Spring 2017
INDEPENDENT Presbyterian Church
WINDOWS
Celebrate the Resurrection In this issue: RISEN INDEED
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ADORE THE LAMB! | FIXING OUR EYES ON WHAT IS UNSEEN
A New People. A New Memphis
My Dear Friends: I once worked for a retail bookstore where my office didn’t have any windows. Instead, I worked in a small backroom office with a computer and surrounded by cabinets. I would come into the office in the morning and leave in the evening with little idea what happened outside. As weeks moved into months and the seasons changed, I had little sense of what was going on in God’s creation. Ever since that experience, I’ve tried to position my desk, whether at home Windows is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church. Go to indepres.org to view online.
or in my work space, near a window. One of the things I love about my office at IPC is looking out my window at this huge tree and watching the seasons change just by seeing that tree. Indeed, being able to see God’s world as I work and as he works is a great joy and privilege—and I can access it all by looking out the window.
In this issue:
That’s all germane, I think, as you hold this new magazine that we have entitled, “Windows.” As such, it carries on the legacy of our old newsletter and it
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points to the beautiful clear windows in our church’s sanctuary. I encourage you
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he uses us to advance in his cause for his glory.
7 FIXING OUR EYES
about the meaning of the Resurrection as we look forward to the Easter season
ON WHAT IS UNSEEN
to think about this magazine as a window into what is going on in God’s world as As you read this issue, not only will you receive encouragement to think here at IPC, but also you will read a wonderful testimony of a lifelong member who sees how God is at work in his and his family’s life in the death of his mother. You will find information about upcoming major events in the life of our church, but over time inspiration about how God is using you as new people seeking to make a new Memphis. Our prayer is that as this magazine comes twice-a-year that it will serve as a window through which you will see God working through the seasons of our life together. Trusting that God will make it so for his glory!
In the grip of God’s grace,
Rev. Sean Michael Lucas, PhD Senior Pastor Independent Presbyterian Church 4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901-685-8206 | www.indepres.org
Martin C. Shea
Risen Indeed By Sean Michael Lucas
I’ll never forget it. It was Easter Sunday 2001. I was in Richmond,
Virginia, where I was doing two weeks of research for my PhD dissertation. I went to hear the famous liberal Baptist pastor, Peter Flamming, at the beautiful First Baptist Church, Richmond. He was the Fosdick of this generation, able to paint word pictures to explain spiritual truths in a simple yet powerful way.
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Scripture itself declares: Jesus the Messiah has been raised That Easter Sunday was quite brilliant in some ways. He from the dead—his actual physical body has been raised and told the story of Easter from the perspective of John Mark, transformed, just as the Old Testament Scriptures expected and whom some believe was the young man who fled Jesus’s arrest predicted. with such haste that he left his clothes behind (Mark 14:51-52). The very heart of His narrative sermon the Gospel that Paul was a compelling When the church declares, “Christ is risen indeed,” proclaimed was Jesus account of Jesus’s rising from the dead. arrest, the Pharisees’ it means far more than Jesus is spiritually alive in the In fact, Paul’s preaching mocking, the painful same fashion as a renewing life force causes daffodils in Acts always made it crucifixion. to rise. Rather, the church declares what Scripture itself back to the Resurrection It was brilliant because this was central until Flamming got to declares: Jesus the Messiah has been raised from the to the good news: yes, Jesus’s resurrection. In dead—his actual physical body has been raised and sins are forgiven and his telling, John Mark righteousness gained came to his mother transformed, just as the Old Testament Scriptures through Jesus’s death on and said, “Did you expected and predicted. the Cross, but new life hear the news? They and the new age itself say that Jesus is alive!” are ushered in with the Resurrection (e.g., Acts 13:32-37; 2 To which his mother replied, “Of course, Jesus is alive. Just as Corinthians 4:13-5:5). When Paul defines the basic outline of the spring brings renewal to the world every year, so Jesus has the Gospel that he received and passed onto the Corinthians, he come to new life. He’ll be alive for all of us as we hold him in declared, “That he was raised on the third day according to the our hearts.” Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). No, that’s not the point at all. When the church declares, Jesus’s bodily resurrection, then, is no unimportant “Christ is risen indeed,” it means far more than Jesus is matter. Lose the Resurrection and there is no Gospel. That’s spiritually alive in the same fashion as a renewing life force the point that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15: “If Christ has causes daffodils to rise. Rather, the church declares what
