Friday, August 11 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
“Woke Is Broke” ...
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New Orleans Youth Mission Day 1
Youth Mission Trip 2023!! New Orleans! The first day of the Youth Mission Trip began with a bang, while we had a couple issues we persevered and remained positive. Leaving the church at 4:00 this morning to start the day, on our way to the Baltimore airport our first turmoil came with the Conowingo Dam not working and a detour being taken. Finally reaching the airport we discovered the news that the plane was delayed forty-five minutes, leaving us to discover and explore the airport. After the wait we finally and safely boarded the plane, flying out and reaching New Orleans with a congratulations from the Southwest crew on our mission courtesy of Alexa Musser chatting with the attendant....
Friday, April 28 Devotional From Pastor John Hartman
“We Are Gathered By God” There is a woman who is sitting home alone reading her Bible. There is another woman who is at the church sitting around a table surrounded by styrofoam cups, as she serves on a committee trying to plan next summer’s Vacation Bible School and mission experience for the children. The question I want to ask you is, “Which of these two women is more deeply involved in the kingdom of God?” ...
Saturday, August 5 - Invitation to Worship from Pastor John Hartman
Are you a thrower of the stars?...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 21 - Devotional From Pastor John Hartman
The Covenant of Marriage" In a Peanuts comic strip, Linus compliments Charlie Brown on a new sweater he is wearing. Charlie Brown begins to thank Linus for the compliment, but when he reaches into the pocket of his new sweater, he feels what appears to be a note secretly slipped in there. He thinks, "Someone put a note in my pocket! I'll bet it was that little red-haired ...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 23 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
Join us for our summer adventure -- RED HOT TOPICS...
Keep ReadingFriday, May 5, 2023 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
“Scripture Alone” You might be interested to know that William Shakespeare’s 46th birthday was in the same year that the King James Bible was translated, – the year 1611. And the translators of the King James Bible wanted to honor the famous playwright in their translation of Psalm 46. In the King James’ translation of Psalm 46, if you count 46 words from the b...
Keep ReadingFriday, April 28 Devotional From Pastor John Hartman
“We Are Gathered By God” There is a woman who is sitting home alone reading her Bible. There is another woman who is at the church sitting around a table surrounded by styrofoam cups, as she serves on a committee trying to plan next summer’s Vacation Bible School and mission experience for the children. The question I want to ask you is, “Which of these two women...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, January 1, 2023!
Happy New Year! There will be one, combined worship service at 10:00 AM on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Bruce Dunham will be our guest speaker. There will be no Sunday School or no K.I.D.S. Own worship this Sunday. All normal activities will resume on Sunday, January 8, 2023. If you are unable to join us in person, please join us via our live streamed links below: htt...
Keep ReadingMerry Christmas! We invite you to join us for worship!
We invite you to join us at our 10:00 AM combined worhsip service this moring! There will be no Sunday School or K.I.D.S. Own Worship. Nursery will be open, but not staffed. If you are unable to join us in person, you can be part of our service by joining us via live stream at one of the links below: Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89279830268?pwd=R...
Keep ReadingChristmas Eve Services to be held at 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM (which will also be live streamed) and 11:00 P
Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24 4:00 PM The ABC's Of Christmas (Interactive Service/Family Life Center) 7:00 Candles and Carols "A Charlie Brown's Christmas" (Church Sanctuary) Also live streamed via this link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85214133209?pwd=cXFPQjg5aHZEZFByTlJTNmpaMytiQT09 Meeting ID: 852 1413 3209 Passco...
Keep ReadingJoin Us For Christmas Eve Services - Saturday, December 24th.
Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24 4:00 PM The ABC's Of Christmas (Interactive Service/Family Life Center) 7:00 Candles and Carols "A Charlie Brown's Christmas" (Church Sanctuary) 11:00 Candlelight Communion "A Charlie Brown's Christmas" (Church Sanctuary) Christmas Day Service Sunday, D 10:00 AM Combined Service "Christmas Vacation" (...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman
Devotional from Pastor John Hartman "The Medicine of Music" A German monk was walking past a German Beer Hall late one night. His ear was caught by a catchy German beer-drinking song that those bar patrons were singing inside. Today, it would be like the equivalent of a Budweiser jingle. When he woke up the next morning, that tune was still in his h...
Keep ReadingFriday, December 9 - Devotional From Pastor John Hartman
"A Transformed Christmas, A Transformed Life" Back in 1969, the Rankin-Bass company produced a 30 minute animated television special, titled, "Frosty the Snowman," that featured the voices of comedians Jimmy Durante as narrator, and Jackie Vernon, as the title character. The story begins with students in school on Christmas Eve, but a teacher has hired magici...
Keep ReadingFriday, December 2 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Holy Misfits" Have you ever felt like a misfit? Have you ever felt like a misfit for God? Do you ever feel like a red-nose in a brown-nosed reindeer world? I read that that Americans undergo about 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures each year. Now, I'm not knocking plastic surgery, but here we are the most wealthy and powerful nation in the world, ...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 4, Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
Devotional from Pastor John Hartman, Friday, November 4, 2022. "Challenges and Opportunities" At the Thursday, October 27 Session meeting, we had a discussion about the current state of our Sunday morning worship and Christian Education times as it is currently constructed. As a result of that meeting, the Session approved a motion "to create a comm...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 30 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
Friday, October 30, Devotional from Pastor John Hartman "Blind to our Sin" When I was in Senior High Fellowship in the church I grew up in, our youth group was one time having a Halloween party. In one of those famous ice-breaker games, everyone sits in a circle and then one person is put in the middle of the circle and blindfolded. And then, everyone around th...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 14 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
Friday, October 14, Devotional from Pastor John Hartman. From the Pastor "From the Mountain" One of things I got to experience while away in Washington State this week was a hike with my seminary buddies up Mount Rainier. At 14,410 feet high, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range and a veritable icon of the Pacific Northwest. The mou...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, October 9, 2022
Worship services are held at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary. Sunday School is held at 9:30 AM in the Family Life Center for Adults/Youth and 5th and 6th graders. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. The 10:30 AM service is live streamed via the links below: Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89279830268?pwd=RzI2c...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship, Sunday, October 2, 2022
We invite you to attend either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship service. The 10:30 AM worship service is live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See links below. All services are held in the church sanctuary. Sunday School is held for adults/youth/5th and 6th graders in the Family Life Center. K.O.W.S. (Kids Own Worship Service) is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Li...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman, September 30, 2022
Friday, September 30, 2022 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman "Breaking the Cycle of Anger" There is a great scene in the Star Wars series. It's actually the sixth episode, the finale called "The Return Of The Jedi." In that final episode, Luke Skywalker has honed his Jedi skills and is ready to confront his father, Darth Vader, and the evil Empe...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 23 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Dee Dah Day" One of my favorite authors is John Ortberg, the former senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. This story comes from his book about spiritual disciplines, "The Life You've Always Wanted." "Mallory (his youngest daughter) was out of the water (after bathing), but was doing what has become known in our family as the Dee Dah Day dance. This ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Worship on Sunday, September 18, 2022
Join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. The links can be found below. There is Sunday School for Adults/Youth/5th and 6th graders at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held 1-3rd Sundays of the month at 10:30 AM in...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman, September 9, 2022
Devotional from Pastor John Hartman, Friday, September 9, 2022. From the Pastor "In the Beginning" When someone is said to be proclaiming the "Good News" of the Bible, our thoughts immediately turn to the New Testament, -- Jesus, his life, the cross, the resurrection, eternal life. Verses from scripture pop into our head like a computer r...
Keep ReadingInvitation to Worship, Sunday, August 21, 2022
Invitation to Worship Sunday, August 21 from Pastor John Hartman. 8:00 AM (church lawn weather permitting) 10:30 AM church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service will also be lived streamed via Facebook, YouTube and Zoom. See Links Below: Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8927...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at either our 8:00 AM (church lawn) or 10:30 A
Please join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services. Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed at the links below: (Service also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube) Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89279830268?pwd=RzI2cjc3OHdHakEvQ3EyL0dNWk02dz09 Meeting ID:892 7983 0268Passcode if needed: 404171 https://www.yo...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Through the Fires, God is Faithful" Right behind the pulpit in the sanctuary of the Brentwood Presbyterian Church in New York, are a set of charred praying hands.They are the only things remaining things from a devastating fire in the church building from over 25 years ago.And yet, that is a fitting symbol for a church that has also gone through the fire and survived t...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Worship on Sunday, July 24, 2022!
We invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM outdoor service on the Family Life Center lawn (weather permitting), or at 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. Links can be found below. Intergenerational Sunday School is held at 9:15 AM on the church lawn. KIDS Own Worship is held during t...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman, July 22, 2022
"Awesome God" The author Lloyd Douglas lived in a boarding house when he was in college.On the first floor lived a retired music teacher, confined to a wheelchair, and unable to leave his apartment.Every morning, these two men had a ritual,Lloyd Douglas would come down the steps, open the man's door and ask, "Well, what's the good news?"The retired teacher would pick ...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 24, Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"The Unpredictable Jesus" A few weeks ago, I went to see the new Tom Cruise movie,Top Gun: Maverick.I was excited to go and see this much anticipated, much publicized, reboot.I remember the first "Top Gun" movie from 1986.It had action, romance, and great music.I thoroughly enjoyed "Top Gun," and went with high hopes to have another wonderful experience. Reviews have...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 17 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Grace When We Don't Deserve It" In his book,"Facing Your Giants,"Max Lucado tells of a man named, Rogers Cadenhead.Cadenhead is an author and a self-described "domain hoarder."That is, someone who acquires Internet domain names with the idea of eventually selling them to interested parties.In 2005, when media outlets began reporting that "then" pope, John Paul II's...
Keep ReadingYou are invited to our worship services, Sunday, June 12, 2022!
Join us at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service is live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See Links blow. Sunday is held at 9:15 AM for Adults and Youth. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, June 5, 2022 - Pentecost Sunday
We invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM service or our 10:30 AM Worship Service, both of which are held in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 Service is live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube at the links below. There is Sunday School for Adults/Youth at 9:30 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Li...
Keep ReadingInvitation to Worship, Sunday, May 22, 2022 from Pastor John Hartman.
Please join us at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services, which are held in the church sanctuary. Sunday School for Adults and Youth is held at 9;15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See links below. ...
Keep ReadingDevotional for Friday, May 13, 2022 from Pastor John Hartman.
"Quality Time" In his Book of Virtues, William Bennett says that it takes three things to build character in a child. First, he says, it takes precepts, do's and don'ts. "Don't hit your sister!" "Do eat your peas and carrots." "The Ten Commandments." These are the "precepts." Second, he says it takes good habits. Aristotle once said that the key to success is good ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Worship on Sunday, May 8. Service information included.
Join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services. Sunday School for adults and youth is held at 9:30 AM in the Family Life Center. Kid's Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. The 10:30 AM service is live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See the links below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Worship, Sunday May 1, 2022.
We invite you to join us at 8:00 or 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary for worship, 9:15 AM for Adult/Youth Sunday School and K.I.D.S. Own Worship at 10:30 AM, which is held in the Family Life Center. You may also join us via Zoom, Facebook, or YouTube. See links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQ...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman, Friday, April 29, 2022
"Reach Out and Touch Someone" You may remember the study done in the 1950's with baby rhesus monkeys.In the experiment, they put a surrogate mother in each of two baby monkey's cages.One of the surrogate mothers was soft, cuddly, warm, and made of cloth, but was designed NOT to provide food.The surrogate mother in the other cage was made of wire, that had a bottle attac...
Keep ReadingFriday, April 22 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
Friday, April 22 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman "The Good News for Today!" Lloyd C. Douglas was an American minister and author, who wrote the best-selling novel, "The Robe" during the 1940's. That novel was later adapted into a Hollywood film starring the late Richard Burton, and actually won two Academy Awards. Before all of that, when Lloyd Douglas was ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Easter Sunday Worship!
Sunday Worship Services April 17, 2022 Easter Sunday Pastor John Hartman The I Am Statements of Jesus: "I Am The Resurrection and the Life" Sunrise Service 6:30 A.M. - Church Cemetery Fellowship Breakfast 7:15 A.M. - Family Life Center Worship Service 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 AM Church Sanctuary K.I.D.S. Own Worship 10:30 AM - Family Life Center Joi...
Keep ReadingGood Friday Service, April 15 - 7:00 P.M.
Good Friday Service, Friday, April 15 at 7:00 P.M. In honor of Good Friday, Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church presents a Stations of the Cross service. You are invited to join us in the sanctuary as we will sing hymns, read scripture, and pray through all the different stations. On Good Friday, Christians around the world remember Jesus' execution by the Roman authorities...
Keep ReadingMaundy Thursday Service, April 14, 2022 - 7:00 P.M.
You are invited to our Maundy Thursday Communion Service. This traditional service focuses on the last meal of our Lord celebrated with his disciples before his arrest, as well as the night in which Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Come and join us inside the sanctuary for the reading of God's word, the singing of hymns, foot (or hand) washing, and Holy Communion.The serv...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Palm Sunday Services!!
We invite you to join us for our Palm Sunday Worship services at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service will be live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. Links can be found below. Adult and Youth Sunday School will be held at 9:15 A.M., and K.I.D.S. Own Worship will be held during the 10:30 AM worship service. Join via YouTube or...
Keep ReadingDevotional Friday, April 8 from Pastor John Hartman
"Wonderful Words of Life" Jack had been the president of a large corporation, but when he was diagnosed with cancer, the company unceremoniously dumped him.He went through his medical insurance, used up his 401k and life savings, and he had nothing left.The pastor of the local church and one of the deacons went to visit him in the hospital.At one point the deacon said,...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship, Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Worship Services are held at 8:00 and 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary. Sunday School for Youth and Adults is held at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. The 10:30 AM service is live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. See Links below. hthttps://us06web.zoo...
Keep ReadingFriday, April 1 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman.
From the Pastor "The Happiest Meal" In an article written forChristianity Todayseveral years ago, Pastor John Ortberg shared about taking his young children to the "shrine of the Golden Arches" (in other words, McDonald's).They always wanted the same thing when they went to eat there.If they got it, the trip was a success.If not, it was sheer misery. The odd part is ...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship, Sunday, March 20, 2022 at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Worship Service
Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube at the links below. Adult and Youth Sunday is held at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held during the 10:30 A.M. worship service in the Family Life Center. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: ...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship, Sunday, March 13, 2022.
There will be an 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM worship service, both of which are held in the church sanctuary. Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. Please see the links below. There is Sunday School for youth and adults sy 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM, also in the Family Life Center, for childr...
Keep ReadingZoom Link for Ash Wednesday Service
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82041699899?pwd=TUJjTlR0elVSWkFtbWVGbWRQK2duZz09 Meeting ID: 820 4169 9899 Passcode: 234177 One tap mobile +13126266799,,82041699899# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,82041699899# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312...
Keep ReadingAsh Wednesday Service, March 6 at 6:30 P.M. - Church Sanctuary
Ash Wednesday Service, March 2 at 6:30 PM Please join us as we begin the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday worship service (in the church sanctuary),which will also include prayers, scripture readings, a brief message, hymns, music,andthe imposition of the ashes.The ashes placed on the forehead (or the back of the hand) is a sign of our humanity and a reminder of ou...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship this Sunday, February 20 at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Wors
Services are held in the church sanctuary. Sunday School for Adult/Youth is held at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held during the 10:30 AM worship service in the Family Life Center. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. See links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWp...
