North Decatur Presbyterian Church

5.8.22. On this fourth Sunday of Easter, NDPC ministry fellow Erin Tolar leads us as we reflect on the 3rd “mark” of church vitality: an outward, incarnational focus. We worship God, our mother, and we give thanks for the people in our lives who have shown us maternal love.

4.24.22. During Eastertide, we start a brand new worship series titled, “Full of Life.” In the seven Sundays from now through Pentecost, we look at the 7 “marks” of our Vital Congregations Initiative. This Sunday’s focus is on Lifelong Discipleship and how the church functions as a community of formation. Rev. Lewicki is the preacher.

Christ is risen! Rev. David Lewicki preaching.

4.10.22. It is Holy Week. It is one worship service, extended into five gatherings over eight days. Today, Palm Sunday, we meet up with a procession headed to Jerusalem, and walk alongside Jesus and his followers. Worship convenes outside on NDPC plaza and we process with percussion and singing into the sanctuary. When inside, we hear four dramatic retellings of the events of Holy Week that reveal Jesus’ prophetic witness and lead to his final sacrificial act of solidarity.

4.3.22. We’ve reached week 5 of our Lenten series, “Lighten Up: The Joyful Truth About Sin and Grace.” We promise–no devastatingly revealing hand puppets this week. Only Jesus. Specifically, we take a look at how sin and grace operated in Jesus’ life and ministry. What do we learn about dealing with our own sin from the ways that Jesus confronted and overcame sin? And, most pointedly, we ask of our own lives: do we need Jesus? Rev. Lewicki preaching.4.3.22.

3.27.22. It is the 4th Sunday in Lent. We continue our Lenten series: Lighten Up: The Joyful Truth about Sin & Grace. Grace is the fundamental reality of creation. Still, sin enters in–both individually and on a systemic level–and threatens our lives. How, exactly, does God’s grace respond to sin? Rev. Lewicki preaches, with the elp of a few “handy” puppets.

3.20.22. This Sunday (3/20) is the 3rd Sunday in Lent. After two weeks talking about sin, this week we turn to grace. Grace is the single most important idea in the Christian tradition. But it’s an elusive idea, at the same time everywhere and nowhere to be found. What is grace?

3.13.22. Welcome to the second week of our Lenten series on “Sin and Grace.” This week, we do some weed whacking around the dubious theological idea called “original sin.” The Christian tradition has alternative ways of understanding sin and the saving event of Jesus’ death & resurection that feel much more true to the nature of sin and to the great good news that we receive in Jesus. To undo the spell of original sin, we go back to the beginning, to Genesis, to where it all began. What we find there is not original sin… but original blessing. Rev. David Lewicki, preaching.

3.6.22. This first Sunday of Lent (3/6), we begin our Lenten series titled “Lighten Up: The Joyful Truth About Sin and Grace.” In worship together, we will explore what our tradition has taught about both sin and grace and we will explore how these theological ideas really work in our lives, at the level of our own bodies and spirits. While “sin” sounds like a heavy theme (and there is no disputing the damage it does), sin in the Christian tradition is always seen in the light of grace. Rev. Lewicki will preach, exploring–and demonstrating–the major biblical metaphors for sin. Things will get stained, and crushed, the mark will be missed, and someone will end up in debt.

2.27.22. We launch NDPC’s participation in the Vital Congregations Initiative. The VCI is a two year process that will involve the whole congregation in self-reflection, discernment, prayer, and the setting of a courageous and spirit-filled vision for our church’s future. Rev. Lewicki preaches on the commissioning of the 70 from Luke, chapter 10.

2.20.22. Joseph’s brothers could not be more surprised: the young man they left at the bottom of a well is now one of the most powerful figures in Egypt. Join us Sunday for an awkward reunion as Joseph and his brothers renegotiate what it means to be a family. Erin Tolar preaching.

Zeena Regis is our preacher this Sunday. Zeena invites us to explore one of the powerful stories from the Women’s Lectionary: Elijah’s encounter with the widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17.

2.6.22. This Sunday, Jesus goes fishing… and he catches people ALIVE! It could be the premise of a really creative horror flick. But it’s actually the premise of life’s most rewarding and extraordinary adventure. Rev. Lewicki preaches on Luke 5:1-11.

1.30.22. We explore the provocative story from Luke’s gospel where Jesus stands up in the synagogue in Nazareth and preaches a rip-roaring sermon. Everyone loves him… until they hate him. Why does Jesus’ sermon, based on a reading from Isaiah, create such strong feelings? If that sermon were preached to us, would we praise Jesus… or run him out of town? Rev. Lewicki, preaching.

1.23.22. What do you know about the biblical figures Ezra and Nehemiah? Were these two leaders trying to Make Israel Great Again or build back better? Were walls and ethnic purity laws what Israel really needed to be truly great? What was missing? We draw wisdom from an old, old story into our own time in which the nation’s identity is fractured and contested. Rev. Lewicki, preaching from Nehemiah 8.

1.16.22. Our guest preacher today is the Rev. Nibs Stroupe. Nibs grew up in the Mississippi River Delta in Arkansas. He retired in 2017 after thirty-four years as co-pastor of Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, where he served alongside his partner, the Rev. Caroline Leach. Under Nibs and Caroline’s leadership, Oakhurst became nationally known for its leadership in multicultural ministry. Nibs is the author or co-author of several books, including Passionate for Justice, about the life of Ida B. Wells, and the award-winning While We Run This Race. In 2007 he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

1.9.22. Today’s worship service is NDPC’s annual Re-affirmation of Baptism. Those who are baptized are drawn into an extraordinary miracle–we are bound up in the hydrodynamics of God. Rev. Lewicki preaches.

1.2.22. Today is our annual Epiphany service–a service that blends poetic readings, music, images, and quiet reflection. Epiphany is the traditional day when the Magi reached the manger and gave their gifts to the infant Jesus. We remember that epiphany–and also the holy, revelatory moments in our own lives that shimmer with love and truth.

Rev. Emily Bagwell preaches about the Christmas story. 12.26.21.

12.19.21. Our theme for Advent 2021 at NDPC is “Silent Nights.” Each of the four weeks invites you into the different rhythm of this season. Week 1 focused on slowness–slowing down and perceiving time in a new way. Week 2 focuses on stillness–on “not doing,” on letting God do for us. Week 3 focuses on silence–on the beauty and depth of quiet. Week 4 focuses on the many gifts of darkness. Rev. Lewicki explores the final theme, darkness. What is “darkness?” Is it something of which we should be afraid? Or is there a way for you to “see” in the dark? We light the 4th candle together.