First Presbyterian Church

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Preaching Christ from the Scriptures 
 
We have included below links to our recent sermon and worship service videos to let you see what a worship service at First Presbyterian Church is like, or to watch a service that you missed.  To view other sermon videos, please go to our hosting site, www.Tangle.com/richard.maclaren where you will be able to view over a year's worth of videos.  We currently have over 130,000 views of our videos, and average about 3,000 views per week. 
 
We would prefer that you join us on Sunday mornings for worship at 9:30 AM, as the videos can only give you a taste of what actual participation is like. As the writer of the book of Hebrews said, in our worship we "come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.  ...to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven...." (Hebrews 12:22-24). You just can't duplicate that on a video!
   
  • Sermon, December 6, 2009: "Zion's Priceless Treasure," Isaiah 33:1-6.  Have you ever been on a treasure hunt?  Perhaps not, but you may have enjoyed watching popular movies based on the idea of a treasure hunt, like "National Treasure," or "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark."  While many look for earthly treasures to deliver them from trouble, the prophet Isaiah pointed his generation to the treasures kept for them in their God.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows how we have unimaginable spiritual treasures kept for us in Jesus Christ.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=58150e7ab255bbf28ed8
  • Sunday Worship Service, December 6, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the Lord by his Word and Spirit!  We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith, including "At the Lamb\'s High Feast We Sing," "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts," and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken."  This includes a communion service with the hymn, "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face."  All hymns are from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (www.opc.org).  Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3bbc41076da606fbe311
  • Larger Catechism Question #20, "Lessons from Paradise:"  What can we learn from the earliest beginnings of our humanity? A Christian perspective on the origins of man reveals much about our nature and what we should be doing today.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren explains the answer to the Larger Catechism Question, "What was the providence of God towards man in the estate in which he was created?"   http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1ea1166c358eeac7aedf
  • Special Music, December 6, 2009: "How Sweet and Awful Is the Place." Mr. Joseph Waggoner and Rev. MacLaren sing this beautiful hymn of Christ's presence within the church. The hymn was written by the famous hymn writer Isaac Watts, and is found in the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d204590a6bb792558ab3
  • Sermon, November 29, 2009: "Are You Becoming Complacent?," Isaiah 32:9-20.  Have you come to a secure place in life where there are regular rhythmns to everything, everything is in its place, and life has a certain measure of comfort to it?  You may be tempted to look at your circumstances from an external or merely personal outlook, but the prophet Isaiah challenges us to examine our lives from God's perspective.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren challenges us to leave our complacency behind and take the steps necessary to enjoy God's richest blessings.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ba87257ffa2855a86ee2
  • Sunday Worship Service, November 29, 2009: Join us in worshiping the Lord by his Word and Spirit.  We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  Included in this video are the hymns, "How Good It Is To Thank the Lord," "When Peace Like a River," and "To Thee, O Comforter Divine."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d08485e8d0343e98286a
  • Larger Catechism Question #19, "Divine Providence and the Angels:" What is God's plan for the angels?  Interestingly, God's plan for the angels is different from his plan for humanity, and it is very instructive.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren explains the answer to the Larger Catechism question, "What is God's providence towards the angels?"  This meditation was part of the Sunday Worship Service of First Presbyterian Church in Perkasie, PA.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0e82321947e80f0616ca
  • Special Music, November 29, 2009: "Unto the Hills Around...."  Mr. Joseph Waggoner and Pastor MacLaren sing this beautiful hymn of God's protection of his church.  This hymn is based on Psalm 121 and can be found in the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, #82.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=38b49ab974765b41b7d7
  • Sermon, November 22, 2009: "Fools and Scoundrels," Isaiah 32:1-8.  Perhaps you are a little upset by what you see in the evening news. Politicians and big businessmen are making deals that enrich some but leave the country in a shambles.  Yet, the country continues to vote them in and expects more government services as well.  Isaiah saw clearly into the heart of people's behavior, and he spoke of a day when fools and scoundrels would be seen for what they were.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows how God will bring a righteous government into the earth, and how that is happening now!  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=66d2e3977af1661888c7
  • Sunday Worship Service, November 22, 2009:  Join us in worshiping the true and living God by his Word and Spirit.  We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  The hymns in this video include "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "O God, Thy Judgments Give the King," and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e16d3783ae3e6673c22c
  • Special Music,  November 22, 2009: "The Love of God."  This beautiful hymns tells us of the immeasurable love of God for us.  It is sung by Mr. Joseph Waggoner and Rev. Richard Scott MacLaren.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f00d5c951508368b1a72
  • Larger Catechism Question #18: "What Is Providence?"  Do you feel "lucky" today?  You may feel lucky, but in fact every aspect of your life is determined by God's work of providence.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren explains what providence is, and how the Scriptures support this completely different world view....  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=42a600ab3522d1a87dfd.
  • Sermon November 15, 2009:  "The Flesh No Match for the Spirit," Isaiah 31:1-9.  When you live in a bad neighborhood, you feel a little safer if you have a big stick to protect you. The leaders of Jerusalem in the days of Isaiah thought they had enough protection when they made a defensive alliance with Egypt. But the prophet rebuked them for their failure to to make a truly wise decision.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows that our safety rests in the presence and favor of God resting upon us: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4f2ec8ba9b90bf234001.
     
