Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” Hebrews 1:1-2 I believe that we human beings long to hear the voice of God. We hear the voices of the world around us, but we long for something more. Deep in our souls, we ache for assurance that God is real, and we want to hear from Him. But it c...

During the past several weeks, our worship and study of Scripture have focused on God's call for us to live in harmony with one another. As we have seen, God has a lot to say about this in His Word. His desire is that we will live more and more as a people who are united in Christ, who love one another, and who forgive each other. Yet, in order to do this, we first need to be brought into uni...

“When he came to his senses, he said…“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” So he got up and went to his father.”  Matthew 15:17-20 Have you ever had one of those moments where you jumped to a faulty conclusion and yelled at your spouse or children for something they didn’t do? Hopefully, you also realize that you need t...

This episode will explore question 13 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Steve Meulink, and Kathy Davis The thirteenth question in the New City Catechism is: Can Anyone Keep The Law Of God perfectly? The answer is: Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep The Law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed. The Bible passage this question and answer is...

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?’” Matthew 18:21 The story in this parable seems almost impossible to imagine. Why would anyone who has just been forgiven a million-dollar debt refuse to forgive a debt of a few dollars? It doesn’t make sense. Consider, though, how hard it can be to forgive others. How long have we...

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me, and I will give you rest.”  -Matthew 11:28 Because of the size of our family, flying to destinations and renting a car isn’t always an option for us. Our default is usually to hop in the car and make a road trip out of it. Sometimes we’ll drive straight through the night. Other times we’ll get a hotel. And, occasionally, we’ll pull in...

“You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.”  -Isaiah 62:2 Marriage is a metaphor often used in the Bible to describe God’s love for his people. In Isaiah, we see it as a word picture depicting the Lord as a bridegroom and rejoicing over his people as his bride. It is a deeply personal metaphor that is used in such a way as to express the infinite value of salvat...

What do you do when your friend hasn’t been much of a friend? How do you respond when your coworker brags about being dishonest? How do you respond to a fellow church member who disagrees with you about some subject? In a world of such dissonance, how can we model what it means to be a people of harmony? As we embark together on a new sermon series this week, we’ll be unpacking how we can navigate...

A Peaceful New Year to You in Christ’s Name! The post-holiday blues often spoil the joy which we greeted advent with. Before long, our roasts will have been eaten, the presents torn open, the carols sung, and our beautiful trees will be toppled. How can we carry our great Christmas hope into the new year? As we peek into 2023 through rain-soaked windows, let’s recall that each of us still holds a...

Christmas Eve 2022!

Do you ever feel like you are so busy getting ready for Christmas that Christmas itself becomes an afterthought? As much as I enjoy so many of the trappings of the Christmas season--the music, decorations, delicious food, parties, family gatherings, advent calendars, shopping for gifts, and extra church services--this time of the year can be exhausting. For many of us, this season, when we are reg...

People say that joy is “The response we have to being united with what we love.” That means that it can be one of the highest experiences of human life. The journey to a desired destination brings joy. The arrival of a child at the end of a pregnancy brings joy. To experience freedom after a time in confinement brings joy. Music is also one of those endeavors that leads to joy and rejoicing becaus...

This episode will explore question 11 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Sunday School Teacher Angie Leopold, and Children's Director Angela Ayers The twelfth question in the New City Catechism is: What Does God Require in the Ninth and Tenth Commandments? The answer is: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or rese...

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”   -John 1:14 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” is one of the more well-known songs of Christmas. Most of the time, we are familiar with the first three verses that tell the story of Christ’s birth with triumphant joy. Yet it’s the fourth...

This episode will explore question 11 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Elder John Leopold, Deacon Sam Richter, and Communication Director Maegan McFarland The eleventh question in the New City Catechism is: What Does God Require in the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Commandments? The answer is: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pu...

Dear Presby Family, The season of Advent is here, and with it come many familiar rhythms, routines, and rituals that remind us of our Savior's birth. In the weeks ahead, we will light Advent candles, recount familiar truths, and sing hymns and carols that proclaim the excellencies of Jesus Christ, our Immanuel. Each Sunday, we will pay particular attention to a different Christmas hymn, consi...

This episode will explore question 10 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Presby Preschool Director Jeff Peck, and Senior Pastor Aaron Klein The tenth question in the New City Catechism is: What Does God Require in the Fourth and Fifth Commandments? The answer is: Fourth, that on the Sabbath Day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord...

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 How many of you have ever experienced something like this? “Try it; you’ll like it.” Then, even if you respond that you’d rather not try it because you don’t really like it, the person comes back with, “Well, you’ve never had mine.” “Tasting and seeing that the Lord is good” is something we often hear dur...

The Secret to Joy “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” - Philippians 4:11 What does it mean for us to be content? Can we ever truly be content? When we look around, it can be hard to imagine having total contentment. Sometimes it feels like the human heart is always looking for something more - more of this or that, the latest upgrade, or something that needs improvement. And...

“Can I just have a little peace?!” How many of us have ever uttered words along those lines? It could be the plea of a family member trying to escape the chaos of home life, a teacher bombarded with active children all day, or a medical patient caught in a whirlwind of tests, scans, appointments, insurance questions, and uncertain results. Stress takes its toll and steals our joy. When the Bible s...

This episode will explore question 9 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Jeff Peck, John Leopold, and Nicole Klein The eighth question in the New City Catechism is: What Does God Require in the First, Second, and Third Commandments? The answer is: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, th...

The Joy of Citizenship What is the place you call home? I find that, even when we are away on a wonderful vacation, it’s always good to get back home again. You are able to unwind and settle back into everyday routines with the things that are familiar: sights, sounds, and smells; neighbors, family, community; work, shopping, banking…Even bills and laundry. C.S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity...

This episode will explore question 8 of the New City Catechism with our panel: Jim Raisler and Steve Meulink The eighth question in the New City Catechism is: What is The Law of God Stated in The Ten Commandments? The answer is: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you...

This Sunday, we will continue our sermon series on Joy by turning our attention to Philippians 3, which I consider one of the most emotional and intense sections of Paul's writings. Here Paul uses uncharacteristically fiery (and even vulgar!) language to warn Christians against the dangerous spiritual forces which threaten to steal their joy in the Lord. Here Paul also gives us an intimate glimpse...

How much joy would you have if you won the lottery? Can you imagine the change in your life if your bank account suddenly grew by millions? You would probably look forward to long vacations, nice cars, and a life of relative ease. But if you study the lives of lottery winners, you discover the sad reality that many flounder within ten years of winning a large sum of money. They receive the gift bu...