Faith United Church of Christ, Grantville, PA

06/13/2026

We have three powerful readings this Sunday, and I will be preaching on the Gospel Reading from Matthew, Jesus' sending of his disciples out into the world. Jesus sends them out to heal and proclaim the Good News. My sermon title is "Not Qualified...But Authorized." For some reason, Jesus doesn't like to work alone. He calls ordinary, everyday people - people just like us - to join him in his redeeming work. Though we may not feel qualified or adequate, we are authorized and commissioned by Jesus and his authority to be his ambassadors and representatives in our world. We will worship at 9:30 am.

06/07/2026

06/06/2026

"HOPING AGAINST HOPE"
Worship this Sunday, June 7th, will focus on the call of Abram and Sarai, from the 12th chapter of the book of Genesis. This story is really a turning point in our Bible, and in God's history with the world. God is calling for Himself a family, a unique family, with whom God will form a covenant, and through which all the families in the world will be blessed. It is a remarkable story; Abram is 75 years old, and Sarai 65. Moreover, Sarai is "barren" (Bible's description, not mine). And yet Abram and Sarai trust God, and "go" with Him.

At the center of our faith is a bold claim that says a hope exists in life that goes beyond our ability to create or manufacture. A claim that says there are possibilities in life that are not of our own making, possibilities that we can't often see or anticipate. This hope and these possibilities exist because our God exists, and God can and will make a way even when there appears to be none. This is the story of Abram and Sarai; it is the story of Jesus; and it is the story of God's people. My sermon title is "Hoping Against Hope."

05/22/2026

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the Sunday we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that after his Ascension he would send us the Holy Spirit, and Pentecost marks the fulfillment of this promise. Our reading from Acts quotes the Prophet Joel, who prophesied that one day God's Spirit - the Holy Spirit - would be poured out on everyone, and all of God's people would participate in sharing the Good News. All of us, in our own way and in our own place, are called to proclaim the love and truth of Jesus Christ. My sermon title is "Preachers All". We will also share a Litany of Hope for Memorial Day, and sing a couple of Patriotic hymns. Worship is at 9:30 am.

05/02/2026

This Sunday, May 3rd, we continue to make our way through the Easter Season. Our Scripture readings now transition from post-Easter appearances of the Risen Jesus, to Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure and the sending of His Spirit. This Sunday begins these readings, from John's Gospel, chapter 14. Jesus begins by saying to His disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Understandably they have lots of questions for Jesus, and Phillip asks Jesus to show them the Father before He leaves them.

It's an interesting request. In times of uncertainty and anxiety we want to know who this God is that we are dealing with. What is God's character, and can He be trusted with our futures? What awaits us on the other side? One of our thoughts may be similar to Phillip's: If we could just see God we would be satisfied.

My sermon title is, "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." Our Scripture readings are from 1 Peter 2:1-10 and John 14:1-14.

We will gather for a time of Coffee and Conversation this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. prior to worship.

04/25/2026

This Sunday is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday," when we consider Jesus as our Good Shepherd. This Sunday Jesus refers to himself as the Gate of the sheep, and we will look at a couple of functions of gates, notably offering security and serving as an entrance. We will also look at those Jesus calls "bandits" - robbers and thieves - who try to lure us away from the sheepfold. Our Scripture reading is John 10:1-10 and the sermon title is "Jesus the Gate." We will also sing some beloved hymns that refer to Jesus as our Shepherd.