Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

In this sermon from July 5, Rev. Abigail Visco Rusert preaches on the book of Jonah (excerpts from chapters 1-4). She explores how perhaps the book of Jonah is not centered around a moral lesson of how Jonah should've done the right thing more quickly--perhaps the book of Jonah gives us a broader window into the character of God. Perhaps it shows a picture of God as someone who relentlessly p...

In this sermon from June 28, guest preacher Rev. Dr. Anne Stewart preaches on Romans 15:4-13 and Isaiah 66:8-13. What does it look like to work for peace in a world so full of division? 

Guest preacher Rev. Randy Weber preaches on the story of Jesus healing a man by the pool of Bethsaida in John 5:1-3, 5-9. Jesus is still inviting us into healing waters today--offering healing of both body and spirit. What does that look like in our lives today?

As we begin a summer season of welcoming several different voices to Old Pine's pulpit, Rev. Rebecca Blake preaches on the calling of Peter and the other disciples in Luke 5:1-11. In what ways do we resonate with Peter's experience? What might we be afraid to hope for, that God might be just about to provide? 

Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' temptation by the devil. Matthew 4:1-11.

Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' baptism and how it forms our bedrock identity as Christians. Matthew 3: 13-17. 

In this Pentecost sermon on Acts 2:1-13, Rev. Blake explores how God reveals God's self to humanity through different kinds of languages--visual, musical, and theological, among others. The implications of God using fire and wind to signify the coming of the Holy Spirit, specifically to the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, are profound. What images or theological language might we need to hea...

What is the meaning of Jesus' ascension into heaven? Rev. Ferris draws on recent scientific discoveries to explore the way that heaven infuses the material world. Luke 24: 44-53.

How should Christians today respond to the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 16-20, in which Jesus commands the disciples to evangelize the world? Rev. Ferris looks to the early church for clues.

In coordination with a new planned giving program at Old Pine, and in honor of the semiquincentennial of the nation, Rev. Ferris gives a special sermon about the history of our congregation. He draws on Hebrews 12: 1-3.

Rev. Ferris preaches on Ephesians 2:11-16, Paul's statement that in the cross God has destroyed the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile. On this day in which we received a class of new members, he reflects on how a church community can be grounded in the peace of Christ.

Rev. Rebecca Blake preaches on the story of two people encountering the Risen Christ on their long walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-35. She invites us to wonder, if Jesus truly suffered for us and rose again for us, so that we might begin to know the depths of God's compassion, then why wouldn't God show up in our lives in small coincidences and synchronicities? What sm...

Rev. Ferris preaches on Thomas, who demanded to put his finger in the marks of the nails in Jesus' hands. This story is a powerful exploration of faith, trust, doubt, healing, and joy. The reading is John 20: 24-31.

Rev. Ferris preaches on Luke's account of the Easter story, in which the angels ask the women, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" Luke 24:1-12

On the first Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem in a kingly parade. But look deeper and you'll see that this parade celebrated a much different kind of king. Rev. Ferris preaches on Luke 19:28-40.

We conclude our series on Jesus' parables by looking at the elder son in Jesus' famous parable from Luke 15. Rev. Ferris preaches. 

Rev. Ferris preaches on the younger son from Jesus' parable of the man with two sons (commonly called the "parable of the prodigal son.") The reading is Luke 15: 1-3, 11-24.

In this week's continuation of our "Kudzu Kingdom" sermon series on the kingdom parables of Jesus, Rev. Rebecca Blake preaches on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. The landowner in the parable gives us an interesting model of what generosity and curiosity can look like. 

Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' parable of the merchant in search of fine pearls, from Matthew 13: 45-46.

Preaching on the parable of the sower from Matthew 13:1-9, Rev. Ferris suggests that Jesus uses humor to change the way we perceive God. Perhaps God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

We continue with our sermon series on the kingdom parables of Jesus with Rev. Rebecca Blake preaching on the "Parable of the Leaven" in Matthew 13:33. Together we explore the implications of likening the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven (which was not yeast powder, but more like a sourdough starter) that a woman hid (for a purpose, in order to be revealed at the right time) in flour.

Guest preacher Drew Rick-Miller preaches on the parable of the sheep and goats from Matthew 25. Using data from the brand new Global Flourishing Study, he shows how Jesus' vision of service enhances our lives both now and in the life to come.

Is the kingdom of heaven like the kudzu vine? Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' parable of the mustard seed from Mark 4:30-32.

Rev. Ferris introduces a new sermon series on the kingdom parables of Jesus entitled "The Kudzu Kingdom." He preaches on Matthew 13:34-35.

Rev. Ferris preaches on the baptism of Jesus from Matthew 3:13-17.