Westminster Presbyterian Church Sumter SC

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 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, 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 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, 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 Prayer was meant to be a pattern for our prayers . . . not a slavish recitation. The good news of Jesus tells us that God allows us to share in his power, kingdom, and glory. Therefore, we ought to honor God by praying according to the Scriptures.. 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 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.