A Good Word with Pastor Josh (PCUSA)

Pay Attention - Fasting

Claimed & Called - The Challenge of Love

Claimed & Called - Blessed Are the Bold

Claimed & Called - Called to Cast

Claimed & Called - When Grace Challenges

This week, we reflected on Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He turned water into wine, showing His ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Just as He brought light to those at the party, Jesus continues to bring light to the "invisible people" in our society—those who are often overlooked or forgotten, like the homeless. Through His love, we are called...

This week, the sermon explored the significance of baptism as a transformative moment of claiming and commissioning. Drawing parallels between the Garden of Eden and the promise of the new creation, it emphasized God’s unending invitation to belong and be reconciled. Through Jesus’ baptism and the new covenant, we are reminded of our identity as beloved children of God and our calling to serve oth...

This week, we explored the theme of new beginnings and the holy mystery of God's unfolding work in our lives. Reflecting on Isaiah’s promise that God is "doing a new thing" and the Magi’s journey of faith, we were encouraged to step into the unknown with humility, trust, and hope. Whether our road is smooth or muddy, we can trust that God is paving a way forward, calling us to leave behind the bur...

This week, we reflected on the miraculous intimacy of Christmas: the infinite God stepping into finite time and space to draw near to us. Through the shepherds’ encounter with the angels, we are reminded that God’s love is deeply personal, meeting each of us where we are. Just as the shepherds shared the good news, we too are called to proclaim that God’s love knows our name and transforms lives.

This week, we reflected on the power of hope as a courageous and transformative force in our lives. The stories of Joseph and Mary remind us that hope requires vulnerability, resilience, and trust in God's promises. Mary’s song of praise calls us to envision a world of justice and mercy, while Joseph’s choice to risk hope demonstrates how faith can lead us beyond cynicism and despair. Through hope...

This week, we reflected on the deep human need for community and connection, contrasting God's design for relationship with the isolating tendencies of our culture. Through the story of Ruth and Naomi, we were reminded that God invites us to step beyond fear and self-reliance to form covenant relationships. Advent challenges us to disrupt cycles of loneliness and embrace God’s call to live in incl...

This week, we explored the Reign of Christ, emphasizing His eternal and present rule over all things. The sermon redefined "kingdom" as "kin-dom"—a community rooted in relationship, belonging, and love, rather than hierarchy. We reflected on our role as priests in Christ’s kin-dom, called to live in service and connection, devoted to embodying God’s freedom, justice, and compassion. We also examin...

Baptism of Lindy and Grayson

This week, we explored the contrast between the scribes’ self-serving behavior and the widow’s humble, sacrificial giving as found in Mark 12:38-44. Jesus calls us to embody genuine generosity, not for recognition but out of radical faith and love for others. The widow’s gift reminds us that true discipleship is marked by sacrificial giving, trusting in God's provision. In a time of political and...

This week, we reflected on the meaning of All Saints' Day and the essence of Christian discipleship, which is to love God and love others as ourselves. Through the story of Aunt Sally and the Gospel of Mark 12:28-34, we explored the power of selfless love and service. We also acknowledged the importance of community, especially during divided times, and remembered that we do not journey through fa...

This week, we celebrated Reformation Day by reflecting on our freedom in Christ and the ongoing call to reformation. We explored how God’s grace, made accessible through Jesus, frees us from restrictive laws and outdated practices, offering us direct access to God. The Reformation reminds us that we belong to God and are called to share this liberating hope with others. Let us move forward, living...

This week, we explored the powerful truth that we are each fully known and fully loved by God. Through the lens of Reformation theology, we understand that our relationship with God is ever-evolving. God is the active agent in our spiritual growth, constantly working to shape and renew us. With honesty and humility, we’re called to reflect on how we mirror God’s image in our lives and seek divine...

Linda Kaye Raybuck Funeral - Witness to the Resurrection

This week’s sermon, grounded in Hebrews 1:1-4 and 2:5-12, focused on the supremacy of Christ and the shared humanity that unites all believers. On World Communion Sunday, we are reminded that we belong to each other as members of the family of God, created in God's image. In a divided world, Christ calls us to be agents of peace, justice, and compassion, recognizing the divine image in every perso...

This week, the sermon explored the unseen struggles many of us carry, reminding us that we matter and are deeply loved by God. Drawing from Mark 9:30-37, Pastor Josh emphasized that true greatness in God’s kingdom is found not in status or accolades but in humility and service to others, especially the most vulnerable. Jesus' example calls us to break the stigma surrounding mental health, be p...

This week, the sermon emphasized the immense power of our words to build up or tear down. Reflecting on James 3:1-12, it explored how our tongues can be either tools of grace or instruments of harm. Using relatable metaphors from everyday life, such as the golf course and airplane conversations, we are reminded that our discipleship extends beyond Sunday mornings and into every interaction. The se...

This week’s sermon emphasized the importance of staying engaged in our faith and community. Drawing from Hebrews 10, we were reminded that Christ’s sacrifice calls us to live in connection with God and one another, avoiding isolation. The message highlighted the need to "provoke" one another to love and good deeds, ensuring we support each other in our spiritual journey. The call to disc...

This week, Pastor Josh highlighted the importance of active faith in the Christian life, contrasting the legacies of Tiger Woods and Johnny Manziel to illustrate the difference between active engagement and passivity. The sermon emphasized that faith is not merely about belief but requires action, as seen in James 2:14-26. True discipleship involves living out faith through service, spiritual disc...

This week, we delved into the Discipleship Triad: Come Eager, Be Active, Stay Engaged. 🌱 This Sunday we focused on the attitude and approach of a disciple. Eagerness in discipleship implies enthusiasm, anticipation, and a genuine desire to encounter God and grow in faith. It's about cultivating a hunger for spiritual nourishment and a willingness to learn and be transformed. This eagerness is...

In last Sunday's sermon, we explored the story of the Woman from Shunem, whose unwavering faith and genuine hospitality remind us of the importance of being defined by our faith rather than our circumstances. She teaches us to offer support and compassion selflessly, to stay firm in our faith amidst life's challenges, and to always find contentment in God's presence. Let's carry th...