First Presbyterian Church, Alpena, MI
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January 2, 2022 - Second Sunday of Christmas
Today's message, "God's Plan," is based on Ephesians 1:11. Reverend Rayment discusses predestination, and why theology matters. Today's service includes ordination and installation of elders and deacons. Communion will be shared following the sermon. Click HERE for today's service on YouTube.
January 9, 2022 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Based on the story of the Baptism of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (3:15-17, 21-22), Reverend Rayment discusses what it means to be baptized with fire. This service also includes installation of two elders, class of 2024. HERE is the link to this service.
January 16, 2022 - Second Sunday after Epiphany
Based on John 2:1-11, Reverend Rayment talks about the significance of the first miracle that Jesus performs in the Gospel of John--turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. Click HERE to see this service on YouTube.
January 23, 2022 - Third Sunday after Epiphany
After reading several selections from Nehemiah (Ch. 8, Verses 1-3, 6-7, and 8-10) Rev. Rayment shares his message, "Learning to Read," in which he discusses how we should learn to read the Bible. Click HERE to view today's message.
January 30, 2022 - Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
In today's sermon, "When I was a Child", Reverend Rayment discusses 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 in the context of maturing in our Christian faith. This chapter is often called the "Love Chapter" of the Bible. To view the entire service on YouTube, click HERE.
February 6, 2022 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Based on reading s from Isaiah 6:1-8, Rev. Rayment's message addresses our call as Christians and remembers the many who have moved to other places and new callings. Following the sermon, we will celebrate communion. If you wish to participate, please have juice (or wine) and bread (or a cracker) ready. Click HERE for today's service on YouTube.
February 13, 2022 - Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Today's sermon, "Picking Your Team," is shared by Elder Scott Edgar, standing in for Rev. Rayment. The message is based on Luke 6:17-26, and discusses how Jesus chose his team of disciples and how we choose our own associations. Click HERE for the complete service.
February 20, 2022 - Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Based on Luke 6:37-38, Reverend Rayment discusses how we treat each other and the source of our giving Spirit in today's message, "A Good Measure". To view today's complete service, click HERE.
February 27, 2022 - Transfiguration of the Lord
In today's message, based on Luke 9:28-36, Reverend Rayment discusses Peter's proposal to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah at the Transfiguration in the context of his day, and what the incident on the mountain means for the modern church. To view the service on YouTube, click HERE.
March 13, 2022 - Second Sunday in Lent
This week's message, "Abundance of Grace," is based on Mark 8:31-38. Reverend Rayment discusses the Grace of God in the context of Lent and planting a garden. Today's service is available on YouTube by clicking HERE.
March 27, 2022 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
The role of light in gardening and in our spiritual lives is the topic of Rev. Rayment's message. "The Light of the World" is based on Genesis 1:1-5 and John 3:16-21. To view the service, click HERE. Our midweek Lenten series continues on Wednesday with worship at 5, followed by a simple soup and bread supper. Join us!
April 10, 2022 - PALM SUNDAY
John 12:12-19 serves as the basis for today's sermon, during which Rev. Rayment talks about yucca plants and what they have to do with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as we begin Holy Week. Click HERE to view the entire service.
April 24, 2022 - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today's message, "Locked Doors," is based on John 20:19-31. Rev. Rayment discusses how we hide behind locked doors to keep others out, but Jesus and the Body of Christ cross barriers to bring peace and joy. To access the complete service, click HERE.
March 6, 2022 - First Sunday in Lent
Our recorded service is not available this week, due to unforeseen circumstances. We anticipate it will return next week. Communion will be celebrated again on April 3. Feel free to attend our mid-week Lenten service on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
March 20, 2022 - Third Sunday in Lent
Today's message, "The Unwatered Garden," is based on John 4:5-10, when Jesus speaks to the woman at the well in Samaria. The sermon, using the garden as a metaphor, discusses how important it is to tend the gardens that are our souls. Click HERE to view the entire service: prayers, readings from scripture, a hymn, and the sermon.
April 3, 2022 - Fifth Sunday in Lent
In today's message, "A New Thing," based on Isaiah 43:16-21, Rev Rayment talks about how God makes a path for us. We will share communion near the end of our time together. If you wish to participate, please have juice (or wine) and bread (or a cracker) ready. To view our complete service, click HERE.
April 17, 2022 - EASTER
Today's sermon, "Sharing the Abundance," is based on
Luke 24:1-12. Rev. Rayment discusses God's Abundant Love in the context of God's forgiveness as well as in the blackberry brambles and how we should be sharing, especially the things we have in abundance. To view the complete service, click HERE.
