Welcome to the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford Indiana.

Established 1819

Spiritual Formation Class:  9:30 a.m.

Worship:  10:30 a.m.

    Welcome in God’s name!  Wherever you are on life’s journey, whether you are filled with faith or bursting with doubt, a disciple of Jesus or visiting church for the very first time, there is a place for you here.  You are a beloved child of God and you are welcome here.

Please join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning.  You are also welcome to come at 9:30 for a Spiritual Formation Opportunity in the church library.
And if you can't come, watch our livestream!:  www.youtube.com/@churchoffice336 

Friday Email, October 16, 2026

"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not,' but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, "I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.

Matthew 21.28-32

To the Saints engaged in God's mission in the world through the Bedford First Presbyterian Church, greetings;

The progression of the Gospel of Matthew moves from the announcement of Jesus' impending birth to Joseph to his resurrection following his death followed by some initial stories about how the communities of faith that continued in his name engaged the world through his witness. The text above is the second of three stories illustrating and illuminating Jesus' encounters with the religious officials of his day regarding Jesus' understanding of God. Jesus is the speaker here, sharing a story about a man who had two sons (reminiscent of Luke remembering Jesus' parable about another man who had two sons in Luke 15), one of which initially does not do what is asked of him by his father but then does, and the second who says he will but then he doesn't.

The audience is not only the "chief priests and the elders of the people" who would naturally have been found in the temple in Jerusalem, but anyone who reads and reflects on this text today, which means you and me. Matthew (and the other Gospel writers) remember Jesus going directly to these religious leaders, encountering them on their familiar territory, and intentionally teaching during what is portrayed as the last week of his life. This is equally true for us, as we gather in sanctuaries in church buildings or in a sacred space somewhere else to listen, to discern, and to learn.

As with most stories Jesus is remembered as telling, there is a challenge found within this one. The "chief priests and the elders of the people" are asked a question by Jesus, "What do you think: 'Which of the two did the will of his father?'" In the answer that they give, they indict themselves, as Jesus says they are like the second son, the one who said he would be obedient but didn't follow through. They are contrasted with "the tax collectors and the prostitutes" who, Jesus, alludes, embody the first son.

The precipitating issue is the religious officials asking Jesus "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus responds by holding up the witness of John the Baptist, whose teachings the had dismissed as not being to their liking and understanding of how the God whose name they professed engaged the people of God. Jesus suggests that when John preached repentance (returning to God), those who were on the margins (tax collectors and prostitutes) might have initially rejected John's message but then reconsidered and are now a part of God's kingdom represented by the image of the vineyard.

"For John came to you in righteousness (in a right relationship with the God of Israel), and you did not believe him...and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him." After reflecting on this story and the other two narratives (Matthew 21.23-27; Matthew 21.33-44), Matthew shares that "When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them." Now will they listen to the invitation to repent, to return to what God is seeking to have them understand even if it is different from what they have been taught and what they themselves have taught?

Questions to ponder: This is another story (in fact series of stories) in which the Gospel writers remember Jesus asking if persons who professed trust in God could trust God enough to change their minds. What is an aspect of your faith that you have changed your mind regarding? How offended would you be to hear that "tax collectors and prostitutes" would be welcomed by God before religious and church officials were? What "fruits" (an image in line with the vineyard) has God given you to affirm and equip you for sharing in God's kingdom?

THIS WEEK AT BFPC AND BEYOND

     Sunday, October 18

          Spiritual Formation, 9.30am, Library

          Worship, 10.30am, Sanctuary

               In person or online at www.youtube.com/officechurch336

          Fellowship following Worship, Fellowship Hall

     Monday, October 20

          Mariners, 6pm, Golden Corral

     Wednesday, October 22

          Session, 5.30pm, Library

     Saturday, October 24

          Community Free Pancake Breakfast, 8-10am, Fellowship Hall

     Sunday, October 25

          Spiritual Formation, 9.30am, Library

          Worship, 10.30am, Sanctuary

               In person or online at www.youtube.com/officechurch366

          Fellowship following Worship, Fellowship Hall

We continue the focus on Stewardship in cOctober with the theme of "Stewardship for God's Sake." This week's reflection will be on obedience.

Thank you to Gloria Hilkey for sharing her singing voice with a solo during last Sunday's worship service. Thank you to Mike Alexander and Mary Hardesty for their support of Gloria and her desire to share her voice in this marvelous way once again.

The Session meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 22 from 5.30-7.30pm in the Library. Session meetings are open meetings to which everyone is invited to attend and overheard. The only exception is if and when the Session would vote to move into "executive session" (no pun intended).

Timm desires to offer home communion as well as other home visits. Please contact him to schedule. Thank You!

Timm's contact info: timm.high27@gmail.com

IN REMEMBRANCE

Marjorie Lee

United with First Presbyterian Church, Bedford, February, 1965

United with the Church Eternal, October, 2026

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying,

'Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.' 

'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.'"

Revelation 14.13

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Supplication, and Intercession

   O God, before whom generations rise and pass away,

   we praise you for all your servants who,

   having lived this life in faith, now live eternally with you.

   We thank you for your servant Marjorie Lee,

   whose baptism is now complete in her death.

   We praise you for the gift of her life,

   for all in her that was good and kind and faithful,

   for the grace you gave her,

   that kindled in her the love of your dear name,

   and equipped her to serve you faithfully.

   We thank you that for her death is past and her pain ended,

   and that she has now entered the joy you have prepared;

   through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May these middle days of October find you doing the best you can in all you do with all you have, given God's help, amidst the challenges and comforts that come your way.

Blessings and Be Well...

Timm

Contact Information      First Presbyterian Church of Bedford,   1504 L Street, Bedford, IN 47421

 Phone: 812-275-5853

 YouTube Livestream:  www.youtube.com/@officechurch336 

Email: office@bedfordpresby.org

 Clerks of Session:  Betsey Makximenko, vbat62@comcast.net

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyBedford/  Be sure to like us!