First Presbyterian Church, Sterling IL

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling IL Christina Berry As with all major events, there are variances in the accounts. But one of the commonalities, in all the gospel accounts of that first Easter morning, is that it was the women who came to the tomb. They came because they were the ones who had stayed at the cross. They came because for three years they had followed, listened to, obeyed, supported, and loved this man. Probably it was they who had baked the bread, procured the wine, prepared the Passover meal. They came because it was their job to anoint the body with spices and oils. They came to the tomb, expecting to find a dead body. You have seen a dramatic depiction of that morning, based on the gospel of John. Now listen for the good news to you in this account from the gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 1 through 12. Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices tha...

  When Worlds Collide Luke 19: 28-40 Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling IL Christina Berry Luke 19: 28-40 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, "The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, ...

Real Rapture Revelation 19-22 March 17, 2013 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling, IL Christina Berry Revelation 21: 1-7 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and...