Subscribe to Sid's Just a Thought® to receive text and audio of each weekday's message in your e-mail inbox. The messages air each weekday morning on WKZL 107.5 FM.
Aug. 1
Senior Pastor Sid Batts preaches at both services:
10:30 a.m. traditional, sanctuary
10:30 a.m. Rejoice!, Mullin Life Center
More about worship
Earlier this year, the Session approved my leading a series of spiritual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other places of spiritual/religious significance.
My first pilgrimage will be to the Holy Land, departing Greensboro on Friday, Feb. 25. This 10-day venture will take us along the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, the Mount of Olives, the Jordan River, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Masada and other places of importance.
I am excited about this for many reasons. My first and only trip to Israel came 18 months ago when Cathy and I were part of a Greensboro ecumenical clergy pilgrimage. Being able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and see the places where many of our Biblical stories took place, gave me a context to deepen my understanding and my faith. My Bible now has pictures! As well, traveling with a group is both fun and relationship building.
We shall have devotions along the way and read the Biblical stories associated with the places we are visiting. Imagine reading the Beatitudes (“Blessed are peacemakers…”) along the grassy hillside where Jesus taught these truths, or hearing the story of the first Easter at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. In my previous church, I led such pilgrimages to Scotland (Presbyterian Roots), and Switzerland/Germany (Reformation Heritage). Now I am looking forward to joining with First Presbyterians in this experience.
I am planning this pilgrimage with the help of Kaye Carmichael, a travel consultant who specializes in working with pastors and churches visiting Israel. She is a Presbyterian and works with a company in Israel who has the reputation and history of providing first-class tours, accommodations and guides.
I will host an interest meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. in Smith 201, the Garrison Room, for those who want more information about our itinerary, hotels, details, costs, and basic information. This tour will be limited to 40 participants. In the meantime, this brochure with full details is available. To express an interest in going, contact my administrative assistant, Martha Holt, at 478-4702, or e-mail her at mholt@fpcgreensboro.org.
Grace and peace,
