Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church

What does baptism mean in the context of our victimhood culture? Rev. Ferris preaches on Jesus' baptism from Matthew 3:13-17.

What does the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem have to show us about the journey of faith? In this sermon, Pastor Rebecca explores the lessons we might learn from the curiosity and wonder the Magi showed in their story, recorded in Matthew 2:1-12. 

Is our image of Jesus historically accurate? What do we imagine God looks like? More importantly, what image most accurately captures God's personality? Rev. Ferris explores these questions and more as he looks at the story of John the Baptist and Jesus from Matthew 11:2-6. The sermon was delivered on the third Sunday of Advent, 2022.

In an overly busy "holiday season," how can we find the space and stillness to reflect, to notice God at work, to be people of hope? In this sermon Pastor Rebecca explores the story of The Visitation and Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:39-56 and how Elizabeth's blessing serves as a powerful catalyst. (This sermon includes the practice of "Visio divina" using the image loc...

On the first Sunday in Advent, Rev. Ferris explores Isaiah's powerful vision of peace. What does it mean to beat our swords into plowshares? Isaiah 2:1-5

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, Rev. Ferris explores the theme of gratitude. How was Paul able to be thankful in prison when so many of us are unhappy in our lives? A key insight comes from St. Augustine, who said: "He who has God has everything. He who has everything but God has nothing." The reading is Philippians 4:4-9.

Rev. Ferris explores two ways to give: transactionally and transformationally. Mark 12:38-44. 

How do we know that heaven is real and not some escapist fantasy? Rev. Ferris preaches on 1 Corinthians 15:51-57. 

Can we cling to self-sufficiency while also building up a community of faith? Pastor Rebecca explores this question and the apostle Paul's response in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 in this week's sermon. 

What kind of love is God? Rev. Ferris explores Paul's famous statement about love from 1 Corinthians 13. 

How are we being invited to act differently in the face of change? When anxiety pushes us to cling to resources or lean on behaviors that are not loving, what can we do instead? Paul's letter to the Corinthians about how to observe communion has much to teach us about living life in a season of transition. Rev. Rebecca Blake continues our sermon series with a sermon on 1 Corinthians 11:20-26,...

Rev. Ferris preaches on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Rev. Ferris preaches on 1 Corinthians 1: 10-17

What does God call us to be and to do with our lives? Rev. Ferris preaches on 1 Corinthians 1:1-3.

What does the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin have to tell us about being in community with one another today? This is what Pastor Rebecca explores in her sermon on Luke 15:1-10.  

What does it mean to change in Christ? Are we the same or different? Also, how does God transform our pain into purpose? Rev. Ferris preaches on Jeremiah 18:1-11, the great metaphor of God as a potter.

How does Jesus respond when we take the risk to be vulnerable about the healing we need? In today's sermon, Pastor Rebecca explores the story of the healing of the woman suffering from hemorrhages in Matthew 9:18-26. This exploration takes place in conjunction with quotations on vulnerability from Brene Brown's book Atlas of the Heart , specifically the chapter titled "Places We Go...

"Shame thrives on secrecy, silence, and judgment." -Brené Brown. What does Jesus do when he encounters our shame, those things we've done or left undone that we'd rather keep hidden? In this sermon from Pastor Rebecca, we explore the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and her extraordinary conversation with Jesus. This story is found in the gospel of John 4:1-30; 39. 

This week we begin a new sermon series called "From the Heavens to the Depths: Encounters with the God Who Meets Us Where We Are." These stories from Scripture will be explored in conversation with quotes from Brene Brown's book titled "Atlas of the Heart." Today Rev. Blake preached on  the story of the raising of Lazarus and Jesus' response to Mary and Martha's...

Is fairness equal to justice?  If God's grace is a free gift, then why do we endlessly strive to earn it? Pastor Blake explores the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, found in Matthew 20:1-16, for our last sermon in our summer series on the Parables of Jesus. 

Group identity is often formed on the basis of hatred for a common enemy. But the Gospel puts an end to scapegoating. Rev. Ferris explores the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37.

Can money buy security? What about peace or happiness? Rev. Ferris explores the Parable of the Rich Fool, from Luke 12: 13-21.