Weekend Service for November 24 Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Today marks a significant milestone in my personal journey, as I reflect on the events of November 24th, 1968, when my mother passed away. This day, 56 years ago, set me on a path of seeking answers about life and death, a quest that eventually led me to faith in Jesus Christ. At 15, I was confronted with the harsh reality of mortality, prompting me to explore various spiritual avenues in search of meaning. It was only th...
Nov 25, 2024•36 min
Weekend Service for November 17 Scripture Reading: Romans 13 In the second and final week of the "In Not Of" series, the sermon delves into the Christian's relationship with government, drawing from Romans 13. The pastor reflects on the challenges of preaching about government, especially in light of the historical context of Roman rule during Jesus' time. The sermon emphasizes that while governments can be corrupt, Christians are called to respect and support governing authorities as they are i...
Nov 18, 2024•23 min
Weekend Service for November 10 Scripture Reading: Romans 12 In the wake of a highly charged political season, it's crucial to remember that our identity as Christians transcends political affiliations. While the world may be divided over election results, our calling is to be different, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds as outlined in Romans 12. This transformation is not about conforming to the patterns of this world but about living as a holy and living sacrifice, pleasing to God...
Nov 10, 2024•27 min
Weekend Service for November 3 Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47 In our journey as a church, we have been exploring what it means to move forward together as a community of believers. Reflecting on our past, we have seen the buildings we've occupied and the challenges we've faced, all of which have shaped us into Parma Christian Fellowship Church. However, our focus is not just on where we've been, but on where we are going and how we will get there. This series, "Moving Forward," has guided us th...
Nov 04, 2024•23 min
Weekend Service for October 27 Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-7, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:1-20, 2 Timothy 2:1-7 In the face of disaster, such as the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, we are reminded of the fragility of our earthly possessions and the strength found in community. The devastation in Florida, where homes and memories were washed away, serves as a poignant illustration of how material loss can lead to spiritual and communal gain. In times of crisis, societal divisions fade, and the tr...
Oct 27, 2024•37 min
Weekend Service for October 20 Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3 In our journey as a church, we are reminded of the importance of leadership and the role it plays in guiding us forward. As we approach our annual meeting, it's crucial to reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. Our goal is to grow deeper in our spiritual walks and strengthen our community bonds. Leadership is at the heart of this progress, and today, we delve into what it means to be a leader within our church. Scriptu...
Oct 20, 2024•35 min
Weekend Service for October 13 Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:15-17 In our journey as a church, we are reminded of the importance of moving forward together as a community. As we approach our annual meeting, it's a time to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and envision our future. Our history is rich with stories of resilience and faith, from our humble beginnings in a wooden-framed building to our current location in the heart of town. Each step has been a testament to God's provisio...
Oct 13, 2024•28 min
Weekend Service for October 6 Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-15 In life, we often find ourselves unprepared for the unexpected storms that come our way. As I reflected on this, I was reminded of a story shared by Mariah Freeman about a woman named Megan Dyer, who faced a devastating hurricane. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, hope, and love, especially when life takes unexpected turns. When everything is going well, it's easy to cling to the comforting words of...
Oct 06, 2024•26 min
Weekend Service for September 29 Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11 In today's sermon, we explored the practical application of living out the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love, using the metaphor of assembling an Ikea cabinet. Just as Ikea provides all the necessary parts and instructions to build furniture, God has given us everything we need to live a godly life through His divine power and promises. We delved into 2 Peter 1:2-11, where Peter outlines a step-by-step guide to spiritual...
Sep 29, 2024•40 min
Weekend Service for September 22 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 Today, we delved into the profound concept of love, exploring its true meaning beyond mere feelings of affection. We began by examining the dictionary definitions of love, which often fall short of capturing its full essence. In contrast, 1 Corinthians 13 provides a divine perspective on love, emphasizing that without love, even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts and acts of charity are meaningless. Love, as described...
