Just Sitting Here Thinking

Sermon on finding hope through loneliness, hopelessness, and abandonment. When we feel forsaken by God by the silence we feel, and how we hide or distance ourselves from God out of that fear that God will not be there when we feel most alone. The story of Francis Thompson and "The Hound of Heaven." Often the one light in darkness is the promise that God will never leave us, and how that affirmatio...

Sermon on the jacket lapel, representing the place where we place the messages of all the pins, jewelry, tags and bumper stickers in our lives. The symbols we wear and the priorities we show to the world, and the towel as a symbol of service and discipleship. How we become disciples when we take up Christ's mantle of service to others. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

Sermon reflecting on the television series "Quantum Leap" and the importance of taking quantum leaps in our own life. In reflecting on the past, propelling us into the future, and stretching our abilities to improve our lives through faith. David's journey from fear to triumph, Saul's conversion experience into Paul, and Rev. Eastridge's personal journey as a young man from confusion and ambivalen...

An introduction to Paul's letters to Titus and Timothy, and the challenges and critical decisions described in the early church. The importance of unity and openness, and the crucial need and power of prayer. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website  

Classic and often-requested sermon of Rev. Eastridge's, always remade fresh and contemporary with the time of its telling. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

A special Christmas lesson on the promises of "the baby in the box." Celebrating the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah and the hopes and faith of all who believe in Him. The impact the hope of a child can have to transform a world. How Christ has brought about those changes, to open the minds of the people to tolerance and acceptance, and to open the souls of humanity to reconciliation wi...

Advent lesson on Joseph, the responsibilities upon him and the sacrifices he endured for the love of his wife and the child he raised as his son. The dangers and hardships they faced in the communities they crossed, desperate to keep the child safe. The values he instilled in Jesus as a young man and the heartbreak of a nurturing father at the end. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Websi...

Lesson on 2 John's message of the spiritual walk we take together. Walking in truth and not living out a biased faith. The search for truth is a lifelong quest. Walking in love with one another, and putting our love into action to help each other. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

Lesson on Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, the fractions and divisions among the devotees of Paul and of Apollos. Setting a foundation with the basic beliefs of the church, the importance of grace and the means to live together as Christ would have us. The quality of life within the church community, the need to love one another and our church, and our responsibility for the legacy of the c...

Sermon on becoming who we were born to be. Having the faith to boldly pursue living deliberately rather than eking out a fringe material existence. And finding in our reflection the image of God in which we were created.    Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

Lesson on the Proverbs with themes of integrity, righteousness, and community. The contradictions within the book and the wisdom to discern, acknowledging the complexity of life.  The importance of listening to our own conscience and the "inward witness." Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

Rev. J. Vance Eastridge passed on October 13, 2022 at 95. He leaves behind a loving wife and large, loving family. He also leaves behind thousands of thankful people whose lives he touched through pastoral care, his earnest and charismatic voice and poetic writing, and through gentle daily kindness, grace, and love. He pastored to more than a dozen congregations of hundreds across two states over...

(Romans 14:13) Lesson on Paul's efforts to build community, new rituals and traditions at the very beginning of Christianity. The need for understanding among each other and avoiding judgment, warning against creating barriers to others' faith. How cooperation between peoples of different beliefs is the foundation of the church. The importance of keeping an open mind and evolving our beliefs over...

Lesson on the attempt by Jonah to deny the call to minister to those he hated, and the futility of trying to run away from God. But from that is the comfort that God never leaves us. Each of us called by God to use our talents based on our gifts, strengths and joys.   Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

The Story of Ruth and Naomi (Part 2) Picking up on their return from Moab to Judah, we see Ruth's sacrifice and dedication to her mother-in-law, and Naomi's grief andfeeling of being forsaken by God. Meeting wealthy and generous Boaz, and the fortuitous arrangement that could provide for them both.  The historical context of the story, Moab, the ending of the Babylonian exile and the attempt to re...

One of the most intimate personal bonds between characters in the Bible is that of Ruth and Naomi, as told in the Book of Ruth. Lesson on trust, friendship, family, bravery and loyalty through seemingly insurmountable struggles. But first, it's open floor for questions and discussion following the introspective on John Wesley. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the Website

Lesson on the aftermath of September 11th, ruminations on anger and forgiveness, and the dilemmas of modern conflict.  The story of the Canaanite woman whose girl was possessed by a demon, and the power that drives us to do endure humiliation and sacrifice for the people we love. Find the full playlist on YouTube Visit the website

Lesson on the history of the Temple in Jerusalem, and its importance to Judaism and to Jesus in childhood and the beginning of His ministry.  The Ark of the Covenant, the architectural dimensions and different parts of the Temple, and the Holy of Holies.  Solomon's decree for it to be a place to pray and find forgiveness, and provide inclusive shelter and acceptance for all people.  How we all nee...

Lesson on Proverbs 6 and the traits in humans that God abhors - arrogance, lying, a wicked heart toward others, a knowing thirst for sin, destroying the lives of others, bearing false witness, and creating disharmony. How the values of integrity, loyalty, faithfulness, humility and resisting judgment and prejudice toward others are passed down from our elders, and specifically through father Roby...

Lesson on the importance of wisdom, Job's quest for wisdom, and the triumphs and downfall of King Solomon's reign. The seven pillars on which wisdom is based - prudence, humility, discretion, insight, plus knowledge, reason, and openness.   Find the full playlist on YouTube

Lesson on the disciplines  of faith, sharing with the needs of the community, the gift of communicating with God, and fasting for grief, reverence, and repentance - and practicing all with humility. Being the salt of the earth, and the life-long quest for purity and positivity to reflect the light of Christ.

Lesson on St. Mark's account of Jesus' resurrection and the history of its translation and revision. The importance of the three women who discovered the empty tomb and  the enigma of Joseph of Arimathea.  The closeness of Mark and Peter, and ending the story with the Great Commission: the message to spread the Good News, heal the sick and poor of spirit, and to be the power of Christ in the world...

Watch the VIDEO version at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WCJnvTe-_c Sermon on the Apostles witnessing the Transfiguration and their journey of discipleship, having the faith of a child and real humility before God and in the world, from St. Francis and Mother Teresa to a Tennessee farmer named Dewey Strange. Accepting the cup of Christ fills us with the courage to stand up against tyranny and...

In honor of Independence Day, we repost this discussion referenced in last week's episode on the history of the church from the Holy Roman Empire to the Reformation, and the foundation of religious freedom in the American colonies up to today.

Lesson for Independence Day on the religious groups crossing the Atlantic Ocean to worship freely, the faith of the individual founders such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, how the separation of church and state preserves religious liberty, and danger of ignoring the history of religion in America.