Keep ReadingFriday, February 18 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Up to a Point?" Pastor-author, Tony Campolo, tells of a young man being dragged into his office one day by his father, because he wanted to let Tony Campolo know that in no uncertain terms, he was extremely unhappy with the way that his son had turned out.The father said, "I sent him to college to get a good education, to make something of himself," the irate man sho...
Keep ReadingValentine's Day - From Our Heart to Your Cup!
From our heart to your cup... We invite you to stop at the Giant Store parking lot (Buck Location), Monday, February 14 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for free coffee and chocolates! ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, February 13, 2022 at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Worship Services.
Worship Schedule8:00 AM - Morning Worship Service/Church Sanctuary 9:15 AM - Adult/Youth Sunday School/Family Life Center 10:30 AM - Morning Worship Service/Church Sanctuary K.I.D.S. Own Worship/Family Life Center The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. Links are listed below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/...
Keep ReadingFriday, February 11 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Calm Assurance" Pastor-author Will Willimon tells a story of when he was a young pastor of a small Methodist church in the south.One night, after an unusually difficult meeting, Will Willimon was out in front of the church changing the lettering on the church bulletin board.The other people had all gone home, and as he stood there alone and frustrated, he spelled out t...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship, Sunday, February 6th!
Invitation to Worship, Sunday, February 6, from Pastor John Hartman. Worship services are held at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. The 10:30 AM service is liv-streamed at the links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeti...
Keep ReadingFriday, February 4, Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Reputation Record" There were two brothers who ran a business together. They were wealthy men and they used it to intimidate and bully others. They were notorious for belittling their employees, threatening their enemies, and for shamelessly promoting their own self-interests. They also happened to be regular church-goers! One day their minister retired and a new...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for breakfast/worship Sunday, January 30, 2022.
There will be a Fellowship Breakfast at 8:45 AM, followed by a combined worship service at 10:00 AM. The service will also be live streamed at the links below. There will be no Adult/Youth Sunday School. K.I.D.S. Own Worship Movie and Popcorn will be held during the 10:00 AM service n the Family Life Center. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703...
Keep ReadingFriday, January 28 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Holy Turn-On" In the Bible, every act of power must have a corresponding act of responsibility.Think about riding in a car.There are four places you can sit in a car: the driver's seat, front seat passenger, and then the two in the back.Wouldn't you agree there is a greater responsibility if you're sitting in the front driver's seat than if you're sitting in the back?A...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Worship Services in the churc
The 10:30 AM service will also be live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found below. There will be Adult and Youth Sunday School at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. K.I.D.S. Own Worship will be held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VW...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, January 19, 2022 at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM W
Sunday Worship Services are as follows: 8:00 AM - Church Sanctuary 10:30 AM - Church Sanctuary K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held the 1-3 Sundays of each month during the 10:30 AM service in the Family LIfe Center. 9:15 AM - Sunday School for Youth/Adults in the Family Life Center Our 10:30 AM service is live streamed through the following links: Join Zoom Meeting h...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship Sunday, January 9, 2022 at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services.
Both services are held in the church sanctuary. There is Adult/Youth Sunday School at 9:15 AM, which is held in the Family Life Center. Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. Links are provided below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 6419 Passcode: ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 8:00 or 10:30 A.M.
Both services are held in the church sanctuary! The 10:30 AM service will be live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See links below. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 AM in the Family Life Center for children aged toddlers through elementary. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for Worship on Sunday, December 5, the Second Sunday In Advent!
Please join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services, which are held in the church sanctuary. Sunday School for Adults/Youth is held at 9:15 AM. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. See links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID:...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
Worship services are held at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary. There is Sunday School for Adults and Youth at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. You may also join us via live stream at our 10:30 AM service via Zoom, FaceBook, YouTube. Links can be found below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 ...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 14 devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Stay Hungry.Stay Foolish" It was 10 years last month that Steve Jobs, the founder ofAppleComputer, died at the age of 56.Steve Jobs may go down in history as our generation's Thomas Edison, because of all the technological advances that changed the way we live. Back in 2005, Steve Jobs was giving the commencement address to the graduating class at Stanford Universit...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship on Sunday, November 7, 2021 -
We invite you to either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM worship services, which are held in the church sanctuary. There is Sunday School at 9:15 AM for adults and youth. The 10:30 is also live streamed via Zoom, YouTube and FaceBook. Links are found below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 ...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship - Sunday, October 31 - "Masks of False Bravado"
Join us at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service, (which is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook and YouTube. The links can be found below: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 6419 Passcode: 10681068 One tap mobile +13017158592,,82703476419# US (Washington...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 29 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Taking Off Our Masks" I love the story of the man who went to the zoo to ask for a job.Unfortunately, the only thing they had available for him was a gorilla costume.The Zoo Director wanted him to dress up like one, because the zoo didn't have a gorilla.The man had no other options, wasn't really in a position to bargain, and so, he accepted the job.He took his job v...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship, Sunday, October 24, 2021!
Services are held at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM in the church sanctuary.Adult and youth Sunday School are held at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center. Our 10:30 AM services are live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See links below., Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 6419 Passcode: 1068...
Keep ReadingDevotional, Friday, October 22, from Pastor John Hartman
"Gathered By God" Whenever I read the obituaries, which I now do more as I get older, I am always impressed with the long list of clubs and organizations that people belong to.And it seems the longer the list, the better.For example, one of the obituaries I remember reading said that the person who died belonged to Sam's Price Club.Flipping through my own wallet, I am a...
Keep ReadingDevotional Friday, October 15, 2021 from Pastor John Hartman
"Lay Your Foundation" Rodney Dangerfield, the guy who gets no respect, tells the joke,"I asked my old man if I could goice-skating on the lake.He told me, 'Wait till it gets warmer.'"While humorous, that would not be good for Rodney, nor any of us, -- because with a weak foundation, only bad things can happen that can hurt us, harm us, and have us fall through the crack...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship, Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Worship Services at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via CLPC Facebook, Zoom and YouTube. See links below. There is Adult and Youth Sunday School at 9:15 AM. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: ...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Worship Services, Sunday, September 19t
Join us live in the sanctuary at 8:00 or 10:30 AM, or via Zoom, CLPC Facebook or YouTube at the links below. There are also Sunday School Classes for Adults/Youth. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is held at 10:30 A.M. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 6419 Passcode: 10681068 One tap mobile +13017...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 17 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"40 Days in the Word" There is an old Chinese proverb that goes, "The longest of journeys begins with a single step."You are about to embark on a very special journey.It is a journey called,"40 Days in the Word."The journey will begin this Sunday, September 19, and go all the way to Halloween. Other people from Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church will be on this journ...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM Worship services.
Both services will be held in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 AM service will also be live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook or YouTube. Please see links below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 827 0347 6419 Passcode: 10681068 One tap mobile +13017158592,,82703476419# US (Washington DC) ...
Keep ReadingFriday, December 10, 2021 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Jesus Christ, FDNY" I have the feeling this weekend is going to be a hard for a lot of people in this country.Not only are we still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, but now there is a Delta variant that has created confusion, fear, and anger.Emotions are running hot and high, in many different areas of life.However, this weekend will also be difficult for anot...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship at our 8:00 AM or 10:30 Morning Worship Services
The 8:00 AM service is held on the lawn of the Family Life Center (weather permitting) and the 10:30 AM serivce is held in the church sanctuary. It is also live streamed viz Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. See links below. 9:15 AM - There is Adult Sunday School. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 8...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 3 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
From the Pastor "The We of Me" Did you know that more songs have been written on "friendship" than on any other subject with the exception of songs about "love?"From Dionne Warwick's,"That's what Friends are for."To the Randy Newman song in the"Toy Story"movie,"You've Got a Friend in Me."And of course, there was the popular tv show on NBC,"Friends."Whatever gave us t...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, August 29 at either at 8:00 or 10:30 A.M. Worship Se
8:00 A.M. Worship Service on the church lawn weather permitting 9:15 A.M. Adult Sunday School in the Family Life Center 10:30 A.M. Worshipo Service in the church sanctuary. This service is also live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook and YouTube. See links below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeti...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 27 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Repeat Performance" Looking at some Facebook posts this week, I saw many pictures of children and young people getting ready to start their first day of school and begin another school year. Some of our college people have already begun their fall semester, while others are just getting underway. As I was looking at these pictures, my mind was transported ba...
Keep ReadingWe invite you to join us for worship Sunday, August 22, 2021.
We invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 A.M. (on the church lawn weather permitting) or 10:30 A.M. worship service in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 A.M. service will also be live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook or YouTube. See links below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82703476419?pwd=VWpzeTZHYU8wMGwzQUI3STMzVEtiUT09 Meeting ID: 8...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 20 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Purity and Focus" Back in 1995, a Christian ministry was sweeping across college campuses that had students dealing with their sinful habits that they had let linger in their lives far too long.One of the students at Asbury College, a young man by the name of Brian, wrote this in"The ChristianReader."He wrote, "I was a leader on campus.We invited students from Wheato...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, August 15th
We invite you to join us at either our 8:00 AM (on the Family Life Center lawn) or our 10:30 A.M. service in the church sanctuary. There is adult Sunday School at 9:15 in the Family Life Center. Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. Links are listed below. K.I.D.S. Own Worship is also held during the 10:30 A.M. service in the Family L...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 13 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Through the Storms" In his book,"Fearless,"Max Lucado shares about sitting in his cardiologist's office while waiting for the results of a battery of tests on his heart which, in his words, had been misbehaving.It was disconcerting, waiting there by himself for the doctor to come in.And so, while he waited, Max Lucado says he began to notice his doctor's "abundant ha...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, August 8 at our 8:00 AM (outdoors weather permitting) or 10:30 A.M.
Invite your family and friends to join us! Sunday Worship Services August 8, 2021 8:00 A.M. Family Life Center Lawn (Will move to the sanctuary in the event of inclement weather) 10:30 A.M. Worship Service K.I.D.S. Own Worship - Family Life Center (10:30 A.M. service also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube) https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 6 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"This Too Shall Pass" The common phrase,"This too shall pass"has a long history,but the origin cannot be pinned down to any one person.This quote is a reminder for all of us that regardless of whatever happens in life, -- the good, the bad, and the ugly, and however we choose to deal with it,it will soon pass.This is true to a degree, but it also depends upon how you de...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, August 1 at either our 8:00 or 10:30 A.M. Worship Services
Please join us for worship at either 8:00 A.M. (on the church lawn -- indoors in the event of inclement weather) or 10:30 A.M. in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 A.M. service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. See links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcod...
Keep ReadingJoin us for Worship, Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 8:00 or 10:30 A.M.
We invite you to join us for worship this Sunday! We will be hosting The Grovesmen for a worship service filled with music and praise to our Lord. You may join us in person in the church sanctuary at either our 8:00 or 10:30 A.M. service or remotedly via Zoom, Facebook, or YouTube at the links below: https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, July 11 at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM
Join us for worship at either our 8:00 AM worship service on the church lawn (weather permitting), or at our 10:30 AM worship service in the church sanctuary. There will also be adult Sunday School in the Family Life Center at 9:15 A.M. K.I.D.S. Own Worship will be held during the 10:30 AM worship service. The 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FaceBook ...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 9 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Greed is Good?" In the movie"Wall Street,"Michael Douglas plays Gordon Gekko, the junk-bond king of the stock market, who is getting ready to speak before hundreds of business people gathered there for a corporate meeting.Everything about him tells you he is successful; the slicked-back hair, his Armani suit, the diamond cufflinks, -- and his arrogance.Grabbing the micro...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship - Sunday, July 4, 2021!
Please join us for worship at either our 8:00 A.M. service (on the church lawn weather permitting), or our 10:30 A.M. worship service, in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 A.M. service is also live streamed via Zoom, FB and YouTube. Links can be found below. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 ...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 2, 2021 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"The Greatness of America" When Peter Marshall was chaplain of the United States Senate, he was one day asked, "How do you compose such eloquent prayers?Do you look at the country, and then pray for the senators?"And Peter Marshall said, "No.I look at the senators, and then pray for the country!" On this July 4 holiday weekend, we celebrate our nation's birthday, but...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 25 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"That's What Friends Are For!" As I wrap up my sermon series on friendship this Sunday, June 27, one of things I have shared is that all of us need people for companionship, encouragement, and support.We need them for help when we feel overwhelmed, for comfort when in grief, and for celebration when we are full of joy.Most of all, we need our friends when we become par...
Keep ReadingWelcome to Worship! Sunday, June 13 with Rev. Pastor John Hartman
We welcome you to our 8:00 AM worship service, held on the church lawn (in the event of inclement weather we will move into the church sanctuary or 10:30 worship service in the church sanctuary Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook or YouTube. Sermon Title: Friend-Shape #7 - A Mentoring Friendship Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/9798138...
Keep ReadingDevotional Friday, June 11 from Pastor John Hartman
"Man with A Plan" Zach Hample has a rare gift catching baseballs.As a 23 year old student from New York City, Hample wrote a book, "How to Snag Major League Baseballs."Over the previous 11 years, he had personally brought home 1,680 major league baseballs.To date, he has collected over 11,000 baseballs.At one time, he had a streak of 264 games in which he had caught at...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship - Sunday, June 6 - 8:00 or 10:30 A.M.
We invite you to join us for worship on Sunday, June 6 at either our 8:00 A.M. or 10:30 A.M. worship services. Pastor John Hartman will be speaking. The sermon is entitled, Friend-shape #6: A Permanent Friendship. The 10:30 A.M. service is also live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook and YouTube. Please see links below: Join Zoom Meeting https://...
Keep ReadingDevotional Friday, June 4 from Pastor John Hartman
From the Pastor "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" It's interesting that studies show that friendships are on the decline.One study showed that Americans have 1/3 fewer friends then they did 30 years ago.People today are living lonelier and more isolated lives.In the 1980's, the average American had at least 3 people they could...
Keep ReadingYou are invited to join us for worship, Sunday, May 30, 2021.
We invite you to join us for worship at either our 8:00 or 10:30 A.M. worship services in the church sanctuary. The 10:30 A.M. service is also live streamed and can be accessed at the links listed below. Adult Sunday School is held at 9:15 A.M.in the Family Life Center. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: ...
Keep ReadingFriday, May 28 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Sacrificial Friendship" In "The Lord of the Rings," a Hobbit named Frodo is chosen to destroy the evil ring of power, by casting it into the Cracks of Doom in the dark and ghastly land of Mordor.Now, Hobbits are tiny little creatures, homebodies really, who prefer a quiet life, and who would rather enjoy a good meal and a mug of ale with close friends over an adventu...
Keep ReadingPlease join us for worship on Sunday, May 23 at 8:00 or 10:30 A.M.
The 10:30 A.M. Service is live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook and Youtube. Links can be found below: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile +16465588656,,97981387219# US (New York) +13017158592,,97981387219# US (Germantown) Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Fi...
Keep ReadingFriday, May 21 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
From the Pastor As a family of faith at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, we seek to glorify and enjoy God together.Our desire is to be a church that welcomes all those who seek God and the message of love which Jesus Christ brings to us, as we continue to live out our mission statement of being"Planted in Christ, Growing in G...
Keep ReadingInvitation to Worship Sunday, May 9 - Pastor John Hartman
Pastor John Hartman "Friendship with Relatives" Please note: The link will not become active until immediately before the service at 10:30 A.M. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile +16465588656,,97981387219# US (New York) +13017158592,,97981387219# US ...
Keep ReadingFriday, May 7 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Relatively Stressed" I love the story of the man who arrived home one day after workand found his son sitting on the front steps with his face in his hands.It was obvious that something was wrong.And so, the man asked his son what was bothering him.The little boy looked up and said, "Well, just between us, Dad, I'm having trouble getting along with your wife."It happens....
