Deeply Known
John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and …
You Are Witnesses
Luke 24:36b-49 Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts …
I Need A Pastor (a charge to Ben Robbins)
Ben Robbins Charge to the Pastor/Installation at Northmont U.P. March 11, 2018 Here’s something you’ve probably never thought about if you’re not a pastor. When Ben and Sarah and Brian and Laura and every pastor here today took our ordination …
A Cold Coming
Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his …
Starting Over. Again.
Starting Over. Again. Isaiah 64:1-9 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name …
The Joy of Your Master
Matthew 25:14-30 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. …
Dear Evan Hansen
Explaining my obsession. If you follow my Facebook and Twitter accounts, you’ve probably noticed quite a few posts about the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” and the recent journey my son and I took to New York to see the …
Beatitudes for Those Who Are Feebly Struggling
You can watch the whole All Saints Day service on November 5, 2017 at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon here: https://youtu.be/Ye-mtONHb9A Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his …
Loving the Bully
Matthew 22:34-46 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to …
Whose Script?
Matthew 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God …