First Presbyterian Church [PCUSA]

Corner of Clinton and Jefferson Streets
Marianna, FL 32446
850 526-2430

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On the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on John 14:15:
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

On the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on I Peter 2:4:
Come to Jesus, a living stone, though rejected
by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight.

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on John 10:10: Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

On the Third Sunday of Easter
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Luke 24: 21:
"But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel."

On Easter Day
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Matthew 28:10:
Then Jesus said to them (the women), "Do not be afraid,
go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee;
there they will see me"

On the Sixth Sunday in Lent
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Mark 15:4-5:
Pilate asked Jesus again, "Have you no answer?
See how many charges they bring against you.
But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed."

On the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Mark 14:50:
"All of them (the disciples of Jesus) deserted him and fled."

On the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Mark 14:22-24
"While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf
of bread, and after blessing it he broke it,
gave it to them, and said,
"Take; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he
gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many"

On the Third Sunday in Lent
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Mark 14:9:
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed
in the whole world, what she has done will be
told in remembrance of her."

On the Second Sunday in Lent
we celebrated the Cleansing of the Temple by Jesus.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Mark 11:17:
"Jesus was teaching and saying,
'Is it not written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.' "

On the First Sunday in Lent
we celebrated the Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Zechariah 9:9:
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

On the Sunday of the Transfiguration
we looked towards the Crucifiction.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Matthew 17:5:
"While Peter was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them,
and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,
with him I am well pleased; listen to him."

On the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
we celebrated God's Blessedness in Our Lives.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Matthew 5:1-3:
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;
and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' "

On the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
we celebrated Jesus' Call of the First Disciples.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Matthew 4: 18-20:
"As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter,
and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen.
And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.'
Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

On the First Sunday in Ordinary Time
we celebrated the Baptism of Jesus.
Dr. Christopher's Sermon was based on Matthew 3:17:
"... and a voice from heaven said,
'This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.' "

On the four Sundays of Advent Dr. Christopher's
sermons will be based on the themes used with our Advent Wreath

On the Last Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dr. Christopher led us to consider Thanksgiving in his sermon
based on Colossians 3:15c: " ... and be thankful!"

On the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
we celebrated the Life of Jesus as told
in the hymns of Charles Wesley.

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 32nd Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on II Corinthians 8:1-2:
"We want you to know brothers and sisters,
about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia;
for during a severe ordeal of affliction,
their abundant joy and their extreme poverty
have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 31st Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on II Corinthians 8:9:
"For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that through his poverty we might become rich."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 30th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Hebrews 12:1-2:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 29th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 22:27:
'Jesus said, “For who is greater,
the one who is at table or the one who serves?
Is it not the one at the table?
But I am among you as one who serves." '

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 28th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 16:1-2:
Jesus also said to His disciples:
"There was a certain rich man who had a steward,
and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.
So he called him and said to him,
'What is this I hear about you?
Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' "

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for Worldwide
Communion Sunday was based on II Timothy 1:5
"I am reminded of your sincere faith,
a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 26th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on I Timothy 6:7:
"For we brought nothing into this world,
so that we can take nothing out of it."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 24th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on I Timothy 1:15-16:
"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
-- of whom I am the foremost.
But for that very reason I received mercy,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience,
making me an example to those who would come
to believe in him for eternal life."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 23rd Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Psalm 139:7:
"Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?"

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 22nd Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 14:1:
"On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader
of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath,
they were watching him closely."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 21st Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Psalm 71:6:
"Upon you have I leaned from my birth:
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 20th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 12:51:
"Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 19th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Hebrews 11:8:
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called
to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance;
and he set out, not knowing where he was going."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 18th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Hosea 11:8b-9:
"My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 17th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 11:1
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished,
one of his disciples said to him,
"Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 16th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 10:41-42:
"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;
there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 15th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Luke 10:33-34:
"... but a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them.
Then he put him in his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 14th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Galatians 6:10
"...So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all,
and especially those of the family of faith."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 13th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on Galatians 5:1
"...For freedom, Christ has set us free."

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the 12th Sunday
of Ordinary Time was based on the
Parable of the Talents found in the Gospel according to Matthew

On Trinity Sunday, Dr. Christopher
based his Sermon on Romans 5:1-2
" Therefore, since we are justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand;
and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God "

On Pentecost, Dr. Christopher
based his Sermon on Romans 8:15-16
" ... It is that very Spirit bearing witness with
our spirit that we are children of God."

On the Sunday after Ascension, Dr. Christopher
based his Sermon on Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ....."

On the Sixth Sunday of Eastertide, Dr. Christopher
based his Sermon on John 14:27
"Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

On the Fifth Sunday of Eastertide, Dr. Christopher
called us to love one another in his sermon based on John 13:34-35

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Dr. Christopher
reminded us that Jesus said in John 10:28
"No one will snatch them out of my hand."

On the First Sunday of Easter, Dr. Christopher
urged us to obey God rather than any human authority
in his sermon based on Acts 5:29.

On Easter Day, First Presbyterian Celebrated
The Resurrection of Our Lord by
Baptizing our newest Christian,
Confirming four and welcoming new members.
Preaching from Romans 6, Dr. Christopher
urged us to live in that newness of life that
God offers to us through the victory of Jesus.

In Lent Dr. Christopher spoke on
the Cross of Jesus.

On the Last Sunday before Lent, Dr. Christopher
spoke of the Gift of God -- Amazing Grace.

On the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Dr. Christopher
urged us to delight in the freedom of the Law of God

On the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Dr. Christopher
spoke of how we are impacted by choices

On the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Dr. Christopher
was in California on study leave,
and Dr. Fred Keith of Lynn Haven was our guest minister.

On the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, First Presbyterian
Welcomed new Members, Baptized our newest Christian,
Approved our Budget for 2007 and Dr. Christopher
showed us the Holy Spirit at work in all these things.

On the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Dr. Christopher
continued his series of sermons on the Gifts of God

As the church observed the first Sunday of Ordinary Time,
Dr. Christopher had these thoughts on the Baptism of Jesus

On the First Sunday of Christmas, Dr. Christopher
asked us to consider this challenge for the New Year

On Christmas Eve, we Celebrate the Coming of the Christ Child
with Carols and Communion.
At that service, Dr. Christopher led us
with these Reflections looking to Christmas Day

In Advent we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child
as we claim God's Gifts of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy

On the last Sunday of November we end the church year
by celebrating the Feast of Christ the King

Our Stewardship Season Theme this year is
"Letting God Lead"

Dr. Christopher has concluded his series of sermons
based on the book of Ephesians

In August, Dr. Christopher continued his series of sermons
based on the book of Ephesians

On July 30, 2006, the Rev. Trish Melvin Bruner,

an ordained Minister of the United Methodist Church,
a daughter of this church, and
a student at Candler School of Theology at Emory University,
delivered this sermon.

In July Dr. Christopher began a series of sermons
based on the book of Ephesians

Dr. Christopher's Sermons on Summerfest Themes

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for Trinity Sunday

A Celebration of Our Personal Relationship
with the Triune God

Dr. Christopher's Sermon for the Day of Pentecost

On Easter Day Dr. Christopher began a sermon series entitled
"Sharing the Victory and Work of Easter"

On April 30, 2006, Stephanie Maddox Hill,

a daughter of this church and
recent graduate of Louisville seminary
delivered this sermon.