    Sunday Worship Service, November 15, 2009:  Join us in worshiping the Lord in Spirit and truth.  We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  This video includes Rev. MacLaren and Mr. Joseph Waggoner singing, "Jesus,I Am Resting...."       http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4470763f9b9ac525a2f9.
     
    Larger Catechism Question #17 (November 15, 2009):  "The Creation of Mankind." How did God create man?  Is he derived from the animal realm, or is he uniquely created by God? Is he the product of a lengthy process of evolution, deriving his body from the lower orders of creation, and then at some point becoming "man" by God's placing a human soul within him, or was he formed by God directly from the dust of the earth in an act separate from the creation of the animals?  Pastor MacLaren discusses the teaching of the Larger Catechism of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in this video.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0c125b4e3c7ccde46e6e.
  • Sermon (November 8, 2009):  "Holy War and Christian Worship," Isaiah 30:27-33.  Major Hasan cried out, "Allah Akbar," and with that began to shoot.  How can an act of war (or murder) be justified in the name of religion? Do you ever feel as though you have entered a war zone when you arrive at church?  Watch as Pastor MacLaren explores the relation between worship and holy war from his series of sermons, "Isaiah: Prophet of Salvation."  Part 1: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a8bbe48907d10005835d.  Part 2: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4ecf80bfa54f3b062acb
     
    Sunday Worship Service, November 8, 2009:  Join us in worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  In this video we sing, "Lord of the Sabbath," "Unto the Hills Around Do I Lift Up My Longing Eyes," "We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought," and "Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praise All Ye People."    http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=86040f491998cb66e68f.
     
    Larger Catechism Question #16 (November 8, 2009):  "The Creation of Angels." Do angels exist?  How do we know and what are they like?  Rather than speculating on the existence of angels, the Larger Catechism directs us to the Scriptures, where God reveals the nature and work of the angels.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren discusses the creation of the angels, and their relationship to Jesus Christ.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=33d26c8e0ae683896bf5.
  • Sermon (November 1, 2009):  "The Reformed Iconoclast," Isaiah 30:19-26.  Are you an "iconoclast?"  A controversy arose in the medieval church over the presence of images or "icons" within the church.  Should Christians be helped in their worship of God by the use of images?  Should we have pictures of Jesus, of the saints, of the virgin Mary, as part of worship?  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows from Isaiah how God calls on the church to rid itself of idols so that it may be blessed abundantly.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=daa204a701eed513b1f6.
     
    Sunday Worship Service, November 1, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the true and living God.  We worship the Lord by his Word and Spirit. Our hymns are from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  In this video we sing Martin Luther\'s historic hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," "Come, O Come, Thou Quickening Spirit," and "Lead On, O King Eternal."        http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3da7c53c5ee290a20cb4.
     
    Larger Catechism Question #15 (November 1, 2009):  "The Work of Creation." Can we rely on the Genesis account of creation? Is it historically accurate, mythological, or some mixture of the two? Is the earth billions of years old, or merely thousands?  How do we understand the Bible's account of creation?     http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=33d26c8e0ae683896bf5.

    Sermon (October 25, 2009):  "Rahab, the Do-Nothing Dragon," Isaiah 30:1-18.  Little boys play with toy dragons, but when they grow up they put their toys aside and take on real world responsibilities. But what happens when someone wants to go back to their imaginary world of dragons to escape the real pressures of everyday life?  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows how Isaiah warned his people against going back to Rahab, the Do-Nothing Dragon, and see how God calls us today to responsible living in Jesus Christ.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f141d743862a199cb7a2.
     
    Sunday Worship Service, October 25, 2009:  Join us in the worship of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (www.opc.org).  Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  In this video, our hymns include, "Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word," "Come Ye Souls by Sin Afflicted," and "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say."  Special Music includes a song called "Why?" as sung by Mr. Joseph Waggoner and Pastor MacLaren.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1808f68fe33290a3bec0.
     
