The congregation of John Knox Presbyterian Church welcomes you to this preview of our life together. We hope you will explore this site; but better yet, we hope you will join us. Our congregation is warm and welcoming, inviting all to worship, serve, share and explore the love of God known through Jesus Christ. May God bless you richly as you continue your personal journey of faith in Jesus Christ,

Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan, Pastor

Welcome Brochure 

A number of years back I performed a renewal of marital vows ceremony for 110 couples who had been married over 50 years.  I recall the awe I felt looking out at so many who chose to re-commit their lives to each other laughing and giggling along the way.  One man asked on behalf of the other men if at the conclusion of the service they were supposed to embrace and kiss their wife or whoever was near them.

          What stories did these couples possess?  How had they endured tragedy, suffering, temptation, war, financial struggle?  Part of the problem in our culture today is that we are so fragmented that we rarely have a chance to pass these stories along.  We have crafted a highly efficient society frequently void of settings where those who have been married over 50 years can sit with those preparing to get married. What this means is that couples preparing for marriage face marriage on their own.  So who is helping them?  What stories do they need to hear prior to getting married?  What stories do they need to hear a year into marriage?

          If they have children, what stories do their children need to hear?  Author Leonard Sweet has written, “Inside this struggling generation of frightened children, there is a huge hollow in the heart where all the stories of our ancestors, all the tales of woe and warning, all the familiar recitations of dreams and hopes should reside.  Without these kinds of comforting, guiding, threatening, promising, teasing, telling stories, our marriages, our children, our friendship, have no landmarks, no moral maps, no hitching posts to guide us on our way.” 

          In I Corinthians 10, Paul provides a few landmarks to remind the people of God who they are, where they have come from, and what is expected of them.  He provides stories meant to serve as examples lest they fall into similar traps. Finally in verse 13, Paul acknowledges that, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure” (10:13).  The testing (temptation in Greek) is common, yet God is faithful and God will provide a way out.  Paul puts together the stories of their past and notices some patterns.  Although belonging to God, the people of God let their sensitivities became dull and drifted.  Idolatry and negligence slipped into the fabric of their lives and again and again God had to call them back to devotion and obedience.  Paul, who knew the Corinthians well, wanted them to recall their faith story and recommit themselves to God again.   

          The people in an African village purchased a television set.  For weeks all of the children and all of the adults gathered around the set –morning, afternoon, and night – watching the programs.  Then, after a couple of months, the set was turned off and never used again.  A visitor to the village asked the chief, “Why do you no longer watch television?”  “We have decided to listen to the storyteller,” he replied.  The visitor asked, “Why, doesn’t the television know more stories?”  The chief replied, “Yes, but the storyteller knows me.”

          The one who knows us best is the same one who provides the way out of every temptation.  This one is our Christ who reminds us who we are, where we have come from, and what is expected. May we tell the stories, share the wisdom, and remind one another that we belong to God.  I look forward to hearing your stories when I return in September.

Tom

May 2008

Thank you for your interest in the Parish Nurse position at John Knox Presbyterian Church. 

Below, you will find a copy of the Position Description and a “PDF” button which will open a copy of the Job Application.  Please return your completed application and a copy of your resume by June 1, 2008.  You can either return them to the church office marking them “Parish Nurse Search Committee” or mail them to the church at the following address:

                   John Knox Presbyterian Church

                   25200 Lorain Road

                   North Olmsted, OH 44070

                   Attn:  Parish Nurse Search Committee

Again, thank you for your interest and God Bless.

            The Parish Nurse Search Committee of John Knox Presbyterian Church

JOHN KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Position Description

Parish Nurse

PURPOSE: To provide a health ministry at John Knox Church that is focused on wellness and prevention through a holistic approach to health that involves the emotional and spiritual support of parishioners as well as utilizing the professional’s clinical judgment.