Keep ReadingInvitation to Worship Sunday, May 2, 2021
Sunday, May 2, 2021 Worship Rev. John Hartman Friend-Shape #1 "Comforting Friendship" Sunday Worship Services 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M In Person - Church Sanctuary Masks Required 10:30 Service also live streamed via Zoom/Facebook/YouTube 9:15 A.M. Adult Sunday School Classes Family Life Ce...
Keep ReadingFriday, April 30 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Care and Comfort" In his book, "A Grace Disguised," Jerry Sittser, professor at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington writes about an experience that we can only hope will never happen to us.His two oldest children were in elementary school and studying Native American culture.He and his wife Linda decided to pack up their kids and do a family field trip to attend ...
Keep ReadingTonight - 7:00 PM - Rock of Ages - Adult Bible Study via Zoom
Tonight, April 21 - 7:00 P.M. "Rock of Ages" Join Pastor John and his good friend, Jim Craver, from Greensboro, NC, as they engage in a study, titled, "Rock of Ages," on some popular songs and their context within God's word.We will discuss a bit of history, trivia, listen to the songs and lyrics, and then discuss their theological content and spiritual themes from a...
Keep ReadingSunday, April 18, 2021 - 8:00 and 10:30 A.M. Worship Services
Sunday Worship Services 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M In Person - Church Sanctuary Masks Required 10:30 Service also live streamed via Zoom/Facebook/YouTube Adult Sunday School Classes will be held at 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center K.I.D.S. Own Worship 10:30 A.M. service only in the Family Life Center ...
Keep ReadingFriday, April 16 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Known By God" In a scene in Eugene Ionesco's play The Bald Soprano, a man and a woman strike up a conversation over dinner.They smile at the fact that they both rode downtown on the same commuter train that morning, that both are married, and, -- will coincidences never cease, that they both live on the same floor in the same apartment complex!The parallels between the...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - "Rock of Ages" - Wednesday, April 14
"Rock of Ages" Join Pastor John and his good friend, Jim Craver, from Greensboro, NC, as they engage in a study, titled, "Rock of Ages," on some popular songs and their context within God's word.We will discuss a bit of history, trivia, listen to the songs and lyrics, and then discuss their theological content and spiritual themes from a Christian faith perspective.We...
Keep ReadingWorship, Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 8:00 and 10:30 AM Services
Pastor John Hartman and the congregation of Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church invite you to join them for worship: You Are My All in All #1 "Omnipotent" 8:00 AM/10:30 A.M. Church Sanctuary 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, FB and YouTube See links below Adult Sunday School 9:15 AM/Family Life Center https://zoom.us/j/979813872...
Keep ReadingEaster Services - Sunday, April 4, 2021
April 4,- Easter Sunday Services Church Sanctuary 6:30 A.M. Sunrise Service in the church cemetery 8:00 A.M. Worship Services 10:30 A.M. Worship Service The 10:30 A.M. Worship Service will also be live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook and YouTube. Links for live streaming 10:30 A.M. Service below. https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09...
Keep ReadingGood Friday Service - April 2 - 6:30 P.M. - Family Life Center
Good Friday Service - 6:30 P.M. - Family Life Center You are invited to our Good Friday Tenebrae Service. Tenebrae means "darkness," and commemorates the final hours of our Lord's life on earth, as he suffered death upon the cross. Please join us in the Family Life Center and hear the story in the holy scriptures and through music as we reflect on God's loving purpose i...
Keep ReadingMaundy Thursday Devotional
"Tasting Jesus" I heard the story about a guest lecturer who spoke at a seminary one time.He talked for over 2 hours arguing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ never actually took place.To back up what he was saying, he quoted scholar after scholar, and book after book.He then concluded his lecture saying it was simply absurd to believe in something that defied pur...
Keep ReadingMaundy Thursday Service - April 1 - 6:30 P.M.
Maundy Thursday Service - April 1 - 6:30 P.M. Family Life Center You are invited to our Maundy Thursday Communion Service. This traditional service focuses on the last meal of our Lord celebrated with his disciples before his arrest. Come and join us inside the FLC for the reading of God's word, the singing of hymns, and Holy Communion. Zoom Li...
Keep ReadingPalm Sunday Services - Sunday, March 28, 2021
Join us for worship at 8:00 A.M. or 10:30 A.M. Service at 10:30 A.M. is live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219... Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 Join via YouTube or Facebook by linking to these sites below: https://www.youtube.com/results... https://www.facebook.com/.../www.../che...
Keep ReadingHoly Week Services
Holy Week Services...
Keep ReadingDevotional Friday, March 19 from Pastor John Hartman
"Called to Work" Back when I was in the eighth grade, one of the required courses we had to take was Wood Shop, 7thgrade was Metal Shop, and 8thgrade was Wood Shop.One of the projects we had to make during the year in Wood Shop was a birdhouse.And so, I cut the wood to its specifications, hammered the nails, stained and painted the wood, did everything to make that the...
Keep ReadingFriday, March 12 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Handling Disappointment" One day a little boy named Chad told his mother, "Mom, I want to make a valentinefor every member of my class at school."Chad's mom was crestfallen because she knew that her little boy was quiet and shy and didn't have any friends in his class.Every day she would look out the window and see the kids leaving school.All the popular kids were up f...
Keep ReadingFriday, March 5 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Relationships R Us" Have you ever noticed that we pay strangers to do many of the tasks that friends, family and neighbors used to do for us?We employ massage therapists, personal trainers, personal shoppers, counselors, and style advisers.Our family, friends, and neighbors were there for us when we had money, and when we didn't have any money.They told us things that ...
Keep ReadingInvitation to Worship, Sunday, February 28, 2021
We invite you to join us for worship, Sunday, February 28, at either our in person 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM services. Our 10:0 AM service will also be live streamed through Zoom, CLPC FB and YouTube. Links provided below. Pastor John Hartman will continue his sermon series entitled, "Extreme Makeover - The Laundry Room". Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/979...
Keep ReadingFriday, February 26 Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
"Dressed For Success" Two years ago, I decided to take the plunge and buy a tuxedo for my son's wedding.I figured with the weddings of two daughters coming down the road at some point, I might as well just buy a tuxedo instead of having to rent one several times over.I never know when I might be invited to a "black tie" reception.In the e-commerce world we live in today...
Keep ReadingWorship, Sunday February 21, 2021 - 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
We invite you to join us for Worship on Sunday, February 21 at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM. Both services will be held in the Family Life Center. Pastor John Hartman will continue his sermon series entitled, "Extreme Makeover: The Bathroom". Our 10:30 AM service is also live streamed via Zoom, Facebook and Youtube. The links can be found below. Join Zoom Meeting for Worship: ...
Keep ReadingDevotional from Pastor John Hartman for Friday, February 19th.
"Bridges" I have been thinking about bridges lately.As snow falls on the ground, I find myself driving more carefully on bridges and overpasses, because they are the ones that tend to freeze and become very slick.In the NFL, there is the phrase "bridge quarterback," which alludes to a team that has moved on from its previous quarterback because of injury, trade, or reti...
Keep ReadingAsh Wednesday Services - Today, February 17, 2021
Ash Wednesday services will be held February 17. We plan on holding two in-person worship services,one at 1:00 pm, and the second at 6:30 pm,both in the Family Life Center. The 6:30 pm service will be live streamed via Zoom. See link below. In place of actual ashes, we will provide an ash/cross sticker, that will be in your worship bulletin.We will also provide a devotiona...
Keep ReadingGather The Flock 2.0 - Tuesday, February 9 - 6:30 PM - "Love Connection"
Gather the Flock - Don't Miss It! Tuesday, February 9 - 6:30 P.M. Do you miss "seeing" and "being with" your church family? In celebration of Valentine's Day join us for: "Love Connection" It's an opportunity to "Gather the Flock" for some fellowship and fun! Zoom link is listed below! Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j...
Keep ReadingIn Person Worship Cancelled for 10:30 AM February 7th,
Due to the snowy weather conditions, in person worship at 10:30 AM is cancelled for today, February 7. The Service will be live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Facebook and YouTube. Stay Safe! Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile ...
Keep ReadingJoin us for worship, Sunday, January 31 - 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, or live streamed via Zoom, CLPC Face
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile +16465588656,,97981387219# US (New York) +13017158592,,97981387219# US (Germantown) Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Find your local number:https://zoom.us/u/ad04entOt9 Join via YouTube or Facebook by linking to these sites ...
Keep ReadingJanuary 29 - Devotional from Pastor John Hartman
From the Pastor "The Inescapability of God" A few years ago, I was at a Middle School Summer Retreat, and the theme for the week was,"Inside Out."The point was, we are known by God through and through, because God's love is high, long, deep, and wide.And when I think of the width of God's love, I can't help but think of Psalm 139.Psalm 139 begins with,"Oh Lord, you ...
Keep ReadingMessage from Pastor John Hartman - Friday, January 22, 2021
"Digging for Love" Over the years, I have vacationed several times at the beach in the summer with my father.One thing you need to know about my dad.He likes to cover up at the beach.If he doesn't, he is going to be like a red lobster.Thankfully, I am blessed to have my late mother's Italian skin.I don't burn, I just brown.Not so with dad.And so, he makes sure that just...
Keep ReadingLet's Gather The Flock 2.0 - January 19, 6:30 P.M. via Zoom
Don't Miss It! Tuesday, January 19 - 6:30 P.M. Do you miss "seeing" and "being with" your church family? Join us for an informal time of fellowship, and just catching up after the holidays. It's an opportunity to "Gather the Flock" for some fellowship and fun! Zoom link is listed below! ...
Keep ReadingJanuary 13 - 7:00 P.M. - Adult Bible Study - "Going Beyond the Sermon" - via Zoom
Tonight, January 13 - 7:00 P.M. Join Pastor John for this Adult Bible Study entitled, "Beyond The Sermon," in which we will be looking at the scripture that was part of the sermon from the previous Sunday. This week it will be from Revelation 4:1-11 and 5:11-14, with an emphasis on the theme of "worship." Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319...
Keep ReadingFriday, January 8, 2021 - Devotional from Pastor John
Undoubtedly, everyone has seen on the news the events that unfolded in Washington DC this week. Regardless of your political affiliation, no one should be pleased of the disruptions that were caused in the operation and functionality of our government. This is not the way things are supposed to be.And depending upon which media outlet you choose to follow, some may be mini...
Keep ReadingSunday, January 10 - Join us for worship - Dimensions #1 - "High and Lifted Up"
January 10 Join us at 8:00 or 10:30 A.M. in the Family Life Center. Adult Sunday School at 9:15 A.M. Masks are required inside the building. "How High?" Romans 12:1-2 / Colossians 3:22-4:6 Worship is our response to the majesty of God who is "high and lifted up." If we were to get in touch with a sense of awe, wonder and astonishment before God, what would that look li...
Keep ReadingSunday, January 3, 2021 - Join us for Worship - New Year But The Same God - Rev. John Hartman
Remote Worship 10:00 A.M. live streamed via Zoom/Facebook/YouTube Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile +16465588656,,97981387219# US (New York) +13017158592,,97981387219# US (Germantown) ...
Keep ReadingThursday, December 24, 2020 - Christmas Eve Worship Service Times and Links
Family Oriented Service Starting Indoors/Moving Outdoors Weather Permitting Time: 5:00 P.M. Candles and Carols Family Life Center Time: 7:30 P.M. Also available to view via Zoom/CLPC Facebook or YouTube Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95490267014?pwd=dUhRejYvQlNYbVRYVERPRHZ5YU9PZz09 Meeting ID: 954 9026 7014 Passcode: 494655 Candles, Carol and Communi...
Keep ReadingFriday, December 11, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Journey of Joy" This Sunday afternoon, from 5:30 pm 7:00 pm, we are hosting our living nativity, "Journey to Bethlehem."As I write this, the weather seems to be on track to be cooperative both in manageable temperatures and no rain in the forecast.Let's hope and pray this holds up, as many people have put in countless hours of time and energy for this event.Just in ...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 27 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Holy Hospitality" How many of you have eaten too much this week?That makes sense, because this is Thanksgiving weekend. You may feel like, "Praise the Lord and pass the Pepto Bismol."Or if it wasn't the food, maybe it was that company that came to spend Thanksgiving with you, and with joy you are now singing that wonderful Roy Clark song, "Thank God for Greyhound, Th...
Keep ReadingMonday, November 23, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Thankfulness" This Thursday, we are going to celebrate with family members and give thanks to God as we eat and fellowship with one another.The word for giving thanks is a Greek verb, from which we get the word, "eucharist," which means to give thanks or thankfulness.Beyond the Thanksgiving holiday, in the church, we celebrate a communal meal where people are fed.We wi...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 20 - Devotional from Pastor John
"The Joy of Thanksgiving" Thanksgiving has a long history of celebration in the United States.Starting with the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622, to George Washington declaring a day of Thanksgiving to God for the blessings of becoming a new nation, to having Abraham Lincoln pronounce it as an official national holiday in 1863.Thanksgiving has been pa...
Keep ReadingMonday, November 16, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"High Octane Hope" There was a fellow who one day decided to go on a cruise ship.No sooner did he leave port, when he was overcome by a terrible case of seasickness.He was leaning over the railing, doing you-know-what when you are 3 shades of green, when a crew member from the ship came by.The crew member said, "Cheer up!Nobody ever died of seasickness."The fellow looke...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 13, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Letting God Bless You" The Beatitudes are a series of nine proclamations, nine blessings that Jesus delivers at the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount.And, I am sure that at times, these Beatitudes have inspired us.At other times they have confused us.And, they have probably left us wondering what on earth Jesus means when he says things like, "Blessed are the poor i...
Keep ReadingMonday, November 9, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Most Blessed" Believe it or not, some of the commercials on television contain secular versions of the beatitudes.Do you remember the Southwest airline commercial afew years ago that had the tagline, "Wanna Get Away?"Each advertisement showed a person in a painfully embarrassing situation, and how Southwest could take you away from all your problems. One of my f...
Keep ReadingFriday, November 6 - Devotional from Pastor John
"No Reserve!No Retreat!No Regrets!" Born in 1887, as an heir to the Borden dairy fortune, Bill Borden converted as a youth to Christianity and went on to graduate from Yale University and attend Princeton Seminary.While a student there, he came under the influence of the Student Volunteer Movement and a man named Samuel Zwemer, known as "the Apostle to Islam." Bill B...
Keep ReadingMonday, November 2, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Monday Devotional
"The Doctrine of Election" Since Election Day is tomorrow, I thought I would talk about election, -- but a very different kind of election.I am talking about the doctrine of election.It is about God choosing us before the foundations of the earth for His purpose and glory.To put it in Presbyterian parlance, "My predestination is secure." I can't tell you how of...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 30 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Humility and Leadership" On this weekend before the Presidential election, I want to talk politics, -- but only to the extent about our first president, -- George Washington, who the Men's Monday morning Bible study were reading about a few weeks ago.George Washington was not as brilliant as Thomas Jefferson, nor as eloquent as Benjamin Franklin, -- but the people wo...
Keep ReadingNeed a pick me up this drizzly Wednesday morning?
Bible Study Join Pastor John Hartman and Pastor Bob Bronkema for a one hour show online as they discuss some of the contemporary issues in sports today and look at them through a theological lens. Each will bring their own perspectives on the perks and plagues in the sports world and dissect them through a Christian worldview. By the way, they may not always agree! W...
