First Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church has its roots back to the Reform Movement in England and Scotland, when people like John Calvin separated from the Roman Catholic Church based on grievances. Presbyterian churches surged in the United States during the Revivalist Movement of the early 18th century. 

The Presbyterian Church has a combined governance of both clergy and laity, which is open to both men and women. They believe in "the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith, and the priesthood of all believers."

PC (USA) made several momentous decisions regarding the direction of the national organization this summer, one of which was to allow their ministers "freedom of conscience" to perform same sex marriages in the jurisdictions that have legalized them. 


I attended the First Presbyterian Church's 8:45 am Sunday service. They held the service in their courtyard. The 11am service is held in their Sanctuary. 

I got there a little early and there was fellowship with hot drinks and donuts. Many people spoke to and greeted me. 

A piano and clarinet duo performed the service music ~ very nice.  

Don't Tell Me What You Believe - Show Me

Presbyterians use a form of prayer and ritual similar to Catholics in their service; but the Calls to Worship, Doxology, and Prayers of Confession are more unique and modern. After the initial prayers and announcements, there was a time of greeting peace to one another. Elder Libby told the children a bible story. 

Reverend Matthew Miller gave the sermon about Moses and the Burning Bush.

And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you." ~ Exodus 3:12

The minister talked about when Moses was living in exile. He was just trying to mind his own business and live an ordinary life, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a Burning Bush. God commanded him to take off his shoes and go Barefoot on the Holy Land. God had different plans for Moses, to mind God's Business by being a part of the Deliverance of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God made that Moses' business. When Moses questioned God on how he could do it, God assured him that he would be with him on his Journey. 
God comes to us in many ways, are you listening, or are you just walking by that Burning Bush? Minister Miller shared with us that Once your World is Ablaze with the Glory of God, it is hard to go back. In the end, the only thing that any of us need is that God will be with us in all that we do. 

"But only he who sees, takes off his shoes." ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do you know that God has not sent you a Burning Bush, are you paying attention?

After the sermon, there was offering and communion. It was an altar communion with loaf bread and trays of individual glasses. The service ended with the Benediction and a send off Blessing. 

There was something very peaceful about the outside service, I really like it. 

THANK YOU First Presbyterian Church for your peaceful service.  

Church of the Holy Cross

The Episcopal Church is a protestant Reform denomination that originated from the Church of England. The Church of England split from the Roman Catholic church in the 17th century, when the Pope refused to annul the marriage of the then King of England - Henry VIII. The church however still had to submit to papal authority until the Queen Elizabeth I era, when that decision was reversed. When Britain began colonization, the Church of England spread to all continents. As a successor to the Church of England, the movement in the American colonies became known as Episcopal/Anglican and was formalized in 1789 in Philadelphia.  

Episcopal faith is considered 'catholic' by ritual and liturgy and 'reformed' by application of theologies. Both men and women, including those who are married, are eligible to be ordained as deacons, priests, & bishops. Episcopalians do not forbid the sacraments to those who have been divorced. They use the Book of Common Prayer in services. 

Settled at the base of Southern Mountain in Edgewood NM, Church of the Holy Cross is a small inclusive and heartfelt community. Besides being Father's Day, it was Trinity Sunday - the first Sunday after Pentecost. Father Raymond Raney presided over the service. 

The standard liturgy prayers were conducted and then there were readings, which was a group effort - different passages were read by members that were sitting throughout the congregation. Fr. Raney's sermon focused on Fathers. He talked about the relationship we have with our heavenly father and how it is often similar to the one we have set up with our Earthly father. If our father was loving, then it is a loving relationship. If our father was stern and distant than often so too is our relationship with God. He encouraged us to not let the shortcomings of our parents, dictate our perception of and relationship with God.  

For the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. ~ Proverbs 3:12

Earlier this week, this congregation lost a member to death. The Paten and Chalice used during the service's communion ritual were pottery that was crafted by that beloved member. Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians in Episcopal churches. There was a choir that led the songs and the men of the choir performed a solo for the congregation. It was very touching because the man who had passed away was a big part of the choir and this song became a tribute to him.  

They handed out a small gift to all of the Dads at the service and then there was food and fellowship after the service. 

They are a lovely community, very open and receptive. People of ALL Lifestyles are welcome to worship at Church of the Holy Cross. 

THANK YOU Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church for sharing your service with me. 