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not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17-19). Far from being unimportant, there is no Gospel without the bodily resurrection of Jesus; rather, we are following a delusion and are to be pitied. It is no wonder that, throughout history, skeptics have attacked right here: the veracity of the Gospels’ accounts of Jesus’s bodily resurrection. Skeptics have questioned the Resurrection’s rationality and scientific credibility, challenged the consistency of the Gospels’ accounts themselves and compared the New Testament idea of resurrection to Ancient Near Eastern myths; and posited alternative possibilities for the Resurrection. Of course, none of these things are particularly new; the Bible itself depicts some of these things. Some disciples doubted the possibility and rationality of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:17; Mark 16:8; John 20:24-29). Jesus himself insisted that after his death would come bodily resurrection (Matt 16:21, 17:23, 20:19); and the Jews themselves came up with alternative possibilities for what happened to Jesus’s body (Matthew 28:11-15). What is most important for anchoring our understanding of Jesus’s bodily resurrection is the Old Testament itself. A key text was Psalm 16:10: “You will not abandon me to the realm of
the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” This was a psalm of David; he was most assuredly in the realm of the dead (or “Sheol”) after he died; hence, this text must be speaking about someone else. About whom was Psalm 16:10 speaking? Peter tells us in Acts 2. After quoting this psalm, Peter noted that David remained in the grave; however, he was a prophet and was thinking about his future son who would sit on his throne forever. “Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the Resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witness of it” (Acts 2:31-32). The Resurrection was how God would keep his promise to David that he would have a forever son ruling over a forever kingdom. David’s confidence in that promise was worked out in Psalm 16 and found fulfillment on that first Easter Sunday. So, we can say more than Dr. Flamming said, far more. We can boldly say that Jesus was raised bodily by the power of the Spirit, that he was vindicated as God’s Son through the Resurrection (Romans 1:5), that he appeared in his Spirit-empowered body to many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), and that the apostolic witness to Jesus’s resurrection is trustworthy, credible, and necessary. Our hopes and confidence are rooted in more than the coming of the springtime. They are rooted in the affirmation, “Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!”
can boldly say that Jesus was raised bodily by “theWepower of the Spirit, that he was vindicated as God’s
Son through the Resurrection (Romans 1:5), that he appeared in his Spirit-empowered body to many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8), and that the apostolic witness to Jesus’s resurrection is trustworthy, credible, and necessary.
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Adore The Lamb! By James Brown
ne of our choir’s standard Sunday
focus upon praising the Name of God, our Creator and adoring
morning anthems is an early
The Lamb, our Savior.
American hymn with words by Isaac Watts – “Sing to the Lord.” Watts has been called “The Father of English Hymnody” for his significant contribution (600 hymns) to the English hymns of the 18th century. He wrote many paraphrases of Psalms and sought, through his compositions, to bring to life the congregational hymn singing of his day. One of his most enduring hymns is one of our most treasured hymns – “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” The last stanza of the previously mentioned folk hymn “Sing to the Lord” has fascinated me through the years – “The whole creation join in one To bless the sacred Name, Of Him that sits upon the throne, And to adore the Lamb!” As we approach the Easter season it seems especially appropriate to
At only twenty years old, Sam Mooney has already become a #1-selling iTunes singer/songwriter, performed from Los Angeles to Boston, and won the nation’s largest amateur talent competition. His soulful brand of pop music has earned critical and commercial success and has drawn comparisons to artists such as John Mayor, Eric Hutchinson, Maroon 5, and Gavin Degraw.
Isaac Watts was an English minister, hymn writer, theologian and author of books on various academic subjects. He was recognized as the “Father of English Hymnody,” credited with over 600 hymns, many of which are paraphrases of Psalms.
tPlease join us for our b
Easter Eve Concert On Saturday, April 15 at the Levitt Shell, 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE event at the historic Levitt Shell, located in Overton Park. Invite your family and friends to enjoy a spring evening on Easter Eve featuring singer/songwriter, Sam Mooney. Bring your own chairs, blanket and a picnic. Fuel Truck, Sushi Jimmi, and MemPops food trucks will be available.