Keep ReadingMonday, October 26, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Choosing Wisely" One of the things that I wonder is if the coronavirus is sparking a spiritual awakening in America.Hedging my bet, my answer is a definite "maybe."Some churches are still closed, some are open, and online platforms (like Zoom, Facebook Live, and Youtube) are giving folks options for connecting digitally. It seems people are tuning in more than ever.(I ...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 23, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Peace" Historians Will and Ariel Durant have stated that out of the last 3,400 years of recorded human history, only 268 of those years have been absent of warfare or conflict.Imagine that!Only 268 out of 3,400 years!That's not even 8% of the time!This means that for more than 92% of human history we've been at each other's throats, -- in some way or another.The trut...
Keep ReadingBible Study - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 21 - The Parables of Jesus
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83319649299# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,83319649299# US (Chicago) ...
Keep ReadingMonday, October 19, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Mastering the Tune" I love the story of Mark Twain's wife, Olivia, who was often pained and embarrassed by her famous husband's habit of swearing.Mark Twain learned to cuss with the best of them, -- from the shipmen of the Mississippi steamboats, and all the way to the miners of California and Nevada. One morning, Mark Twain cut himself while shaving, and he let o...
Keep ReadingJoin Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 9
Sunday, October 18 Worship Rev. John Hartman The Beatitudes #6 "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart" 8:00 A.M. - Worship on the Lawn (weather permitting) 9:15 A.M. - Sunday School for all Ages 10:30 A.M. - Indoor worship, and online via Zoom/Facebook (Masks required at all indoor classes/ser...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 16 - Daily Devotional from Pastor John
"Purity" In the December 2007 issue of The Journal of Environmental Health, researchers conducted a study of the lemons that typically garnish drinks at your average restaurants.What they found is that in almost 70% of the cases, these lemons were infected by a bonanza of different germs and microorganisms.Some germs came from meat-contaminated cutting boards and knives...
Keep ReadingWednesday, October 14 - 8:00 P.M. - Bible Study - Parables of Jesus
Join Pastor John tonight for a Bible Study on the parables of Jesus via Zoom. See link below. Everyone is welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Click on the link below to join! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83319649299# US (Germantown) +13126...
Keep ReadingWednesday, October 14 - 10:00 A.M. - Bible Study
Join Pastor John Hartman and Pastor Bob Bronkema for a one hour show online as they discuss some of the contemporary issues in sports today and look at them through a theological lens. Each will bring their own perspectives on the perks and plagues in the sports world and dissect them through a Christian worldview. By the way, they may not always agree! We will take que...
Keep ReadingMonday, October 12, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Focused Driving" Have you ever had a spiritual experience while driving?If you've ever had a teenager with a Learner's Permit, then I am sure you have.On the other hand, have you ever been behind the wheel and had one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments where everything just came into focus and made sense in a whole new way? Awhile back, I was leaving the church and...
Keep ReadingJoin Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09
Worship Information 8:00 A.M. outdoor service(either stay in your car, and listen on the radio - FM 102.1.), or bring a lawn chair or blanket and gather on the lawn in front of the Family Life Center. In the event of inclement weather at the 8:00 A.M. servicethe service will be moved indoors.Masks will be mandatory 9:15 A.M. - Sunda...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 9 - Devotional from Pastor John
From the Pastor "Tender Mercies!" In his book, "The Eight Blessings," pastor and author, Shane Stanford, tells of a time he was coming out of a breakfast meeting and noticed a woman sitting in her car and crying intensely.He didn't want to intrude.After all, she was a stranger.But, at the same time he felt he should do something.So, he tapped on the glass and said, "Ma...
Keep ReadingWednesday, October 7 - 7:00 P.M. - Bible Study - Parables of Jesus
Join Pastor John tonight for a Bible Study on the parables of Jesus via Zoom. See link below. Everyone is welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83319649299# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,83319649299# US (Chicago)...
Keep ReadingMonday, October 5 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Bold Faith" Nine years ago, on October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, which revolutionized the computer, music and mobile communications industries with such devices as the Macintosh, I-Pod, I-Phone, and I-Pad, died at the age of 56, of complications from pancreatic cancer. A few years earlier, Steve Jobs was giving the commencement addres...
Keep ReadingWorship Sunday, October 4, 2020 - Rev. John Hartman
8:00 A.M. - Worship on the Lawn (weather permitting) 9:15 A.M. - Sunday School for all Ages 10:30 A.M. - Indoor worship, and online via Zoom/Facebook (Masks required at all indoor classes/services) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97981387219?pwd=ZlJRZXh0N2tPdTdIeVVXT1ZFWGR3dz09 Meeting ID: 979 8138 7219 Passcode: 1068 One tap mobile +1646558865...
Keep ReadingFriday, October 2, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
From the Pastor "What Are You Hungry For?" Let me start off with a question, "How much do you want God and how badly do you really want to live for Him?Be careful before you answer, because there's a lot at stake here.Pastor, author, and radio host John MacArthur (who has been in the news a lot lately over his church meeting for worship in California) once said, "Relig...
Keep ReadingBible Study - Wednesday, September 30 - The Parables of Jesus
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader, Dr. Bill Slater, from Wake Forest Baptist Church each week as they co-lead a Bible Study on the parables of Jesus via Zoom. See link below. Everyone is welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Click on the link below to join! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299...
Keep ReadingMonday, September 28, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Burning Desire" A few years ago there was a story in the news about a former California teacher, who had taught for 17 years, despite the fact that he was completely unable to read, write or spell.John Corcoran tells of being labeled "dumb" or "disruptive," as a young child.Teachers figured he had emotional problems or psychological issues because he was always actin...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 25 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Industrial Strength Meekness" How many of you have seenThe Lord of the Ringsmovies, or read the trilogy?Well, according to author James Howell, the hobbits in J.R.R. Tolkien's writings are an excellent example of what "meekness" is all about.Hobbits, he explains, are diminutive little creatures Halflings, who have no epic ambitions of their own.They are content to li...
Keep ReadingWednesday, September 23 - 7:00 P.M. Bible Study on the Parable of Jesus
Bible Study on the Parables of Jesus - The Sower September 23 - 7:00 P.M. via zoom. Mark 4:3-9 (14-20, Jesus' explanation) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299 ...
Keep ReadingMonday, September 21, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"True Grit" If you are like me, you are probably tired about a lot of things.You are tired of this whole coronavirus business.You are tired of masks, social distancing, the promise of a vaccine, and when it might all end and be back to normal.You are also probably tired of the nastiness and rancor that exists among politicians in Washington DC.Add to that an election ...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 18, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"The God of Comfort" One of the more tasteless jokes around is the old line, "Well apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"There was no play to enjoy that night at Ford's Theatre, as in one shattering moment, our nation's President, Abraham Lincoln lost his life.Mary Lincoln's life was full of tragedy.She lost her mother when she was a girl, and three...
Keep ReadingWednesday, September 16 -7:00 P.M. - Bible Study - Parables of Jesus
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319649299 Meeting ID: 833 1964 9299 One tap mobile +13017158592,,83319649299# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,83319649299# US (Chicago)...
Keep ReadingWednesday, September 16 - 10:00 A.M. - Bible Study
Bible Study "Sports Spirit" Join Pastor John Hartman and Pastor Bob Bronkema for a one hour show online as they discuss some of the contemporary issues in sports today and look at them through a theological lens. Each will bring their own perspectives on the perks and plagues in the sports world and dissect them through a Christian worldview. By t...
Keep ReadingMonday, September 14, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Devotional
"Exit Interview" I don't know what the ratings were for yesterday's NFL games, or the game in prime time last night.I also have no idea how they will be for the Giants Steelers game on Monday Night Football tonight.They will have at least one viewer, -- me!What I do know is that the ratings for the opening game last Thursday night were not good, and down from last year...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 11, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"9/11" Today is September 11.It is hard to believe that it has been 19 years since that beautiful Tuesday morning in 2001, when our lives were changed, and nothing has been the same since.As we relive that day in our minds and through the many pictures and images on television this week, I am sure that every one of us remembers where we were and what we were doing when ...
Keep ReadingWednesday Night Bible Study - The Parables of Jesus
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader, Dr. Bill Slater, from Wake Forest Baptist Church each week as they co-lead a Bible Study on the parables of Jesus via Zoom. See link below. Everyone is welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Click on the link below to join! Talent for September 9, 2020: "The Talents" Matthew 25:14-30 Join Zoom Meeting ...
Keep ReadingFriday, September 4 - Devotional from Pastor John
"That's a Wrap!" When the filming of the final scene of a movie is completed, the director will often yell, "Cut!Print it!That's a wrap!"Today concludes my summer series on the Ten Commandments.I sure hope you have enjoyed listening to them (or reading about them) as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you.Just make sure it doesn't end there.Don't tuck them away ...
Keep ReadingWednesday, September 2 - Devotional from Pastor John
"The Greener Grass Syndrome" As I continue my series of devotionals this week on the tenth commandment, to be clear, God forbids that we have a "covetous mindset."Did you know that in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote that all people had the inalienable rights of"life, liberty, and the pursuit of possessions?"The committee l...
Keep ReadingMonday, August 31 - Devotional from Pastor John
"No Coveting!" I finished up with my sermon series on the Ten Commandments yesterday, preaching on the ninth commandment against lying, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."As I will be away for the Labor Day weekend next Sunday, I will not be able to preach on the tenth and last commandment, which is inExodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neigh...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 28 Devotional - Pastor John Hartman
"To Tell The Truth" A few months ago, I watched the movie,"Richard Jewell."Richard Jewell was the security guard who discovered a bomb in Atlanta's Centennial Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics.The bomb exploded killing a woman and injuring over 100 people, but not before Jewell had alerted authorities and personally directed scores of visitors away from the bomb si...
Keep ReadingMonday, August 24 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Faith in the Fog" It was great to be back outside for worship at 8:00 am yesterday.I was a little nervous making the early morning ride to church from Kirkwood, because it was so foggy and hard to see very far in front of me when I was driving.And even though it didn't rain this week, and we were able to remain outside at 8:00, it was still foggy throughout most of t...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 21 - Devotional with Pastor John
"Yours, Mine, God's" There's a famous story that St. Augustine tells in his Confessions about a time he and his friends snuck into an orchard one evening and stole a bunch of pears.Later on as he reflected on it, Augustine admitted that he stole those pears simply for the thrill of it.His family wasn't rich.In fact, he had everything he needed.He even said he had bette...
Keep ReadingMonday, August 17 - Devotional from Pastor John
"God's Plans" "Well, it was inevitable.""It had to happen sometime.""It couldn't go on forever.""Don't forget, this is Pennsylvania!"These were just some of the thoughts and comments that I heard yesterday morning, as the heavy rain forced us indoors for our 8:00 am service.This was the first time that bad weather had chased us inside on a Sunday morning since we began ...
Keep ReadingFriday, August 14 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Love for a Lifetime" A minister decided to try something a little different one Sunday morning at church.He said to the congregation, "Today I'm going to say a single word and you're going help me preach.Whatever word I say, I want you to sing the first hymn that comes to mind."And with that, the pastor shouted out the word, "Cross."Immediately folks started singing, "...
Keep ReadingMonday, August 10 - Devotional from Pastor John
"X-Raying Your Faith" As I shared over the weekend, I suffered a fall last week while exercising, and wound up cracking 2 ribs.Unfortunately, there is not much the doctors can do, as ribs can't be splinted or put into a cast.It is going to take the normal healing time for broken bones, which is around 6-8 weeks. It is certainly one of the more painful injuries I have...
Keep ReadingAugust 3, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Summer Faith" The alarm goes off.You leap out of bed and grab a quick shower.You shovel in a bowl of cornflakes and hurry out to the car, giving your spouse a peck on the cheek and reminding them not to forget that tonight is "Pizza Night."On your way to the office, you drop by Starbucks for your morning caffeine fix.You swerve from one lane to another all the way to...
Keep ReadingMonday, July 27, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Beach Banter" I arrived at Atlantic Beach in North Carolina last night, and I am looking forward to some sun and sand, as I take some time this week for a vacation at the beach.To be with friends and family is truly a gift.It did get me to thinking about the most important conversation on the beach that is in the Bible. Jesus takes some of the fish the disciples...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 24 - Devotional from Pastor John
From the Pastor "Balanced Life" I don't know about you, but when I am watching a football game, my eyes tend to be drawn to the quarterback, running backs and wide receivers, often ignoring the subtleties, but more important aspects of the game.Who is winning the war in the trenches?Both the offensive and defensive lines anchor a team, and if things aren't going well...
Keep ReadingMonday, July 20, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
"Yes and No Faces" One time, on a trip along the U.S. border, Thomas Jefferson and his traveling companions encountered a river that had overflowed during a thunderstorm.The storm was so severe that it had washed out the only bridge going across the river.Jefferson and his friends knew the only way to get to the other side was to ford the river on horseback.One by one t...
Keep ReadingWorship Opportunities Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday, July 19, 2020 10:00 A.M. https://zoom.us/j/275111180 (Click the Zoom link here, or below, to join the service!) Message A Perfect 10 "Keeping Your Lips from the Slips" Rev. John P. Hartman Alternative opportunities for worship: Live Streaming at https://zoom.us/j/757594635 Chestnut Level ...
Keep ReadingMonday, July 13, 2020 - Monday Devotional from Pastor John
"Honoring or Idolizing?" Yesterday was another beautiful day for worship at Chestnut Level, both at our 8:00 and 10:00 A.M. services.It is so good to see folks gathering as the people of God in prayer and in song (and via Zoom).It still feels a bit awkward and different than it did a few months ago before all of the Covid-19 restrictions.I don't profess to always get it...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 10, 2020 - Devotional from Pastor John
From the Pastor I used to enjoy watching the tv show,"Home Improvement."Tim Allenstarred as Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor, who also had his own tv show, "Tool Time."In one episode, Tim's wife, Jill, is going to be honored at a very elegant black tie affair banquet.It's a big deal for Jill.And so, she gives Tim the task of delivering a lovely 8x10 glossy of herself to the ph...
Keep ReadingMonday, July 6, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Devotional
"No Fear" It was great to worship with everyone yesterday on July 5.Once again, God blessed us with wonderful weather as we were able to hold our 8:00 am service outside.A special thanks to Jillian Pontz and Olivia Musser for leading our music songs, and to Rick Rineer for his patriotic medley on the accordion.A special thanks Kim Roberts, Janet Braightmeyer, our deacon...
Keep ReadingSunday, July 5, 2020 - Worship Informaton
Sunday, July 5, 2020 10:00 A.M. https://zoom.us/j/275111180 (Click the Zoom link here, or below, to join the service!) Updated Worship Information 8:00 A.M. outdoor service(either stay in your car, and listen on the radio - FM 102.1.), or bring a lawn chair ...
Keep ReadingFriday, July 3, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"What America Means to Me" Recent events in our country has caused us to look at things in a much different way, and even to use a different vocabulary.Now I am not so naive to think that our country doesn't have problems, and that we aren't helping anyone to just sweep things under the rug and pretend that everything is okay.The reality is, they are not.There is plenty...
Keep ReadingThursday, July 2, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Kneeling King" On this Thursday, I thought I would take you back to Maundy Thursday, the night of the Last Supper, and the night that Jesus washed the disciples' feet.On that night, Jesus and the disciples are sitting around a candle lit meal. There is a sense of familiarity, something they have done before, -- but there is also an air of tension in the room. Somet...
Keep ReadingWednesday, July 1, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Comfort" The first sentence in Scott Peck's famous bestseller, "The Road Less Traveled" has some of life's most profound insights.And all in just three words:"Life is difficult."The Apostle Paul writes,"We have a God of comfort who comforts us, -- so that we might help others in their comfort, -- from the comfort we have already received."There seems to be a word that ...
