Saturday Update (5/11/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
“Gather to Me My faithful ones, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice!” - Psalm 50:5
God calls us to gather together. Join us for worship tomorrow in the morning and the evening.
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” - Psalm 50:14-15
In the meantime, at 4:30pm today, a free community Gospel music Mother’s Day event is being held on the lawn at Mt Beulah MB Church. Join us as we worship together. Bring a lawn chair!
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” - Psalm 50:23
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (5/4/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16
It’s been an exciting week praying with and for our community! On Monday, Brian Davis was installed as the new president of Indianola Chamber Main Street. I enjoyed giving the opening prayer at the event.
Congratulations to Peter Lessmann, who graduated from MDCC on Friday! We had a wonderful time at MDCC presenting the Invocation and Benediction yesterday afternoon. We also enjoyed the First Friday Film Fellowship last night, which included several visitors from the community. Thursday’s National Day of Prayer event was a great success -- a number of Presbyterians were on hand to lead and join in prayer.
Tomorrow during Morning Worship, we plan to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. After Morning Worship, we plan to enjoy an impromptu Soup Fellowship.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship. Join us tomorrow as we celebrate God’s grace and provision. I’m praying for you.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (4/27/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16
It's been an exciting week praying with and for our community! On Monday, Brian Davis was installed as the new president of Indianola Chamber Main Street. I enjoyed giving the opening prayer at the event.
Congratulations to Peter Lessmann, who graduated from MDCC on Friday! We had a wonderful time at MDCC presenting the Invocation and Benediction yesterday afternoon. We also enjoyed the First Friday Film Fellowship last night, which included several visitors from the community. Thursday’s National Day of Prayer event was a great success -- a number of Presbyterians were on hand to lead and join in prayer.
Tomorrow during Morning Worship, we plan to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. After Morning Worship, we plan to enjoy an impromptu Soup Fellowship.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship. Join us tomorrow as we celebrate God’s grace and provision. I’m praying for you.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (4/27/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? - Psalm 24:3
The Bible poses a lot of questions, from Genesis 3, when God asked Adam, “Where are you?”, all the way to Revelation 18, “What city was like the great city [Babylon]?” In the first case, Adam was attempting to hide. In the latter example, the people were astounded at God's rapid and complete destruction of a great worldly capital. In each case, man's weakness was exposed by the King of glory.
In Psalm 24, David asks several questions, including, “Who is this King of glory?”, which he asks twice. His answer won't surprise you, Who is the King of glory?: “The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!”
Given man’s historic and ever-present weakness, who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand is His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Tomorrow, join us in His Sanctuary to celebrate the King of glory and His redeeming the lost, giving us clean hands and a pure heart so that we may stand in His presence.
This week, in addition to Lord’s Day worship, we have many opportunities to lift up the name of the King of glory. I have been asked to offer a public prayer a number of places throughout the week. Join me:
Monday at 5:30pm - Indianola Chamber Main Street Mixer at the BB King Museum (Brian Davis will be installed as the new president)
Thursday at Noon - National Day of Prayer on the Courthouse steps
Friday at 1:00pm - MDCC's afternoon graduation ceremony (Peter Lessmann will be receiving his diploma during the morning ceremony)
And don’t forget Friday at 7pm, join us for the free First Friday Film Fellowship. Attached are the weekly Prayer List, the bulletin for Morning Worship, and the Church Calendar for May.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Friday Update (4/5/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. – Genesis 37:5
I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you the courage to speak with candor about who Jesus is and what He has done in your life. Let’s keep telling our brothers and sisters about the resurrection of our Savior.
This evening, at 7pm, join us for April’s free First Friday Film Fellowship. We plan to watch and discuss the Academy Award winning movie Gravity (2013). Join us as we practice speaking with candor to the community about new life in Christ.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (3/30/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” - Luke 24:5-7
We had a wonderful Resurrection Egg Hunt this morning, with more than 17 children gathering up eggs! We then talked about the resurrection and followed it all up with delicious grilled hot dogs! Thank you to all who helped stuff and hide the eggs!
Join us tomorrow as we worship our risen Lord! He is risen, indeed!
Please also be aware that next Sunday, April 7th at 6pm, there will be a Spring Community Prayer Service at the BB King Museum. I hope that you can join with us in worship then as well.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List, the bulletin for Morning Worship, and Church Calendar for April.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Thursday Update (3/21/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” - Mark 11:8-10
Join Us: Fellowship Meal this Lord’s Day after Morning Worship!
The Easter season is upon us! Scripture instructs us to regard every Sunday as holy and therefore to regard every Lord’s Day as devoted to worship and rest in Him. The Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes:
This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up, the whole time, in the public and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. (WCF 21-8)
Every Sunday is holy -- and as a congregation we observe certain monthly, quarterly, and annual patterns. As is our habit, First Presbyterian typically has a Fellowship Meal when there is a fifth Sunday in a month. Since the fifth Sunday in March is Easter this year, rather than compete with other gatherings of family and friends, we decided to move the Fellowship Meal a week earlier, to Palm Sunday.
