Idlewild Presbyterian Church: Recent Episodes
Idlewild Presbyterian Church
This morning, we will continue our sermon series I Pledge Allegiance by turning toward the honesty, courage, and hope required to help our nation live more fully into its highest promises. Through the prophet Amos, we will hear God’s warning that worship and public virtue ring hollow when they are separated from justice.Sermon on Amos 5:18-24, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 9th, 2026.
This morning, we will inaugurate a new sermon series entitled I Pledge Allegiance. In a time when faith and national identity are often blurred, this four-week study will help us wrestle with what it means to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.Sermon on Philippians 2:5–11, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 2nd, 2026.
This morning, we conclude our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, by exploring the familiar story of Jonah. The Reverend Amy Howe will lead us as we look beyond the dramatic three days spent in the belly of a big fish and see how the story shows us Jonah's hesitation to preach repentance to a people he abhorred and God's determination to heal, not just the Israelites, but all God's people.Sermon on Jonah 1:1-6, 11-17, delivered by the Reverend Amy Howe on July 26th, 2026.
This morning, we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, and we turn to the book of Daniel. Our focus scripture is Daniel 6:6-28, marking a pivotal halfway point in the story.Sermon on Daniel 6:6-28, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 19th, 2026.
This morning, we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, by turning to the story of Esther. Our scripture will be Esther 4:1–3 and 10–17, the turning point in the story when Esther must decide whether to risk her own safety for the sake of her people.Sermon on Esther 4:1-3, 10-17, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on July 12th, 2026.
This morning, we will continue our Tell Me a Story series with two of the most well-known characters in all of Scripture: David and Goliath. Many of us learned this story as children as a tale of courage, faith, and the underdog who defeats the giant, and it is certainly that. However, David’s story also asks us to look more closely at the nature of power. It reveals how the vulnerable can overcome the seemingly invincible, and later the same people can become captive to the very power they once resisted. David is remembered as a shepherd, a poet, a king, and a person after God’s own heart; he is also remembered as one whose life reveals the deep contradictions of human nature.Sermon on 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 32-40, 45-49, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on July 5th, 2026.
As we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me A Story, this week we turn to the book of Ruth. It is here that we encounter a foundational story of devotion, community, and steadfast love. Ruth's 'outsider' status and her loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi define the narrative and guide us to wrestle with God's boundary-breaking love in our own lives.Sermon on Ruth 1:1-19, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on June 28th, 2026.
This morning, our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, continues as we revisit one of the most familiar figures in all of scripture: Moses. Long before he led God's people out of Egypt, Moses was a fugitive tending sheep in the wilderness when he encountered God in a burning bush. Our Theologian in Residence, Rev. Dr. Stephen Haynes will explore this pivotal moment and the surprising ways God calls ordinary, imperfect people into extraordinary purposes. What happened in the desert that convinced Moses to return to the country he had fled? And what might his story reveal about how God continues to call us today? Join us as we gather for worship, song, prayer, and a fresh encounter with an ancient story.Sermon on Exodus 3:1-15, delivered by the Reverend Dr. Stephen Hayes on June 7th, 2026.
As we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, we turn our attention to the story of Joseph. Spanning nearly half of the book of Genesis, Joseph's story is a sprawling narrative full of twists and turns, betrayals and surprises.Sermon on Genesis 45:1-15, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on June 14th, 2026.
This morning, we begin a new summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, revisiting some of the biblical characters we first met as children and discovering what their stories still have to teach us today. We begin with Noah, not the nursery version with smiling animals and rainbows, but a story about a world gone wrong, a God whose heart can break, and a grace that refuses to let creation go.Sermon on Genesis 6:5-8, 13-22, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 7th, 2026.
On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the mystery and beauty of God revealed in relationship - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - distinct yet one, bound together in perfect love. In 1 Corinthians 12:4–12, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the church, too, is made up of many gifts, many callings, and many people, all joined together as one body in Christ. As we ordain and install new elders and deacons, we will reflect on the truth that faithful leadership is never solitary, but deeply relational, formed through our connection to God and to one another. We will learn again that the work of ministry is shared work, strengthened by different gifts offered in common purpose.Sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:4-12, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 31st, 2026.
This morning, as we gather to celebrate Pentecost, we remember the moment that everything changed for the disciples. In fear and uncertainty, they had gathered together waiting on God’s promise. The Holy Spirit then moved among them, filling them with courage and a calling.Sermon on Acts 2:1-21, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on May 24th, 2026.
This morning, we will wrap up our Eastertide sermon series, Resurrected Life, by reflecting on what it means to be sent into the world as witnesses to the risen Christ. Our scripture will come from Acts 1:6–14, where the disciples stand between Christ’s ascension and the coming of the Spirit, learning to trust what God will do next.Sermon on Acts 1:6-14, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 17th, 2026.
This morning, we continue in the joy of Eastertide and in our sermon series Resurrected Life, exploring what it means to live as people shaped by the presence of the risen Jesus.Our scripture lesson comes from the Gospel of Matthew 28:16–20, where the disciples encounter Christ on the mountain and are sent out into the world with a calling that is both challenging and full of promise. In this passage, we witness the shift from disciples to apostles, from those who follow to those who are sent, and we are invited to consider our place in that same movement. At the heart of it all is Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always,” a word of assurance that meets us in both our faith and our uncertainty.Sermon on Matthew 28:16-20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 10th, 2026.
This morning, we will continue in the joy of Eastertide and in our sermon series Resurrected Life, where we are exploring what it means to live each day shaped by the presence and power of the risen Jesus. Our worship will center on John 21:1–14 as the disciples encounter the risen Christ beside the sea and are invited to cast their nets once more; trusting his guidance into deeper waters. In this tender story, Jesus meets them in their uncertainty and reveals again that life with him is marked not by scarcity, but by unexpected abundance. Together, we’ll reflect on how living a resurrected life means trusting Christ enough to follow where he leads, even when the way forward is not entirely clear.Sermon on John 21:1-14, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 3rd, 2026.
This morning, as we celebrate the second Sunday of Easter, our youth will take on the full work of worship; offering prayers, leading liturgy, reading scripture, and proclaiming the Word. Grounded in the Gospel of John, several of our graduating seniors will share sermons reflecting on what it means to hear and follow Christ's voice in a noisy world.Sermon on John 10:1-6 and John 21:15-19, delivered by Samuel Gilreath, Alex Colley, Ainsley Gale, and Tate Robertson on April 26th, 2026.
