(compiled by Mark Scott; revised Nov. 2012) I. History of Christmas 1) Sumerian Civilization about 4000 years ago, Marduk, chief God of Sumer engaged in… Read More »A Short History of Christmas and the Christmas Carol
Dear St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Congregation, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! Last September I began working at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta as… Read More »J.C. Kang’s (Seminary Candidate) Fall Letter 2012
(November 1, 2011 – November 1, 2012) “Blessed are the dead. . .they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” Aurin, Gene… Read More »Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
In the Western Christian Church, the Feast of All Saints’ is observed on November 1st. Protestant churches often mark the occasion on the first Sunday in November. St. Stephen will observe All Saints’ on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at both morning worship services.Read More »All Saints’ Celebration: A Historic and Protestant Explanation
The last Sunday in October is the day on which denominations whose roots are grounded in the 16th century Protestant Reformation celebrate as “Reformation Sunday.”Read More »Reformation Sunday (October 28, 2012)
What is family? Between 1945 and 1970 an American might well answer, “mom, dad, 2.4 children, related by blood and living under the same roof. … Read More »Family: An Ever-Evolving Understanding
December 5, 2012 is the rescheduled date for the 4th Annual Christmas Pot-Luck Supper and Carol Singing Program. It has been rescheduled due to a… Read More »4th Annual Christmas Carol Sing (Note Rescheduled Date)
. . .by Mark Scott, September 2012
E Pluribus Unum. . .Out of Many, One. . .the phrase printed on the Great Seal of the United States of America describes a vision where a great diversity of people and cultures comprise the “Oneness,” the overriding reality shared by ALL citizens of the United States. Regardless of any label, this is our common link on a vast pallette of individuality.Read More »Stop this Madness!
Throughout the history of humankind symbols have been employed to lend clarity to abstract concepts. A symbol reaches beyond language and is aRead More »Paraments for the Portable Pulpit-Christian Symbolism
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the
depth and breadth and height my soul can reach
It does not seem too great a stretch to appropriate Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s immortal lines when writing about the Scottish Hebridean Island of Iona. Her expression of love for another person reaches multi-layered dimensions existing beyond description. Some would call this a spiritual state encompassing certain places set apart as well as people set apart. Iona is such a place.Read More »Embracing the Tempest
