Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Rev. Ferris explores the martyrdom of Stephen and how it draws us into the mystery of the Gospel. He also gets in a little Grateful Dead trivia! The reading is Acts 7:54-60. 

 Pastor Rebecca continues our sermon series, “The Book of Acts: The Spirit at Work,” with a sermon on Acts 3:1-21. In this story we explore how being fully seen (and loved) by God brings about individual and collective healing both in the experience of the man outside the Beautiful Gate and the astonished crowd, as well as in our lives today. 

Rev. Ferris explores the unique community of the early church. He also honors retiring choir director Tom Faracco on his last Sunday at Old Pine. The text is Acts 2:42-47.

The first sermon in a new series on the Acts of the Apostles. Rev. Ferris explores Peter's sermon from Acts 2:14-15, 22-33, arguing that Peter's sermon outlined an origin story of the Christian church. 

Rev. Ferris explores the story of Pentecost, specifically focusing on the miracle of language that it entails. What does it mean to reach a person through their native language, and why is this what God seems to do? The text is Acts 2:1-12.

In this sermon on Luke 24:44-53, Pastor Rebecca explores two miracles during Jesus’ ascension—  Jesus’ words of blessing  and the disciples’ joy in the face of a new season. 

Rev. Ferris preaches on the Great Commission from Matthew 28:16-20. He explores how this passage refers to the Trinitarian nature of God and what this means for our own calling to love others with agape. 

In this sermon on Luke 24:13-35, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of two followers of Jesus who slowly realize they are in the presence of the Risen Christ. As we are invited into a posture of openness that values mystery over certainty, Jesus continues to accompany and reveal himself to us today. 

Rev. Ferris explores the disciple Thomas, who doubted that Jesus was raised until he touched the nail marks in his hands. The sermon explores the role of doubt in faith and how to move beyond doubt into a trusting relationship with Christ. John 20:24-31.

In this brief Easter homily from the "sunrise" outdoor service at 8:30am, Pastor Rebecca explores the abrupt ending to the gospel of Mark and what it means for Jesus to go ahead of us--to and from the grave, and into wherever our futures lead us. The text is Mark 16:1-8.

In this brief Maundy Thursday homily, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet during the Last Supper in the gospel of John, chapter 13. Why did Jesus choose this particular act as one of the last things he would do with his disciples? What does it look like for Jesus to love us to the utmost, as much as is possible, to the fullest end?

Rev. Ferris explores the miracle that was Palm Sunday, focusing especially on Jesus' use of an unbroken colt in his parade. Luke 19:28-40. 

Rev. Ferris continues our series on Jesus' miracles by exploring the healing of Bartimaeus from Mark 10:46-52. 

In this sermon on Mark 9:14-29, Pastor Rebecca explores small miracles that happen along the way as we learn to trust that God can do big miracles, too. 

Rev. Ferris continues our series on Jesus' miracles by exploring the story of Jesus walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee. The text is Matthew 14:22-33. 

Continuing our series on Jesus' miracles, Rev. Ferris explores the story of the "Feeding of the 5,000" from Mark 6:30-44. How much is enough make changes in our lives?

The first sermon in a new series on Jesus' miracles. Rev. Ferris preaches on two healing stories: Jarius' daughter and the woman with a flow of blood. Mark 5:21-43. 

On Ash Wednesday, Pastor Rebecca offers a homily on Joel 2:1-3; 12-17, and explores what "rending" one's heart might mean, especially in the context of our mortality and of the season of Lent.  

Rev. Ferris explores the Transfiguration of Jesus, focusing on the disciples' fear. What does it mean to "fear the Lord?" The text is Mark 9:2-9.

What is the role of vulnerability in one's life of faith? How does Jesus respond to us when we are overwhelmed with worry, doubt, or shame? In today's sermon on Luke 5:1-11, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of Jesus' invitation to Simon Peter, Peter's unusual and fascinating response, and what kinds of invitations God might be issuing to us today. 

What does it mean to be "born again"? Rev. Ferris explores Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus from John 3:1-8, 16-17. 

Rev. Ferris explores Christian identity and freedom through the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. The text is Matthew 4:1-11. 

Can sin be good news? Rev. Ferris explores the story of Jesus' baptism and how the awareness of sin is the first step toward freedom in Christ. The reading is Mark 1:4-11. 

In this sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 focusing on the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem, Pastor Rebecca explores the question, "what do we do when something strange draws us off the path we expected to walk?" 

Rev. Rebecca Blake preaches on Matthew 1:18-25 and Joseph's encounter with a dream that helped him choose to be a part of God's work in the world, even though he was still afraid of what that might mean.