First Presbyterian Church, Alpena, MI
Sunday, January 7, 2024 - Baptism of the Lord - "Order from Chaos, Working in Harmony" is the title of Pastor Rayment's first sermon of 2024. It's based on Genesis 1:1-5. Near the end of the service we will celebrate communion. To join us, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice ready. To see our entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, January 14, 2024 - Second Sunday after the Epiphany - Due technical difficulties, only the sermon (based on John 1:43-51) is available. To hear Rev. Rayment's message, please click HERE.
Sunday, January 21, 2024 - Third Sunday after the Epiphany - The title of today's message is, "The World is Passing Away," and it is based on today's reading from 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. To view our entire service, please click HERE.
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Sunday, February 4, 2024 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - Today's message from Rev. Rayment, "All Things to All People", is based on the reading from Mark 1:29-39. The children's message is also based on the same passage from scripture. Near the end of the service we will celebrate communion. If you wish to join us, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice, ready. To view the entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, February 11, 2024 - Transfiguration of the Lord - Due to technical difficulties, this service was not recorded and therefore it is not available for viewing.
Sunday, February 18, 2024 - First Sunday in Lent - Based on the reading from Mark 2:13-17, today's sermon by Rev. Rayment is titled, "Eating with Sinners." To view the entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, February 25, 2024 - Second Sunday in Lent - Our Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Sanford Wright, served as guest pastor today. His sermon, "A God for All: Pioneer, Peasant, and Promoter" is based on Exodus 3:1-6. To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, March 3, 2024 - Third Sunday in Lent - "Clearing the Temple Courts" is the title of today's sermon by Rev. Rayment. It's based on John 23: 13-22. We will celebrate communion near the end of this service. To join us, have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice, ready. To join us for the entire recorded service, please click HERE.
Sunday, March 10, 2024 - Fourth Sunday in Lent - Pastor Rayment's sermon today, based on the New Testament reading from John 3: 14-21 is titled, "Lifting Up." Near the end of the service, we will welcome a new member into our congregation. To view the entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, March 17, 2024 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - Based on the reading from John 12:20-33, Rev. Rayment's sermon is titled, "What shall I say?" To join us for the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 - Palm Sunday - We are disappointed to report that Sunday's service is not available at all. The livestream failed, and the service was not recorded on a memory stick. If you're interested in reading Rev. Rayment's sermon, "A Triumphal Entry," based on Mark 11:1-11, please click HERE to see a printed copy of this message.
Sunday, March 31, 2024 - EASTER - Pastor Rayment's message today, "Rolling Away the Stone," is based on Mark 16:1-8 which tells of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Salome, who went to Jesus' tomb to anoint him, and the concerns they shared regarding the stone they expected to find closing the tomb, and the young man they saw sitting inside the tomb. To view the entire service, via a YouTube recording, please click HERE.
Sunday, April 7, 2024 - Second Sunday of Easter - The reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 19-31, forms the basis for Rev. Rayment's sermon today: "What Do We Need in Order to Believe?" We will celebrate communion following today's sermon. To join us, have a cracker or small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice, ready. To join us for the entire recorded service, please click HERE.
Sunday, April 14, 2024 - Third Sunday of Easter - Rev. Rayment's sermon for today, "Jesus, Not a Ghost", is based on Luke 24:36b-48. Click HERE to view the entire service.
Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Easter - The reading from John 10:11-18 formed the basis for today's message from Pastor Rayment, "The Good Shepherd." Interpretive comments from Pastor Rayment were combined with the congregation singing verses from the hymn, "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us". To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, April 28, 2024 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - Today's message from Rev. Rayment, "All You Need Is Love," is based on the reading from the first letter of John (1 John 4:7-21). Also part of this morning's service is the blessing of items in the Caring Cart, a project of the Deacons. To watch the entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, May 5, 2024 - Sixth Sunday of Easter - Based on John 15:9-17, Rev. Rayment's message today is, "I Have Called You Friends." Near the end of the service, following the sermon and the choir's anthem, we will celebrate communion. If you wish to join us, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice, ready. Click HERE to join us for the entire service.
