Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-Super

Over the last week I have had a handful of opportunities to talk about our church.

Okay, okay, I’ll be honest:  over the last week I have had a handful of opportunities to brag about our church.

Now, I’m not one to boast for the sake of boasting…except for when it comes to Tom Brady and his 1 2 3 4 Super Bowl rings!

Anyway, I digress.

Talking about our life together is an easy thing to do. Why? In this church, where the faithful have been gathering for over 150 years, there is a noticeable feeling of love. That is what I have been sharing with people lately:  how our church believes in the power of love.

So, without further ado, here is a late “Tuesday Ten:  10 Ways We Show Love”:

1.    Sunday’s baptism! What a beautiful moment in the life of our church to have baptized Lam as he heads back home. What makes Sunday more special is Lam’s request and desire to be baptized in our church because he came to know us as his family of faith.

2.    Food For Thought! I’m grateful to be a part of a church that recognizes the importance of healthy meals and education. Thank you for continuing to serve the community through this ministry!

3.    Fresh Veggies! Y’all aren’t afraid to get your knees and hands dirty. The result from your willingness to get in the mud? Fresh veggies we share with the food bank!

4.    The Food Bank!  We are one of the only, if not the only church, that provides toiletries and other personal items to the Food Bank. Speaking of which, DON’T FORGET TO BRING IN THIS MONTHS ITEM!!!!!

5.    Tough Talks! Not too many churches are willing of have discussions around difficult topics. This past Sunday we were able to think about and prayerfully consider the gift of sexuality! And we did so using the Bible of all books! Thanks be to God that God gifted us with our bodies and has encouraged us to embrace them to better experience God’s very good gift of life.

6.    Music! We know how to sing…and play music…and write music…and well, we do music well here. Our love for God comes through in our joyful singing. How grateful I am to be a pastor of a church that loves and values music as a prayerful and worshipful response to God’s love and grace! (Also—our musicians are incredible as well! So thank you to all of those who have played and will continue to play. Especially Debbie, Roger, and Julie!)

7.    Our Kids! We have a great group of kids that remind us of what love looks like in their willingness to serve, their involvement with their schools, and their desire to grow in their faith. We love our children here at 1PC and are so glad that they and their families call us ‘home!’

8.    YOU! If you are reading this, what is great about our church is YOU! Your presence and your story make the life of this church and the story of this church, better! We love you!

9.    Parties! I love this church because we know how to celebrate…and often with cake! For all of you who have made a cake, baked a pie, stirred some soup or served a meal, THANK YOU! Your kindness is a tangible display of the love of God in the world.

10.                  The Legacy of this Church! That is right. I love this place because of its rich history and the ministry is has been involved with here in Lincoln. We have had some remarkable people serve this church throughout the years in many capacities. I enjoy hearing stories about Mildred Holland and Kate Abbott, Bruce Allison and John Burns, and the history we share with Lincoln College and our minister who was into making counterfeit coins!

There is one more way we have showed love:  Rev. Col. Paul Salansky.

Rev. Col. Paul Lloyd Salansky, 90, of Batavia IL passed away Sunday, August 30^th, 2015 at his home to be with his Lord following a short battle with lymphoma.

        

The Rev. Col. Paul Salansky was born October
23, 1924 and completed his baptism August
30, 2015. Rev. Salanksy was the pastor here
at First Presbyterian Church from 1965-1975.

Rev. Salanksy’s family had this to say about him, “. His lifetime of pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) began at two small churches in Wales & Red Oak IA. He then served a church in Reinbeck IA before moving on to IL, where he served churches in South Shore, Lincoln, and Downers Grove. He received a Doctorate of Divinity from Lincoln College, as well as earning a Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. Throughout his ministry, Paul faithfully served his country in the Army Reserves for 33 years and obtained the rank of Colonel. After retirement, he served many other churches and ministries as interim and pulpit supply pastor, guest speaker, and bible study leader. All who met Paul were left with God’s love impressed on them.”

Indeed, we have come to know the love of God and what it means to share that love because of people like Paul Salansky. Thanks be to God for him and all those who are now apart of the communion of saints, on whose shoulders we now stand.

Have a great weekend, church!