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| 7 Marietta Avenue - Mount Joy, PA 17552 717-653-5888 |
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| OUR PASTOR
 The Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Joy is the Rev. Dr. Robert S. Burns. His wife's name is Shirley, and she works at the Children's Home in the Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA.
They have two children, Heather Burns Fisher and Jonathan Burns, and two grandchildren, Jay Benjamin Fisher and Joseph Robert Fisher.
Rev. Burns was graduated from Houghton College with a B. A. degree. He received a B. D. and D.Min from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA and a Th. M. degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Pittsburgh, PA.
He was ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
He completed a two year program in Spiritual Direction/Formation from Oasis Ministries. He is an active counselor in Spiritual Direction and now serves on the Oasis Board of Directors. He is a member of the Donegal Area Rotary Club and was President 2001-2003. He is active in the Mount Joy Ministerium and is a member of the Presbytery of Donegal where he serves on the Committee On Ministry.
Rev. Burns believes that the primary purpose of the Church is mission, evangelism, fellowship, worship, social action, and the teaching of God's Word found in the Bible. His sermons are based on the Scripture with a concern for events and issues as they affect the lives of people today. He believes we are called to follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and to help the poor, the hungry, and those in need.
Rev, Burns always welcomes new people to join our fellowship and would be glad to talk with anyone about the mission of our caring, friendly congregation.
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KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Jesus said in John 15, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you . . . you are my friends if you do what I command you . . . I am giving you these commandments so that you may love one another." During the summer months I m going to present a series of messages on the "Ten Commandments" found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Years ago, we required the Communicants Class to memorize them. Probably, most adults today cannot remember what they are! Yet, these commandments are the basis of what we believe about living the Christian life. More recently, there has been a renewed interest in these 10 laws and the good moral teachings they provide for us in the Church as well as in our society. I believe you will find these messages very helpful and practical in your understanding of our Faith.
Interestingly enough, the Preface to the Ten Commandments reminds us that "God is God" and the Lord brought the people of God out of the land of Egypt, "out of the house of bondage." The basis of these commandments is the redemption of God. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says the Preface "teaches us that because God is the Lord, and our God and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep His commandments." Certainly, we are not saved by trying to keep the law. We are saved by God's grace found in Jesus Christ. But these laws can help us to live out the Christian life. What are these Ten Commandments? Let me briefly remind you what they are!
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make an idol.
3. You are not to take the Lord's name in vain.
4. Remember to keep the Sabbath Day.
5. Honor your Mother and Father.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony.
10. You shall not covet other peoples' things.
Jesus was asked what is the sum of the commandments and He said, "We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves." We are not perfect. But God wants us to live the Christian life as best we can. Let us be challenged by these Ten Commandments, as we serve the Lord. See you in church!