The OOC

Sunday Sermon (Matthew 5:33-37)

We live in a society that counts on the power of the oath to hold us to our word. Who hasn’t made a promise, “cross my heart and hope to die?” In the sermon series on the Gospel According to Matthew, Ron Lutjens explores Jesus’ injunction against taking up meaningless oaths. He shows us that instead of needing to be held to what we say we are going to do by the formality of an oath, kingdom Christians should be of the character to keep their word, for God’s sake.

Ron Lutjens gets up close and personal with the youth of Old Orchard as he presents his annual “back to school” sermon. This year, he challenges the students to consider what their teachers really want to accomplish, what value there is in learning, and whether they are there simply to take notes or to evaluate and internalize what is being taught.

The WSJ has an interesting, if disturbing, article on the publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church — USA:

Now, however–five years after 9/11–the publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church has decided to heat up the brimstone a notch, releasing its very own 9/11 conspiracy theory: “Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action.” Written by David Griffin and put out by Westminster John Knox Press, a division of the Presbyterian Publishing Corp., the book argues that 9/11 was a highly orchestrated Bush administration sham. The collapse of the World Trade Center–which, the book says, was brought on by controlled demolitions, not Islamic hijackers–was merely a “false flag” operation, designed to spur wars in the Middle East. The goal: an all-powerful American global empire.

Like I said, disturbing. Not surprising, given what the PCUSA has been up to recently, but disturbing all the same. The article begins, however, with this quote:

Presbyterians in America aren’t known for preaching fire and brimstone…

Who says we aren’t — didn’t they hear Pastor Mark’s sermon a couple of Sundays ago!? Just kidding, of course. But the point I wish to make is that the term “Presbyterians in America,” while used in a general, non-specific way here, can also of course refer to the proper title of our denomination, which is relevant in this article, insofar as the content of the article concerns a particular denomination. In the hopes of clarifying the issue, I posted a reply — we’ll see if they publish it.

Sunday Sermon (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:1-12)

Ron Lutjens continues his look at Jesus teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage from the Sermon on the Mount.

Sunday Sermon (Matthew 5:27-30)

If it is true that Christians are those who desire Jesus, then any time we desire anything over him, we are sinning. Mark Tucker expounds Jesus’ teaching against adultery in the continuing series on the Sermon on the Mount.

Moment for Missions–Sunday August 20, 2006

Hurvey Woodson reports on his recent trip to Brazil to visit Luciano and Luciene Pieres.

Sunday Sermon (Matthew 5:31-2; 19:1-12)

Pastor Ron Lutjens, Senior Pastor, Old Orchard Church

What are kingdom Christians to make of Jesus hard teaching on divorce, especially given the ease with which marriages are tossed aside in our culture? Pastor Ron encourages viewing marriage from the perspective of eternity and the perfection that awaits us. This perspective helps us to endure the inevitable pain that comes in devoting oneself to another in the here and now.

ByFaithOnline had a mention today of the joining service:

A Joining and Receiving in St. Louis
On Sunday, July 30, Olive Branch Presbyterian Church in urban St. Louis, Mo., joined and was received by South City Church (Mission) in a nearby area. South City was a daughter church of the Old Orchard Church. The Olive Branch church has been serving the city of St. Louis for 125 years and so brings its history and heritage to the new church plant as they both continue together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the city.

It was good to be there for the worship service and witness God’s work in the midst of both the church plant and the former Olive Branch fellowship. Keep praying for the gospel work there in south city.

Sunday sermon (Matthew 5:10)

Pastor Ron Lutjens, Senior Pastor, Old Orchard Church

What does it mean to be “persecuted for His name’s sake”? If we’re not being persecuted, should we worry? If we are being persecuted, is it for the right reasons?

Moment for Missions on Sunday, June 11. Ben and Dawn Robertson are leaving for Williamsburg, VA to serve the PCA at the College of William and Mary. Ben will lead the Reformed University Fellowship organization on campus.