This morning, we continue in the joy of Eastertide with the second week of our sermon series, Resurrected Life. In our scripture lesson, John 20:24-29, we meet Thomas the Apostle, who longs to see and touch Christ’s wounds before he can believe. In this powerful encounter, Jesus does not reject Thomas’s doubt, but meets him in it, offering peace and inviting him closer through his scars. Together, we will reflect on how our own wounds, spiritual, emotional, and physical, can become the very places where we are most deeply connected to Christ and to one another.Sermon on John 20:24-29, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 18th, 2026.
This morning, as we gather to worship, we'll kick off an Eastertide sermon series entitled Resurrected Life. Over the next six weeks, we'll focus on the teachings and encounters of Christ after the resurrection, reflecting on how hope, courage, forgiveness, and purpose take root in the lives of those who follow Christ.Sermon on John 20:19-23, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on April 12th, 2026.
This Easter morning, we gather for the day at the heart of our faith, when we proclaim that Christ is risen and death no longer has the final word. In John 20:1–18, we encounter Mary Magdalene, who comes to the tomb in grief and leaves with a message of hope: “I have seen the Lord.” It is a story that reminds us that resurrection is not only something we believe, but something we are called to proclaim with our lives.Sermon on John 20:1-18, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 5th, 2026.
This morning as we gather for Palm Sunday we will conclude our Lenten series, Marks of a Disciple, by reflecting on the mark of compassion through Paul’s words in Philippians. As the crowds welcome Jesus with shouts of praise, we are reminded that following him leads us beyond words into lives shaped by generous, shared love. Paul gives thanks for a community that cared for him in his need, revealing a vision of compassion that is both personal and deeply communal. In this final step of our Lenten journey, we will consider how Christ forms us into people who not only receive God’s abundance, but also share it with one another.Sermon on Philippians 4:10-20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 29th, 2026.
This morning we will continue our Lenten series, Marks of a Disciple, by reflecting on the mark of peace through Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4–9. Writing from a place of uncertainty, Paul speaks of a peace that is not dependent on circumstances, but rooted in trust in God’s nearness and care. In a season that invites us to examine what weighs on our hearts, this passage gently calls us to release our anxieties and turn again toward prayer and gratitude. Together, we will consider how the peace of Christ is not something we achieve, but something we receive and learn to live within. As we move closer to the cross, we are invited to become people whose lives reflect that deep and steady peace.Sermon on Philippians 4:4-9, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 22nd, 2026.
This morning we continue our Lenten series, Marks of a Disciple, by reflecting on the mark of perseverance through Paul’s words in Philippians 3:4b–14. In his epistle, Paul describes the life of faith as a journey in which we let go of what lies behind and press on toward the life God promises in Christ. Rather than relying on his own accomplishments, Paul places his hope entirely in the grace of Christ who has claimed him. His words remind us that discipleship is not about arriving, but about continuing to follow Christ with trust and determination. As we move deeper into Lent, we will consider what it means to keep pressing forward in faith even when the road is long and difficult.Sermon on Philippians 3:4b-14, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 15th, 2026.
This morning, we will continue our Lenten series, Marks of a Disciple, by reflecting on the mark of humility through Paul’s words in Philippians 2:1–13. In this remarkable passage, Paul invites the church to have “the same mind that was in Christ Jesus,” pointing to Christ’s willingness to empty himself and take the form of a servant. In a world that often prizes status and self-assertion, the humility of Christ shows us a different way; the way of self-giving love. As we journey through Lent, we will consider how this posture of humility is something God forms within us. Together we will listen for how Christ’s life reshapes our own.Sermon on Philippians 2:1-13, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 8th, 2026.
This morning, as we mark the First Sunday in Lent, we are beginning a sermon series entitled Marks of A Disciple. This series asks a simple but searching question: what does a faithful disciple of Jesus look like in the world? Over the next six Sundays, we'll explore the qualities that shape a life formed by Christ—boldness, gratitude, humility, perseverance, peace, and compassion. As we journey toward the cross, we will consider how these marks are cultivated not through our own striving, but through a life centered on Christ, who calls us to share his mind, his love, and his way of life.Sermon on Acts 28:16-31, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on February 22nd, 2026.
This morning, we will conclude our sermon series, Who Do You Say I Am?, with a message drawn from Matthew 16:13–20 entitled “The Messiah.” Throughout the season of Epiphany, we have encountered Christ as the Word Made Flesh, the Image of God, Teacher and Healer, Crucified One, and Risen Lord, and now we return to Jesus’ own question to his disciples.Sermon on Matthew 16:13-20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on February 8th, 2026.
This morning, we continue our sermon series, Who Do You Say That I Am?, with “Christ the Risen One,” drawn from Luke 24:13-35 - the story of Jesus walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. This passage will remind us that Christ often meets us not in dramatic moments, but in ordinary conversations, shared stories, and the breaking of bread. Together, we’ll reflect on how resurrection is not only something we believe, but someone who walks with us still. Whether you’re feeling hopeful, weary, or somewhere in between, the Good News is shaped for honest hearts and open faith.Sermon on Luke 24:13-35, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on February 8th, 2026.
When we gather, we will continue our sermon series, Who Do You Say That I Am?, with “Christ the Crucified,” as we reflect on Philippians 2:5–11 and the surprising shape of God’s love revealed in Jesus. Our scripture will invite us to consider how Christ’s humility reshapes our understanding of power, love, and faithful living.Sermon on Philippians 2:5-11, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on February 1st, 2026.
I will preach a special Sermon from the Sofa (a format some of you may remember from a few winters ago), offering God’s Word from the warmth and comfort of home. Even while apart physically, we gather spiritually as we listen for Christ’s authority, compassion, and healing presence among us. I hope you'll join in from your living room, kitchen table, or wherever you’re cozy this morning, and come ready to worship as our Christological study leads us to the heart of our faith: the person, nature, and work of Jesus the Christ.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Mark 1:21-28, 32-34 on Sunday, January 25.
This morning, we will continue our sermon series, Who Do You Say That I Am?, a six-week exploration of who Christians confess Jesus the Christ to be—and why that confession still matters for our lives and our world. This week’s sermon, “Christ the Image of God,” draws from Colossians 1:15–20, a soaring passage that invites us to see Jesus as the clearest picture of God’s heart and humanity’s true calling. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to bear God’s image and how Christ restores that image in us and in the world.Sermon on Colossians 1:15-20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on January 18th, 2026.
