"This Sunday our scriptures focus on moments of hospitality with the Divine: Genesis 18:1-10a and Luke 10:38-42. God and Jesus come to visit the main characters in each story (Abraham and Sarah/Martha and Mary). What do these stories teach us about listening, hospitality, relationships and the many responsibilities we juggle?" - Pastor Mac
"This Sunday, we will dive into learning about God’s heart for missions from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10. Did you know that God is a missionary God? We learn about this together in worship." - Rev. Dr. Mina Choi
"This Sunday’s scripture being preached on is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:1,13-25). It digs deep into what actions and characteristics bring us real freedom. I look forward to sharing in worship with you!" - Mac Schafer
This Sunday’s lectionary text is Luke 8:26-39 ( Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac ). It’s one of my favorite gospel stories. There’s so much going on in this passage. In the text before this one, Jesus calms a literal storm. This is foreshadowing to the calm he brings in a man’s life in the country of the Gerasenes. - Mac Schafer A portion of the following song plays during the sermon: Welcome To The Family · Michael Franti & Spearhead · Michael Franti · Chris Stevens Welcome To The Family ℗...
On Trinity Sunday we celebrate, as described by our denomination, the unfathomable mystery of God’s being as Holy Trinity. It is a day of adoration and praise of the one, eternal, incomprehensible God.
On this Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Becca will remind us that Acts 2 is not the story of a finished church. May we be inspired by the spark of a Spirit still speaking!
Join in this Sunday as we share songs people have sung in hard times and the stories about the people who sang them.
During this unique and exciting Earth Care Sunday, Pastor Mac Schafer offers several reflections touching on the life and experience of Scottish immigrant John Muir. After arriving in America in 1849, Muir would go on to become a noted naturalist, author, and environmental philosopher.
In his book Let Your Life Speak , Parker Palmer writes, “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.” This Sunday we celebrate discernment and God’s call. God calls each of us. Join in worship as we celebrate new elders and deacons being called to service through the church. -Pastor Mac Schafer
"This Sunday we will be looking at Acts 9:36-43. In this story a faithful disciple named Tabitha dies. The text says, 'She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.' Join us for worship as we dive into the type of discipleship Tabitha modeled." -Pastor Mac Schafer
With a theme reflecting on “what grounds you in life,” Sunday’s worship services were built on the firm foundation established by our faithful DPC Youth.
"Even in our moments of doubt, we serve a risen Lord who transforms uncertainty into hope. Imagine facing every challenge with the assurance that God is alive and in control—because that truth changes everything!" -Jamie Neal, Seminarian
Dr. Donald Juel, reflecting on the resurrection account in the Gospel of Mark, once wrote that: "None of the Gospels can really end the story of Jesus. The whole point is that it continues–and that its significance continues.” Thank God that we are a part of Jesus' living story! Looking forward to celebrating this continuing story on Easter Sunday with you. -Pastor Mac Schafer
"Join us on Palm Sunday as we continue to explore God’s joy. Your joy matters. Tom Are, Jr. says, 'Joy is not the result of turning a blind eye to the brokenness of ourselves and our world; instead, joy is a confidence in the power of love.'" -Pastor Mac Schafer
"We are in week five of exploring God’s restoration of joy in our lives. This week our theme is joy as a group effort . -Pastor Mac Schafer
Every church has a culture which can sometimes lead to a sense of belonging or exclusion. Join in this week as Pastor Becca explores the question found in the book of Romans: What does it mean to nurture belonging and be a part of a church together?
This Sunday, Pastor Mac will built on the first two weeks of our Lenten series: The restoration of God's joy, while affirming that God's joy is already in us.
"Join in this Sunday as we continue in the series Restore Unto Me the Joy! John 15, reflects on a joy that has been there all along. But how do you tap into it?" -Rev. Becca Bateman
Our Book of Common Worship says, “The season of Lent is a time for growth in the faith through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the commemoration of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This Sunday Pastor Mac preached on Psalm 51, introducing our Lenten theme on the restoration of Christ’s joy in our lives.
Rev. Dr. Mac Schafer concludes our Advent theme of exploring the names of Jesus during our Christmas Eve Communion Service.
"On this Second Sunday of Advent we’re talking about Jesus as the good shepherd. What made him a good shepherd? Why is that name so important for our lives in today’s world?" -Rev. Dr. Mac Schafer
"As the first Sunday of Advent, we will gather and center on our traditions. We will light the Advent wreath, sing carols of preparation, and create a space to reflect on the promise that Jesus meets us with his renewing light." -Rev. Becca Bateman
"It's hard to express the deep gratitude I have for you as I lean on the exit door, knowing a new and wonderful entrance awaits Pastor Mac. After more than a year at DPC, one would think I had said all I needed to say. So, this week I wrap it up with a little reminder that I hope you will never forget. I will spell it out for you this week in worship. See you then." -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
"I don’t know how many of you play a musical instrument, but do you know the most difficult instrument to play? This week Leonard Bernstein, John the Baptist, and Peter’s brother provide the answer. Confused? Not to worry... I’ll orchestrate the answer in my sermon." -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
"This week we will take a look at the Scripture account of the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus does a pretty miraculous act experienced by the disciples and so many others. Jesus does not expect from us such splendors and magnificence...or does he?" -Rev. Becca Bateman
"This Sunday was All Saints’ Day. In our tradition, a saint isn’t a plastic statue or someone who appears in a stained glass window. Humphrey Bogart, Jesus, and a shy Baptist from Mississippi all help us understand what it means to be a saint. Who knows, you might be one too!” -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
“What can a former seminary president, a prophet named Ezekiel, a published Rabbi, and the literary character Faust teach us about dragons? You do know there are dragons out there, right? An even more pressing question is 'what do you do when you face a dragon?" -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
“There is a common thread of life and faith that connects us to a dancing king, a sour puss, and Lee Ann Womack. I’ll share more this week in worship. Hope to see you on Sunday and bring your dancing shoes!” -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
“This week we look forward to welcoming long time DPC friend Ruth Faith Santana-Grace as our guest preacher. Ruth hardly needs an introduction, and her list of accomplishments is as long and diverse as a menu at an NJ or PA diner. She has traveled across America and around the globe as the past moderator of the 225th PC(USA) General Assembly. Her joy, enthusiasm, and love for Christ is contagious.” -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
“Instead of my usual ‘sermon blurb’ this week, I am thrilled that we will welcome Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, from Princeton Seminary, to DPC. Eric is an amazing preacher and teacher! His classes are the first to fill up each year. Eric will preach at both services and then, during the education hour, lead us in a discussion of life in the early church and its lessons for the church today.” -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort
