First Presbyterian Church, Alpena, MI
January 1, 2023 - New Year's Day - Rev. Rayment preaches on Mathew 2:13-23 in his sermon, "History Happens." Communion is celebrated and a new member is welcomed into the congregation. Click HERE to view the service.
January 8, 2023 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday - Rev Rayment delivers a sermon based on Isaiah 42:1-9, entitled "Characteristics of Christ." Recently elected elders and deacons are ordained and installed. To view the entire service, click HERE.
January 15, 2023 - Second Sunday after Epiphany - In Rev. Rayment's absence (he and his wife and son are visiting their daughter in Japan), elder Scott Edgar is filling the pulpit today. His message, "Sharing the Glory," is based on John 1:29-42. Click HERE to view today's service.
January 22, 2023 - Third Sunday after Epiphany - As Rev. Rayment and his family wrap up their vacation in Japan, visiting daughter Katrina, Elder Scott Edgar fills the pulpit again this week. His message, "Gone Fishing," is based on Matthew 4:12-23. Due to technical issues this service in not available for viewing.
January 29, 2023 - Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - The Rev. Rayment and his family have returned from their visit to Japan to visit their daughter. Today's message, "The Wisdom of the Unwise," is based on a reading from I Corinthians 1:18-31. To view the entire service, click HERE.
February 5, 2023 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - Matthew 5:13-16 provides the scripture on which today's sermon is based. The Rev. Rayment's message is titled "A Light and a Bowl." Following the sermon, the congregation will celebrate communion, and viewers may join in the sacrament with a small cup of juice and a small piece of bread or a cracker. To view today's complete service, please click HERE.
February 12, 2023 - Sixth Sunday after Epiphany - The Rev. Rayment presents a sermon, "On Church Leadership," based on the reading from I Corinthians 3:1-9. Near the end of the service we welcome a new member to our congregation. To view the complete service, please click HERE.
February 19, 2023 - Transfiguration of the Lord - Today's sermon is based on Matthew 17:1-9. The Rev. Rayment will talk about "Transfiguration and Change", in his message. To view the complete service, click HERE.
February 26, 2023 - First Sunday in Lent - Today' sermon, shared by the Rev. William Rayment, is "A Time of Testing is a Time for Prayer," and is based on Matthew 4:1-11. Our entire service may be viewed by clicking HERE.
March 5, 2023 - Second Sunday in Lent - John 3:1-17 provides the basis for today's message from Pastor Rayment, "Spirit Gives Birth to Spirit." This same passage serves as the inspiration for today's Children's Time. Following the sermon, the congregation will celebrate communion, and viewers may join in the sacrament with a small cup of juice and a small piece of bread or a cracker. Click HERE to view today's entire service.
March 12, 2023 - Third Sunday in Lent - Pastor Rayment's message today, "God Gives Us What We Need", is based on Exodus 17:1-7. Due to technical difficulties, this service is not available for viewing.
March 19, 2023 - Fourth Sunday in Lent - John 9:1-41 (a rather lengthy reading) serves as the basis for today's sermon, "Twas Blind but Now I See." At the conclusion of the service, the congregation celebrates a Reaffirmation of Baptismal Covenant as we welcome a new member. The entire service may be viewed by clicking HERE.
March 26, 2023 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - A reading from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel (37:1-14) is the basis for today's message from Rev. Rayment, "The Valley of Dry Bones." To view the entire service, click HERE.
April 2, 2023 - Palm Sunday - The scripture reading from Matthew 21:1-11 serves as the starting point for today's message from Pastor Rayment, "Called to Be King". Following this week's sermon, the congregation will share the sacrament of communion. Viewers may join in the sacrament with a small piece of bread or a cracker and small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the entire service.
April 9, 2023 - EASTER - Rev. Rayment's sermon, "Rolling Back the Stone," is based on today's Gospel reading from Matthew 28: 1-10. Click HERE to view today's entire service, including a children's message from Pastor Rayment and two anthems from our choir.
April 16, 2023 - Second Sunday of Easter - Today's children's message as well as Pastor Rayment's sermon, "My Lord and My God," are based on the scripture selection from John 20: 19-30. To access today's entire service, click HERE.
April 23, 2023 - Third Sunday of Easter - Luke 24:13-35 serves as the basis for Pastor Rayment's message today, "Walking with Jesus." This section from the final chapter of this Gospel tells the story of Jesus joining two of the disciples who were walking and talking on the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem. Due to an unexpected power outage, today's sermon was not recorded, and is not available.
April 30, 2023 - Fourth Sunday of Easter - In Rev. Rayment's absence (he's on study leave), Elder Scott Edgar is leading today's worship service. Based on the New Testament reading from John 10:1-18 today's message "Entrance Only", reflects on Jesus, sheep and shepherds. Click HERE to view the entire service.
May 7, 2023 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - The reading from 1 Peter 2:2-10 provides the basis for "The Cornerstone", today's message from Rev. Rayment. Communion will be shared by the entire congregation following the sermon. To join us, have a small piece of bread or a cracker as well as a little glass of juice ready. Join us for this weeks' service, by clicking HERE.
May 14, 2023 - Sixth Sunday of Easter - 1 Peter 3:13-22 serves as the inspiration for Rev. Rayment's sermon, "Give the Reason." Today's service also includes two Minutes for Mission: about Pentecost and about The Gift of Water. Each is related to a special offering. Click HERE to join us for the complete service.
May 21, 2023 - Seventh Sunday of Easter - The scripture reading from 1 Peter 4:12-14 and 5:6-11 is the basis for Rev. Rayment's sermon today--"Cast Away Anxiety." With no children in attendance this morning, the Children's Time message was directed at the young at heart in the congregation--with many participants. Unfortunately it appears that today's service was not recorded, but there are plans to post YouTube videos of the services until livestreaming can be restored.
May 28, 2023 - Pentecost - Today's message, shared by Rev. Rayment, is about the day of Pentecost and the birth of the Christian church, and based on Acts 2:1-12. Check out the Gallery section of the website for photos of our decorated sanctuary. Following the regular worship service, members gathered in our memorial garden for a special, brief Memorial Day remembrance. Today's service is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PyM_4_K6r5M