Petaluma First Presbyterian Church

The journey of faith is one of uncertainty and sometimes peril, and always it requires trust in God's promise to lead us in the way we should go. This Sunday we discover that wandering, and even getting lost, may be the exact thing we need to draw us closer to God.

Lent invites us to get to the root of our discipleship and identify with Jesus' journey to the cross. The early Sundays are a wilderness time, an opportunity to go deep into our hearts and the souls of our communities, to recognize the depth of our estrangement from God, and to begin to put things right. This Sunday we begin our Lenten journey with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).

Inspirational messages that are biblical, personal and relevant to everyday life.

Continuing in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Jesus makes a number of startling claims in verses 21-37. Jesus sounds extreme when he makes statements like we will be judged for our thoughts, not just our actions. But what might it mean for us to take seriously these statements, and take seriously the idea that it's not just our good deeds, but even our thoughts and emotions that contribute to the Kingdom of God?

From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples to not hide their light but to put it out where everyone can see it. Pastor John expands on this image in his sermon, The Wattage is Up to You.

Inspirational messages that are biblical, personal and relevant to everyday life.

Pastor John asks the congregation to share how God has been present in our church and lives in the past year.

On this third Sunday in Epiphany - this season of light and revelation - we read the story of John the Baptist suddenly recognizing his cousin Jesus for who he really is and cries, "Behold, the Lamb of God." And John's final request to us is simple: tell the truth.

During Epiphany, this "season of light," we read the story of Jesus' baptism. The divine voice at Jesus' baptism identifies him as the Son of God.

Whenever we read the story of Jesus' baptism, we all have an opportunity to remember our own baptisms and renew our decision to serve and follow Christ.

On Epiphany Sunday, the Magi follow a light - a star that guides them to the Christ child, revealing to the world that this small infant is Lord and King, worthy of praise.