Keep ReadingTuesday, June 30, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Peace" Several years ago, a young, 11 year old girl named Marie, share what life was like living in the Middle East, specifically, the country of Lebanon.Her whole life has basically been living in that war-torn land.She explains her difficult situation by writing, "Our country is on fire, I could cry.I am in fifth grade of the free school and I have never known anythi...
Keep ReadingMonday, June 29, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Aged to Perfection" Yesterday was another great day of worship at Chestnut Level.At 8:00 A.M. the weather was beautiful outside, the music upbeat, and the preacher not half bad.It was a joy to welcome Connor Musser, Olivia Musser and Luke Smith as Communicant members at Chestnut Level.I thought that things went off without a hitch, despite the parade of Amish buggies p...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 26, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Faithfulness" Tony Campolo tells about a friend of his who was traveling on a train just outside London.He was sharing a compartment with two other men.About twenty minutes out of the station, one of the men fell to the floor with an apparent epileptic seizure.His body grew rigid as the seizure took control.Immediately, the man's traveling companion dropped to the floo...
Keep ReadingThursday, June 25, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Telehandler Encouragement" A couple of weeks ago I was working at the church, when Chestnut Level's own Tom Henry called me.He said he needed to see me right away.So, I went there quickly, thinking it was a pastoral emergency.Instead, Tom beamed with pride as showed me his JCB Telehandler (aka teleloader) that he has had for about a year.I watched as Tom deftly grabbed...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study, Thursday, June 25 - 11:00 A.M.
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader, Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson, who will be leading a Bible Study tonight on Matthew 24:32-35, The Parable of the Fig Tree. Everyone welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Michael Wilson is the Stated Clerk/Facilitator for Developing Leaders for Donegal Presbytery.In this role, he helps to shape the flow and process of our p...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Tonight - Wednesday, June 24 - 6:30 P.M.
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader, Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson, who will be leading a Bible Study tonight on Matthew 24:32-35, The Parable of the Fig Tree. Everyone welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Michael Wilson is the Stated Clerk/Facilitator for Developing Leaders for Donegal Presbytery.In this role, he helps to shape the flow and process of our p...
Keep ReadingWednesday, June 24, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Not Perfect" Ken Medema is a Christian musician who was born blind.His parents taught him to play games, ride a bike, and even water-ski.It isn't that they were callous to his condition of not being able to see, it's just that they were more interested in affirming him as a person of worth, created in the image of God.With this inner peace, Ken Medema sometimes almost ...
Keep ReadingTuesday, June 23, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"No Need to Fear" One of the joys of being a child growing up in the 1960's, was the abundance of classic cartoons on TV.You know they are "classics," because they had stood the test of time and are still watched by children today.When I talk about classics, I mean true classics like Scooby-Doo, the Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Speed Racer, Popeye, the Jetsons, Rocky and Bu...
Keep ReadingMonday, June 22, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"What 'This' Is" In the movie, "City Slickers," Billy Crystal plays a New York advertising agent who has a terminal case of the mid-life blues.He is bored with his job, bored with his marriage, bored with his life.On his thirty-ninth birthday he says to a friend, "Have you ever reached the point in life where you say to yourself, 'This is the best I'm ever going to lo...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 19, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Inner Space" I came across the most charming video onYouTube.It's about a dad who sent his son's little toy train into space.This dad took his little boy's favorite toy, A Thomas The Tank Engine train, hooked it up to a weather balloon, and then attached a small camera and an old cell phone with a GPS to track it.And then he let it fly.Well, that little train floate...
Keep ReadingThursday, June 18, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Cherish" I just love the word "cherish."Some of you may remember a love song back in the 1960's by The Association called simply, "Cherish." Part of the song goes, "Cherish is the word I use to describe All the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside.You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you.You don't know how many times I've wished that I co...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Thursday, June 18 - 11:00 A.M. - Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader, John Minihan, will be leading a Bible Study tonight on Matthew 20, the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Everyone welcome to join us for this study and discussion! Our guest leader, Rev. Dr. John Minihan. was with us in October 2017 to preach at John Hartman's Installation service.John i...
Keep ReadingWednesday, June 17, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Heavenly Citizenship" The late theologian and author, R.C. Sproul tells of a time he was invited to do a series of lectures in Eastern Europe, culminating with a trip to Romania.Now he and his group were warned that the border guards in Romania could be quite hostile to Americans and that they should be prepared to be hassled, and maybe even arrested at the border.Sur...
Keep ReadingTuesday, June 16, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"MacGyver Ministry" Do you remember the TV show, "MacGyver," starring Richard Dean Anderson?It ran from 1985-1992, which is an eternity in network television.It was a pretty successful show, and had its own cult following.In fact, it was so successful, that they did a remake which launched in 2016.Of course, it might just be that Hollywood has run out of good ideas for ...
Keep ReadingMonday, June 15, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"A Hallelujah from Head to Toe" Yesterday, we returned to in-person worship for the first time since March 15.It was wonderfulto once again be together after all this time apart.We began with our 8:00 am outdoor service.The weather was perfect, the technology held up just beautifully, and the music was moving.Now the preacher was just okay, but you can't have everythi...
Keep ReadingFriday, June 12, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Traveling Anxieties" The summer conjures up images of picnics, the beach, the mountains, or just day trips in the car.After being homebound for 3 months, people are ready to move and groove, and be out and about.However, for millions of American, traveling also elicits panic.While millions of people will hit the roads this summer, there are people who will have a h...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Thursday, June 11 at 11:00 A.M.
Join Pastor John and his friend, John Winings, as they lead a Bible Study on the book of John, Chapter 4, The Woman at the Well. Thursday, June 11, 2020 11:00 A.M. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/805070626 One tap mobile - 805070626# US Toll...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 P.M.
Join Pastor John and his guest co-leader John Winings, will be leading a Bible Study tonight on John 4; Jesus and the woman at the well. Everyone welcome to join us for this study and discussion! We are happy to have John Winings co-teach the Adult Zoom Study this evening.John is a good friend of Pastor John's.If you recall, he was a participant at Pastor John's ...
Keep ReadingWednesday, June 10, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Be Like Jesus" As I watched the Michael Jordan documentary on ESPN, I had forgotten what a global icon he became, and how his successes on the basketball court led to many business opportunities off the court.MJ earned roughly somewhere around $1.7 billion (pre-tax) in sponsorship money over nearly four decades.He has endorsed Nike, Hanes, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Wheat...
Keep ReadingTuesday, June 9, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Thanks for the Thorns" Last month, I finished up my Adult Zoom study on the Book of James.I offer my thanks to those who tuned in, and for those friends of mine who helped me lead it.We finished up with James 5 (13-16), and specifically, the subject of prayer and suffering. I think we would admit that to give thanks in every situation in life would be very difficu...
Keep ReadingLive Streaming Worship Service at 10:00 A.M. Today with Pastor John Hartman
Sunday, June 7, 2020 Communion Sunday 10:00 A.M. https://zoom.us/j/275111180...
Keep ReadingThursday, June 4, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Not The Way It's Supposed to Be" In the movie, "Grand Canyon," an immigration lawyer played by Kevin Kline finds himself stuck in Los Angeles traffic after a Lakers' basketball game.Rather than waiting it out, he attempts to bypass the traffic jam by taking an alternate route home instead.However, the route he takes leads him down progressively darker and more des...
Keep ReadingTuesday, June 2, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Impossible Dream" A couple of weeks ago, I was watching a video on YouTube of the TV show, "Britain's Got Talent."In this show, two brothers come out on stage and sing beautifully the song, "The Impossible Dream," -- leaving the audience and judges spellbound.Click on the linkhttps://youtu.be/zTmhDyxBybU It reminds me of the story of Don Quixote, The Man of La M...
Keep ReadingMonday, June 1, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Spirit of the Living God" Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, and as we come into Monday, some of you might be wondering, "Now what?"In other words, what are we supposed to do as this empowered church, with Spirit-filled empowered people?Well, the good news for us is that God promises to give us the abilities to accomplish the things He commands us to do.Jesus said,"The Ho...
Keep ReadingLive Stream Service at 10:00 A.M. TODAY - Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 31, 2020 Pentecost Sunday 10:00 A.M. https://zoom.us/j/275111180 Join Pastor John Hartman on the link above for live streaming service today, "A Karaoke Church"...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Thursday, May 28, 2020 - 11:00 A.M.
Join Pastor John and a guest co-leader each week for a virtual Bible Study on the Book of James. This week's guest co-leader will be Rev. David Drain.Pastor Drain andhis wife, Marion, are residents at Willow Valley Retirement Community, They came from Lakeland, Florida where he servedthe First Presbyterian Church. He previously served the Wallingford, PA and Bristol, PA...
Keep ReadingThursday, May 28, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Fruit of Kindness" I find myself being overwhelmed with all the information that is being thrown at me on a daily basis.It seems to be coming at me from different places, and some of it is even a bit contradictory.When I think about how it affects the church, it is no less intimidating.For example, there is the number of people who can meet together.What about...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - May 27, 2020 - 6:30 P.M.- Book of James
Join Pastor John and a guest co-leader each week for a virtual Bible Study on the Book of James. This week's guest co-leader will be Rev. David Drain.Pastor Drain andhis wife, Marion, are residents at Willow Valley Retirement Community, They came from Lakeland, Florida where he servedthe First Presbyterian Church. He previously served the Wallingford, PA and B...
Keep ReadingWednesday, May 27, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"You Preach First" In Acts 1:6, the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"And Jesus answers, No!You will!"One pastor was just as blunt from the pulpit, when he said one Sunday morning, "You preach first! The first sermon preached each Sunday is not by me, but by you."He said, "You preach a me...
Keep ReadingLet's Gather The Flock - May 26 - 6:30 P.M.
Join us tonight for "Let's Gather the Flock" at 6:30 pm. EVERYONE is invited to join us as we spend some time connecting with our church family. Pastor John will kick off our discussion as he possess life questions from, "The Book Of Questions" https://us04web.zoom.us/j/404194383 Meeting ID: 404 194 383...
Keep ReadingMay 26, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"PhD Faith" Does it really matter to you if Christianity is true?Or, what really matters is that you believe in "something" that brings out the best in you, -- your daily horoscope, your innate ability to problem-solve, or your own human potential for greatness.According to a Gallup Poll, around 72% of all Americans deny that there is any such thing as absolute tru...
Keep ReadingMay 25, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Being the Church" Several years ago, there was a church conference that basically was trying to answer the question, "How does the Church reach the postmodern generation?"Now, space does not permit me to fully explain what "postmodernism" is.So, I will say it this way.There is an entire generation out there that is totally disillusioned with the Church. In fact, Ame...
Keep ReadingLive Streaming Worship - 10:00 A.M. Sunday, May 24, 2020
Sunday, May 24, 2020 10:00 A.M. https://zoom.us/j/275111180 "Do All Things Really Work for Good?" Rev. John Hartman...
Keep ReadingFriday, May 22, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
The Hidden Purpose of God There is a story told by the Chinese philosopher, Lin Yu Tang, about an old man who lived with his son.One day the old man's only horse wandered off and was lost.The man's neighbors told him how sorry they were about his misfortune.The old man said, "How do you know this is misfortune?"Later that week the horse came wandering back, bringing wit...
Keep ReadingThursday, May 21 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Ascension of the Lord" One cold, wintery day, some children put a top hat on a snowman, and in a spell of Christmas magic, he came to life.Frosty the Snowman showed those children the time of their lives.With Frosty, their sleds slid further than they ever had before.With Frosty, they could play outside all day and not get cold.With Frosty, shopping was more fun than i...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Book of James - Wednesday, May 20 - 6:30 P.M.
Join Pastor John and guest co-leader, Rev. John W. Johnson, for a virtual Bible Study on the Book of James. Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 P.M. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/593320391 One tap mobile - 593320391# US Toll...
Keep ReadingMay 20, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"A Coat of Kindness" Ever wonder, why do we visit the sick and give food to the hungry?As Presbyterians, steeped in reformed theology, it is not because we are saved by our works.It is not to get on the "good side" of God.It is because Jesus Christ is in our hearts and we have a new nature that responds outwardly in that love. Back in the 4th century, a Roman soldi...
Keep ReadingLet's Gather the Flock - Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 6:30 P.M.
Join us tonight for "Let's Gather the Flock" at 6:30 pm. EVERYONE is invited to join us as we spend some time connecting with our church family. We will be testing our musical skills playing Name That Tune! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/404194383 Meeting ID: 404 194 383 ...
Keep ReadingMay 19, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Calm Assurance" I don't know about you, but his whole Covid-19, coronavirus, quarantined, stay-at-home-order stuff has gotten really frustrating, tiresome, -- and the end is still not in sight for those of us living in Lancaster County.It has created fear, in some cases panic, caused us to alter our ways of living, and let's be honest, it ...
Keep ReadingMay 18, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Luck or Grace?" Have you ever stopped to think about the "near misses" in your life?What I mean is those narrow, knee-knocking escapes that could have killed you, -- but you're still here and still alive.The author, Scott Peck, writes: "When I put together the times I just missed being hit by cars while on foot, on a bicycle, or driving; or times when I was driving a c...
Keep ReadingMay 15, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
From the Pastor "Grace of Giving" For many of us, giving goes against our grain.It is our nature to give as little as possible while attempting to get as much as possible back. We are a lot like the elderly rich man who was about to die.He called in his three advisors, his doctor, his lawyer, and his minister.The miserly man said, "They say, 'You can't take it with ...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Thursday, May 14 - 11:00 A.M.
Join Pastor John and guest, Rev. Charlie Gross, former CLPC member and retired Pastor of Westgrove Presbyterian Church, this morning, May 14, at 11:00 A.M. on Zoom.There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the study. Thursday, May 14, 2020 11:00 A.M. https://u...
Keep ReadingMay 14, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Need for a Savior" Ravi Zacharias, the international evangelist, tells a story about going to see a play with a friend when he was preaching in Vietnam, back in 1974.In the play, a prince had stolen the wife of a peasant who was newly married.The prince refused to give her back and then told the woman, that if she said the peasant was her husband, he would kill him...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study/Book of James - Tonight at 6:30 P.M. via Zoom
Join Pastor John and special guest, Rev. Charlie Gross, a former CLPC member and retired pastor of the Westgrove Presbyterian Church. They will lead a joint study on the Book of James this Wednesday night at 6:30 P.M. and Thursday morning at 11:00 A.M. on Zoom.There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the study. Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 P.M. http...
Keep ReadingMay 13, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Answer The Call" I love the story of when Dr. Tony Campolo, a well-known Christian author and speaker was at a mission rally and was asked to lead in prayer for a missionary doctor that the group supported.The missionary doctor needed $5,000 for the clinic he ran.Tony Campolo was asked to pray that somehow, someway, God would provide that urgently needed money.Well, ...
Keep ReadingMay 12, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Two Words" "The Blind Side" was a book and a movie about a young man named Michael Oher.Big Mike, as he was known, was born into poverty in a drug-riddled ghetto in Memphis.Sadly, he never knew his father, and worse, his mother was a drug addict, and not actively involved in Michael's life.And so, for the better part of his youth, Michael Oher grew up basically paren...
Keep ReadingMay 11, 202 0 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Face of Jesus" I heard the story of a young mother who died of cancer, leaving behind her husband and their little boy.The man and the little boy came home from the funeral at the cemetery.And in the grief of his pain, this young father could think of nothing to do but to go to bed.And so, he put the little boy to bed and then he went to his own room.As he was lyin...
