Pastor Aaron R. Doll First Presbyterian Church 35 State Street Brockport, New York 14420 585-637-3780 E-Mail Aaron Monthly News Articles

Read Aaron's Christian Practices Sermons Below This Fall, I attempted my first Sermon Series of connected topics as your pastor. The topic was "essential Christian Practices" divided into seven subtopics; Word, Prayer, Community, Money, Mission, Trust, and Repentance. In many ways I feel that we take our Christian life for granted in the mainline church. We hearken to traditions that we know exist, but have little understanding of – or expectations have been so watered down so as not to exclude or offend that we get a little wishy-washy. There are times when it's helpful to be given a baseline – a starting-out-place for our practice of this faith. There are also times when we need to be reminded what it takes to be faithful. I did this at the risk of these messages being interpreted as a litmus-test for faith, and there are Christian groups and whole denominations that will tell you quite frankly if you measure up or not. The practice of Reformed Presbyterian Christianity, as I understand it, is to leave judgement in the hands of God, however. Our task is to help each other live lives as faithfully and as fully as possible. These sermons lay out some church tradition and some spirit-urging from my soul for you to make out what you will. The tradition and faith community provides needed and helpful reflection, but ultimately we must each make our own relationship with God what it is. It becomes what we invest in it. This sermon series then, is intended to become a tool for that investment. I admit that it probably has a lot to do with my own understandings and current journey of faith. There are parts of all these areas that I wrestle with. My comfort is the belief that God is pleased with the wrestling – the active attempt to be faithful in all of these areas. So, if I sound idealistic, or simplistic, or vague or off the wall, please know that I only hold part of God's Spirit. You hold the other part. I undertake this as a holy exercise in the hope that we are moved to dialogue as pastor and congregation. I do hope that I can provide some answers as well as some questions for your life. Aaron Essential Christian Practices Part One - Word Essential Christian Practices Part Two - Prayer Essential Christian Practices Part Three - Community Essential Christian Practices Part Four - Money Essential Christian Practices Part Five - Mission Essential Christian Practices Part Six - Trust