Faith United Church of Christ, Grantville, PA

09/13/2026

09/04/2026

Join us for Worship this Sunday, September 6th!

My sermon title is "The Question: Part Two (Or, The Rest of the Story)."

Our Gospel Reading for this Sunday continues last Sunday's story, when Jesus asks his disciples who they say that he is. We heard last Sunday that Peter got it right - Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God." But things can change rather quickly, and in just a few short verses Peter will get it all wrong. When Jesus tells Peter that he (Jesus) must suffer and die, Peter rebukes Jesus, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you."

Truth be told, Peter is not the only one to get it wrong; we all struggle to wrap our minds around a God who is willing to suffer and go to the cross for us. How is it possible that the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, can suffer? Like Peter, we, too, may be tempted to say, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you."

We'll look at what this passage might tell us about Jesus, and therefore about God. And what this all might mean for us as disciples.

Our Scripture Readings are from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and Matthew 16:21-28.

We worship at 9:30 a.m.

08/15/2026

Join us this Sunday, August 16th, for Worship! We will finish our readings from Genesis and the Patriarchs/Matriarchs (Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob and Rachel/Leah) with the story of Jacob's son, Joseph. Joseph's story is another fascinating tale with many twists and turns (and intrigue!), and through it all God is working behind the scenes to bring life. Our reading will give us an opportunity to reflect upon God's hand at work in our lives and in our world, even when we are unaware of that work. Our Scripture reading is Genesis 45:1-15, but you may want to back up to Genesis 37 and read forward to chapter 45 to refresh your memory of the story. My sermon title is "Despite the Evidence, God Is Still Working." We will also sing some favorite hymns. Join us!

We worship at 9:30 a.m.

07/17/2026

Join us this Sunday, July 19th, for Worship! This Sunday we'll take a deep dive into the story of Jacob, one of my favorite Biblical characters. Jacob is certainly a very interesting figure, who connives his brother Esau out of his birthright, and later tricks his father Issac into giving him Esau's blessing (read all about it in Genesis 25 and 27). In our reading this Sunday Jacob is on the run from his brother Esau - I'd run too! - and he finds himself all alone out in the wilderness. It is there that the Lord surprises Jacob, and renews His promise to him. My sermon title is "A Gracious Promise." We worship at 9:30 a.m.

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.

06/06/2026

"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.