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In order to assist us in our
express with authenticity particular style periods.
corporate worship during this season,
Included will be the hymns of early Christian
our Music and Worship ministry will
writers, Latin hymns, German hymns, English
be preparing several services, offering
hymns, American gospel hymns, and those from
significant opportunities for praising our almighty God,
folk sources through the centuries, including those written for
Creator and Father and The Lamb, his Son, our Savior. The
Christian worship on college campuses of today. We will offer
first occasion will be Palm Sunday evening, April 9 at 6:00 p.m.,
“something for everyone” but our primary goal will be to offer
when we will hear scripture concerning Christ’s triumphal
a “sacrifice of praise” to God and to The Lamb.
entry into Jerusalem, his betrayal and crucifixion, and pointing
On Thursday evening following Palm Sunday, we will
to his Resurrection. Following each scripture “lesson,” the choirs and congregation will sing various hymns appropriate to the readings. The hymns will include a variety of styles representing many eras of authorship from the early church to our modern day worship experience. A variety of instrumentalists will be employed to
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Camp Palmer
Camp DeSoto Mentone, Alabama | May 26-31 Since 1968 Camp Palmer is IPC’s oldest mercy ministry. In 1968 IPC began taking the children living in the Palmer Home residential home in Columbus, Mississippi for two weeks each year in order to give house parents their only vacation of the year. This special ministry is still going strong today, as the children from Palmer Home (Columbus and Hernando, MS) and IPC go to camp together every year. Camp is a fun, rustic, busy week full of many different activities; horseback riding, rock climbing, and canoeing. Other activities include beading, riflery, crafts, tennis, fishing, karaoke, and slip and slide kickball. A worship service takes place once a day and a Bible study by age groups in the evening. Pray for the week of camp, for physical safety and that children will learn more about their Savior, or meet him for the very first time. Grades 1-12 | Go to www.indepres.org for more information. 5
have our traditional Maundy Thursday worship service with
sing hymns of praise and adoration to our Lord for the victory
the Lord’s Supper. We will reflect upon the significance of the
Jesus won over sin, death and hell, in order that we might live
Lamb’s sacrifice, commemorating the night that Jesus met with
with him forever. So before Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will worship joyfully, loudly and
his disciples to have a last meal together prior to
enthusiastically with music that includes
his betrayal, trial and crucifixion. During
traditional Easter hymns, ensemble
the supper, our Lord said, “A new
selections and the “Hallelujah!”
commandment I give to you,
chorus – “For the Lord God
that you love one another:
omnipotent reigneth!”
just as I have loved you.”
Please take
The word “Maundy” is from the Latin
advantage of these special
“mandatum” (meaning
opportunities to worship
“command.”) Jesus set
our Lord with a wonderful array of congregational,
an example of loving
choral and instrumental
service that evening as he
music. Let us join our Christian
washed his disciples’ feet. Our
brother, the 18th Century hymn
congregational hymns, choral music and instrumental music will express the
writer Isaac Watts, along with “the whole
significance and reflect the tone of that Last Supper. And finally, the two worship services of Easter morning – services of celebration! Large numbers of our members, their families and guests will gather on this special morning to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. We will once again
creation,” praising God on his throne and adoring the Lamb. James Brown is the Director of Music and Worship at Independent Presbyterian Church. He has served as the Music Ministry Director with his wife Pam for over 23 years.
We have entered a time of preparation for Easter. This 40-day season
in the life of the church coincides with the spring season that anticipates new life, and culminates with our celebration of life eternal on Easter Sunday. During this season Christians have historically set apart time for deeper spiritual reflection and preparation for their Easter celebration. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, the Easter season invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’s death and resurrection. The bookstore has many great titles that will encourage and help you grow spiritually closer to your Lord. Here are a few recommendations. BOOKSTORE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Wednesday 9:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. Closed Saturday | Sunday 9:30–10:50 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. after worship www.indepres.org/resources/ipc-bookstore | 901-763-3932 | covenant@indepres.org
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A Journey Through Lent by Tim Keller This book highlights selected psalms that reflect the struggles of our spiritual journey, and address the wilderness experiences we often face. They echo the reality of our broken humanity and recognize the world is not as it should be. Just as the spring days lengthen and grow brighter, the prayers of these psalms point to the end of the story-Easter Sunday and the ultimate restoration of all things. The book seeks to provide refreshment for parched souls-the refreshment of repentance, rest, security and hope.