The first installment of our study, entitled Christ the Word Made Flesh, will grow from the Gospel of John. In its opening verses, we will encounter the mystery of the Word who existed from all eternity and yet comes to dwell among us in Christ. We will reflect on the scripture's cosmic and deeply personal dimensions, as it holds together God’s eternal purpose and God’s nearness to human life.Sermon on John 1:1-5, 14-18, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on January 11th, 2026.
This morning, as we gather in the New Year, we'll mark the feast of Epiphany and the last of our worship series Insisting on Hope. As we once again share the story of the Magi and the star they followed, we'll reflect on how we live the hope of God in the face of a fearful world. The words of the Gospel of Matthew will lead us to consider what it means to follow the Light of the World.Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on January 4th, 2025.
This morning, we continue our Advent sermon series, Insisting on Hope, by reflecting on the theme of love as God’s steady presence in times of fear and uncertainty. In Isaiah 41, God speaks words of deep reassurance—“Do not fear, for I am with you”—reminding us that divine love holds us fast even when the world feels unsteady. In Matthew’s telling of Jesus’ birth, we encounter a quiet, courageous love that chooses faithfulness and trust in the midst of confusion and risk. Together, these scriptures invite us to consider how Advent love is not sentimental, but strong—love that stays, sustains, and acts. As we gather for worship, we will listen for the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us,” made real in our lives and our community.Sermon on Isaiah 41:5-10 and Matthew 1:18-25, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on December 21st, 2025.
This morning, we will continue our Advent sermon series, Insisting on Hope, by listening to stories where God’s joy breaks into ordinary lives in unexpected ways. In Jeremiah 1 and Luke 1, we encounter a God who calls before we feel ready and who speaks possibility into moments marked by uncertainty and fear. These scriptures invite us to consider how Advent joy is not shallow happiness, but a deep, resilient hope rooted in God’s promises. Together, we will reflect on what it means to respond to God’s call with trust, even when the path ahead is unclear. As we gather for worship, we will make space for God’s surprising joy to meet us where we are. I hope you’ll join us as we insist on hope and rejoice in the new life God is already bringing into the world.Sermon on Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Luke 1:26-39, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on December 14th, 2025.
This morning, we continue our Advent journey by listening to Isaiah’s promise that God is “about to do a new thing,” and to Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 that reveal how God’s renewal springs up in surprising places. Together, these scriptures invite us to consider how peace takes root—not only in grand gestures, but in the quiet, steady work of God that heals, restores, and makes a way where none seemed possible. We’ll reflect on the signs of God’s kingdom already unfolding around us, even in wilderness seasons, and how Christ meets our questions with compassion and hope. As we gather at the Lord’s Table to celebrate communion, we will remember that God’s peace is not just proclaimed to us but shared with us, nourishing us for the journey ahead.Sermon on Isaiah 43:19-21 and Matthew 11:1-11, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on December 7th, 2025.
This morning, we enter the holy season of Advent, a time of longing, watching, and preparing for God’s light to break into the world. As we gather, we also begin a new sermon series entitled “Insisting on Hope,” exploring how Christians are called to live faithfully in an age shaped by so much fear.Sermon on Lamentations 3:55-57 and Luke 1:5-13, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on November 30th, 2025.
This morning, we gather at the culmination of the church year as we celebrate Reign of Christ Sunday. As we look back over the movement of our liturgical year, we'll reflect on how we live and move in the world in light of God's promises. The words of the prophet Jeremiah lead us to consider what it means to trust and work toward God's kingdom in all we do. Sermon on Jeremiah 23:1-6, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on November 23rd, 2025.
This morning, our worship we will grow from a beautiful passage in Ephesians, where Paul introduces the image of the body of Christ. We will be reminded that we are indeed one in Christ, called to live with humility, gentleness, and love, and we will remember that God gives each of us gifts—not for ourselves alone, but for building up the whole body until we grow into the full stature of Christ.Sermon on Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on November 16th, 2025.
This morning, we will celebrate All Saints' Day, giving thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and whose faith still shapes our own. The Apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:15–23 will remind us that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us today, binding us together as his body and filling all creation with his love. As we remember the saints, we also rejoice that we are part of this living communion—called, blessed, and sent to bear witness to Christ’s hope in the world. Whether in-person, online, or on the radio, join us as we give thanks for those who have finished their race in faith, and renew your own calling to live as one of the saints of God.Sermon on Ephesians 1:15–23, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on November 2nd, 2025.
This morning, as we celebrate Commitment Sunday, we will conclude our series on generosity, Growing in Gratitude, by turning to 1 Corinthians 4:1–5, where Paul reminds us that we are “stewards of the mysteries of God.” In worship, we will consider how gratitude itself grows within us—nourished by the Spirit—as we learn to faithfully steward not only our financial gifts, but every good gift God has given. Whether in-person, online, or on the radio, join us as we celebrate the abundance of God’s grace and dedicate ourselves anew to God’s mission in the world.Sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 26th, 2025.
This morning, we'll turn to 1 Chronicles 29 as we continue our Sermon Series, Growing in Gratitude. In verses 10-16, we will hear a portion of King David's farewell address to his kingdom, as he reflects on the devotion and the resources necessary to build the Temple.Sermon on 1 Chronicles 29:10-16, delivered by the Reverend The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on October 19th, 2025.
This morning, we will begin a new three-part sermon series on generosity which will help us explore our annual theme “Growing in Gratitude.” Our worship will be grounded by Lamentations 3:22–26 and Philippians 4:10–13, 19–20, where we will reflect on God’s steadfast love and the contentment that grows from trusting in God’s provision.Sermon on Lamentations 3:22–26 and Philippians 4:10–13, 19–20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 12th, 2025.
This morning, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day when Christians around the globe gather at the Lord’s Table. In Luke 24, the disciples’ eyes were opened at Emmaus when Jesus blessed and broke bread with them, turning their despair into joy and their confusion into hope. At the Lord’s Table, we too encounter Christ’s living presence—a presence that binds us together across nations and generations, strengthens us for the journey, and nourishes us for the healing of the world.Sermon on Luke 24:28-35, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 5th, 2025.
This morning, we will turn to Mark 9 as we reflect on how we understand and practice faith. Together, we'll explore the relationship between faith and uncertainty in a world that demands conviction in all things. Come and join us as we listen for God's Spirit amidst our doubts.Sermon on Mark 9:14-27, delivered by the Reverend The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on September 28th, 2025.