Sunday, May 12, 2024 - Seventh Sunday of Easter - Mother's Day - In Rev. Rayment's absence, Elder Scott Edgar delivers today's sermon, "A Mother's Love," based on John 19:25-27. To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 - The Day of Pentecost - Today's scripture reading comes from Acts 2:1-21. In Rev. Rayment's absence, during the usual time for the sermon, five members of our congregation shared personal stories: "What This Church Means to Me." To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Trinity Sunday - Today, on this Memorial Day and the last Sunday of Rev. Rayment's vacation, the Rev. Dr. H. Robert Case's sermon is titled, "Where Church and Country Meet". To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Second Sunday after Pentecost - The reading from 1 Samuel 3:1-21 forms the basis for today's message from Rev. Rayment: "Calling Samuel". Also during our service today Rev. Rayment will bless the items donated in the Caring Cart. We will celebrate communion near the end of the service. If you want to participate, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice ready. Click HERE to see the complete service.
Sunday, June 9, 2024 - Education Sunday - The reading from Proverbs 4:10-15 serves as the foundation for today's sermon by Rev. Rayment: "A Proper Education." To view our entire service, click HERE.
Sunday, June 16, 2024 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Rayment has selected two parables from Mark 4:26-34 as the basis for today's sermon, "Just Keep Sowing". To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, June 23, 2024 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - Today's sermon by Rev. Rayment, "Calming the Waves (on the Sea of Life) is based on the reading from Mark 4:35-41. To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, June 30, 2024 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - At the beginning of this week's service, Pastor Rayment blessed the contents of this month's Caring Cart, the project of the Deacons--supplies for Alpena's Baby Pantry. Today's sermon by Pastor Rayment," Great is Thy Faithfulness," is based on the reading from Lamentations 3:22-23--which also serves as the text for the hymn of athe same name. Please click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, July 7, 2024 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Rayment's sermon today, "Familiarity Breeds Contempt," is based on Mark 6:1-6. Following the sermon we will celebrate communion. If you'd like to participate, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread nearby, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, July 14, 2024 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost - A reading from Ephesians 1:3-14 provides the basis for today's sermon from Rev. Rayment, "The Message of Truth." To view our complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, July 21, 2024 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - Today's sermon by Rev. Rayment, "A New Humanity in Christ," is based on Ephesians 2:11-22. To view the entire service, click HERE.
Sunday, July 28, 2024 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Rayment continues to preach from Ephesians, using chapter 3, verses 14-21, as the basis for today's sermon. Please click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, August 4, 2024 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Rayment's message today, "The Bread of Heaven," is based on John 6:24-35. Near the end of the service, we will celebrate communion. To join us, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread ready, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - Rev. Rayment's sermon today is called, "The Manna Which Anyone May Eat," and is based on John 6:35 and 41-51. To view the complete service, please click HERE. Please remember that everyone is welcome, the dress is casual, and we are wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, August 18, 2024 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - While Rev Rayment completes his week-long study leave, Elder Scott Edgar shares the sermon "Are You Hungry?", based on John 6:48-58. To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, August 25, 2024 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost - The reading from Ephesians 6:10-20 serves as the basis for the Rev. Rayment's message today: "The Art of Spiritual Warfare". As the service begins, Rev. Rayment will bless the items (Complete Meals) which have been donated to the Caring Cart (a project of the Deacons) and will be delivered to the Salvation Army. To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Today's sermon by Rev. Rayment, "Evil, Misfortune, and Stupidity," is based on Mark 7:14-15 and 21-23. We will celebrate communion following the sermon. Please have a cracker and a small piece of bread ready, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, September 8, 2024 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - The reading from Mark 7:31-37 provided the inspiration for Rev. Rayment's sermon today: "Don't Just Stand There (Do Something)". Click HERE to view the entire service.