May 1, 2022 - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Easter Season continues. This week’s sermon, "Second Chances," is based on John 21:1-19. Reverend Rayment talks about Peter’s denial of Christ and compares it with the final meeting, in the Gospel of John, of Christ with the Apostles on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. To join us for the complete service, click HERE.
May 8, 2022 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 9:36-43 is the basis of today's message, "Faith in Others," which is shared by Elder Scott Edgar. Pastor Rayment is on vacation this week. Peter's reanimation of Tabitha is discussed. The complete service may be seen by clicking HERE.
May 22, 2022 - SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today's sermon, "The Advocate," is based on John 14:23-29. Pastor Rayment discusses the Holy Spirit and how this Person of the Trinity makes a huge difference in our lives. To view the entire service, click HERE.
May 15, 2022 - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today's message, "Making Everything New," is based on Revelation 21:1-6, which speaks of the new heaven and new earth coming together at the end of time. Rev. Rayment contextualizes this for our own time and our own lives. To view the complete recorded service, click HERE.
MAY 29, 2022 - SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today we begin our transition to live streaming, but there are a few technical difficulties to be overcome. Our intention is to provide our services live on Sunday mornings.
In today's sermon, "The Tree of Life," Pastor Rayment touches on recent tragedies as well as the book of Revelation. To view the sermon on YouTube, click HERE.
June 5, 2022 - PENTECOST
We are still working to overcome a few technical obstacles to live-streaming our Sunday morning services. Today's message, "Visions and Dreams," is based on the second chapter of the book of Acts. Pastor Rayment talks about the role of the Spirit in the church of ancient times and in our own times. To view the sermon, click HERE.
June 12, 2022 - TRINITY SUNDAY
In today's message, "A Reflective Conversation," Elder Lance Abbert shares a personal story as he helps the congregation observe Trinity Sunday. Today's readings are from Romans 5:1-5 and John 16: 12-15. To observe the entire service, which was live streamed this morning and is available on YouTube, please click HERE.
June 19, 2022 - Second Sunday after Pentecost
In today's message, "A Higher Interest," (based on Luke 8:26-39) Reverend Rayment discusses the interaction between Jesus and the Gerasene Demoniac as well as the people of the region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, bringing it into the context of our relation-ships today. To view today's complete service, please click HERE.
June 26, 2022 - Third Sunday after Pentecost
Reverend Rayment's message for today, "Taking Up the Mantle," is based on the Old Testament reading, 2 Kings 2:1-14, during which Pastor Rayment explains the story of Elijah being taken up in the clouds in the context of the church today. To view today's entire service, click HERE.
July 3, 2022 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
While we continue to work out the bugs in our plans to live stream our Sunday worship services, click HERE for the link to today's recorded service on YouTube. Today's message, "The Seventy Two," is based on Luke 10:1-20. Rev. Rayment discusses bringing the Word to the People.
July 17, 2022 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
In today's sermon, "Stop and Listen," Rev Rayment discusses the story of Mary and Martha as written in the Gospel of Luke (10:38-42). To view the complete recorded service, click HERE.
July 31, 2022 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Today's message, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" is based on one of Jesus' parables--The Parable of the Rich Fool--(found in Luke 12:13-21) and some verses from the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes. To view the entire recorded service, please click HERE.
August 14, 2022 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Following readings from Daniel 7: 13-14 and from Revelation 21: 1-5, Rev. Rayment presents a message, "Be Thou My Vision," in which he discusses the origin of the hymn and its significance for us today. Click HERE to view the YouTube recording of the service.
August 28, 2022 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Based on this week's reading from Luke 14:1 & 7-14, today's message is titled, "Where Do I Sit?". Pastor Rayment talks about the role of humility in our lives. To view the entire service, click HERE.
July 10, 2022 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Based on the reading from Luke 10:25-27 (the story of the Good Samaritan), Elder Scott Edgar--filling the pulpit while Rev. Rayment is away--shares the message, "Who Is My Neighbor?" To view today's complete service, click HERE.
July 24, 2022 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Today's reading from Luke 11:1-13 forms the basis for Rev. Rayment's message, "Seek and Knock." Learn more about the Lord's Prayer and Jesus' discourse on prayer. Today's service includes welcoming a new member by Reaffirmation of Faith. To share the recorded service with us, please click HERE.
August 7, 2022 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Based on the scripture lesson from Luke: 12:32-40 where Jesus talks to the crowd about getting their priorities straight, Pastor Rayment's message is entitled "Where Our Treasure Is." Following the sermon, we will celebrate communion. To view the entire service, please click HERE.
August 21 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
In today's sermon "The Sabbath Day" based on Luke 13:10-17, Pastor Rayment talks about the Sabbath day: a little about theology, a little about history, and a little about what it means for us today. To view the complete recorded livestreamed service, please click HERE.