Fixing Our Eyes on What is Unseen By Dan McEwan
E
SPN recently showed a video
hope in 2 Corinthians. But we have this
be revealed in our mortal body. So then,
of Coach Brian Kelly making an
treasure in jars of clay to show that this
death is at work in us, but life is at work
emphatic appeal to about 150
all-surpassing power is from God and
in you…(2 Corinthians 4:7-12)
attentive football players at an elite high
not from us. We are hard pressed on
school football camp where he firmly
every side, but not crushed; perplexed,
who raised the Lord Jesus from the
told them, “ I don’t know you or how
but not in despair; persecuted, but
dead will also raise us with Jesus and
gifted you are or whether you will achieve
not abandoned; struck down, but not
present us with you to himself. All this
your goals or not…But this one thing, I
destroyed. We always carry around in
is for your benefit, so that the grace
will guarantee. Playing football FOR
our body the death of Jesus, so that
that is reaching more and more people
YOU WILL END. I guarantee it. I don’t
the life of Jesus may also be revealed
may cause thanksgiving to overflow
know when — it might be in a drill this
in our body. For we who are alive are
to the glory of God. Therefore we do
afternoon or it might be after 20 years of
always being given over to death for
not lose heart. Though outwardly we
playing in the NFL — but it will end.”
Jesus’s sake, so that his life may also
are wasting away, yet inwardly we
Because we know that the one
are being renewed day
As harsh as that speech is for 18-year-old
by day. For our light and
boys with big dreams,
momentary troubles are
it is easy to draw the
achieving for us an eternal
parallel for all of us that
glory that far outweighs
this life is fleeting and
them all. So we fix our eyes
while we might not know
not on what is seen, but on
the hour each of our lives
what is unseen, since what
will end, the surety of it is
is seen is temporary, but
unavoidable. Paul makes
what is unseen is eternal. (2
this very plain and gives
Corinthians 4:14-18)
us great reason to have
So many people Dan McEwan (left) with his mother Freddie and brother Bob.
The Mosaic Bible This Bible is a weekly meditation Bible that brings in material from every continent and in every century of Christian history. The Mosaic Bible begins with the season of Advent (the beginning of the church calendar) and has daily Bible readings aligned with the church seasons. This is a great way to begin to orient your life to the life of the church, and daily to experience Christ both in his word and in the responses of his people. This Bible will enrich your life throughout the whole year.
Mission Accomplished by Scott James This book is a two-week family devotional for Easter. It is to be shared the week before and after Easter walking with Jesus through the suffering of the Cross, the joy of the Resurrection, and the beginning of Christianity. Each day’s devotion just takes 10 minutes and is suitable for children of all ages. Included are family activities, hymns, and prayers to help family members remember and apply the truth that Christ is risen indeed.
Why Easter? by Barbara Reaoch This family devotional contains 28 lessons that explore the true meaning of Easter. Each lesson has a theme with passages from the Bible, questions, memory verses and hymns that illuminate the problem of mankind and the need of a Savior. As the children meditate and reflect on the life and death of Jesus they are drawn to him and their love for him is grown. 7
of this resurrection gift.
at IPC walked down the road with
for us - not just that we are justified
our family as Freddie McEwan (my
in him, but that we will be raised to
mother) battled colon cancer for two
be with him forever. The greatness,
contemplate the awesomeness of our
plus years and eventually died in May
the expectancy, and the certainty
returning, promise-keeping Lord. King
of 2016. Our family was encouraged,
of this promise is not only true for
Jesus is really coming back. He will
loved, supported, and cared for by this
the “crossover” point from death to
raise those who have “fallen asleep” to
congregation as we went through this
eternal life, but for eternity with Him.
be with him forever. This “resurrection
difficult storm. While mom always kept
In this Easter season, may we all be
promise” is true for Freddie and is the
her positive attitude despite any bad
reminded that we who are in Him will
guaranteed “future” for all who are in
news that came, it became more and
one day receive new bodies that are not
Him.