Sep 23, 2024•26 min
Weekend Service for September 15 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 In our second week of the "Back to the Basics" series, we delve into the concept of hope, building on last week's discussion on faith. We explored how hope is essential in our lives, especially during challenging times. I shared the story of Peta Murchison, a mother whose daughter was diagnosed with Batten disease, a terminal illness. Despite the hopelessness of her situation, Peta's story highlights the human capacity to...
Sep 15, 2024•24 min
Weekend Service for September 8 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 Today, we are diving into the basics of our faith, focusing on 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, which highlights three enduring virtues: faith, hope, and love, with the greatest being love. As we transition back into our routines, much like children returning to school, it's essential to revisit these foundational truths. Faith is our focus today. What does faith mean to you personally? How has it shaped your life? Ephesians 2:8-9 ...
Sep 08, 2024•28 min
Weekend Service for August 4 Scripture Reading: Hebrews, James, 1,2Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude, Revelation Today's message focused on the simplicity and depth of the Christian faith, emphasizing that the core of our belief is to "believe in God" and "obey Him according to His word." We began by reflecting on the inclusivity of Jesus' invitation to the communion table, highlighting that no special training or perfect understanding is required—just a heart open to Jesus. This inclusivity extends to th...
Aug 05, 2024•37 min
Weekend Service for July 28 Scripture Reading: Philemon, 1,2Timothy, Titus Today, we journeyed through the letters Paul wrote to specific individuals, focusing on Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These letters are crucial for understanding the early church's growth and the character of Paul, who was a teacher, church planter, and apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul’s letters to Timothy, a young leader in Ephesus, were filled with encouragement and guidance, emphasizing the importance of humility, perseve...
Jul 29, 2024•31 min
Weekend Service for July 21 Scripture Reading: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians Today, we delved into the letters written by the Apostle Paul, focusing on his significant contributions to the early church. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became a pivotal figure in spreading the gospel and shaping the church outside Jerusalem. We began with an overview of his 13 letters, nine of which were addressed to churches. These letters are not in chro...
Jul 22, 2024•34 min
Weekend Service for July 14 Scripture Reading: Acts Today, we delved into the book of Acts, a pivotal text that chronicles the early church's journey after Jesus' ascension. Acts, authored by Luke, continues the narrative from the Gospel of Luke, focusing on the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to the disciples' Spirit-empowered mission. This transition is akin to the one I am experiencing with my father, moving from his leadership to mine. Jesus prepared His disciples for ministry, but H...
Jul 14, 2024•38 min
Weekend Service for July 7 Scripture Reading: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Today, we embarked on a journey through the New Testament, focusing on the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel presents a unique perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, yet they all converge on the central theme of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God's love and salvation. Matthew, a former tax collector and disciple of Jesus, writes primarily to a ...
Jul 07, 2024•38 min
Weekend Service for June 30 Scripture Reading: Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Today, we focus on Habakkuk, a prophet who conversed directly with God, questioning why He would allow His chosen people to be overtaken by the Babylonians. Habakkuk's poetic lament reflects his struggle to understand God's ways amidst violence and injustice. Yet, God reassures him that He is at work, even through the Babylonians. This dialogue highlights that God's chosen...
Jun 30, 2024•26 min
Weekend Service for June 23 Scripture Reading: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum In the beginning, God brought order to chaos, creating light, land, and life, setting the stage for the Old Testament—a collection of sacred texts that narrate God's relationship with humanity. From creation to the formation of Israel, the Old Testament introduces us to key figures like Abraham, Moses, and King David, and reveals God's faithfulness, justice, and mercy. As we near the end of our series ...
Jun 23, 2024•32 min
Weekend Service for June 16 Scripture Reading: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel In today's sermon, we explored the profound narratives of three major prophets from the Old Testament: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These prophets, though contemporaries, had unique ministries and messages that were deeply intertwined with the tumultuous history of Israel. Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," remained in Jerusalem during its siege and destruction, delivering God's messages of impending ju...
