RICHMOND —
Like many Christians, Presbyterians believe that God beckons us to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives — socially, economically, even politically.
The Apostle Paul writes: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore one must be subject ... because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due them — taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” (Romans 13:-1, 5-7)
Presbyterians believe that, if called by God, we have a religious obligation to be engaged in the political process of our respective governments. According to one of our traditional statements of faith (the Westminster Confession): “It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto; in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth” (6.128).
These religious statements speak of our Christian responsibility to participate in the political process. We do so not as a means of greatness through power. Rather, we are engaged in government as a means of pious servant-hood. We believe that politicians, civil magistrates, and government officials are not masters who are to be served by their constituents. Rather, they are themselves public servants who act to make God’s love known to their constituents and to the world.
Sadly, the current political environment in this nation today promotes polarization of the American people — not a unity of these United States. Many times, perhaps all too often, the voices of political partisanship seem to shout down the proclamation of God’s reconciling love. And, more’s the pity, even well-intentioned Christians find themselves unfortunately polarized by their political affiliations rather than united one to another in faith.
No political party has a unique claim to Christianity, nor does God sanctify any one political party. Christians are democrats; Christians are republicans; Christians are independents. Christians can, by their own religious conscience, be part of most any political orientation. What must be remembered — and practiced — is that the one common denominator is their faith.
It is the hope of First Presbyterian Church that we can proclaim and reclaim our unity in the midst of these divisive days. So, after every vote has been cast on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Kentucky, calls out to the people for unity.
At 6:30, that Tuesday evening, after the polls have closed, we invite the community of Christians to gather around the Lord’s Table as we celebrate a Communion for Unity. No matter who you voted for, no matter what be your political affiliation, no matter who wins the election, let us come together in Christian unity as we break bread together.
Religion
First Presbyterian invites community to come together and break bread after election
- Religion
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Jesus is our companion
I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.
— Psalms 119:63 -
National Day of Prayer
“There is hope for America,” the Rev. Kenny Davis, pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church in Berea, said as he addressed a crowd of more than 200 at noon Thursday in front of the Madison County Courthouse.
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National Day of Prayer observance, noon Thursday at courthouse
Madison County residents will be joining people across the nation Thursday when they gather at noon in front of the courthouse, 101 W. Main St., Richmond, to observe the 62nd National Day of Prayer.
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McTeggart Irish Dancers of Lexington present Ceili at Church of Our Saviour
The Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers of Lexington will host a ceili at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3
The event is interactive, participatory and geared for all ages and experience levels. -
He is full of grace and mercy
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, for by grace ye are saved.
He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
— Ephesians 2:4-7 -
We are complete in Him, Who is one with the Father
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
—John 14:7-10 -
‘Entangled Lives’ to be presented Saturday at Berea College
The African-American Genealogy Group of Kentucky and the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education will present “Entangled Lives: A Conversation between Descendants of ‘Master’ and ‘Enslaved’” at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Carter G. Woodson Center in the Berea College Alumni Building.
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Lexington Band, All the Little Pieces, to perform at Church of Our Saviour
The Second Sunday concert on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour will features the Lexington band All the Little Pieces.
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A prepared place filled with mansions for prepared people
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
— John 14:2-4 -
He Rose With Saving Power
The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain and be raised the third day.
– Luke 9:22 - More Religion Headlines
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