Sunday, September 15, 2024 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - "Recognizing Jesus" is the title of The Reverend Rayment's message today, which is based on Mark 8: 27-38. Everyone is welcome to worship with us. Dress is casual. Our building is wheelchair accessible. Today we welcome a new member, and Pastor Rayment and Pastor Emeritus Sam Wright will conduct a Remembrance of Wedding Vows. To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, September 22, 2024 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Kirkin' o' the Tartan - Based on Mark 7:1-8, Pastor Rayment's sermon is "Speaking of Tradition." The service included four hymns and several selections from a guest bagpiper. To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Today's service begins with the blessing of the caring cart which is full of items being donated to the Second Chance Animal Shelter. The sermon, "How Can Salt Lose Its Saltiness?", is based on Mark 9:42-50. To view the complete service, click HERE.
Sunday, October 6, 2024 - Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - World Communion Sunday - Today's sermon, "Like a Little Child", is based on Mark 10:13-16. Following the sermon at the conclusion of the service, we will celebrate communion. Please have a small piece of bread or a cracker ready, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, October 13, 2024 - Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost - Pastor Rayment's sermon, "All Things Are Possible with God", is based on Mark 10:17-31. The service also includes an explanation of the church's 'Apple Tree Ministry' and members of the congregation were invited to join the pastor as he walked around our five acre property to bless ten apple trees. To view the entire service, click HERE.
Sunday, October 20, 2024 - Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost - The scripture from Mark 10:35-45 provides the basis for Pastor Rayment's sermon: "You Can't Always Get What You Want." To view the complete service, please click HERE.
Sunday, October 27, 2024 - Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost - Reformation Sunday - The Reverend Rayment's sermon today, "The Five Solas," is based on Mark 5:1-5. To join us for the entire service, please click HERE.
Sunday, November 3, 2024 - Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost - The Reverend Rayment's sermon, "Getting Close to the Kingdom of God," is based on Mark 12:28-34. Following the sermon, near the end of the service, we will celebrate communion. To join us, please have a small piece of bread or a cracker ready, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to view the entire service.
Sunday, November 10, 2024 - Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost - The reading from Mark 12:41-44 forms the basis for today's sermon by The Reverend Rayment: "Biblical Economics." Click HERE to view the complete service.
Sunday, November 17, 2024 - Twenty-seventh Sunday after Pentecost - As Pastor Rayment completes a week of study leave, Elder Scott Edgar shares a sermon, "Stone by Stone", based on Mark 13: 1-8. At this time, the live stream recording is not available.
Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Christ the King Sunday - Following a variety of announcements and the blessing of the contents of this month's Caring Cart, Rev Rayment shared a sermon "What Kind of King?", based on the reading from Revelation 1:4b-8. To view the entire service, click HERE.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - First Sunday of Advent - This year we will consider four significant words related to Advent: Watch, Prepare, Behold, and Rejoice. Today's message from Pastor Rayment, "Keeping Watch," is based on Mark 13:32-37. Near the end of the service, we will celebrate communion. If you wish to participate, please have a cracker or a small piece of bread, along with a small glass of juice. Click HERE to participate in today's service.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Third Sunday of Advent - Today's message from Pastor Rayment, "Calm Assurance," is based on Luke 1:36-50. To hear his sermon and the remainder of today's service, click HERE.
Sunday, December 22, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - The scripture reading from John 1:9-18 provides the basis for today's sermon by Rev. Rayment: " Seeing the Truth." To view the entire service, click HERE.
Sunday, December 29, 2024 - First Sunday after Christmas - The service opens with the blessing of the items on the Giving Tree and in the caring cart, a project of the Deacons. Rev. Rayment's sermon, "Parental Panic" is based on the reading from Luke 2:41-52. To view the complete service, click HERE.