This morning in worship we will turn to one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Deuteronomy 6:10–14a. Together we’ll discover how we are inheritors of God’s good gifts—both personally and as a community. As we give thanks for the gifts of God passed down through our forebears who shaped the life of faith at Idlewild, we will also pause to remember the countless saints who have poured into each of our lives. Who are the spiritual guides, teachers, mentors, coaches, and friends who have formed your faith? Come and join us as we listen for how God is calling each of us to build up the faith of another.Sermon on Deuteronomy 6:10-14a, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 21st, 2025.
This morning, as we begin our season of generosity, our worship will center on the well-known story of the prodigal son from the Gospel of Luke. In telling the parable, Jesus teaches us that faithful generosity springs from relationship -- our relationship with Him, His unending generosity toward us, and the life we share as His body, the Church. We’ll see that God’s generosity is not earned or calculated; it is a gift that calls us into deeper connection with one another. Join us for worship and be reminded that generosity is not something we do to settle accounts, but the natural fruit of being held in the generous embrace of Christ.Sermon on Luke 15:11-32, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 14th, 2025.
This morning, as we celebrate the official start of the programmatic year with Kickoff Sunday, our worship will be centered on the Book of Acts. In Acts 6, we read about a grievance brought by the Hellenists against the Hebrews in the early church: the Hellenist widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. In response, the Disciples instructed the community to choose seven individuals known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom to take on this responsibility. This moment is widely recognized as the calling of the first deacons of the church—a pivotal step in ensuring that both the physical and spiritual needs of the community were met, even as the Disciples continued to preach the Good News of the Gospel throughout the region.Sermon on Acts 6:1-7, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 7th, 2025.
This morning we will continue our exploration of the lectionary as we meet Jesus at Sabbath meal in Luke 14. There, Jesus offers a parable to the guests seeking places of honor and prominence. As we worship we will explore how insecurities often send us following after the limelight rather than Christ, and remember that we are each called a child of God, and that is enough.Sermon on Luke Luke 14:1, 7-11, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on August 31st, 2025.
This morning, the lectionary lesson will situate us alongside Jesus as he teaches in the synagogue on the sabbath. Seeing a woman crippled by a spirit, Jesus will pause his lesson, call the woman over, and heal her saying, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” While the woman will praise God for her healing, the leader of the synagogue will grow indignant saying, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.”Sermon on Luke 13:10-17, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 24th, 2025.
This morning, our worship will grow from the words of Jesus found in the lectionary Gospel passage. In Luke 12, as he teaches several lessons to his disciples, Jesus' tone changes. He begins to speak about bringing fire on the earth and dividing families again themselves. Jesus says that fathers will divided against sons, and mothers against daughters.Sermon on Luke 12:49-53, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 17th, 2025.
This morning, we will continue our month-long exploration of the Revised Common Lectionary by studying the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 12, Jesus shares many lessons on faith and practice, and as we worship, we will listen as Jesus instructs the disciples on generosity and sacrificial giving before leaving them with one of the most enduring lessons in scripture, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."Sermon on Luke 12:32-34, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 10th, 2025.
This morning, we'll reflect on the Parable of the Rich Fool. It is a story unique to the Gospel of Luke and provides us an opportunity to contemplate how our daily living reflects richness toward the One who created and sustains us.Sermon on Luke 12:13-21, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 13, 2025.
This morning, Genesis 32:22–31 will guide and inspire our worship. We’ll step into the darkness of Jacob’s long night of wrestling. As day breaks, we’ll explore what it means to encounter God in the struggle and emerge transformed.åSermon on Genesis 32:22–31, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on July 27, 2025.
Last week, Pastor Mary helped us wrestle with how God's commandment to observe sabbath rest is an act of resistance and even defiance in an anxious and restless world. Today, the Reverend Joshua Narcisse will lead us in a meditative worship experience that puts into practice all we've explored together in worship this month. Elements of worship will remain the same; however, there will be time set aside for silence, guided meditation, and responsive singing as we conclude this sermon series. Meditation delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on July 20, 2025.
Last week, Pastor Courtnay kicked off our new sermon series, Sabbath Rest: Rejuvenation in the Spirit. She encouraged us to imagine how the sabbath becomes a way to attune our presence to the presence of the Living God. This morning, we'll wrestle with how God's commandment to observe sabbath rest is an act of resistance and even defiance in an anxious, capitalistic world. In the instruction to rest from our labor, God reorients us as beloved children and deepens our understanding of the work of faith.Sermon on Deuteronomy 5:12-15, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 13, 2025.
Today, we begin a new sermon series, Sabbath Rest: Rejuvenation in the Spirit. Sabbath is more than just a day! Sabbath practice reorients us, putting us in right relationship with ourselves, others, and with God. God calls faithful people to sabbath rest and prayerful ceasing throughout our scriptures, and this summer we’ll spend some time reflecting on the ways we can experience and practice sabbath. Sermon on Exodus 25:23-30 and Matthew 11:28, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on July 7, 2025.
This morning, we'll consider the first mention of the Spirit of God as we explore together the Creation narrative in Genesis 2. God, after forming the heavens and the earth, forms human beings from the dust of the ground and then breathes the breath of life into Adam, allowing him to become a living being. As we sit with this imagery, we'll meditate on how the breath of God offers us constancy, intimacy, and reminds us of our utter dependence on our God, who is nearer than breath.Sermon on Genesis 2:4-8, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on June 29th, 2025.
This morning, we'll turn to the Hebrew Scriptures to reflect on the prophet Elijah. Elijah was faithful and true to God's word, and thus his life was at risk. When he felt he was at his lowest, God surprised and challenged him. We'll wrestle with how we hear God speaking, surprising, and challenging us along our faith journey.Sermon on 1 Kings 19:1-15, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on June 22nd, 2025.
Today is Trinity Sunday, celebrating the Triune God—an identity we share as those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amid unrest and uncertainty, we turn to the Spirit of truth who delights, plays, and stays with us. As we face transitions and farewells, our Gospel reminds us the Spirit is always present. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to lean into that presence, embracing the invitation to delight and play—even now.Sermon on Proverbs 8:22-31 and John 16:12-15, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on June 15th, 2025.