September 4, 2022 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Today's reading, Jeremiah 18:1-11, when the prophet visits the potter's house, forms the basis for Pastor Rayment's message, "Change in the Church." The congregation celebrates communion following the sermon. To watch the entire service on YouTube, please click HERE.
September 11, 2022 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
In Pastor Rayment's absence, Elder Lance Abbert shares thoughts regarding "Fall Changes". Today's message is based on Luke 15: 1-10. To share today's recorded service with us on YouTube, please click HERE.
September 18, 2022 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
In today's sermon, titled "Money and Relationships", Pastor Rayment speaks on the Parable of the Shrewd Manager from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 1-13. Click HERE to view the complete service.
September 25, 2022 - Kirkin' o' the Tartan
Today's special service includes a piper, four hymns, a blessing of the Tartans, a remembrance of those who have passed in the past year, and--based on Ecclesiastes 1:3-11--a message from Pastor Rayment in which he will speak about the life of John Knox and the early history of the Presbyterian Church. Click HERE to view the entire service.
October 9, 2022 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
This week, in Rev. Rayment's absence while on study leave, Elder Scott Edgar preaches from Luke 17:11-19, the parable of the ten lepers, in his sermon, "The Rarity of Gratitude." Today's recorded service may be viewed by clicking HERE.
October 23, 2022 - Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
This week Rev. Rayment discusses how our attitudes and prejudices affect our relationships with God and with each other in his message interpreting the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9-14. The entire service maybe viewed by clicking HERE.
November 6, 2022 - Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
In the context of Job's suffering, today's message provides listeners with insights toward "Understanding God." The sermon is based on today's lectionary reading from Job 19:23-27, and is shared by elder Scott Edgar. Our usual first-Sunday-of-the-month communion is delayed till later in November. To view the entire service, click HERE.
October 2, 2022 - World Communion Sunday
This week Rev. Rayment talks about "Faith and Doubt" in the context of Luke 17:5-10, when Jesus speaks of the power of having faith on the scale of a mustard seed. It is also World Communion Sunday, and we celebrate communion following the sermon. To view the entire service, click HERE.
October 16, 2022 - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
During this week's service, Rev. Rayment shares his sermon, "Persistence in Prayer and Action." This message is based on Luke 18:1-8 (the parable of the persistent widow) and addresses prayer and action and their role in our faith lives. Click HERE to view the entire service on YouTube.
October 30, 2022 - Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost
Today's message is based on Luke 19:1-10. Rev. Rayment preaches the sermon, "Climb a Tree and Act Like Zacchaeus," during which he discusses how Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus and the results of that seeking. Today's service also includes a brief explanation of Reformation Sunday. To view the entire service, click HERE.
November 13, 2022 - Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Based on Luke 21:5-19, in today's sermon Rev. Rayment discusses the impermanence of the material world. To view the entire service, including a brief message regarding the observance of Veteran's Day, click HERE.
November 20, 2022 - Christ the King Sunday
The reading from Luke 23:33-43 forms the basis for today's sermon, "Christ is King," during which Pastor Rayment discusses the implications of Christ the King as a concept--and as a reality in our lives. Today's service also includes the blessing of several prayer shawls. Click HERE to view the entire service.
November 27, 2022 - First Sunday in Advent
Taking Matthew 3:1-12 as his text, Pastor Rayment discusses the role of John the Baptist and how we "make straight the path" in his message "Prepare" as we begin Advent. To view the service in its entirety, click HERE.
December 4, 2022 - Second Sunday in Advent
Taking as his text Matthew 24:36-44, Reverend Rayment in a sermon entitled, "Watch Where You Are Going", discusses what it means to be on watch for Jesus. We will celebrate communion following the sermon. Click HERE to view the entire service.
December 18, 2022 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
In today's sermon, Rev. Rayment discusses our theme for the fourth Sunday of Advent, "Rejoice. " He compares and contrasts Paul's letter to the Philippians with the lyrics of the hymn, Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel. To view today's complete service, click HERE.
December 11, 2022 - Third Sunday in Advent
Taking as his text Matthew 1:18-25, Reverend Rayment discusses what the birth of Jesus must have been like in a sermon entitled, "Behold a Child Is Born." Click HERE to view the complete service.
December 24, 2022 - Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, during our service led by Rev. Rayment, we will hang chrismons, hear the Christmas story according to Luke, sing hymns, and sing Silent Night by candlelight. Click HERE to view the complete service.
December 25, 2022 - Christmas Day
Instead of our regular service at First Presbyterian, Alpena, on this special day, please view the complete Christmas Day service shared by the Synod of the Covenant, PC (USA). Click HERE.