Jun 16, 2024•35 min
Weekend Service for June 9 Scripture Reading: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel The Bible can often seem overwhelming with its vast amount of information and numerous names, much like American history. However, the central theme throughout the Bible is simple: believe in God. This belief involves turning your heart towards God, placing all your faith and hope in Him, and trusting that He will bring about what is right and redemptive in your life. The challenge often lies in unmet expectations, b...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min
Weekend Service for June 2 Scripture Reading: 1&2 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
Jun 03, 2024•31 min
Weekend Service for May 26 Scripture Reading: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Today, we are taking a broad look at the Old Testament, examining it from a high-level perspective to understand the overarching themes and messages. It's easy to get lost in the details of specific stories, controversies, or beautiful verses, but our goal is to see the big picture. The central theme that runs through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the importance of believing in God...
May 27, 2024•38 min
Weekend Service for May 19 Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah We continue our journey through the history books, focusing on the transition from prophetic leadership to kingship in Israel. The people of Israel, desiring to be like the nations around them, demand a king. Despite Samuel's warnings, they insist, and God instructs Samuel to appoint Saul as the first king. Saul initially finds favor with God but soon reveals deep character flaws, such as dishonesty and prid...
May 20, 2024•41 min
Weekend Service for May 12 Scripture Reading: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel When I was in high school, our youth group often visited Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. One of our favorite activities was hiking up Mount Ampersand. The trail is challenging but rewarding, offering a beautiful view from the summit. This experience is akin to studying the Old Testament from a high vantage point. Just as a drone can provide a comprehensive view of a mountain trail, our 10-week series aims to give you a...
May 12, 2024•30 min
Weekend Service for April 28 Scripture Reading: Exodus 19-20, Deuteronomy 26:16 - 27:10, Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Deuteronomy 34:1-12In today's sermon, I explored the grand narrative of the Old Testament, emphasizing the consistent theme of God's revelation through His word. This journey began with the creation narrative in Genesis, where God's spoken word brought the universe into existence. This theme of divine speech continues as God communicates directly with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden,...
May 05, 2024•42 min
Weekend Service for April 28 Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:8-3:10, Genesis 15:1-6, Exodus 5:22-6:12 In today's sermon, I explored the profound simplicity and depth of the themes that permeate the entire Bible, focusing particularly on the Old Testament. The central message revolves around two key directives: "Believe in God" and "Obey His revealed word." These themes are not just historical footnotes but are applicable and vital to our daily lives. We began by discussing the nature of God's invit...
Apr 28, 2024•32 min
Weekend Service for April 21 Scripture Reading: John 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, John 16:31-33, Matthew 25:34-40, Matthew 24:30-39 In this sermon, I explored the profound theme of keeping Jesus at the center of our lives, a continuation of our series "Jesus at the Center." We delved into various aspects of how to actively incorporate our faith into daily living, ensuring that Christ remains our focal point amidst life's challenges and distractions.We began by reflecting on the importance of underst...
Apr 21, 2024•34 min
Weekend Service for April 14 Scripture Reading: Job 42, John 3:26-36 In my sermon today, I began by reflecting on the anticipation and preparation for the recent solar eclipse, which was expected to be a significant event for our community. We had planned for it, with the center line passing through Hilton, and there were various events and preparations made, including porter potties and a $60 event at the Blue Barn. However, the weather did not cooperate, and instead of the clear skies we hoped...
Apr 14, 2024•29 min
In my recent sermon, I reflected deeply on the transformative experiences of the students at Flower City Work Camp and the profound lessons we can all learn from their dedication and sacrifice. The camp, which I have been a part of for 16 years, invites students to serve in the city of Rochester, working on houses in disrepair and learning about the realities of poverty. This year, I led a group of students in renovating a home, including a particularly challenging task of cleaning a basement so...
Apr 10, 2024•33 min