A Reformed Good Friday

Good Friday is part of the Holy Week before Easter and is a remembrance of the Crucifixion of Christ. Catholics as well as many Protestants celebrate the day. 

When the reform movement occurred, many different church denominations were born during the split from the Catholic Church. In Germany, it was the Lutherans. In England, the Anglicans, and in Switzerland and other parts of Europe, it was the Calvinists. A Dutch branch of the Calvinist movement brought about the foundation of the Dutch Christian Reformed Church, many of whom emigrated to the United States in the middle of the 19th Century. In 1857, the Christian Reformed Church CRCNA was established when a group of families in the United States split from the Dutch Reform Movement. CRCNA is a confessional church that believes: The Bible alone is the Authoritative source for individuals rather than church traditions, daily lives should be directed by the scriptures, and they place an important emphasis on Christian education and global outreach.

I attended the Fellowship Christian Reformed Church's Good Friday service. One of their congregational goals is "to help everyone connect with God in a way that makes sense and is meaningful." "

IN ALL I DO - I HONOR YOU

As we entered the sanctuary we were each given a stone. Pastor John Dykhuis facilitated the worship service. He lit a group of candles at the beginning, and after each section of the service, a candle was snuffed out. The sermon was the end of a series of sermons around stones. The service was broken into the events (or stones) leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus ~ the stone of condemnation of Jesus, separation, sorrow, suffering - then to the final stone that was placed when Jesus' tomb was closed. 
Different members led the congregation through each section - read a bible passage, said a prayer, then there was a moment of silence. Many songs were also sung throughout this journey of worship. 

The service ended by uniting with Jesus in his death by the breaking of bread and The Lord's Supper. Pastor Dykhuis asked as we approached the alter to put our stone on the cross as a symbol of shedding the burden and weight of the sins of the world. If we give our sins to Jesus, he will take them from us. After each person received communion, they could either stay and meditate or quietly leave the sanctuary for fellowship outside of the worship hall.  

This cup is the new covenant made with my blood. Every time you drink from it, do it to remember me. 
                                                                                                    ~ 1 Corinthians 11:25

I do believe this congregation is accomplishing their goals, the service was very intimate and meaningful. A wonderful representation of worship through scripture. 

THANK YOU Fellowship Christian Reformed Church - it was a lovely Good Friday.   

Faith Lutheran Church

The Lutheran church was founded rather unintentionally in 1517 by the German Monk, Martin Luther. In an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, he published 95 Theses in protest to the practice of indulgences. Instead of serving as an inspiration for reform in the church, it led to his excommunication. Despite threats to his life, he continued his studies and teachings which turned into Lutheranism. 

One of the largest and oldest denominations of Protestant Christianity. Lutherans number over 70 million worldwide, According to the Lutheran World Federation.

I did not realize this but there are actually many different types of Lutheran churches. There are Evangelical ELCA, Missouri Synoid LCMS, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ  LCMC, and possibly even more. LCMC is a very small denomination of the Lutheran Faith with only 820 congregations worldwide. 


I attended Faith Lutheran's 5pm Saturday service. Their sanctuary is very spectacular and bright with expansive high windows that allow the Sandias to watch over during service. 

Faith Lutheran is a member of the LCMC and teaches the Lutheran themes of "grace alone, faith alone, word alone and Christ alone." 

Holy Communion is only conducted on the first Sunday of each month but is done so as an "open table" - all Christians who truly repent of their sins are welcome to join in receiving the Lord's Supper.

The service started with a prayer and then greetings - I have to say I love when churches have members greet each other during the service - adds a great warmth to the whole situation. 

SHINE their performance youth group performed a skit that illustrated how modern trappings such as hobbies or gaming can put a distance between you and Jesus. They did a fabulous job and showed great talent and pride in their faith. 

The sermon was based on Romans 12. Associate Pastor Jerry Watts spoke to the congregation of being mindful of that which truly rules your life. Are we allowing ourselves to be distracted by the modern conveniences and amusements of daily life? Rather than allowing external influences to guide our lives we should allow the Eternal to transform our lives ~ He encouraged us to let the Glory of God be brought out into our lives and shape our passions. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind

~ Romans 12:2

Saved by grace through faith - Pastor Watts

Note: Because of the gorgeous sanctuary and view - it also seems to be a popular place for weddings. 

THANK YOU Faith Lutheran for sharing your worship service with me.