Keep ReadingMay 8, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Honoring Mothers" Several years ago, I was in New Jersey for my grandmother's 98thbirthday party, and it was a Karaoke extravaganza, where my Dad brought his musical troupe to sing 27 yes that's right, 27 songs!And so there I sat marking on a napkin, "One down, 26 to go.Two down, 25 to go."My Dad told me that I was going to have a role at the party, too.He said, "...
Keep ReadingMay 7, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The National Day of Prayer" After a lot of controversy, a nightclub was getting ready to open its doors for business on the main street of a small Pennsylvania town.The town's only church called for an all-night prayer meeting.And at the prayer meeting, the church people prayed that God would burn that nightclub down.(It must have been a Baptist church).A few minutes l...
Keep ReadingMay 6, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"North vs. South" I was born in the north (New Jersey), but lived in the south for 25 years.And now, I am back in the north, in the great state of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Have you ever wondered what's the difference between northerners and southerners?A few years ago, Harper's Magazine tried to answer that question.And they answered by saying, "Suppose a ma...
Keep ReadingMay 5, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Good Spell" Someone has described the five types of problems we battle in our lives.They are:Loneliness, despair, aimlessness, fear and emptiness.It doesn't matter if we received our stimulus check from the government or not.Or, how tired we are of zoom video meetings.Or, how slow our internet is trying to do Google Classroom with our children.Or , how many deadlin...
Keep ReadingMay 4, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"He Knows My Name" There is a praise song that our wonderful Chestnut Level Praise Team sings that is titled, "He Knows My Name."The chorus of the song goes,"He knows my name.He knows my every thought.He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call."God is involved in every detail of our lives.God is with you when you check your e-mail.God is with you when you pu...
Keep ReadingLive Streaming Worship Service - Sunday, May 3 - 10:00 A.M.
Live Streaming Worship Service - Sunday, May 3 at 10:00 A.M. Rev. John Hartman - "Cardio Christianity" Please join us by clicking on the link below: https://zoom.us/j/275111180 Meeting ID: 275 111 180...
Keep ReadingThursday Morning Bible Study, April 30 - 11:00 A.M.
Join Pastor John and Rev. Bob Bronkema, First Presbyterian Church Strasburg, as they lead a Bible study together this morning, April 30, at 11:00 A.M,. on the Book of James via Zoom. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the study. Thursday, April 30 at 11:00 A.M. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/805070626 One tap mobile - 805070626# US Tol...
Keep ReadingApril 30, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Forgiven and Forgotten" I love the story of the bishop who was a confessor for a nun.One day the nun told him that Jesus Christ had revealed himself to her, -- in person!Well, the bishop understandably had doubts about her vision, and so, he said to her, "I want to give you a couple of instructions.The next time that Jesus Christ appears to you, I want you to ask ...
Keep ReadingApril 29 -Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Heart of Good" David Breashears is an American mountaineer, filmmaker, author, and motivational speaker.In 1985, he reached the summit of Mount Everest a second time, becoming the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest more than once.He was on Mount Everest that fateful night of May 10, 1996, when eight climbers lost their lives on the south face of the mo...
Keep Reading"Let's Gather the Flock" - Tuesday, April 28 - 6:30 P.M.
Join us tonight for "Let's Gather the Flock" at 6:30 pm. Please zoom in!! We will catch up, share with each other and play some non-competitive Bible Trivia...the game where the trivia isn't trivial! We hope that you will gather with us! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/404194383 Meeting ID: 404 194 383...
Keep ReadingApril 28, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"No Guilty Dollars" Larry the Sad Boy, one of the inhabitants of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon" was saved 12 times in the Lutheran church, an all-time record.Keillor describes the scene this way."Between 1953 and 1961, he threw himself weeping and contrite on God's throne of grace on 12 separate occasions, --- and this in a Lutheran church that wasn't evangelical, ha...
Keep ReadingApril 27, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Super Committed" In tuning into sports talk radio as I drive back and forth to church during the week, it's fascinating to listen to what various professional leagues and colleges are going to do in moving forward.To play or not play the games?And if they do, should they play them without fans in the stands?A big part of the college football experience are the fan...
Keep ReadingApril 24 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Aging Gracefully" Even at the age of 92, Jack LaLanne, the "Godfather of Fitness," continued to work out every morning for two hours, one and half hours in the weight room and a half hour in the pool.He told Katie Couric, "I can't afford to die.It will ruin my image."Back in 1976 a news report came on saying, "Today on his sixty second birthday Jack LaLanne commemo...
Keep ReadingApril 22, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Green-Shaded Glasses" According to my Presbyterian calendar, today is "Earth Day."Well, growing up in New Jersey, I used to hear a lot of jokes about air pollution, being so close to the metropolitan area.We used to say, "We wake up to the sound of the robins coughing."Later on, only through the monologues of The Tonight Show did I realize that air pollution is als...
Keep ReadingLet's Gather The Flock - Tonight, April 21 - 6:30 P.M.
Join us tonight for "Let's Gather the Flock" at 6:30 pm. We will be playing Chestnut Level's version of "Name That Tune."You are going to be asked to test your knowledge of church hymns as our own Rick Rineer plays the first few notes, before somebody "names that tune."Please join us! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/404194383 Meeting ID: 404 194 383...
Keep ReadingApril 21, 2020 - John Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Walk the Line" The appeal of Johnny Cash was wide ranging.He was a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and author.He crossed over into a variety of musical genres including country, rock and roll, blues, folk, and gospel.He is arguably one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide.Many people loved his music, b...
Keep ReadingApril 20, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"We Imitate Whom We Adore" St. Augustine once said, "We imitate whom we adore."Why did the Nike brand grow so much that every young person in the world, in every far corner of this planet, wanted to wear Nike sneakers?Because of one person: Michael Jordan.You see, we imitate whom we adore.The one who captures our imagination controls our behavior.As we continue our po...
Keep ReadingApril 17 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Transforming Moment" One of my professors at Princeton Theological Seminary was Dr. James Loder.He was a professor of the Philosophy of Christian Education and a Presbyterian minister.Years ago he was headed with his wife and two daughters to Quebec, Canada for a vacation.On their long drive Dr. Loder stopped the car on the side of the road for a distressed woman w...
Keep ReadingApril 16, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"In Christ Alone" Last week, during a Bible study, someone mentioned Chuck Colson.Chuck Colson was involved in the Watergate scandal, and actually went to prison.While in prison, he became a Christian, and later he founded Prison Fellowship Ministries.He tells the story of a time he visited a prison called Humaita, which was turned over to Christians over 40 years ago i...
Keep ReadingAdult Bible Study - Book of James - TODAY - April 16 - 11:00 A.M.
Thursday, April 16, 2020 11:00 A.M. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/805070626 (Click the Zoom link here, or below, to join the service!) Join Pastor John for a virtual Bible Study on the Book of James, Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 A.M. (Note: This is the same Bible Study given...
Keep ReadingBible Study on the Book of James - April 15 - 6:30 P.M. via Zoom
Join Pastor John for a virtual Bible Study on the Book of James,Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 pm,or, Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 A.M. The study will be the same each week, just available at different times to view and join in.If you would like to participate, please click on the link to participate through Zoom either video or over the phone.If you have trouble getting on...
Keep ReadingApril 15, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"InvestmentDay" Today is April 15, which means it is Tax Day.And even though the government has extended the filing deadline to July 15, April 15 has been the deadline for filing your income tax returns since 1955.It got me to thinking, not so much about taxes, but the places where we have made our investments over the years. Sir John Templeton was an American-bo...
Keep ReadingApril 14, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Chestnut Level Flock" As a country, we used to be more of a nation of joiners. I have seen that most often when reading the obituaries of an older adult who has died.I am always impressed with the long list of clubs and organizations that these people belonged to.For example, one time I read an obituary which said that the person who died belonged to Sam's Price Club.I...
Keep ReadingApril 13, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"After Easter" Back in 1970, I remember a CBS TV show called,"Can You Top This?"It wasn't on very long, only 8 months.As you might guess, that notorious game show host, Wink Martindale, with his pearly white teeth, wasthe host.The way it worked was that eachweek a celebrity wouldread jokes submitted by viewers, while a group of panelists (all professional comedians) w...
Keep ReadingApril 10 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"God's Friday" Today is Good Friday, and while we are not having a worship service this evening, it is important to understand a bit better its meaning and why it is important.Good Friday is a critical day for Christians, because it celebrates what we believe to be the most important weekend in history.We proclaim the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be the decis...
Keep ReadingApril 9, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Table of Reconciliation" It's late at night, and Jesus is in the hands of the Roman authorities, and he's being bounced back and forth in a kangaroo court trial.Peter is in the courtyard, warming himself next to a fire, and standing next to him is a teenage girl who comes to him and says, "Say, I know you.You're one of those who were with Jesus the Nazarene."And ...
Keep ReadingApril 8, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"See Jesus" A young new pastor was invited to lead Sunday evening worship at senior adult retirement community.She gladly accepted the invitation and began pouring herself in to her sermon preparation.She didn't want to deliver just a good sermon, but a great sermon.So, she worked very hard getting it ready.The only trouble was that it was the kind of sermon only a sem...
Keep ReadingApril 7, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Secret ofSuccess" Toward theend of Jesus' life, he had a conversation with his disciples.James and John had seen all of it coming together and figured, "It's now or never."They needed to nail down their cabinet positions.So they said, "Lord, with your kingdom about to come in a few days, you are going to need a vice president and secretary of state, so we have ...
Keep ReadingApril 6, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Calm Before The Storm" James Bonham, a fiery young lawyer from South Carolina, had been in Texas for only three months, but his yearning for freedom left him no choice but to march alongside these Texans in their battle for liberty.He volunteered for service at the Alamo, a small mission near the Guadalupe River.As the Mexican army filled the horizon and the tiny bas...
Keep ReadingFrom the Pastor
"Riding Into Our Lives" This Sunday, April 5, is Palm Sunday and thebeginning of Holy Week.Jerusalem was a holy, sanctified city where the leaders were again preparing for the Passover according to the ancient script handed down by their ancestors.Suddenly, they looked up and here came their worst nightmare, a man who had shown himself capable of almost anything: raisi...
Keep ReadingApril 2, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Endless Hope" As we come into this new month, I am reminded of the phrase,"April showers bring May flowers."The cold winds and grey skies of March are behind us, and we are eager for Spring to begin.Unfortunately, April is going to have its heavy "showers" this year, as the coronavirus continues to wreck havoc over our lives.The statistics...
Keep ReadingApril 1, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Storm Warning" Today is April 1st, which means it is April Fool's Day.Of course, you and I both know that what is going on in our lives and around us is no laughing matter.Today's scripture reading is aparable that Jesus tells fromMatthew 24:24-27."Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the...
Keep ReadingMarch 31, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"The Breath of the Lion" When the month of March comes to an end, we tend to look at the weather and then determine if March is going out like a lamb or a lion.Weather aside, it seems like March is going out like a lion, as the coronavirus roars over our nation and communities, terrifying us, and sending us scampering to the safety of our homes.Indeed, a lion is big, ...
Keep ReadingMarch 30, 2020 - Pastor John Daily Devotional
"...we have the mind of Christ"I Corinthians 2:16 For the second year in a row, I was planning to give up specific things for Lent.Basically, I was going to give up "sweets."Like last year, I was going to refrain from partaking of what I called the "5 C's."That would be candy, cookies, cake, chocolate, and coffee.So, you may be wondering how well I am doing with this?Th...
Keep ReadingFriday, March 27 - Join Pastor John for a daily devotional.
From the Pastor With just about all of sports being cancelled these days, or at least delayed for a little while, the event I am missing the most is the NCAA tournament, also known as "March Madness."And while I never participated in a college basketball tournament, I do have a basketball story to share with you. Several years ago, I was playing basketball at Princet...
Keep ReadingMarch 26 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
Hupomone! Romans 5:3 ". . . we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." Doesn't it seem as if the Apostle Paul went a little crazy with this verse?How can he say,"Suffering produces perseverance?"I think what helps us is to better understand the Greek word for perseverance.It is the word,"hupomone,"which means, "standing in there."It...
Keep ReadingMarch 25 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Remembering the Fundamentals" Scripture Reading:I Corinthians 2:1-5 "When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom.2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.4My speech and my proclamation...
Keep ReadingMarch 24 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
"Make Each Day Count" I received a letter in the mail last week from the United States Census Bureau, giving me instructions about filling out my 2020 Census questionnaire online.It even said that my response is required by law, so I guess I shouldn't mess around with this or ignore it as being somekind of junk mail.And, I suppose it is important information for the gover...
Keep ReadingMarch 23 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional March 23, 2020 "For Such A Time As This" "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isa...
Keep ReadingFrom the Pastor
"The Green-Eyed Monster" This Sunday, I am concluding my sermon series on the Seven Deadly Sins, as I will will be talking to you (digitally) about the sin of envy.Similar to what people have to do at AA, we have to be willing to acknowledge envy in our souls.The strange things about envy is that no one ever wants to acknowledge that they are envious.We will acknowled...
Keep ReadingJoin Pastor John for a daily devotional!
Friends, I hope and pray that God is giving you his strength and grace in these unprecedented times.I am 57 years old, and I can't remember anything like this happening in my lifetime.Some of you may remember Pearl Harbor, and see comparisons there.Others of you may remember the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the weekend the nation stopped and sat glued to its television set ...
Keep ReadingJoin Pastor John for a Daily Devotional
Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional "For Such A Time As This" Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church Members and Friends, Hope this finds you well on this Wednesday,March 18. Things continue to happen in the world, and I am sure things are happening in your household even as you receive this message.The Coronavirus h...
Keep ReadingWorship Service Update for Sunday, March 15, 2020
Members and Friends at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, There is no doubt that Covid-19 is of grave concern and has some serious implications for healthcare, travel, education, work and the economy. It would be foolish to ignore the scope of what is happening, and that is also true of us in the church. And so, we are encouraging you to not lose heart or give in to fear...
Keep ReadingFrom The Pastor
From the Pastor Note:At this time, we are planning to hold all worship services as normally scheduled. Please watch for e-mails, Facebook page or check the church telephone worship schedule for any updates to this information. I remember the old TVcommercial, "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie-Roll center of a Tootsie-Pop?"Thecommercialshows a boy on a qu...
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From the Pastor Pride.Is there any other sin which causes more wars, more estrangement from family and friends, -- and a greater separation from God?Pride is the sin which stands behind Hitler's Holocaust, gang wars in Los Angeles, and violence in the Middle East.Pride causes people to believe that they are inherently superior to other people, -- who happen to ALSO be cre...
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From the Pastor Someone has said that Satan is like a burglar running down the hallway of a hotel, trying all the doors to see which are unlocked.The seven deadly sins are those doors we most often leave unlocked.I sometimes think that we not only leave the door unlocked, but we also put a sign out reading, "Come on in!"Unfortunately, this is our undoing.Jesus put it th...
Keep ReadingFrom The Pastor
Someone has said that half the sins we commit are out of fear of being bored.If you read in between the lines of the story of the prodigal son, you sense what drove him into the far country may have been a terminal case of the blahs.He may have been thinking, "I can't stand getting up early one more morning!""I can't face milking another cow!"I can't plant one more ear of ...
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From the Pastor Having Valentine's Day occur this week, I thought I would share a story that I heard.One day a little boy named Chad told hismother, "Mom, I want to make a valentinefor every member of my class at school."Chad's mom was crestfallen because sheknew that her little boy was quiet and shyand didn't have any friends in his class.Every day she would look out t...
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From the Pastor What would you do for $10,000,000?If you knew that dangling at the end would be 10 million dollars, how far would you go?That very question was the premise for a book that came out a few years ago, "The Day America Told the Truth!"For example, you may be shocked to discover that 25 percent of Americans said they would abandon all their friends for $10,00...
