North Decatur Presbyterian Church

12.1.19. 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.  Each Sunday in worship, we will explore Liberation. Perhaps our celebration of freedom in worship will give you permission to seek out a liberating lifestyle this December; to put down old holiday habits that are burdensome, and to let the Spirit show you a way of living into Christmas that feels like freedom to you and to those around you. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

11.24.19. Throughout November, we explore PROPHECY. God knows that everyone called into power is corrupted by it. God ensures that every leader in the world is accompanied by a prophet. The prophet walks alongside the leader, is immune to the siren song of power, has no vested interest in what is, and their sole job is to keep their eyes on God’s vision of Beloved Community. Because the prophet can see and hear God when the leader can’t, the prophet can say whether the leader’s decisions create justice. When they do not, the prophet speaks truth to power. All month, we will talk about God’s prophets, beginning with an overview of Biblical prophecy, then meeting three great prophets: Elijah, Isaiah,  and Jeremiah.

11.17.19. Throughout November, we explore PROPHECY. God knows that everyone called into power is corrupted by it. God ensures that every leader in the world is accompanied by a prophet. The prophet walks alongside the leader, is immune to the siren song of power, has no vested interest in what is, and their sole job is to keep their eyes on God’s vision of Beloved Community. Because the prophet can see and hear God when the leader can’t, the prophet can say whether the leader’s decisions create justice. When they do not, the prophet speaks truth to power. All month, we will talk about God’s prophets, beginning with an overview of Biblical prophecy, then meeting three great prophets: Elijah, Isaiah,  and Jeremiah.

11.10.19. Throughout November, we explore PROPHECY. God knows that everyone called into power is corrupted by it. God ensures that every leader in the world is accompanied by a prophet. The prophet walks alongside the leader, is immune to the siren song of power, has no vested interest in what is, and their sole job is to keep their eyes on God’s vision of Beloved Community. Because the prophet can see and hear God when the leader can’t, the prophet can say whether the leader’s decisions create justice. When they do not, the prophet speaks truth to power. All month, we will talk about God’s prophets, beginning with an overview of Biblical prophecy, then meeting three great prophets: Elijah, Isaiah,  and Jeremiah.

11.3.19. Throughout November, we explore PROPHECY. God knows that everyone called into power is corrupted by it. God ensures that every leader in the world is accompanied by a prophet. The prophet walks alongside the  leader, is immune to the siren song of power, has no vested interest in what is, and their sole job is to keep their eyes on God’s vision of  Beloved Community. Because the prophet can see and hear God when the leader can’t, the prophet can say whether the leader’s decisions create justice. When they do not, the prophet speaks truth to power. All month, we will talk about God’s prophets, beginning with an overview of Biblical prophecy, then meeting three great prophets: Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.

10.27.19. What is the Bible about? What “big ideas” stretch across the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in-depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In October, we explore COVENANT. The central idea in the Hebrew Scriptures is that God enters into a covenant relationship with God’s people. This relationship, Christians believe, is affirmed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Another word for covenant is promise; each of us knows how important a promise is. We can name a time in our lives when a promise that was kept gave us life–and when a promise broken took life away. Engaging the stories of Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Moses, and David, and incorporating art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we what it means that God mak

NDPC held a church-wide retreat on October 20, 2019. We enjoyed fellowship and a short outdoor service together, but we did not record the sermon. Sometimes worship is a place and a time. Join us next week, when we'll be back to the usual way of things.

10.13.19. What is the Bible about? What “big ideas” stretch across the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In October, we explore COVENANT. The central idea in the Hebrew Scriptures is that God enters into a covenant relationship with God’s people. This relationship, Christians believe, is affirmed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Another word for covenant is promise; each of us knows how important a promise is. We can name a time in our lives when a promise that was kept gave us life–and when a promise broken took life away. Engaging the stories of Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Moses, and David, and incorporating art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we what it means that

10.6.19. What is the Bible about? What “big ideas” stretch across the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In October, we explore COVENANT. The central idea in the Hebrew Scriptures is that God enters into a covenant relationship with God’s people. This relationship, Christians believe, is affirmed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Another word for covenant is promise; each of us knows how important a promise is. We can name a time in our lives when a promise that was kept gave us life–and when a promise broken took life away. Engaging the stories of Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Moses, and David, and incorporating art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we explore what it

9.29.19.  What is the Bible about? What "big ideas" stretch across the  scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in-depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In September, we explore CREATION. Where does our story begin? Why is there more than one creation story in the Bible? Why is life in Jesus a "new creation?" What does Revelation mean when it promises that the future will bring a "new heaven and new earth?" With art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we dive deep into the relationship between the Creator and the Creation. Christópher (Ófe) Abreu Rosario, preaching. Ófe is one of the pastoral interns at NDPC. He is studying at Columbia Theological Seminary in the MDiv/Practical Theology Dual Degree program with a focus o

9.22.19. Exploring the Creation Story. What is the Bible about? What "big ideas" stretch across the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May  2020, our worship will explore one big idea in-depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In September, we explore CREATION. Where does our story begin? Why is there more than one creation story in the Bible? Why is life in Jesus a  "new creation?" What does Revelation mean when it promises that the future will bring a "new heaven and new earth?" With art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we dive deep into the relationship between the Creator and the Creation.