Today, we celebrate Pentecost and begin a new sermon series titled Nearer Than Breath. We’ll wrestle with our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, that forcibly blows us out into the world and is yet as comforting and reliable as our next breath. As we encounter the Spirit in wind, fire, breath, and even a descending dove, we trust that the Spirit journeys with us, comforting, transforming, and sustaining us with each step.Sermon on Acts 2:1-5, 14-21, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on June 8th, 2025.
This week, we will celebrate the final Sunday of the Easter season, and the last of our sermon series, And There Christ Will Meet You. As we reflect on the story of Jesus' appearance to his disciples in the locked room, we'll wrestle with our cultural understandings of certainty and doubt, and the ways the gift of resurrection fundamentally alters our living. The Risen Christ meets us where we are, and calls us to engage the world in new (and sometimes frightening) ways.Sermon on John 20:19-31, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on June 1st, 2025.
Today, we turn to the book of Revelation, a prophetic and apocalyptic text filled with powerful imagery that helps us resist sin in the world. We’ll explore what it means to be a church of resistance, shaped by a shared vision. As Christ guides our vision for communal life, we discover the blessing of Christ's presence, not only in our worship but in the streets of our city.Sermon on Revelation 21:10, 22 - 22:5, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on May 25th, 2025.
This morning, we continue our Eastertide sermon series, And There Christ Will Meet You. Pastor Joshua will lead us as we meet Christ along with Mary Magdalene in the Garden on Easter morning. Though initially unable to recognize Jesus in her midst at first, it is through hearing the voice of Jesus that Mary comes to recognize the Savior's presence. We'll explore together how we hear, see, and experience God in spaces where we don't expect and in that way learn to trust God in every season. Sermon on John 20:11-18, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on May 18th, 2025.
Today, we continue in the Gospel of John as we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. As we celebrate the third offering in our sermon series And There Christ Will Meet You, we will reflect on how God cares for, protects, guides, and calls us by name. In a world full of a cacophony of voices, we'll consider how to listen for the voice of our shepherd.Sermon on John 21:1-19, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on May 11th, 2025.
Today, we read of the risen Jesus meeting his disciples at the shoreline in the wake of their trauma and loss. Through this encounter, we’ll reflect on how Jesus tends to the wounds we carry in our bodies and calls us into the healing work of shepherding others.Sermon on John 21:1-19, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on May 4th, 2025.
Some of our high school seniors will be our preachers for the day while other youth will lead in liturgy and prayer. They will proclaim the Word based on Luke 24:13-35, the Road to Emmaus. We'll hear about confused and disheartened disciples grappling with Jesus' death and the stories floating around about his resurrection while talking with a stranger they met on the road. Much to their surprise, this stranger in their midst was their beloved messiah who was at work amongst them in ways they least expected. Our youth will ask us to consider how God is at work even when we can't see it.Sermons delivered by Noah Brooks, Claire Chauhan, Lydia Ford, Isabella Tamburrino, and Kate Wolfkill on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
On this Easter morning, we will come together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Mark's telling of the story will center our worship as we will hear of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome being alarmed by the scene they encounter upon arriving at Jesus' burial place. Not only has the stone been rolled away, but a young man dressed in white tells them that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that he is going ahead of them to Galilee. As we celebrate the miracle of Jesus' resurrection, we will reflect on the power of the gospel promise that Jesus goes ahead of us.Sermon on Mark 16:1-8, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 20th, 2025.
This morning, we will continue our Lenten series, The Seven Last Words of Jesus, by examining Jesus' last words from the Gospel of John, "I thirst." In these words, Jesus' humanity and divinity are on display, as well as the deep desire and faithfulness that brought him to those final moments. As we worship, we will reflect on the nature of faithfulness and how we bear witness to the pain and thirst of the world.Sermon on John 19:28-29, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on April 6th, 2025.
Sermon on Luke 23:44-46, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025.
This morning, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, we will hear Jesus' words from the Gospel of John again. In John 19:30, after receiving the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is finished." Those standing at the foot of the cross would have certainly been confused. What exactly was finished? As we worship, we will explore the tension of Jesus' words spoken into our world and our lives. How is God's power made known in endings, and how do the words of our Lord prepare us for Holy Week?Sermon on John 19:30, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 13th, 2025.
This morning, as we mark the midpoint of our Lenten journey, we will hear Jesus' cry from the cross captured in the Gospel of Matthew, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Our Lord will express his sense of abandonment by recalling the words of the psalmist found in Psalm 22. As we worship, we will reflect on both the agonizing nature of abandonment and the purpose of the words Jesus chooses to express his heartbreak.Sermon on Matthew 27:45-46, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 30th, 2025.
As we mark the third Sunday of Lent, we will turn our attention to the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John. While he hangs on the cross, Jesus looks down to see the beloved disciple standing with his mother, Mary. Jesus says to Mary, "Woman, here is your son," and to the beloved disciple he says, "Here is your mother." As we worship, we will wrestle with the significance of Jesus naming a new relationship between his mother and the beloved disciple. The scripture lesson will teach us about the power of relationships born from the shared experience of Jesus. How does shared suffering bind us to one another, and how do the resurrecting power of God shape our relationships?Sermon on John 19:26-27, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 23, 2025.
Sunday Sermon: Seven Last Words: Today You Will Be With Me… by Idlewild Presbyterian Church
This morning, as we mark the first Sunday of Lent, we will embark on a new sermon series entitled The Seven Last Words of Christ. This series will allow us to examine the meaning and implications of the words that Jesus spoke while he was being crucified.Sermon delivered on Luke 23:33-38 by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 9th, 2025.
This morning, the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse will lead us as we continue to study the Gospel of Luke. In the opening verses of Luke 5, Jesus meets Peter after an unsuccessful night of fishing, and in their encounter, the trajectory of Peter's story changes. Together, we will sit with the hidden tensions competing in Peter's life, and we will see how Jesus's attention to those concerns shapes Peter to "go and do likewise" as a “fisher of people.”Sermon delivered on Luke 5:1-11 by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on January 26th, 2025.
As we worship, we will wrestle with some important questions. What can we learn from how Jesus models faithfulness in this passage? What does it look like to seek Jesus with our whole hearts as a mother yearns for her child? What hope can we derive from the gospel’s claim that even Jesus had room to grow and mature?Sermon delivered on Luke 2:41-52 by the Reverend David J. Powers on January 5th, 2025.