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From the Pastor In C.S. Lewis' novel"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,"the White Witch meets Edmund in the snowy woods and offers to him a warm drink and Turkish Delight, his favorite candy.From the very first bite, he is hooked, as it is sweet and light, and it says,"Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious."As the White Witch pumps Edmund for information ab...
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From the Pastor "With A Little Help from My Friends" In the old TV show,"The Wonder Years,"the theme song begins with Joe Cocker singing,"What would you think if I sang out of tune?Would you stand up and walk out on me?Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,I will try not to sing out of key.Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends. All I need is my buddies ....
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From the Pastor In that wonderful movie,"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,"Jack Nicholson stars as Randall P. McMurphy, the ringleader of a bunch of trouble-makers in an insane asylum.In one scene, he springs them out, and they all go down to the pier and are about to charter a luxury cruiser, when a guard comes charging out of the gate shack and yells, "Who are you?"And w...
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From the Pastor In an old Peanuts cartoons, Lucy observes, "Charlie Brown, life is like a deck chair.""Like a what?""Haven't you ever been on a cruise ship, Charlie Brown?Passengers open up these canvas deck chairs so they can sit in the sun. Some people place their chairs facing the rear of the ship so they can see where they've been.Other people face their chairs forwar...
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From the Pastor As we end 2019, onequestion we find ourselves asking others is, "How was your year?"Now some of us might reply: "It was a tough year.""I lost my dad.""I lost my job.""My health took a turn for theworse""It's been hard living with all of the changes in my life."To be honest, we might be feeling, "It was a really difficult year."And yet, the Bible says that ...
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From the Pastor Today, is Christmas Eve.I sure hope you will join us tonight for one of our three services at 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm or 11:00 pm.The reality is that people are going to come into the buildings tonight to "play with fire."In our hugest numbers of the year, we come together having donned our most festive clothing, with our hearts filled with cheer and joy, surroun...
Keep ReadingUpcoming Events December 24, 2019 through Friday, January 3, 2020
Upcoming Events Friday, December 24 through Friday, January 3, 2020 Sunday, December 29, 2019 - 10:00 A.M. Combined Worship Services/Church Sanctuary There will be no Sunday School Scripture: Psalm 148 and Isaiah 63:7-9 Sermon: "What the Lord Has Done for Us!" Rev. Charlie Gross Tuesday, December 24. 2019 -Christmas Eve Services - Candles and Carols 5:00 P...
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From the Pastor There is a magic of music.Howelsedo you explain the spell that music casts over us?In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul mentions music in the same breath that he talks about wine, "intoxicating" music, - "intoxicating" wine. For example, we can listen to a snippet of a song, and suddenly be transported back 25 years to our high school prom, a backyard summer ba...
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From the Pastor There is a phrase that Jeb Stuart used to sign at the end his letters to General Robert E. Lee.He would finish his letters with the words, "Yours to count on."I believe that Jesus wants us to stand with others in that way.At the Last Supper, Jesus looked around at his disciples and said,"I am calling you 'friends.'"Our friendship with Jesus Christ makes us...
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From the Pastor There are certain mysteries in life that make us stop and wonder, "Why?"Why is it that you can tell someone there are four hundred billion stars in the sky and they will believe you, but if the same person sees a "Wet Paint" sign on a park bench, and they just have to touch it?Why do banks charge you an "Insufficient Funds" fee when they already know you...
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From the Pastor Ever notice the pattern in the way we recite the Apostles' Creed"We start out like a house afire: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord."And we continue: "I believe in the Holy Ghost . . . the forgiveness of sins ...."But by the end, the bottom just falls out and it's like...
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From the Pastor In his book,"What's So Amazing About Grace,"author Philip Yancey tells of a weekend in which he was invited to participate in an encounter group led by the noted author and psychiatrist M. Scott Peck.The group was made up of 10 Jews, 10 Christians, and 10 Muslims.Scott Peck was hoping the weekend might lead to some sort of breakthrough to c...
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From the Pastor "Running with Perseverance" Last Sunday, I was in Huntington, West Virginia visiting with my pastor-friend, John Minihan,to hang out, fellowship, read, study, and preach at his church.But, before worship at 10:30 A.M. that morning, we ran at 7:00 A.M. in a race called the "Marshall University Half Marathon."John and I had been planning to do this, and h...
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From the Pastor One of my favorite praise songs, which our praise team sings so beautifully, is the song,"10,000 Reasons."There is a place in the song that goes,"You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger.Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.For all Your goodness,I will keep on singing.10,000 reasons for my heart to find."We should respond to God's ...
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From the Pastor Margaret Alston was one of the senior members in the church I used to serve in North Carolina.In fact, Margaret was on the search committee that called me to Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. She was living in an assisted living community, when one day, one of the elders and I went to visit with Margaret and to have Communion with her.When we ...
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From the Pastor In a recent poll American churchgoers were asked, "What is your greatest spiritual problem?"The reply came back, as it always does, that there is a sense of the remoteness of God.In other words, there is the feeling that here we are going through all the motions of religion, while God is still out there beyond the reach of our experience.But...
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From the Pastor I remember growing up in the church and singing that old children's song, "Deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide."It got me to thinking this week, doesn't it seem that today our lives are a lot wider than they are deep?In other words, one of the plagues in our lives today is that of "shallowness" superficiality.We go fro...
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From the Pastor "Gridiron Glossary" This past Tuesday (September 23) marked the beginning of Fall or Autumn.Even though the weather has been a bit warm, it also means that Summer is now officially over.It is a very pretty time of the year, especially here in Pennsylvania, as the leaves turn,and we see the brilliance of their colors.There is acrisp feel in...
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"Someone once asked Yogi Berra, "Who was the greatest baseball player who ever lived?"Yogi Berra said, "Well, there was Babe Ruth, then nobody, and then a lot of guys tied for third."A lot of people characterize Jesus that way "the greatest, the best, far and away head and shoulders above all other religious figures.Now the last thing that Israel expected was some messiah...
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"God of Wonders" Did you know that if you hold a dime at arm's length against the night sky, behind that dime are around 15 million stars?And, if you could see out that far, that all those stars are within our Milky Way galaxy?The sun is 93 million miles away.There is a giant star, Antares, so big that if Antares were where our sun is, right now we would b...
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From the Pastor In his book,"The Rest of God:Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath," author and Pastor Mark Buchanan begins with the obvious question:"How does one define Sabbath?"Answers usually gravitate toward our calendar.Is it the first or seventh day of the week?Is it Saturday or Sunday.I know my day of rest is not Sunday.Given the complexities of...
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From the Pastor "The Shepherd's Psalm" Of the 150 psalms in the Bible, 73 of them are attributed to David, and there is probably none more famous than that of Psalm 23.Now for many people Psalm 23 is associated with funerals. The 23rdPsalm is to funerals what I Corinthians 13 is to weddings.When a couple stands at the front of the church, we expect to hea...
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From the Pastor In the book, "Leaping Over a Wall,"by Eugene Peterson, he describes David's early life as his "rising years" and his later life as his "reigning years."His rising years and his reigning years seem to have the same trajectory.Our younger years are like when we're getting our education, jumping through hoops, and wannabes in our professions.W...
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From the Pastor "Be the Presence" The presence of God is often evident by tangible means. God refuses to be reduced to an abstraction or analyzed as a mere thought or idea. To speak of God's presence is to speak of something real, not imagined.In the Old Testament, this presence is primarily associated with the Ark of the Covenant.David instructed the peo...
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From the Pastor I don't think anybody ever needed the doctrine of assurance as much as Larry the Sad Boy, one of the inhabitants of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon:"Larry the Sad boy was saved twelve times in the Lutheran church, an all-time record.Between 1953 and 1961, he threw himself weeping and contrite on God's throne of grace on twelve separate occa...
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From the Pastor "A Space for Grace" As I write this, I am vacationing in North Carolina at Atlantic Beach.It has been a fun week so far connecting with friends, enjoying the sun and sand, eating good seafood, and playing some tennis.The other reward of this vacation has been that of rest.Have you ever wondered exactly how popular Starbucks coffee has gotten to be?Scien...
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From the Pastor When a twenty-year-old Anne Sullivan arrived in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to tutor a blind and deaf seven-year-old Helen Keller, she was signing on for a big challengethat changed her life.At the time, Helen Keller could only make guttural animal sounds and would fall into destructive rages.Anne Sullivan tried and tried to break into the consciousn...
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From the Pastor There was a little girl at a carnival who was carrying a huge swirl of cotton candy.Someone asked her, "Do you really think you can eat all of that?"With little pink smudges on her nose, cheeks and lips, she answered, "Oh yes, I'm much bigger on the inside than I am on the outside."Little David was ready togo toe-to-toe with big Goliath in battle one day...
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From the Pastor David is one of those people in the Bible that as we get to know him, -- we get to know God.And what isrefreshing to read is that God lived in David, even though David was far from perfect.He was a flawed, fallible human being.David was a warrior, king, and poet, along with an adulterer and a murderer.In fact, we probably know more about David and the deta...
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From the Pastor An on-the-street interview with 20 somethings revealed some things recently. The question was posed, "What do you think of Jesus?The answers that came back were, "Wise teacher.""Cool.""Great.""Friend of the poor.""Awesome."The next question was, "What do you think of the church?"The answers that came back were less flattering."Bigoted.""Phony.""Oppressive....
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From the Pastor "The Bible and Baseball" Back in 1986, Bob Brenly was playing third base for the San Francisco Giants.In the 4th inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves, Bob Brenly made an error on a routine ground ball.A few batters later, he kicked away another grounder.And then, scrambling to field the ball, he got up and threw wildly past home plate trying to g...
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"A Time to Dance" Two weekends ago, I was in Charlotte, North Carolina for my son's wedding.Tim is my oldest child and will turn 28 later this month.He is a chiropractor and he met his bride, Amanda, at the Sherman College of Chiropractor in Spartanburg, South Carolina.It was a wonderful weekend of love, laughter, and joy, although the temperatures were in the 90's, which...
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From the Pastor In one of C.S. Lewis' classicNarniaTales, the fate of the kingdom of Narnia rests on the tiny shoulders of an English school girl named Jill.The wicked queen of the underworld has captured Prince Rillian, the rightful heir to the throne, and put him under the spell of her deadly green powder.This wicked queen not only possesses an arsenal of magic spells, ...
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From the Pastor Our Men's Monday morning Bible study is reading a book by Bill Hybels, titled, "Holy Discontent."In it, he talks about finding something that fuels our passion for change.Something that annoys us or angers us to such a degree that we feel called to step forward and do something about it. You may work in a bureaucracy where you are treated like a number,...
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From the Pastor This Sunday, May 19, ChestnutLevel Presbyterian Church is going to put hands and feet to our faith by engaging in what we are calling, "The Church Without Walls."Following our 10:30 am worship service, we are going to follow God's call to go into all the world to serve.The Church Without Walls 2019 is a vivid demonstration of missional theology, -- that Go...
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From the Pastor Remembering is very important to mothers.For the longest time I struggled with how to please my mom.It's not like she ever told me that I wasn't, it's just a feeling that I had.You know, other things seemed more important, and honoring and pleasing your parents,and specifically, a mother, just wasn't on myradar.Years later, it struck me in a blaze of light...
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From the Pastor There was once a strong young man who took a job as a woodcutter.He took on that job for all he was worth.The first week he turned 18 trees into firewood.The second week, he worked just as hard, but was surprised he chopped only 11 trees.The third week, he worked just as hard again, and despite working nonstop from dawn until dark, his number was 6.In desp...
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From the Pastor John Ortberg tells of a woman who looked out her window and saw her German shepherd shaking the life out of a neighbor's rabbit.Her family did not get along well with these neighbors, so she knew this was going to be a disaster.She grabbed a broom and pummeled the dog until it dropped the dead rabbit from its mouth.Seeing the dead rabbit, she panicked.She ...
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From the Pastor When I was a child, Easter meant something other than"new life." Easter meant"new clothes."For whatever reason, the week or days before Easter was a time for my parents to take us shopping for clothes,"church clothes" to be precise.The shopping nightmare for school clothes came at the end of summer.Easter was the season for worship-wear,uncomfortable uncoo...
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From the Pastor This Sunday is Palm Sunday.It is the day that Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, and we will wave our palm branches and sing our hosannas.Ever wonder, what happened?Our Lord Jesus went from hero to zero in five days.On Palm Sunday, we see Jesus at the pinnacle of his popularity.Sadly, it's all downhill from there.Why?What went wrong? Jesus would do...
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From the Pastor The Christian author and pastor, Tony Campolo, tells about the time when he was seven years old, and he had just watched a cowboy western movie.He told his father he wanted to be a cowboy, just like Hopalong Cassidy.And so, he asked his father to help him become one.But, Campolo's just said, "Let's wait and see." Years later, when it was time to...
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From the Pastor Back in 2014, a nine year old little boy from Atlanta named Willie Myrick got kidnapped right from in front of his home.Can you imagine the terror in a nine year old boy in being abducted and taken away from his family?Willie Myrick is part of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, and he learned a worship song there called,"Every Praise is ...
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From the Pastor An essential piece of my pastoral repertoire are Kleenex tissues.When I took a pastoral care and counseling class in seminary, I was told that I would need a Bible, a robe, and a pulpit, but behind closed doors people would need tissues to wipe away the tears.Sometimes folks will feel the need to apologize and say something like, "Oh, I didn't realize I ...
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Pastor Matt Chandler tells how when he was in a college freshman class, he wound up sitting next to a 26 year old single mom.Now he and his Bible study group of guys befriended her, and prayed for her, showing her Christlike love, and hoping she would come to faith.They wanted her to come to know Jesus Christ.These freshman guys would even go over and play with her kids an...
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Lenten Sacrifice On a flight from Dallas to Phoenix with open seating, a man arrived at the gate early enough to get an early boarding number.He overheard the boarding agent say that the plane was not sold out, but there would be a few unused seats on the plane. Then he says, "I felt lucky and relieved when I got on board to find a window seat open with a vacant seat be...
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From the Pastor How do you sort through all the envelopes that you get in the mail?There are plenty that come to me at the church with the faces of starving children and needy people?So, what is our obligation to people who are in need?To look at itanother way, as we try to navigate with limited resources in a world of boundless misery, what guidance does the Bible have...
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From The Pastor In 1910 British journalist and Christian author G. K. Chesterton published a collection of essays under the title,"What's Wrong with the World?"The title came from a local newspaper that had invited various authors to write on that specific topic.It came out that G. K. Chesterton, this accomplished writer, had submitted the shortest entry to the newspape...
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From the Pastor Our Monday morning Men's study is reading a book by the Christian writer, Leonard Sweet, which is titled,"The Gospel According to Starbucks."In it, Leonard Sweet draws parallels between the coffee "experience" that Starbucks provides, and the kind of experience of Jesus Christ that the church should be providing. He writes, "Christians have much to le...
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From the Pastor A man was driving cautiously down the highway when suddenly a state trooper pulled him over.As the officer approached the car, he was all smiles. "You did nothing wrong, sir.In fact, we are doing a special campaign in which we are giving 'excellent driving' citations to drivers who show caution and good judgment behind the wheel of their car.Along with y...
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From the Pastor Years ago during Billy Graham's heyday, the number one flamboyant crime figure in America was a man by the name of Mickey Cohen. There was a rumor going around in Christian circles that Mickey Cohen, this mob kingpin, was considering becoming a Christian. There was a lot of excitement with folks thinking, "Wow! What a testimony it would be if Mickey Cohe...