This Lord’s Day, March 24th, the WIC plans to host a Fellowship Meal after Morning Worship. The church will provide the main course, each family is asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Invite a friend!
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (3/16/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead - 1 Peter 1:3
It is Easter season, which means that next Sunday (3/24) is Palm Sunday and the following (3/31) is Easter Sunday. We plan to host a Resurrection Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 10am. Be sure to invite your neighbors. In the meantime...
Tomorrow after Morning Worship, we plan to have another impromptu Soup Fellowship. Stay and join us, if you are able.
Tomorrow after Evening Worship -- since it will be St. Patrick’s Day and Debbie’s maiden name is the classically Irish “Ragan” -- we plan to have corned beef and cabbage. Stay and join us, if you are able (whether or not you are Irish).
Attached is the weekly Prayer List, the bulletin for Morning Worship, and the Church Calendar for March (please forgive me, I had not emailed it out previously).
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (3/9/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! - 1 Chronicles 16:24
Debbie and I have enjoyed the GPTS Spring Theology Conference this week. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to hear about Modern Missions in the Reformed World. In addition to the excellent presentations, it was great to see old friends from Seminary, as well as to meet new ones. We have also gotten to spend time with my father and our kids and grandkids. We plan to drive back from South Carolina on Monday. In the meantime, Bebo Elkin is scheduled to fill the pulpit for you this Lord’s Day.
Bebo was the professor for the first class that I took at GPTS over a decade ago. I am confident that you will be blessed as he preaches on Matthew 28:1-17. Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship. Please keep in mind that our Family Worship Sunday School will take a hiatus this week and pick up again on the following Sunday.
In the meantime...let us...
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! - Psalm 96:3
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Friday Update (3/1/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us. - Mark 14:15
Scripture talks a lot about preparing for things:
People being prepared with God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work
Heaven being prepared by Jesus - John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
Church being prepared to serve - 2 Timothy 2:1 set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work
Followers bring prepared to love - John 14:26 the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you
Believers being prepared to share - 1 Peter 3:15 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you
Here are some rooms that have been prepared so that you may glorify God and enjoy Him with others this weekend:
First Friday Film Fellowship - 7pm this evening we plan to watch 12 Angry Men (1957). Join us for popcorn, raisinets, and a lively discussion.
Sunday School - 9:30am on Sunday morning. This week includes the second session of our four-part class on Family Worship.
Morning Worship - 10:45am on Sunday. Join us to worship our Lord and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.
Evening Worship - 5:00pm on Sunday. We are continuing our study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (2/24/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” - Psalm 122:1
I look forward to worshiping with you tomorrow! During the Sunday School hour, we plan to kick-off our four-part series on Family Worship. Everyone with young children is encouraged to join us in the Sanctuary at 9:30 am for this fun class for parents and their kids. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (2/17/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15
Next Sunday, February 25th, we plan to begin our four-week Sunday School series for families with young children. Be sure to join us -- parents and kids -- in the Sanctuary at 9:30am as we learn about daily and Lord’s Day family worship.
In the meantime, since Callie and Bryan Davis are on vacation, tomorrow, Dr. Lemondra Hamilton will be serving as our piano accompanist.
Debbie and I will be out of town Tuesday through Friday to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday. We can still be reached phone. Keep in mind that we will not be having Wednesday Night Live or Thursday’s Women’s Bible Study this week.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (2/10/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. - Psalm 1:2
God grants us His law to give us delight. Join us for Sunday School to study God’s Word and delight in His beautiful law.
Starting on February 25th, we plan to have a four-week Sunday School series for families with young children. During this class, parents and their children will meet in the Sanctuary where we will discuss the motivation for worship and patterns of family worship. We will explore what it means to worship the Lord as a body -- on the Sabbath and during the week. We look forward to learning together how worship is the holy expression of God's worth by the body.
In the meantime, let’s join together as Christ's body to worship our Savior tomorrow. Let’s delight in His law together.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (2/3/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
The rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs - Proverbs 30:26
Taken alone, out of context, some verses of the Bible are a bit unclear in their meaning. Proverbs 30:26 is one of them. In context, the author lists four things on earth that are small but wise. We hear of ants (who provide their food in summer), locusts, lizards, and rock badgers. Matthew Poole summarizes verses 24-28, “Comparatively to other brute creatures. They act very wisely and providently, not from any reason which they have, but by the direction of Divine Providence, which secretly guides them to do those things for their own preservation which are most agreeable to the rules of wisdom.”
Given this esteem for God-given instinct in these otherwise insignificant creatures, I wonder what the author of Proverbs would say about using Groundhogs to predict the seasons.
According to Punxsutawney Phil, who did not see his shadow yesterday, we can expect an early Spring this year. I wouldn’t want to invest too much based on his prediction; he’s only been correct about a third of the time.
