Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Our Ephesians series, "Wake Up, Sleeper," continues with a sermon exploring the significance of "by grace you have been saved." Rev. Blake preaches on Ephesians 2:1-10. 

What comes first, knowledge or faith? Does the heart know things that the head doesn't? Rev. Ferris continues our series by exploring Ephesians 1: 15-19. 

We continue our Ephesians series with a sermon about how the story of salvation involves a "scandal of particularity." Rev. Ferris preaches on Ephesians 1: 3-5, 11-14.

The first in our 9-week series on Ephesians. Rev. Ferris discusses the Apostle Paul. Who was this man and why did God choose him to take the Gospel into the world? Ephesians 1:1. 

Rev. Mike Pulsifer joins us to preach on Matthew 25:31-46. 

Guest preacher Rev. Laura Colee of Beacon Church explores some of Jesus' final words to his disciples before the crucifixion and resurrection and how they might sustain us in the "middle" of life with all its uncertainty and stuck-ness. Her focus text is John 14:1-7. 

Rev. Ferris preaches on Robert Alter's beautiful translation of Psalm 23, ultimately asking the question: Is God "following" us or "pursuing" us? 

How does the Risen Christ interact with his dearest friends who still don't understand, whose memories are clouded by grief? Why is Jesus revealed in "the breaking of the bread" and not his teaching, his voice, his appearance? Pastor Rebecca explores these questions in this story about Jesus encountering two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35.

Is it OK to doubt the resurrection? What lies beyond our doubts? Rev. Ferris preaches on John 20:19-31, the story of the Risen Christ meeting the disciple Thomas. 

In this homily from the early outdoor Easter service, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of the resurrection in John 20:1-18. How does  Mary's experience with grief, confusion, surprise, and perception shape how we live out our faith today? What does it look like to "pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it"? (Mary Oliver)

Could the resurrection really be true? And even if it is, what difference does this make to my life? Rev. Ferris preaches on Easter Sunday, 2023. His scripture is Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20.

In this Maundy Thursday homily, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet at the Last Supper and giving them final words of encouragement before his arrest and crucifixion. The story is found in John 13:1-17, 31-35.

Was Jesus' parade on Palm Sunday a humorous satire of Imperial power? Rev. Ferris argues that Jesus used humor to heal. Matthew 21:1-11.  

What does it mean to believe "in" someone? What does Jesus invite us to do in the face of hope and heartbreak? In this sermon on John 11:17-44, Pastor Rebecca explores the spiral process of faith for all people who try and trust in Jesus, borrowing and building on a popular sports reference. 

What is the role of desire in healing? Rev. Ferris explores the story of Jesus healing a man at the Bethesda pool in Jerusalem. John 5:1-9. 

In this sermon from Pastor Rebecca, we explore the story of Jesus healing the daughter of a local synagogue leader in Mark 5:21-24, 35-43. Trust and hope triumph over fear, callousness, and even death, in strange and surprising ways. 

The Gospel poses a counterintuitive idea: forgiveness comes before repentance. Rev. Ferris explores the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10.

Who does Jesus think he is? Rev. Ferris explores Jesus' baptism and temptation and what these events tell us about both Jesus' identity and ours. Matthew 3:13-4:11.

In this Ash Wednesday homily, Pastor Rebecca explores how the truth of our mortality is actually Good News and what it might mean to "rend your heart." This reflection is on Joel 2:1-3, 12-17.

Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' Transfiguration. Mark 9:2-9.

Jesus is crucified next to two criminals. Who were these men and why did they have such different responses to Christ? Rev. Ferris preaches on Luke 23: 32-43. This is part of the series, Into the Mess .

Joseph the carpenter had decided to divorce Mary. Then he had a dream that changed his plans. What was this dream and what does it teach us about faith? Rev. Ferris preaches on Matthew 1:18-25. 

In the third installment of the "Into the Mess" sermon series, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet in Luke 7:36-50.  It is a story of trust, gratitude, remorse, forgiveness, and love. Do we trust that God loves us? If we struggle with that, how can we practice that trust?

When we deny God's reality, are we thinking rationally or are we magically thinking? Rev. Ferris explores the riveting story of Mary encountering Christ by the empty tomb. John 20:1-3, 10-18.

How, in our sophisticated urban life, can we take evil seriously? Are we really supposed to believe in demon possession? And what does healing entail? Rev. Ferris preaches on the Gerasene demoniac from Mark 5:1-20. This is the first sermon in a new series entitled "Into the Mess."