more apparent over the course of her treatment that her body was failing. To use Paul’s terms: her “jar of clay” or her “tent” was “wearing out.” It was “wasting away.” Despite the hardships and troubles of this life, Paul exhorts us to see beyond the (often difficult) realities of this life by putting our hope in Him
It’s rare that we stop and
“He will raise those who have ‘fallen asleep’ to be with him forever. This ‘resurrection promise’ is true for Freddie and is the guaranteed ‘future’ for all who are in Him.” Dan McEwan
of believers, we need to help one another fix our hope on the glory that is to come. In the last week of my Mom’s life, her tent was worn out and it was tough. “This is not the
who has secured an amazing future. susceptible to cancer, sickness, broken
end.” One of our pastors told us and it is
victory, the celebration and the glory
bones, death and “wearing out.” Our
so true.
of the next life will be a billion times
new, glorified bodies will not experience
greater for the believer than any earthly
sadness, loss, and pain. The “old order”
experience.
will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Not
John Piper preached that the
My mother’s death has been (and
only will we be resurrected with new
will continue to be) a great reminder to
bodies, but we will be with Jesus.
me of the truth that Jesus has secured
Thanksgiving should “overflow” because
Dan McEwan currently serves as a Ruling Elder at Independent Presbyterian Church. He has attended IPC with his family his entire life.
All New Pathway Weekend | April 28-29 Taught by Senior Pastor, Dr. Sean Lucas at Independent Presbyterian Church
Our desire at IPC is to know you by name and shepherd you and your family as you follow Christ. When the Lord leads you to officially join our faith family, we want you to immediately be known by name and prayed for by the leadership of a specific community.
Friday, April 28
Saturday, April 29
6:00 p.m. | Dinner 6:30 p.m. | Session I 7:30 p.m. Break 7:45-8:30 p.m. | Session II
8:30 a.m. | Breakfast 9:00 a.m. | Session III 10:45 a.m. Break 11:00-12:00 p.m. | Session IV
Contact Maureen Odiam at modiam@indepres.org or call 901.685.8206 if you would like to attend. Go to www.indepres.org to register online. 8
As a community
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 12-16 | 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Ahoy Matey(s)! This year’s VBS theme is Treasure Island. Hop aboard your ship, grab your mates and join us on a spectacular treasure hunt as we discover the real treasure, Jesus Christ. VBS is a fun-filled, Christ-centered week for both children and adults, while planting seeds in the hearts of many. We are already beginning preparations and are very much anticipating the week’s arrival, praying for the children, teachers, volunteers, and parents who bring their children for this week. Pre-K through 5th Grade registration will begin in May (must be age four by June 1 to participate.) Hope to see you Landlubbers there!
AHOY, VOLUNTEERS!
All hands on deck! Volunteer registration will begin in April. Please begin praying for the week of VBS and how you might join us in serving the children of IPC and our surrounding communities. We believe the Lord will do incredible work during VBS to further His Kingdom, and we encourage you to consider participating in this work with us.
www.indepres.org/VBS2017
TEACHER TRAINING
Wednesday, May 10, 17 | 6:30 p.m., Room 205 Sunday, May 21 | 9:45 a.m., Room 205
VBS PREP WEEK
June 5-8 | 9:00 -12:00 p.m. or 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Nursery provided by reservation 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Contact Cindy Wright at cwright@indepres.org to make reservations.
“My first encounter with church was as a rising fourth-grader at a VBS in Fanwood, New Jersey. I had no background in the Bible, knew none of the Bible stories, and had only been at church three or four times previously my entire life. That VBS was the first time I heard about Jesus from adults who loved Jesus. It is not an exaggeration to say that my journey to becoming Senior Pastor at IPC began 36 years ago at VBS. It is that important.” Sean Lucas, IPC Senior Pastor
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4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 www.indepres.org
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Dated Material — Please Expedite
Palm Sunday
April 9 | 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Adore the Lamb! worshiping our lord in word and song
April 9 | 6:00 p.m.
The congregation is invited to join IPC choirs in singing traditional and modern hymns, accompanied by a variety of orchestral and acoustic instruments.
Maundy Thursday Service April 13 | 6:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday He is Risen!
April 16 | 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.