This morning, we inaugurate the season of Advent: the time when we prepare for the coming of Jesus the Christ. A new sermon series called Holiday Gatherings will help shape our journey to the manger as we examine how God shows up in the world. We will begin the series by focusing on how God shows up through prophets. The prophetic witnesses of Jeremiah, Malachi, and Micah will help reveal unique dimensions of God’s work while also pointing us to the oneness of the incarnational promise of God. The prophets want the people to know that, regardless of their current circumstances, God is up to something. They want the people to trust that God’s work will soon take shape in the world and change it forever. In our worship, we will imagine how the incarnational promise holds enduring power to change our lives and the world.
We will continue our exploration of the Narrative Lectionary by studying the familiar story of Jonah. While Jonah is most well-known for the three days and nights he spent in the belly of a fish, few remember why Jonah found himself in such a peculiar predicament. More than simply setting up the story of Jonah’s fishy lodging place, the scripture lesson will teach us a great deal about both the beautiful and brutal dimensions of God’s call. As we worship, we may find ourselves relating to Jonah, the sailors, the Ninevites, or potentially, each. Regardless of where we find ourselves this morning, Jonah’s story has a powerful word to speak to each of us and God’s world.Sermon delivered on Jonah 1:1-17 by the Reverend David J. Powers on November 10, 2024.
In 1 Kings 17:8-16, we meet a widow gathering supplies for what she believes to be the final meal of her life. While collecting sticks for a fire, the widow will meet Elijah who will, without regard for her plight, instruct her to bring him a cup of water and some bread. With resignation on her lips, the widow will explain her situation only to have him assure her that the few supplies she has will not be exhausted by his request. Scripture will affirm that her jar of meal was not emptied nor did her jug of oil fail. As we remember the great cloud of witnesses, we wrestle with how the widow’s faithfulness through fear might teach us to live in anxious times. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on November 3, 2024.
The scripture situates us as audience to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. We read of how all the elders and heads of the tribes of Israel gather for the momentous occasion as the ark of the covenant moves into the innermost room of the Temple, and then Solomon blesses the Temple. Solomon’s words invite us to contemplate the ways that God keeps God’s promises and how we might faithfully show our gratitude for God’s covenant-keeping nature.Sermon delivered on 1 Kings 8:22-24, 27-30 by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 27, 2024.
This morning, we move from 1 Samuel into 2nd Samuel where we find King David. The former shepherd boy has been brought by God from pasture to palace. After hard fought victories, David looks around his lavish royal dwelling and desires to upgrade God’s home from a tabernacle to a temple. God reminds David that it is grace not works that has brought David this far. It is by God’s initiative alone that God will further bless David beyond what the new king can imagine. God does not want David to build a temple. In fact, God will build David a house that will last forever. From this dynasty the world will be made whole. Sermon delivered by Jeanene Mutchler on 2 Samuel 7:1-17 on October 20, 2024 (Children's Sunday).
As we worship, we meet Hannah, a woman of deep faith and expectation who lives with the pain of an unrealized prayer. Through the various responses Hannah receives from those around her - provoking, placating, and misjudging - we are invited to reflect on how we react to the pain of others. Specifically, how our reactions can be helpful and harmful to our friends and neighbors.Sermon on 1 Samuel 1:1-19, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on October 13, 2024.
We draw to a close our Behind the Bulletin series by examining the final movement of worship - Send in God’s Spirit. To delve deeper into the significance of this movement, being sent by God into the world, we study an early text from the Hebrew scriptures. From Genesis, we read the story of Abraham’s family of origin and learn how God called Abraham’s father to move from their homeland in Ur to the land of Canaan. Instead of traveling to Canaan, Abraham’s father stopped and settled in the land of Haran. As we worship, we wrestle with lessons drawn from this often overlooked story. How does God call and send us now, and what are the implications of stopping short of fulfilling God’s call?The Scripture lesson is Genesis 11:27-32; 12:1-9. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 6, 2024.
This morning, our sermon series will concentrate on what it means to Respond to God’s Word. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the image of a vine to describe his relationship to both God and his audience. Those who abide in him, Jesus teaches, bear much fruit. Jesus continues “my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” As we unpack the text, we will reflect on what it means to abide in Jesus, and how abiding enables our faithful response to God. We will also contemplate what to do about those “branches” in our lives which no longer produce good fruit.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers from John 15:1-11 on September 29, 2024.
We continue our sermon series by turning to the second movement of worship: Proclaim God’s Word. 2 Timothy will help center our time as we hear the encouragement of scripture to “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.” Through our study, we will wrestle with what it means to receive the proclamation of God’s word, especially how it convinces, rebukes, and encourages us in our discipleship of Jesus Christ. Moreover, how God’s word, read and proclaimed, prepares us to carry Good News into the world.2 Timothy 4:1-5 will guide and inspire our worship. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 22, 2024.
We begin a new sermon series entitled Behind the Bulletin. Over the next four Sundays, we will delve into the four movements of our worship: gather, proclaim, respond, and send. Many of us know that the Presbyterian order of worship is meant to mirror the life of Christian faith, but few of us have taken time to examine the significance of the connection. Whether you are a lifelong Idlewilder or new to the Presbyterian tradition, we invite you to be open to what a simple subject like our bulletin might teach us. We believe that God will have a word for each of us throughout this series.We will begin by examining what it means to “Gather in God’s Name.” The epistle to the Hebrews will center our worship as we will hear the encouragement of the author to the early church to gather together and through their gathering, provoke one another to love and good deeds.Hebrews 10:19-25 will guide and inspire our worship. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 15, 2024.
We turn our focus to the epistle of James as we reflect on the relationship between our faith and our action. The bulk of the letter centers on the connection between what the faithful believe and what they do, arguing that separation between the two fails to live into the greatest commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” As we reflect on our own faith journey, scripture once again invites us to wrestle with a central question of the Reformed Tradition, the relationship between faith and works.Scripture Lesson: James 2:1-10; 14-17Sermon delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on September 8, 2024.
This sermon is centered around Wisdom’s Feast, which opens the ninth chapter of Proverbs. The text personifies God’s Wisdom as a woman – expanding how we speak of, describe, and understand our loving, triune God. Courtnay will invite us to be present with Wisdom at her table as preparation for thoughtful and intentional engagement with God’s work in the world as the body of Christ. Sermon delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on September 1, 2024.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul introduces the image of the Body of Christ, and throughout several of his letters, he uses it to describe the ways in which all of God’s children are related and lovingly bound to each other. As followers of Christ, even though we know the significance of the Body, we often fail to recognize what contributes to its growth and deterioration. As we receive the Vision of our Session committing to the work of anti-racism, we will wrestle with the powers and principalities which deteriorate the Body and the power of Christ which binds us together and helps us grow.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers from 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 24b-27 on August 25, 2024.
