“Like It’s Christ…”

Christmas Eve, Titus 3:4-5a Was listening to Christmas music on Sirius when a Jonas Brothers song played. A song about being with someone that makes every day feel like it’s Christmas. Lights twinkling in Central Park, feeling like Heaven, first on the Wishlist. “Snow...

I’ve Got Joy!

Romans 15:7-13 (ESV) Sitting down to eat with his family in a local restaurant, the 6-year-old boy asked to say grace. He prayed: God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and...

ADVENT: A SEASON OF HOPE

As we move into the season of Advent, we prepare ourselves to receive the only Son anew, to renew our belief, or even to believe for the first time, in God who so loves the world. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world...

Crossing the Chasm

This sermon was preached for World Communion at 1st Presbyterian, Oct. 2nd, 2022, and for the first time, hosting St. John’s Episcopal Church and choir, along with African American churches in Salem such as the historic Mt. Pisgah AME and Soul Saving Church....

Rejoice With Me

Luke 15:1-10 On 9/11, many demonstrated extraordinary courage and risked their lives to save other. One such person was the man in the red bandana. When hijacked Flight 175 hit the World Trade Center’s South Tower, people on the 78th floor sky lobby huddled together,...

“The Good-er I Try…”

Luke 13:10-17 There are a number of cute stories about children misbehaving in worship. There’s the story of two boys who were always in trouble, and the pastor had spoken to them about it. They tried to sit in church and be good, until one morning when the pastor...