After a short foray into the psalms for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, this morning we’ll return to our sermon series in Acts. The second half of Acts 11 presents the church spreading throughout the entire Levant, to the city of Antioch where “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). Many of…
Henry Haffner
With this Sunday marking the first worship service in Clovercroft Hall, I think it would be fair to say that this will be a Palm Sunday like no other in the history of Parish Presbyterian Church! In addition to our traditional Palm Sunday elements (hymns like Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates, All Glory,…
References to “mountains” and “hills” abound in the psalter. Psalms 15 and 24 ask the question “who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” Hills and mountains are commanded to praise their creator in Psalms 98 and 148. A mountain is built up in Psalm 65, while mountains and hills are thrown down and made…
In this morning’s sermon text from Acts, we return to the story of Cornelius which Pastor Jamie began walking through two weeks ago. Here we find Peter breaking Jewish custom by visiting the house of a gentile and the Holy Spirit falling on those who heard his preaching. You’ll notice many references to these themes…
Today’s sermon text from Acts 10 includes Peter’s striking vision of animals descending from heaven, including animals that the Jews considered ceremonially unclean. A divine voice commands him to kill and eat these “unclean” creatures, foreshadowing the spreading of the gospel to gentiles—people likewise considered ceremonially unclean. You’ll notice many references to cleanliness in this…
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which is traditionally a time of prayer, fasting, and repentance leading up to Easter, observed by Christians since the days of the early church. Several elements of the service have been adjusted to fit the character of this season. We will begin each Sunday by singing…
Continuing Saul’s story from Acts 9 that we began last week, in today’s sermon text we find that Saul’s entire character has been turned upside down by his encounter with Jesus. This former persecutor of the church cannot help declaring the name of his Savior—as Luke writes, “immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues” (Acts…
The phrase “road to Damascus moment” metaphorically refers to a life-altering moment of enlightenment, an experience that completely transforms a person’s perspective or way of life. Today, we will read the story of the original “road to Damascus moment,” the soon-to-be Apostle Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus. As a significant portion of the story…
Q. Where do you learn how to love and obey God? A. In the Bible alone.
—Children’s Catechism
What a tremendous blessing we have in the Scriptures! In the Bible, we find all that is necessary for the knowledge of God and the salvation of our souls. This morning, we begin with a reminder…
In Acts 8, we come to the story of Simon the sorcerer, an early convert who foolishly believed he could attain spiritual gifts through bribery. He is rebuked by the apostles and seemingly follows their advice to “repent … and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven”…