In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul explained how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection led to God’s highest exaltation “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” As we worship, we will contemplate how the Lordship of Jesus ought to reorient each of us, our church, and the world.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 18, 2024.
As we reflect on the calling of the first deacons in Acts 6, we will ask how God is calling us into ministry in and through Idlewild. What does the calling of Christ ask us to take on and set aside?Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 11, 2024.
Each week this Summer, we have examined a different doctrine of Reformed theology, and this sermon examines what we mean by "Reformed". We might be familiar with the term through the lens of Reformed theology or the Protestant Reformation, but how often do we reflect on the implications of what it means to be people of the Reformed tradition? Through the image of a potter, the prophet Jeremiah will help us examine what it means to be “reformed and always being reformed according to the word of God.”Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 4, 2024.
In Romans 8:18-25, we read Paul's explanation of hope in his epistle to the early Christians in Rome. Through Paul's witness, we examine the ways in which our faith informs how we navigate suffering alongside the promise of future glory. Consider how Paul’s teachings speak hope into our lives today.Sermon delivered by Demarius Brinkley on July 28, 2024.
We reflect on our beliefs regarding the purpose, efficacy, and transformational power of the Church specifically and Chrisitan community more broadly. Acts 2:37-47 guides our worship as we reflect on the witness of the early Church and how that witness continues to shape the call of the Church today.Sermon delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on July 21, 2024.
As we continue our Theology 101 sermon series, we read Romans 8:28-29 and consider the doctrine of predestination. We reflect on our understanding of God’s power, might, and activity in our lives, and also address common cultural misconceptions of predestination and free will. Paul’s letter to the Romans will help us center our worship on the truth of God’s amazing and everlasting love for God’s people.Sermon delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 14, 2024.
In a world filled with trouble that causes us to doubt God’s caring presence, this sermon invites us to consider God’s creation as a spiritual practice of reacquainting ourselves with God’s active, living, concerned care. We read Matthew 6:24-34 and reflect on how trusting God’s providence guides our way into Jesus’ vision for the world. Sermon delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on July 7, 2024.
Today we reflect on what it means to be sanctified or “made holy” by the power of God. Please note, that we read Philippians 2:1-13. However, Rev. Powers mistakenly references Colossians in place of Phillippians in this sermon. In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul instructs the church to have the same mind as Christ Jesus; to do nothing from selfish ambition while allowing humility to shape the way they live as disciples. Paul assures the Phillippians that it will be “God who is at work in (them), enabling (them) both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” What ways are we called to participate in the work of sanctification, and in what ways are we called to trust God’s sanctifying power to accomplish its purpose in us?Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 30, 2024.
Justification is far from a household word, but it’s one of the more important concepts in Christian theology. Where justification is not understood—and felt—we embark on projects of self-justification that alienate us from God and make it difficult to hear the message of the Gospel. We will read Romans 3:23-28 and discover how the doctrine of justification can shape our faith and lives in helpful and healthy ways. Sermon delivered by the Reverend Dr. Steve Haynes, Idlewild’s Theologian in Residence, on June 23, 2024.
How might we experience the revelation of God in our lives and the world?In Acts 9:1-9, Saul is the primary antagonist of the Apostles; breathing threats of murder against them and other early disciples of Jesus, until Jesus speaks to Saul in a holy episode on the road to Damascus. For Saul, the revelation of Jesus on the road to Damascus becomes the transformational experience of Saul’s life; completely changing his heart and making him a devoted disciple of Jesus. In this sermon, we explore the ways in which we claim that Jesus reveals himself even now. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 16, 2024.
What does it mean to be saved by Jesus? In Acts 4:8-12, the religious authorities confront Peter and John about how they healed a man who had been lame from birth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was forceful in his public declaration to the authorities and onlookers that the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ. Going further, Peter declared that salvation could be found in none other than Jesus.In this sermon, we wrestle with the doctrine of salvation, Peter’s salvific claims about Jesus, and the holy ways Jesus brings salvation in our lives and the world.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 9, 2024.
The doctrine of sin is foundational to Reformed theology, but few Presbyterians can articulate it in a way that is both thorough and accessible. Many churches focus so much on personal sin that they neglect the evils of corporate sin while others focus so much on corporate sin that they fail to take seriously the evils of personal sin. In Romans 7:14-25a Paul articulates his personal struggle with sin. As he describes the internal and external life of sin, we will reckon with the sin that we navigate personally and are entangled in corporately. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 2, 2024.
As we celebrate Trinity Sunday, we read John 1: 1-5, 9-14, 16-18, and explore what it means to say we worship one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are coequal, coeternal, and consubstantial. Sermon delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on May 26, 2024.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell upon the people of God in a divine and dizzying display. In Acts 2:1-13 people from all across the region were gathered in Jerusalem when a sound like the rush of a violent wind made known to them the presence of the Holy Spirit. Without warning, each person began speaking in a foreign language yet they could understand each other perfectly. As we contemplate the Spirit’s presence amongst us, we will wonder together about how the Holy Spirit is empowering our church to both hear the voices of our neighbors and to recognize the calling of our God.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 19, 2024.
Amongst deep divides and seemingly endless wars, what does it mean for the Christian to embody a faith which is steadfast in its claim that death has been swallowed up in victory? In 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Paul admonishes those who deny the resurrection of the dead by proclaiming that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, “death has been swallowed up in victory.” In a world where death is an all too familiar reality, Paul proclaims a gospel where the sting of death is nullified by Christ’s victory over the grave. We will wrestle with how we claim the victory of Christ over death amid the realities of our city and world. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on May 12, 2024.
The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale reads Psalm 150, and then the Reverend David J. Powers reflects on the words of the Psalmist who calls “everything that breathes” to praise the Lord.The sermon was delivered on May 5, 2024, as part of Music Appreciation Sunday.
In Acts 17:1-9, we hear the story of Paul and Silas sharing the Gospel in Thessalonica. While some are persuaded by his message, many others become angry and seek to bring him before the authorities of the city. As we study this unsettling account, we will sit with Paul’s persistent preaching and wrestle with the angry response of the townspeople. How might we learn from Paul’s impassioned message, and what might the anger of the townspeople reveal to us?Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 21, 2024.
