Perinton Presbyterian Church | Sermons and Conversations

Recorded on Sunday, 01/11/26 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: Mark 1:1-13 | Jesus' baptism reveals two profound truths about our faith journey. First, through baptism, Jesus united himself completely with humanity, identifying with our experience and marking himself as one with us. Second, God affirmed Jesus' identity as his beloved Son before he faced temptation in the wilderness...

Recorded on Sunday, 01/04/26 at the 9:30am service | Scripture Readings: John 1:1-18 | As we enter a new year, we're invited to shift from achieving to receiving God's guidance. Jesus is the light that illuminates our path, not all at once, but step by step. Rather than relying on our own resolutions and willpower, we can trust that God will guide, challenge, and shape us. The Word became...

Recorded on Sunday, 12/28/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: Matthew 2:1-12 | The Magi's visit to the Christ child reveals powerful lessons about hospitality and welcome. These Zoroastrian priests traveled from Persia to find Jesus, and Mary and Joseph welcomed them into their home despite cultural and linguistic barriers. This act of hospitality allowed them to receive the prophetic...

Recorded on Sunday, 12/21/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: Matthew 1:18-25 | Joseph's story reveals the power of quiet faithfulness in God's plan. When faced with Mary's unexpected pregnancy, this carpenter chose sacrificial love over public disgrace. An angel's message transformed his confusion into obedience, and Joseph immediately embraced his divine assignment. He p...

Jazz Candlelight Service recorded on December 17, 2025 | Meditation by Pastor Laura Fry | Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-2, 7-12; John 1:1-2, 5, 14 | Featured Musicians: Melissa Argenna: Vocals; M. Jerome Bell: Piano; Jerbrel Bowens: Drums; Quinn Lawrence: Saxophone | This 4th annual Jazz Candlelight service features the story of Christ's birth brough...

Recorded on Sunday, 12/14/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 | Jesus, whose name means 'God delivers,' is the ultimate answer to humanity's cry for salvation. Throughout Scripture, God's people have prayed for deliverance from various circumstances, and while God faithfully responded each time, these were temporary solutions. The birth of Jesus to Mary...

Recorded on Sunday, 12/07/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: Luke 1:5-25 | During the Pax Romana, the world appeared peaceful under Caesar Augustus, but this peace only benefited the wealthy and powerful while oppressing others. Zechariah and Elizabeth, a righteous but childless couple, experienced what we might call the Advent ache - the deep longing for things to be made right in a bro...

Recorded on Sunday, 11/30/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: Luke 2:1-5 | The Advent season often brings an 'Advent ache' - a longing for something better in our broken world. Before Jesus was born, the Jewish people endured 400 years of foreign occupation, oppression, and failed human attempts at peace. The Maccabean revolt and Roman rule both fell short of bringing true peace....

Recorded on Sunday, 11/25/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, Ephesians 4:29 | As citizens of God's kingdom, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing His values in a world that often prioritizes power over mercy. Our primary tool for this ministry of reconciliation is our words. Ephesians 4:29 challenges us to speak only what is good and helpful,...

Recorded on Sunday, 11/16/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 6:11-17, Matthew 17:1-8 | In times of fear and uncertainty, we often feel outnumbered and alone. Yet Scripture reveals that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses - the communion of saints. This includes those who have gone before us, those who walk beside us now, and God's presence at the center. Like Elisha's...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Pastor Laura Fry sits down with Jim Carbone , longtime usher for the Rochester Red Wings. Known for his warmth, humor, and gift for making every guest feel like family, Jim shares the stories and experiences that have shaped his remarkable approach to hospitality. Jim reflects on why baseball is uniquely suited for connection, how he helps create a safe...

Recorded on Sunday, 11/09/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 | Every believer has been given unique spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit for the common good. Rather than asking what the world needs, we should discover what makes us come alive, as theologian Howard Thurman suggests - following the grain of our own wood. These gifts work together like a hospital trauma t...

Recorded on Sunday, 11/02/25, at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 | Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 9 reveals that cheerful giving flows from gratitude for God's blessings, not guilt or obligation. When we give generously, we're enriched spiritually and relationally as our eyes open to God's faithfulness. Giving first, before other expenses, puts God firs...

Recorded on Sunday, 10/26/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: Luke 12:13-21 | Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Fool to challenge our relationship with money and possessions. The rich man hoarded his abundant harvest instead of sharing, planning to relax and enjoy his wealth for years. However, God called him a fool because he died that very night, unable to take anything with him. His m...

Recorded on Sunday, 10/19/25, at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:24-34 | Jesus taught that money is one of the greatest competitors to God in our lives, warning that we cannot serve both God and wealth. Most people fall into two financial traps: the spending ditch driven by unbridled desire, or the hoarding ditch driven by fear and worry. The solution is found in Matthew 6:33 - see...

Recorded on Sunday, 10/15/25 at the 11am service | Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 | Paul's metaphor of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:10-20 provides believers with essential protection for life's spiritual battles. The six pieces include the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet prepared with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spir...

Connect & Thrive: Empowering Teens Together is an event series for families of tweens & teens during the 2025-26 school year. | This event was presented live to an in-person audience on 9/30/25 by Brittany Chenenko, a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who owns a private practice serving children, adolescents and parents in Brighton, NY.  Find out more about her practice at  www.seedt...

October 5, 2025 at the 11am Service |Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:8-20| In Ephesians 5:8-20, Paul calls us to seek true fullness of life through the Spirit of God, singing and making music, and giving thanks to God every day.  While other things may tempt us, they can’t offer the fullness of joy we find through Christ.  Paul invites us to give thanks to God always, making music in our hearts!|Th...

Recorded on September 28, 2025 at the 11am worship service. |Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2| In Ephesians, we learn that becoming a new creation in Christ means fundamentally changing how we live. This transformation isn't self-manufactured but a gift from God, symbolized powerfully in baptism. Our new life should be characterized by unity, truth-telling, healthy anger management, hones...

Recorded on September 21, 2025| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16| Growing up spiritually means becoming more like Christ throughout our lives. Paul challenges believers in Ephesians 4 to mature in faith rather than remaining spiritual children blown about by every wind of doctrine. True spiritual growth requires proper nourishment through worship, scripture, prayer, community, generosity,...

Recorded on September 14, 2025 | Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10 | In a world marked by division, Ephesians 2:4-10 reminds us of our identity and calling in Christ. The historic division between Jews and Gentiles parallels our modern social divides, where we increasingly isolate ourselves in like-minded enclaves. Just as peace in Northern Ireland came through reconciliation work rather than ph...

Recorded on September 7, 2025| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14| Life is better together, as the letter to the Ephesians reminds us; we're not meant to do life alone. Despite our society's technological connectivity, many people feel isolated and lonely, much like the materially wealthy but spiritually struggling ancient city of Ephesus. God consistently reaches out to humans throughout...