in images such as “the people of God,” “the Body of God,” and “the ekklesia.” In May, we explore our calling to Beloved Community and ask what this kind of community offers to us and demands from us in the world we share today. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

4.20.20. This week our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, offers the proclamation of the word based on Galatians 6:1-10. In that passage of scripture, the Apostle Paul encouraged the early church to not grow weary and to work for the good of all, especially in the family of faith. Even in the midst of difficulty, division, and a pandemic, Aisha encourages us to do the same.  The Reverend Aisha Brooks-Lytle is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Central High School (Class of 251) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from Temple University (’99). After spending a significant time as youth director at Wayne Presbyterian Church, she obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary (’05). She served various other churches in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and surrounding areas through her music ministry and in her ministry of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care before returning to Wayne Presbyterian Church in February 2013. Aisha served

4.12.20. Christ is risen! Hosanna in the highest! Once again we gather in spirit and online to worship.  Rev. David Lewicki preaching. 

4.5.20. We are embracing virtual worship even though we can't embrace each other. This week, Rev. David Lewicki preaches about our need for salvation.  Also, if you would like to view the entire worship service, visit facebook.com/NDPChurch and look in the video section. 

3.29.20. Part five in the series about mercy.

3.22.20. 

3.15.20. We have arrived at the season of Lent, a season of simplifying and deepening our faith. We “give up” something in order to clarify our reliance on God. We “take up” practices of prayer and serving others that bring our lives into alignment with God’s will. During the Sundays in March, we will explore the 6th “Big Idea” of the Bible, mercy. On March 1st, we discovered on Mercy is the primary aspect of God’s character; God is merciful. On March 8th, we explored how each of us is called to reflect God’s character by showing mercy to each other in all of our relationships. On March 15th and 22nd, we explore another aspect of mercy, forgiveness. God forgives our sins and our debts… can we do the same for each other?

3.8.20. We have arrived at the season of Lent, a season of simplifying and deepening our faith. We “give up” something in order to clarify our reliance on God. We “take up” practices of prayer and serving others that bring our lives into alignment with God’s will. During the Sundays in March, we will explore the 6th “Big Idea” of the Bible, mercy. On March 1st, we discovered on Mercy is the primary aspect of God’s character; God is merciful. On March 8th, we explored how each of us is called to reflect God’s character by showing mercy to each other in all of our relationships. On March 15th and 22nd, we explore another aspect of mercy, forgiveness. God forgives our sins and our debts… can we do the same for each other?

3.1.20. We have arrived at the season of Lent, a season of simplifying and deepening our faith. We “give up” something in order to clarify our reliance on God. We “take up” practices of prayer and serving others that bring our lives into alignment with God’s will. During the Sundays in March, we will explore the 6th “Big Idea” of the Bible, mercy. Mercy, we will discover on the first Sunday in Lent, is the primary aspect of God’s character; God is merciful. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

2.23.20. It’s February, and we’ve turned to the Bible’s 6th “Big Idea”–one that’s sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who “empties himself” of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. On Feb. 2nd, we looked at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink. On Feb. 9th, we explored the confounding idea that God’s strength is known in weakness. On Feb. 16th, we interrogated the myth of “redemptive violence” and learn the theology of non-violent power with Ministry Fellow, Rob Schoonover preaching. On Feb. 23rd, we explore the work of Reinhold Nie

2.16.20. It's February, and we've turned to the  Bible's 6th "Big Idea"--one that's sure to put a jolt in your winter  blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What  is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and  how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the  Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about  power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who  "empties himself" of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and  weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different  angle. On Feb. 2nd, we looked at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink. On Feb. 9th, we explored the confounding idea that God's strength is known in weakness. On Feb. 16th, we interrogate the myth of  "redemptive violence" and learn the theology of non-violent power with  Ministry Fel

2.9.20. It’s February, and we’ve turned to the Bible’s 6th “Big Idea”–one that’s sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who “empties himself” of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. This week, we explore the confounding idea that God’s strength is known in weakness.  Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