9.15.19. As we begin our church year, NDPC begins a brand-new yearlong sermon series: The Bible’s 9 Big Ideas.  What is the Bible about? What “big ideas” stretch across the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in depth, examining how the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new way. In September, we explore CREATION. Where does our story begin? Why is there more than one creation story in the Bible? Why is life in Jesus a “new creation?” What does Revelation mean when it promises that the future will bring a “new heaven and new earth?” With art, poetry, scripture, music, and sermons, we dive deep into the relationship between the Creator and the Creation. Rev. David Lewicki, preaching.

9.8.19. As we begin our church year this Sunday, September 8th, 2020, NDPC begins a brand-new yearlong sermon series: The Bible’s 9 Big Ideas. What is the Bible about? What “big ideas” stretch across the  scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, providing these disparate  stories with continuity and integrity? Each month from September through  May 2020, our worship will explore one big idea in depth, examining how  the idea is introduced and how it deepens and develops. By the end of  the series, you will understand the span of the Bible in a whole new  way. In September, we explore CREATION. Where does our story begin? Why  is there more than one creation story in the Bible? Why is life in Jesus  a “new creation?” What does Revelation mean when it promises that the  future will bring a “new heaven and new earth?” With art, poetry,  scripture, music, and sermons, we dive deep into the relationship  between the Creator and the Creation. Rev. David Lewicki,

8.25.19. Every time a community gathers for worship, it is both a deeply conservative and a radically revolutionary act. A group of unrelated people come together in the same place at the same time, to engage in well-known ritualized actions, listening to a familiar and beloved story. This is the conservative part. The radical part is that we bring the expectation–even hope–that these elements will somehow become an encounter with the Living God. Encounters with the Living God change us forever. During the month of August at NDPC, we explored what we do when we worship: gather, renew, proclaim, respond. The final sermon in the series will be on Sunday, September 1. You will gain a deep appreciation for what worship is and why we do what we do each and every Sunday. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

8.18.19. Every time a community gathers for worship, it is both a deeply conservative and a radically revolutionary act. A group of unrelated  people come together in the same place at the same time, to engage in  well-known ritualized actions, listening to a familiar and beloved story. This is the conservative part. The radical part is that we bring the expectation–even hope–that these elements will somehow become an  encounter with the Living God. Encounters with the Living God change us forever. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

8.11.19. Every time a community gathers for worship, it is both a deeply conservative and a radically revolutionary act. A group of unrelated  people come together in the same place at the same time, to engage in  well-known ritualized actions, listening to a familiar and beloved story. This is the conservative part. The radical part is that we bring the expectation–even hope–that these elements will somehow become an  encounter with the Living God. Encounters with the Living God change us forever.  This week's scripture comes from Luke 18:9-14. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

8.4.19. Every time a community gathers for worship, it is both a deeply conservative and a radically revolutionary act. A group of unrelated people come together in the same place at the same time, to engage in well-known ritualized actions, listening to a familiar and beloved story. This is the conservative part. The radical part is that we bring the expectation–even hope–that these elements will somehow become an encounter with the Living God. Encounters with the Living God change us forever.  During the month of August at NDPC, we will explore what we do when we worship: gather, renew, proclaim, respond. You will gain a deep appreciation for what worship is and why we do what we do each and every Sunday. Scripture reading: Psalm 150. Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

7.28.19. Throughout the month of July, NDPC will experiment with worship "unplugged." Instead of giving up electric instruments (which we don't often use anyway), we are giving up the formal liturgy that we use almost every week. Our hope is that by losing the liturgy, we can attune ourselves to the way the Spirit of God is moving in and through us during the time we are at worship. Can we notice God's presence? Can we move with it and respond to it? What does the Spirit do in our music-making... in our response to the scripture... in our praying with each other and for the world? Come and enjoy Spirit-led worship all month at North Decatur Presbyterian Church. Rev. Lewicki will convene each service. 

7.7.19. Throughout the month of July, NDPC will experiment with worship “unplugged.” Instead of giving up amplified instruments (which we don’t often use anyway), we are giving up the formal liturgy that we use almost every week. Our hope is that by losing the liturgy, we can attune ourselves to the way the Spirit of God is moving in and through us during the time we are at worship. Can we notice God’s presence? Can we move with it and respond to it? What does the Spirit do in our music-making…in our response to the scripture…in our praying with each other and for the world? Come and enjoy Spirit-led worship all month at North Decatur Presbyterian Church. Rev. David Lewicki will convene each service.

 6.30.19. "(Ir)religious Freedom." On the Sunday before the birthday of our nation, we will look at freedom.  What are the diverse meanings of freedom in the United States today? And what happens to our own sense of freedom when we follow after Jesus? Rev. David Lewicki preaching.