Week 22 - First Presbyterian

This week we attended the contemporary service at First Presbyterian in Edmond. It’s a very beautiful older building that really looks like a church, stained glass windows and all. Added to that were the very contemporary elements of a praise band, audio/visual enhancements. There was no communion at this service, but a collection was passed by both men and women. They included a segment for the children up on the stage that was a nice way to make them feel included and an important part of the worship time. The title of the sermon was “Trading Places: The Prince and the Pauper (He endured our shame that we might share His glory).” In his sermon he discussed the elements of guilt and shame which I had honestly never thought about before as being different, but they are. Jesus didn’t just take on our guilt at the cross, he also bore our shame. Like salt in the wound so to speak. The preacher mentioned that he was from a Muslim family and was kicked out of the family when he announced he had become a Christian. That was impressive to me. I can’t imagine having the strength to endure something so traumatic as being disowned by your family. Shame was felt on both sides in that family for different reasons and I imagine it was intense. Even so, it pales in comparison to the undeserved shame Christ bore for us. That thought gives me a much needed attitude adjustment this week.