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From The Pastor: The Christian writer, Donald Miller tells the story of a friend who volunteered at a church only a mile from his house.It was a large mega-church, with a very successful television ministry.The friend said his job was to usher people to their seats, which he enjoyed doing, until he was given a new and uncomfortable task.After he had been on the job for ...
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From The Pastor: Thirty years ago, we said that if only we could have more information, more facts, and more choices, then our lives would be so much better. Today, we are drowning in a barrage of information with multiple digital options and the right to choose anything we want, -- and yet, we still don't know what to do. What we are discovering more than ever is, it's...
Keep ReadingJob Posting: Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church is actively seeking candidates interested in the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries position. For details on this position, please download the job description located here. For any additional question, please contact the church office....
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From the Pastor As we begin the new year together, we begin with the book of James. I'm starting a sermon series on the book of James beginning this Sunday. James is a serious book. If you think about it, January is a serious month. The holidays are now behind us. The party is over, and now it's time to get back to work. Time to get back to the business of living for Go...
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"Take the Next Step" Last year, there was a commercial that ran from "Skechers," the shoe company who has come out with a new line of shoe called the "GOWalk4."It says that it has an all new light weight cushioning system for total comfort, so that you can maximize each step with their new technology.And the phrase for their new footwear was, "Take the next step."If you t...
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From the Pastor "The Song of Christmas" Last Sunday, we had around 50 carolers hop the bus here at Chestnut Level, in order to travel and raise our voices in joy as we visited some of our senior adult and homebound church members.We sang Christmas songs of both the silly and the sacred and we had a wonderful time together, and each one that we visited truly appreciated o...
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"Seeing God Clearly" Several years ago, I mistook a new member's sister, a beautiful young woman in her late thirties, for the woman's mother.And I later discovered that the man standing next to her was not her father,but her brother.I spoke to these two people at length, saying things like, "You must be so proud." I also said something like, "It is so good to have them...
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"The God Who Comes Close" I remember hearing the story told of a woman telling aboutbeing on an airplane flying from Tucson to Phoenix.Also on that plane was a young mom and her baby daughter.And the little baby was saying, "Dada, Dada."She had a little pink bow in her hair, and anytime someone walked by she would say, "Dada, Dada."It turns out Dada was going to be ther...
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From The Pastor "The Gourmet God" Is there any more delightful moment than when two people enjoying a lovely candlelit dinner lift their glasses and bring them together in a "clink?"Believe it or not, there are some Bible verses that sound as if we are toasting God.In Revelation 1:5, John writes, "To Him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood."You might w...
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From the Pastor Thanksgiving has a long history of celebration in the United States.Starting with the Pilgrims in Plymouth,Massachusettsin 1622, to George Washington declaring a day of Thanksgiving to God for the blessings of becoming a new nation, and finally, having Abraham Lincoln pronounce it as an official national holiday in 1863.I have always treasured this time of...
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From The Pastor John Ortberg has a sermon entitled "It All Goes Back in the Box."He talks about playing his grandmother in Monopoly as a boy.Grandma was ruthless.They used to play marathon games that went on for hours.Each was determined to win the battle of wits between two cutthroat Monopoly moguls.As property changed hands, the one with the upper hand would gloat.O...
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From the Pastor Not too long ago, I watched the 1993 movie,"Cool Runnings"withsome of the young adults from our church.The movie isabout the first Jamaican bobsled team to go to the Olympics held in Calgary back in 1988.The late John Candy plays Irving Blitzer, a former American gold medalist in the bobsled who agrees to coach the team, and the Jamaicans on the team come...
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From The Pastor Last week, when I was in California with my Princeton Seminary Covenant Group, I got to experience how bad the traffic is around Los Angeles.The GPS time for our destination kept going up and up as we weredriving onthe highway, and I was starting to get a bit nervous about making it back to the airport on time to fly home.Thankfully, we found a way around ...
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From the Pastor The California pastor, Pastor Erwin McManus, in a sermon titled,Seizing Your Divine Moment, shares the following story about his son Aaron.One summer Aaron went to a youth camp.He was just a little guy and I was kind of glad because it was a church camp.I figured he wasn't going to hear all those ghost stories, because ghost stories can really cause a kid ...
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From the Pastor I love the story of a minister and a music director who weren't getting along.It seems that the music director had this annoying habit of intentionally choosing songs that seemed to contradict everything the pastor was saying.For example, one Sunday the pastor preached on the importance of Christians getting out to share the gospel with others.Immediately ...
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From the Pastor After watching sales decline for three straight months at Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Sanders called up the Pope to ask him for a favor."What can I do for you?" the Pope asked.Colonel Sanders replied,"I need you to change the way everybody prays from 'Give us this day our daily bread'to 'Give us this day our daily chicken.'If you do, I'll donate 10 mil...
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From the Pastor I enjoyed my time at the Solanco Fair last week.It was my second fair with you, as I had just arrived here in September of last year, and everything still seemed so new and unfamiliar.This year, I soaked it all in, the parade, the food, the people, all of it.It was also great to have our own Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church booth.It was wonderfully done...
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From the Pastor "Sweet Surrender" There's a great scene in the movie, "The Apostle," starring Robert Duvall.Duvall plays a Pentecostal preacher who's gone astray and one night he's praying so loud his neighbors can't sleep.One calls to complain and the preacher's momma says, "Ever since Sonny's been an itty bitty boy my son's been talkin' to the Lord.Sometimes he talks t...
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From the Pastor The Christian writer, Anne Lamott, writes about taking her son to the beach at the Pacific Ocean in California.They spread out their towels on the sand and settled in to enjoy the day under the sun.About that same time another group of people spread out their towels right next to them.They were a noisy bunch with a bad habit of using Jesus' name in all sor...
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From the Pastor Back when I was in my church's high school youth group, one of the things we guys learned is that one way to score big points with the girls was to be very eloquent in conversational prayer.I remember sitting one time in a circle as we were getting ready to pray as a youth group.And I strategically placed myself near ayoung lady, -- who was the hot ticket ...
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From the Pastor What is the worst job you have ever had?In other words, what is the lowest you have ever stooped to earn a buck?For me, it has to be the summer after high school graduation that I spent cleaning the bathrooms at a camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.It was humbling.It was eye opening.It was jaw dropping.It was disgusting!By the end of the summer, ...
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Someone has said, "Freedom comes from self-control."In other words, we learn to say "no" to some things so we can say "yes" to others.If you think about it,that's what self control is really all about.It's being able to say "no" to some things, so that we might say "yes" to those things that are better, and that means better for us, and the people with whom we share our li...
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From the Pastor "The Goodness of Good" Ever notice that the word "good" can feel negative to us?I can preach a sermon on a Sunday, and afterwards, someone will say "That was good," but the comment willleave me deflated and disappointed.How is it that you can cook dinner and then ask your spouse, "How was your meal?" and the answer comes back,"It was good."It sounds like ...
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From the Pastor I recently took the plunge, and purchased satellite radio for my car.I wanted to hear certain stations that I could listen to regularly without static and interference.It is also something that I can use on long trips, because now I will get reception for a desired channel from the beginning of a trip to the very end.I have already pre-programmed my device...
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From the Pastor Mark Edmonson, a professor of English at the University of Virginia, writes, "My students are possibility junkies... they always strive to keep their options open, never to shut any possibilities down, which means they cannot commit to one thing.... Ask any American college student what he's doing on Friday night.Ask him at 5:30 Friday afternoon.'I don't k...
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From the Pastor The Harvard Grant Study was done with the Harvard classes of 1938-40. The study followed 268 male Harvard undergraduates, those still living well into their 90's, and collecting data on various aspects of their lives at regular intervals, all to determine what makes for a happy and meaningful life.Boiling it all down, the message would be, "Love is all t...
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From the Pastor Dr. William Dementis an American sleepresearcher and founder of the Sleep Research Centerat Stanford University.He is a leading authority on sleep, sleepdeprivation, and the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorderssuch as sleep apneaand narcolepsy.For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field in the United States, he is sometimes referred to a...
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From the Pastor "The Joy of Honesty" The pastor-author, Gordon MacDonald, likens preaching on Sunday mornings to walking down a long hotel corridor. He compares what we see of each other on Sundays to those doors down that long corridor. Behind the doors you pass, private real life things are happening that you can't see. Sometimes walking down the carpet you hear sounds...
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"Freedom in Christ" The Fourth of July is all about freedom: fireworks, flags, parades, food, and John Philip Sousa songs. It's a wonderful blend of history and liberty, patriotism and pride. We remember and celebrate the birth of our democracy 242 years ago. The dream of what we could be as a country of free people became our new identity in this land of opportunity. Je...
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From the Pastor "The Stories and Songs of Vacation Bible School" Beginning Sunday, and throughout next week, I get the feeling that Chestnut Level is going to be a surging river of children.The current will be moving constantly, guided by vigilant adult leaders determined that not one of their flock will be lost.And we will take very seriously Jesus's words that when one...
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"Time With Dad" A few weeks ago after church on Sunday, I traveled over to New Jersey to spend the weekend with my father.During my time there, Dadand I went out to lunch at a popularhot-dogjoint called"TheGoffle Grill" in Hawthorne.You may not find that remarkable or even very interesting.After all, I've had plenty of lunches with my father, meals at the house, at otherr...
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From the Pastor Last Saturday I was in Greensboro, North Carolina to preach the message at the funeral of my pastor-friend, Richard Cram.It was a wonderful service of music and memories, as we thanked God for Richard's life, and his life of faith in Jesus Christ. Here are excerpts of some of my remarks. Richard came to work for me at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Gr...
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From the Pastor Once upon a time there was a devout Christian who had a cat.Every morning he would get up and spend time in devotion.He read the Bible, meditated, and then prayed.This daily ritual meant a lot to him, and as time went by, his prayer sessions grew longer and more intense.The man's cat also enjoyed these prayer times.Purring as loudly as a tractor up at Buck...
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From the Pastor It is always interesting to hear some of the final words of people down through history.In May 1864 in the heat of the Civil War, Union General John Sedgwick unknowingly uttered his last words, "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist"He never got out the last syllable.He fell over, killed instantly by the bullet of a Confederate sharpshooter.Promoter P...
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From the Pastor Several years ago, the church I was serving in North Carolina was going through a major building renovation and expansion.During one of our Sunday services, the fire alarm went off.As you know, a fire alarm, by design, is painfully loud, and you really can't help but hear it clearly. What's funny is that instead of everyone heading for the exits a...
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From the Pastor In his book,"Legacy of Sovereign Joy," John Piper writes that in 371 AD, at the age of 16, Augustine sneaked away from his mother in Carthage.During the night he sailed away to Rome, leaving her alone to her tears and her prayers. How were Monica's [Augustine's mother] prayers answered?They were not answered in what she hoped for at the time, that God wo...
Keep ReadingFrom The Pastor Last month, Chestnut Level hosted the monthly Solanco Pastor's Fellowship luncheon in our Family Life Center.It has been a joy to meet, pray, eat, and share with other brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving the Lord in their respective churches and ministries.They have been very kind and welcoming of me, and I was glad to be able to host the group ...
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"Church Without Walls" In our self-serving culture with its mefirst mentality, being a servant is not a popular notion. Jesus measured greatness in terms of service, and not status. God determines our greatness by the people we serve, not by the people who serve us. And yet, it is possible to serve in a church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. The reason I say ...
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From the Pastor "Brokenness precedes busyness" Have you ever heard the expression, "Brokenness precedes busyness?" I believe that those who are broken before God can be used by God to change the world. We all see plenty in the world to weep over, but quite often, our tears are slow to come.And so we think, "Prayer is the answer!"I don't know about you, but I wish I were ...
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From the Pastor I saw a post on the internet this week.It said,"An accountant is someone who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing."That is probably unfair, because with April 15 coming this Sunday, accountants are very valuable.My sister,Karen, is an accountant.I know how hard she works and how valuable she is to her clients.As painful as taxes are, belie...
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From the Pastor Frederick Buechner compels us to stand up and pay attention with these words: "It is absolutely crucial, therefore, to keep in constant touch with what is going on in your life's story and to pay close attention to what is going on in the stories of others' lives. IF God is present anywhere, it is in those stories that God is present. If God is NOT present...
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"Stay Until the End" With the Miami Heattrailing 94-89 in a potentially decisive Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, many Heat fans at American Airlines Arena decided they'd head out early. You know, beat the traffic, -- no need to stick around to watch the last 30 seconds of a tough loss for their hometown team.Guess what happened?A couple of missed free throws by the San Ant...
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"Faith In Between" Holy Week is bracketed by shouting crowds. On the front end of Holy Week is Palm Sunday when we remember the day Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem.Luke tells us that the crowd that welcomed him that day "praised God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen" (19:37).Their shouts were grounded in past events that had shaped their expectations o...
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From The Pastor There is a man who paints portraits on Plexiglas mirrors.He uses mirrors so that when people look at the painted image they will see that their own reflection has become part of the portrait. As we continue in this season of Lent, we remember some of Jesus' last words from the cross,"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."(Luke 23...
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From the Pastor As I write this, the snow is falling (and accumulating) outside.Can I just tell you that it is NOT snowing in North Carolina!Weather reports vary, saying we should expect 5-9 inches of snow.The children are out of school and church activities have been cancelled for today.As the calendar now says March, it seems it has come in like a roaring Lion.Does this...
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I'm sending this from Houston, Texas as our church and First Presbyterian Church, Strasburg are working together on Hurricane Harvey relief and restoration for some of the people here. It has been a wonderful week of service, fellowship, mission and outreach. You should be very proud of our church. Tom Henry, Brian Musser, and Todd Smith have all been excellent servants of...
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Thursday, Day 5 Another great day. We were very productive at the house - finishing up much of the drywall. Clear Lake Presbyterian Church treated us to an awesome meatloaf meal and Pastor Josh Young gave an awesome devotion on Matthew 20. Delete Houston Day 5 Pictures We finished up the day by crashing the Clear Lake Praise and Worship practice in CLPC's beautif...
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With the news of Billy Graham's death this week at the age of 99, much of the focus has been on his long life as an evangelist. The impact he has had on millions of people across the globe as a messenger of the good news of Jesus Christ is something that we may never see again. It is estimated that he preached in person to more than 215 million people. He wrote books, devo...
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From The Pastor Sometimes we are confused by the season of Lent. And we will say things like, "That's a Catholic thing isn't it?" The answer is, Lent is not a Catholic thing. It's a Christian thing, even though not all Christians make an annual practice of observing Lent in the church year. In case you are wondering, you will not find the word 'Lent' in the Bible, but the...
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From the Pastor A trapeze artist was being interviewed when the reporter asked about the importance of the net underneath him. The trapeze artist said, "Obviously, it keeps me safe, but let me tell you what it really does for me. It makes me a better performer." The reporter asked, "What do you mean?" The trapeze artist said, "It's very simple, because the net is there...
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From the Pastor My guess is that the players on the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl understand all too well what it's like to endure suffering and hardship in pursuit of a great dream.The NFL season is a grind, a battle of attrition, and each team has had to battle and overcome adversity to make it this far and to the big ga...
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When Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback, Jameis Winston first came into the league, he met with Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League. Winston had already had a great collegiate career, but with some notable troubles of his own making off the field. When Winston walked into Goodell's office his eye caught a Super Bowl trophy. He walked right over to ...
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From the Pastor In the mid 1800's, Charles Blondin, a famous tightrope artist, safely made it across Niagara Falls on a cable wire that stretched from Canada to the United States, before a crowd of several hundred thousand admirers. He did this several times. One time he placed his trusty sidekick Joe in a specially designed wheelbarrow, and then pushed him safely over th...
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