Ants march like soldiers to collect food and rock badgers wisely inhabit rocky cliffs, while we gifted and talented humans predict weather using the shadows of a large rodent. We would be much better off studying the written predictions of the Creator of the universe -- which is precisely what we plan to do tomorrow morning as we look at Mark 13:24-27. Let’s study prophecy given by our Savior and not rely too much on woodchucks. During winter, instead of looking to them for warm Spring days, I wish that they could chuck wood. I wonder how much they would, if they could?
Attached is the weekly Prayer List, the Church Calendar for February, and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Saturday Update (1/27/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Acts 1:8
The current issue of Modern Reformation journal focuses on Christianity and the arts. In an article on movies, Mark Bowland suggests, “This wrestling between Christ and culture is in our age best represented in the advent of what is likely the most powerful cultural form in human history: film.”
On the one hand, I agree with Bowland’s argument that movies do in fact powerfully reflect the tension between Christ and culture.
On the other hand, I would want to challenge his suggestion that film is more powerful than any other medium, since quite obviously Scripture remains the most powerful cultural form in human history. Arguably, friendly conversation is then the second most powerful cultural form.
Still, I like how Bowland summarizes his article: “We live in a time when the technology and art of film production and consumption is exponentially more powerful and more available than ever before. Our time offers the possibility of of using this power for untold good or ill.”
If you are 13 or older, come join us on Friday, February 2nd, at 7pm for our free First Friday Film Fellowship to discuss religious and cultural aspects of a particular movie. You have time to invite a neighbor. We'll pop the popcorn and serve up friendly conversation. In the meantime, let’s worship together tomorrow. Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Friday Update (1/19/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down His crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold? - Psalm 147:15-17
It certainly has been quite cold this week! Yesterday and today seemed to give a little relief to hardworking heat-pumps, allowing some homes to actually reach “room temperature” for the first time in many days. I have been praying that you are able to stay warm.
Meteorologists don’t always forecast accurately for the Delta, but they were mostly correct this week as we received wintry mix and sub-freezing temperatures. They are now forecasting a hard freeze tonight through Sunday afternoon. Therefore, please stay warm, do what you can to prevent water pipes from freezing, and let us know if we can do anything or bring you anything.
The ice and snow on Indianola’s streets and sidewalks has mostly disappeared -- the parking lot and entrances at church are all clear. Since no precipitation has been forecast for the coming days, we are planning on meeting for Sunday School and Morning Worship this Lord’s Day. We also plan to have our Congregational Meeting after worship in order to share the 2024 Church Budget. Please join us, if you are able. You will need to bundle up -- the weatherman predicts that it will be in the 20s that morning. We will run the heat at the church in order to greet you with warmth.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Wednesday Update (1/17/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities - No Wednesday Night Live tonight
For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, His mighty downpour. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. Whether for correction or for His land or for love, He causes it to happen. - Job 37:6,10,13
This week, God has sent us snow and ice and arctic temperatures. (Well, actually, the North Pole is -26 today, while Indianola is only 7 degrees.) We can’t be certain how to distinguish God’s provision: was the winter storm sent for correction? sent for His land? or sent for His love? The answer is likely a combination. Regardless, we can be certain that it was God who commanded the clouds and winds and ice. So, we can be certain that it was for His own glory.
As we ponder, marvel, and rest in God’s provision, we can recognize that the streets and sidewalks are still icy and dangerous. Even if God brings slightly warmer air this afternoon (perhaps in the 30s), the melting snow can be expected to refreeze this evening. Therefore, the Session of First Presbyterian has decided to cancel our Wednesday Night Live activities for tonight.
Please stay safe and warm. Let us know if you have any trouble (like frozen pipes) and/or if you need anything brought to you. God sends the snow and He also builds His church in love.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes
Friday Update (1/12/24) on First Presbyterian Church activities
By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. - Job 37:10
Our sermon text for Sunday is Mark 13:1-2, which features a dire prediction about the Temple by our Lord Jesus. Therefore, it seems appropriate this weekend to be contemplating ominous predictions.
As you likely already know, the various weather services and meteorologists are all predicting very cold temperatures this coming week. For instance, as of press time (now), the Weather Channel expects a wintry mix of snow and ice on Monday afternoon and temperatures as low as 7 degrees Tuesday night -- with no time in between for the wintry mix to melt. As such, we might still have icy conditions through Wednesday. As we get closer, we will let you know if this will require us to cancel Wednesday Night Live activities.
In the meantime, it looks like even though Sunday might be bitter cold, the prognosticators aren’t expecting precipitation, so we plan to meet for worship this Lord’s Day. After morning worship, we plan to battle the cold temperatures with a hot bowl of chili for our Impromptu Soup Fellowship. Please join us if you are able. I predict that we will have an encouraging meal.
Attached is the weekly Prayer List and the bulletin for Morning Worship. Please stay warm and let a Deacon or Elder know if you need help winterizing your home.
In His name,
Rev. Duncan Hoopes