    Larger Catechism Question #13 (October 25, 2009):  "God's Decrees for Angels and Men." Has God determined in advance who would enter heaven and who would not?  There have been differences of opinion on this throughout the history of the church, but the answer of the Scriptures is very plain.  The Larger Catechism tells us what the Scriptures teach about God's plans for both angels and men.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren explains some of the key concepts of God's sovereign decree in salvation.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f1f1cb9cf13b255cf024.
  • Sermon (October 18, 2009):  "Why Johnny Can't Read in Church," Isaiah 29:1-24.  In 1955 Dr. Rudolph Flesch published a book that showed why young people are not learning to read. His conclusions shook the educational establishment, but were largely ignored, and fifty years later, Johnny still can't read. Many in churches today are also illiterate when it comes to reading the Bible. The problem is not with the coherence of the Bible or even the quality of their education, but with their own spiritual condition. Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows from Isaiah 29 how many do not understand the basics of Christian faith, but those who come to Jesus will learn to read and understand God's will.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=e4cb68dcae3b447df756.
  • Sunday Worship Service, October 18, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the true and living God by his Word and Spirit. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Our hymns include "Rock of Ages," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "God Be Merciful to Me," and "Come, We That Love the Lord." Our confession of faith is in the form of the Nicene Creed, our prayers conclude with the Lord's Prayer, and our Scripture readings are from Isaiah 29 and Psalm 145 (New International Version of the Bible).  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=69c12f3d282236700a4d.
     
    Larger Catechism Question #12 (October 18, 2009):  "The Decrees of God." When a great king issues a decree, all are expected to obey it. Yet, even great kings cannot simply speak and have everyone do exactly as they are told. God however is the great King over all kings, and his decrees are the expression of his wise, holy, and free will. Watch as Pastor MacLaren explores the meaning of this and shows how all of history has been decreed in eternity past.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=841635b4a0182f629b7c.
  • Sermon (October 11, 2009):  "A Drunkard's Delusion," Isaiah 28:1-19.  "When the comedian Foster Brooks made us laugh with his drunken performances, he reminded us that the world seems rather nice to a drunkard. The prophet Isaiah understood that, and tried to sober up his audience by showing them how their foolish talk was viewed in God's eyes. Watch as Pastor MacLaren speaks from Isaiah 28 on God's purpose to build his church on the Lord Jesus Christ, despite what others in their worldly sophistication think."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=97de30cdd211067bb415.
     
    Sunday Worship Service, October 11, 2009:  Join us in worshiping the living and true God through his Word and Spirit.  We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith, using the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The hymns in this video include, "When in His Might the Lord Arose," "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted," and "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation."  Our pianist is on a maternity leave, so our hymns were sung without accompaniment. Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible.  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=46d5d16c9a584ff8b144.
  • Sermon (October 4, 2009):  "We Are a Fruitful Vineyard," Isaiah 27.  "The image of the vineyard is often used in the Scriptures to describe the kingdom of God. Isaiah speaks of a day when the Lord's vineyard will be protected from her enemies and will become eminently fruitful. If you ever wondered what God is doing in your life, or what you have accomplished in life, listen to this message. It will give you hope for the future and open your eyes to what God is doing today."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=e2b4cf0d5eef8d560211.
  • Sunday Worship Service, October 4, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the true and living God through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible. Hymns in this video include "To God Be the Glory," "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," and "Wonderful Grace of Jesus."  This was a communion service, however we excerpted the portions of the communion from the video to accommodate the available space on the video.  Also, our pianist is on maternity leave, so we were singing acappello for this service.   http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=46d5d16c9a584ff8b144.
  • Sermon (September 27, 2009):  "We Have a Strong City," Isaiah 26:1-15.  "There is a certain vitality to life within a major city. Its teeming streets, bustling marketplaces, cultural centers and entertainments are an attraction to many.  In ancient cultures, cities were also places of safety and refuge from invaders. Yet, however fortified they might be, even they could fall.  Isaiah encourages the people of God to see that they in fact dwell in a city of great strength and vitality, the city of God.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren shows how God has prepared a city for us that far surpasses anything we have ever seen."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=db3463e4f24c313f7482.
  • Sunday Worship Service, September 27, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the true and living God through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible. Hymns in this video include "O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely," "God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength," and "Jerusalem the Golden." Mrs. Rebekah Waggoner was away on a maternity leave, so our guest pianist for this Sunday was Ms. Deborah Winder.  We are very thankful for her help. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f7576ac90afb674e7fbd.
  • Sermon:  "This Is Our God," Isaiah 25.  "My laptop computer is equipped with facial recognition software so that it will recognize me as the computer's owner and allow me to access its files.  This provides an extra measure of security beyond simply writing a password to get in to the computer.  In some ways the Bible serves a similar function.  By looking into its pages, we recognize who we are, but we also learn to recognize our Creator.  Watch as Pastor MacLaren speaks from Isaiah 25 about how God has revealed himself in the history of salvation in such a way that his people recognize and embrace him."  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=26adabd35e1493515b42.
  • Sunday Worship Service: September 20, 2009:  Join us in the worship of the true and living God through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We sing the great hymns of the Christian faith from the original Trinity Hymnal of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Our Scripture readings are from the New International Version of the Bible. Hymns in this video include "This Is My Father's World," "Forever Settled in the Heav'ns," and "I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus." http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=470b55b0b651a8875fa4.