Westminster Presbyterian Sumter

Join Pastor Stuart for the next lesson in our series, Dark Side of the Mind, a sermon series on dealing with the "dark emotions" (anger, anxiety, depression, envy, guilt, and shame). In this fourth lesson, we turn to Psalms 42 & 43 as we here an encouragement to walk faithfully after God even in the midst of . . . "Our Grief & Depression". In this lesson, we see: Grief, in general, and depression specifically are not sin in and of themselves. How we handle grief and depression and what’s underneath our grief and depression may be sin. We may not be able to completely control how we feel when we’re depressed, but we can address our thinking and actions. Jesus is the ultimate hope for depressed people. Therefore, you can: Set realistic goals. Allow yourself to feel sadness. Don’t isolate.  Note the how’s and the why’s. Evaluate. Speak truth to yourself. Savor Christ. So, by the work of the Holy Spirit, let’s focus on Jesus and grow in managing our grief and depression well. You can learn more about W

Join Pastor Stuart for the third part in our new series, Dark Side of the Mind, a sermon series on dealing with the "dark emotions" (anger, anxiety, depression, envy, guilt, and shame). In this lesson, we turn to various passages in the Old and New Testament as we here an exhortation on . . . "Minding Our Anxiety". In this lesson, we see: Anxiety in and of itself is not sinful. What is often sinful is how we handle anxiety and what is underneath our anxieties. Anxiety is often driven by desires for security, control, and certainty. While these desires are not sinful in and of themselves, they can become idolatrous. Jesus speaks calm and comfort into our anxious minds. Therefore, you can: Admit your anxieties. Note your how’s and why’s. Xanax can be helpful. Involve your body. Evaluate your values. Try facing your fears. Yield to your heavenly Father’s good, sovereign care. So, by the work of the Holy Spirit and because of Christ Jesus, let’s grow in managing our anxieties well. You can learn more about Wes

Join Pastor Stuart as we continue in our new series, Dark Side of the Mind, a sermon series on dealing with the "dark emotions" (anger, anxiety, depression, envy, guilt, and shame). In our second lesson, we turn to various passages in the Old and New Testament as we here an exhortation on . . . "Minding Our Anger". In this lesson, we see: Anger, in and of itself, is not sinful. How we handle our anger and what is underneath our anger is often sinful. Humility is a good corrective to the issues we have with anger. Jesus is the double cure of our anger problems. Therefore, you can: Admit your anger. kNow why. Go slow. Evaluate what’s underneath. Respond by the help of the Spirit. So, by the work of the Holy Spirit, let’s cultivate Christlike humility and grow in handling our anger well. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart as we begin our new series, Dark Side of the Mind, a sermon series on dealing with the "dark emotions" (anger, anxiety, depression, envy, guilt, and shame). In our first lesson, we turn to Proverbs 4:23 and Romans 12:2 as we here an exhortation to . . . "Mind Your Mind". In this lesson, we see: God calls us to mind our mind/heart. The way we think affects the way we live. This is why we are to evaluate our thoughts with all vigilance. God promises that in Christ and by the Spirit our minds can be renewed. Therefore, you ought to: Check in frequently on the way you are thinking. Evaluate your thoughts in light of the truth of Jesus. So, by the work of the Holy Spirit, let’s mind our minds knowing he will renew our minds in Christ Jesus. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

(Note: During the worship service this last Sunday, we ran into several challenges affecting the quality of both the audio and video recordings. I’ve done my best to clean things up, but there are still many glitches remaining. Please bear with them as you are able and, Lord willing, we will have things back on track next week. PT) Join Pastor Stuart for the ninth and final lesson in our series, Living on a Prayer. We return one last time to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "A Fitting End to Our Prayers". In this lesson, we will answer the question, "Why is the phrase 'For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.' in some Bibles, but not in others?" While the issue is somewhat complicated, it can generally be reduced to different views on how to understand the manuscript evidence. Regardless of what view we may take, the phrase in question has definite biblical support and is therefore an appropriate way to end any prayer. Remember, the Lord’s Pra