2.2.20. It’s February, and we’ve turned to the Bible’s 6th “Big Idea”–one that’s sure to put a jolt in your winter blues: POWER. What does the Bible say about power? What is power? What is it for? Who has it? Who should have it? What power does God have and how does God use it? Power is one of the most complex subjects in the Holy Scriptures, primarily because so much of what it teaches about power seems contradictory: Is God an all-powerful Creator, or a God who “empties himself” of power to assume flesh and die in humiliation and weakness? Each Sunday in February, we explore power from a different angle. This week, we look at our charged world, full of good and evil powers, with the help of theologian Walter Wink.  Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

1.26.19. Throughout January, we explore the 5th of the Bible’s “9 Big Ideas:” Wonder. God, by definition, is wonder-ful and fills us human beings with wonder. Wonder is awe and amazement at some aspect of our human experience that we can’t easily understand nor easily ignore. Wonder moves us to inquire into the nature of this experience and animates a life-long search for wisdom. We began the month with a service of poetry and music and reflection to mark the wondrous Epiphany (“revelation”) of Jesus to the magi. On January 12th, we explored the quirky, surprising wonders of the Holy Spirit as she moves our lives and the life of the world. On January 19th, we listened to the disturbing story of Job, whose anger and grief about his own unjust suffering is met by God with a revelation about wondrous height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for the whole creation–including Job. On January 26th, we look at the miracles of Jesus. What do miracles tell us about the wonders of God’s “kingdom”–on earth as it is in he

1.19.20. Throughout January, we explore the 5th of the Bible’s “9 Big Ideas:” Wonder. God, by definition, is wonder-ful and fills us human beings with wonder. Wonder is awe and amazement at some aspect of our human experience that we can’t easily understand nor easily ignore. Wonder moves us to inquire into the nature of this experience and animates a life-long search for wisdom. We began the month with a service of poetry and music and reflection to mark the wondrous Epiphany (“revelation”) of Jesus to the magi. On January 12th, we explored the quirky, surprising wonders of the Holy Spirit as she moves our lives and the life of the world. On January 19th, we listened to the disturbing story of Job, whose anger and grief about his own unjust suffering is met by God with a revelation about wondrous height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for the whole creation–including Job. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

1.12.20. Throughout January, we explore the 5th of the Bible’s “9 Big Ideas”: Wonder. God, by definition, is wonder-ful and fills us human beings with wonder. Wonder is awe and amazement at some aspect of our human experience that we can’t easily understand nor easily ignore. Wonder moves us to inquire into the nature of this experience and animates a life-long search for wisdom. We began the month with a service of poetry and music and reflection to mark the wondrous Epiphany (“revelation”) of Jesus to the magi. On January 12th, we explore the quirky, surprising wonders of the Holy Spirit as she moves our lives and the life of the world. On January 19th, we will listen to the disturbing story of Job, whose anger and grief about his own unjust suffering is met by God with a revelation about wondrous height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for the whole creation–including Job. Rev. David Lewicki, preaching.

12.22.19. In our 2019-2020 sermon series, “The Bible’s 9 Big Ideas,”  the month of December is a celebration of God’s liberation of humanity.  God is a liberating God. From the exodus out of Egypt, to God’s  intervention in history of behalf of those who are poor, to the freedom  we gain from sin and death, to Jesus, who liberates true humanity by  coming in the flesh on Christmas morning, God’s way in the world is to  hear our cries and lead us into political, economic, spiritual, and  existential freedom.

12.15.19. In our 2019-2020 sermon series, “The Bible’s 9 Big Ideas,”  the month of December is a celebration of God’s liberation of humanity.  God is a liberating God. From the exodus out of Egypt, to God’s  intervention in history of behalf of those who are poor, to the freedom  we gain from sin and death, to Jesus, who liberates true humanity by  coming in the flesh on Christmas morning, God’s way in the world is to  hear our cries and lead us into political, economic, spiritual, and  existential freedom.

12.8.19. In our 2019-2020 sermon series, “The Bible’s 9 Big Ideas,”  the month of December is a celebration of God’s liberation of humanity.  God is a liberating God. From the exodus out of Egypt, to God’s  intervention in history of behalf of those who are poor, to the freedom  we gain from sin and death, to Jesus, who liberates true humanity by  coming in the flesh on Christmas morning, God’s way in the world is to  hear our cries and lead us into political, economic, spiritual, and  existential freedom.