Join Pastor Stuart for the eighth lesson in our series, Living on a Prayer. We return again this week to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "Praying for Our Daily Bread". In this lesson, we see: Because temptation is always a reality in this fallen world, we pray for God’s intervention. We need to understand that temptations come from both within and without. Satan is an actual, personal enemy we dare not ignore. Jesus is more than able to keep us from giving in to temptation and to deliver us from Satan. Therefore, we ought to pray for deliverance from Satan and temptations. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Nathan for the seventh part in our series, Living on a Prayer. We turn again to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "Praying for Our Forgiveness". In this lesson, we see: Our prayers need to be filled with confession and our hearts moved to compassion. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the sixth lesson in our series, Living on a Prayer. We return again this week to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "Praying for Our Daily Bread". In this lesson, we see: God invites us to pray for our needs. Our prayers for the necessities of life are: not to be self-centered. mainly focused on today. We pray for our needs because God is abundantly able to meet those needs. God is also the generous Father who loves to give his children that which is good for them. God has promised he will meet our ultimate needs in Christ. Therefore, we ought to pray that God will meet all the needs of his people. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the fifth lesson in our series, Living on a Prayer. This week, we return to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "Praying God’s Will". In this lesson, we see: Our prayers are for God’s will to be done. When we pray this way, we are praying for: willing obedience to God’s commands. humble acceptance of God’s plans. Jesus is the center of God’s will. Therefore, we ought to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the fourth lesson in our series, Living on a Prayer. This week, we return to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we examine the idea of . . . "Kingdom Prayer". In this lesson, we see: Our prayers are to be kingdom-minded. Broadly speaking, the kingdom can be understood as God’s reign over creation. In a more specific sense, the kingdom is the renewed order in which God’s reign is obvious and unchallenged. So when we pray “your kingdom come,” we are basically praying for a new creation in which sin and its curse are no more. The good news is that Jesus has already inaugurated this kingdom and will consummate it at his return. Therefore, we ought to pray for the full expression of God’s kingdom on earth. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the third part in our new series, Living on a Prayer. In this lesson, we turn again to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we take a closer look at the idea of . . . "Hallowing Prayer". In this lesson, we see: When we pray, we are to “hallow” the name of God. To “hallow” is to set apart as special and significant. The great desire of our prayers is for God to be honored above everything in our lives, in the church, in our community, and in the world. The good news of Jesus is that he will bring about the universal recognition of God’s glory. Therefore, we ought to pray in a way that honors God above everything else. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Nathan as we continue in our new series, Living on a Prayer. In our second lesson, we return to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we take a closer look at . . . "Going to the Father". In this lesson, we see: When we pray, we are going to our Father in heaven. Therefore, we ought to pray with honesty and awe as we and our brothers and sisters go to our heavenly Father. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart as we begin our new series, Living on a Prayer. In our first lesson, we turn to the Gospel According to Matthew 6:7-13 as we take a closer look at . . . "Jesus' Prayer Pattern". In this lesson, we see: Jesus has given us a pattern for prayer. This model prayer of Jesus instructs us in the attitudes and priorities of prayer.  This prayer reminds us we are a community of disciples and not merely individual followers of Christ. Every phrase of this prayer demonstrates the grace of God in Christ towards us. Therefore, we ought to practice praying according to the pattern Jesus has given us. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Nathan as we turn to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Colossians 4:2 to learn about . . . "The Essential Nature of Prayer in the Christian Life". In this lesson, we learn that . . . Prayer is essential in the Christian life. So we should let our lives be filled with prayer. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the final lesson in our series, Let's Get Spiritual. This week, we turn again to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 1:15-23 to be reminded of God's . . . "Resurrection Power". In this lesson, we see: God wants us to know that he is powerfully at work in all who believe. The Holy Spirit works within us with the power of the resurrection of Jesus. There are several reasons why someone may not experience this power: Unbelief. Unenlightened. Unwilling to experience "death." The good news is that even with our deficiencies, God is able to do immeasurably more than we can imagine. Therefore, we ought to believe the power of the resurrected Christ is available through the work of the Spirit So, let’s live in the power of the resurrected Lord and King, Jesus. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart for the sixth lesson in our series, Let's Get Spiritual. This week, we turn to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:25-32 for a grace-filled admonishment that we . . . "Don't Grieve the Spirit". In this lesson, we see: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. The fact that the Spirit can be grieved indicates he is personal. How do we grieve the Spirit? Because the Spirit is holy (that is, set apart from sin), there is a sense in which all sin is grievous to him. More specifically, willful, rebellious attitudes and behavior grieve the Spirit. Even more specifically, relational sins that affect the church community grieve the Spirit. Because we are sealed by the Spirit for the day of redemption won for us by Christ, we desire to refrain from grieving him. Therefore, we ought to . . . Watch our attitude. Seek relational shalom – especially in the church community. Be quick to repent of sin. In all things, rely on the Spirit. So, let’s keep in step with the Spirit as we willingly submit to his

Join Pastor Stuart as we continue in our series, Let's Get Spiritual. In our fifth lesson, we turn to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Corinthians 12:1-11 for a reminder of the nature and purpose of . . . "Spiritual Gifts". In this lesson, we see: The Holy Spirit gives gifts to all who are in Christ. While there are a variety of gifts, they are all given for the good of the church. The Spirit decides what gift(s) each believer receives. At the same time, we are encouraged to earnestly desire what is best for the church. The Spirit empowers these gifts so that we are built up in Christ. Ultimately, the gifts of the Spirit point us to Jesus. Therefore, we ought to be eager for the gifts of the Spirit to be used to build up the church. So, let’s believe the Spirit gifts each of us to grow the church into maturity in Christ. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @

Join Pastor Nathan for the fourth lesson in our series, Let's Get Spiritual. This week, we turn to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:15-21 to hear the blessings of a . . . "Spirit Filled Melody". In this lesson, we see: Our lives should reflect the work of the Holy Spirit So let's live a life filled with the Holy Spirit. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart as we continue in our series, Let's Get Spiritual. In this third lesson, we turn again to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:16-26 for a reminder of God's work of salvation bearing . . . "Spiritual Fruit". In this lesson, we see: The fruit of the Spirit is the work of the Spirit. Apart from the Spirit we produce bad fruit. The best we can muster by ourselves is fake fruit. Ultimately, the fruit of the Spirit is about Jesus. Therefore, we can RELY on the Spirit to produce his fruit in us as we . . . Remember God is at work in you. Employ the resources of Christ. Lean on the Spirit as you step out in faith. Yield to the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures. Let’s rely on the Spirit as we seek to grow in Christ-like character. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.

Join Pastor Stuart as we continue in our new series, Let's Get Spiritual. In our second lesson, we turn to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:1-3 for a reminder that God's work of salvation in our lives is always . . . "Beginning and Ending by the Spirit". In this lesson, we see: Life in Christ is from beginning to end the work of the Holy Spirit. All the blessings of Christ come to us through the Holy Spirit. We need to be on guard for the persistent, deep-rooted tendency to rely on our works. Therefore, you can act in faith today as you . . . Acknowledge you need the Spirit. Believe the Spirit gives the resources of Christ. Call on the Spirit for help. Do God’s will relying on the Spirit. So, let’s rely on the Spirit knowing he will finish the work he began in us. You can learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church at https://www.westminsterpca.net. Join us Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. at 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC! Find us on social media at @WPCSumter.