Acts 3:1-10 describes an encounter between Peter, John, and an unnamed man seeking alms in front of the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. We will explore how the encounter challenges our notions of charity, relationship, healing, and the role of beauty in our lives.Sermon delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on April 14, 2024.
We are called to be witnesses to the resurrecting power of Christ at work in the world. In Acts 1:1-11, we read about the appearances of Jesus to the disciples over the 40 days he walked the earth after the resurrection, and then, his ascension into heaven. We will reflect on what valuable lessons Jesus communicated to the disciples. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on April 7, 2024.
There is no future that you can walk into where Jesus has not already gone ahead of you. On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with a reading of Mark 16:1-8. We hear of the women making their way to the tomb; wondering who will roll away the stone from its entrance. The women arrive to find not a stone, but a young man who tells them that Jesus has been raised from the dead. What’s more, Jesus has gone ahead of them to Galilee, and the young man promises that the women and the other disciples will see him there. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Mar. 31, 2024.
As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we center on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as described in Mark 11:1-11. Jesus sent his disciples ahead to secure a donkey on which he could ride into the city. We ask ourselves how this familiar scene might once again comfort and convict us. Given what will take place, how can we rightly call Jesus’ entry triumphal?Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Mar. 24, 2024.
Greater attentiveness to Christ has the power to change our lives and the world. Mark’s thirteenth chapter is devoted to stories of Jesus foretelling future events including the destruction of the Temple and persecution of those who proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Mark 13:32-37 closes the chapter with Jesus repeatedly, if cryptically, warning his disciples to “keep awake.” While much of what he foreshadows will take time to become clear, Jesus is very clear about the necessity of watchfulness.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 17, 2024.
When asked which of the commandments is the greatest, Jesus replies with a two-part answer which lays out two familiar commandments – to love God and to love our neighbor. The scribe is pleased by Jesus’ response, and Jesus encourages the scribe that he is “not far from the Kingdom of God.” As we study scripture, we will explore together how we might transcend the world’s noise in order to realign ourselves with God’s heart.Sermon delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on Mar. 10, 2024.
When we hear stories that convict us, we have a choice in how we respond. In Mark 12:1-12, the religious leaders - chief priests, scribes, and elders - take notice of Jesus and begin to challenge his ministry. Jesus shares a parable in which tenants repeatedly disrespect their landowner and ultimately murder the landowner’s son. Jesus asks the religious leaders, “What then will the (landowner) do?” With his question, the religious leaders know that Jesus intends to indict them with the parable. We will wrestle with the ways we are implicated in the parable, and how Jesus is calling us to accountability and repentance in this season.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Mar. 3, 2024.
What do we truly desire Christ to do in our lives? In Mark 10:46-52, Jesus encounters a man who is blind named Bartimaeus. Attempting to grab his attention, Bartimaeus shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” After calling the man to him, Jesus asks a life-changing question, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man expresses that he wants to see, and immediately, he regains his sight. As we worship, we will contemplate Jesus’ question and others. How might Bartimaeus shape our understanding of faithfulness during Lent?Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Feb. 25, 2024.
In Mark 5:1-20, Jesus heals a man from unclean spirits, who lived amongst the tombs. We are a people who know brokenness and addiction, therefore we are people who know what it means to live amongst the tombs. We know what it's like to try to restrain the evil in the world and in our lives and what it's like for nothing to help. This story seems to tell us that the kingdom of God is a place where people are freed from that which burdens them and where God loosens the grip of evil in the world and in our lives.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on January 21, 2024.
In Mark 2:13-22, Levi, a tax collector answers the call to follow Jesus. In this sermon, we take a look at things from the perspective of the Pharisees, who are sharing their disdain for Jesus and Levi. Seeing this story in such an unexpected way helps us better understand the power of the Kingdom and rethink our understanding of righteousness and sin.Sermon delivered by Joshua H. Narcisse on January 7, 2024.
Song has the ability to paint an image in our minds and to express a feeling from our souls that mere words cannot. In Luke 1:67-79, we get to hear Zechariah sing of God's favor and God's forgiveness, God's rescue, and God's Redemption. He sings of memory and mercy, of Covenant and of calling. If we pay attention to his singing, our hearts might be shaped by his vision for the world. Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Dec 24, 2023.
There is power in the prologue. Mark 1:1-5 is the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God. This prologue, brief as it is, is purposeful. We see John, who models what it means to build for the Kingdom of God. This prologue gives us space to reflect on whether or not we are preparing a way for the Lord in the world, and it opens us up to seeing this season as a prologue for our lives.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Dec 10, 2023.
Each of us has our desolate places, yet God still holds our hope for what is yet to come. In Jeremiah 33:10-11, 14-16 the prophet Jeremiah looked upon the desolation of his world and invited the people of God to imagine, even amongst the difficulties of their present day, the possibilities of God to bring laughter and joy into the world.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Dec 3, 2023.
Our scriptures bear witness to a God whose kingship is nothing like worldly kingship. In 2 Kings 22:1-10 and 23:1-3, we read about King Josiah of Israel, one of the most virtuous and faithful kings. In this sermon, the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale leads us in reflecting on the difference between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God, and how we’re called to live faithfully as God’s children. The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale delivers the sermon on 2 Kings 22:1-10; 23:1-3 on Nov 26, 2023.
In Isaiah 5:1-7 we hear a love song from a broken-hearted God after God plants a fertile vineyard that fails to bear good fruit. Then in Isaiah 11:1-5, we learn that hope often arrives in unexpected places and leads us to righteous and faithful living.The Reverend Courtnay Veazey delivers the sermon on Nov 19, 2023.
Through Hosea 11: 1-9, we get to see God as a parent. There is a degree to which each of us strays from God, and yet God continues to be the faithful parent, continually wrestling with God's own love for us; a love that will not let us go.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Nov 12, 2023.
As followers of Christ, how often do we divide our energy and our time amongst the lesser idols of the world? In 1 Kings 18:20-39, we hear the voice of God through the Prophet Elijah calling us to draw close so that we might live with more earnest fidelity to Christ.Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on Nov 5, 2023.
The Reverend David J. Powers introduces a new sermon series for the summer on June 18, 2023.
The Reverend David J. Powers introduces a new sermon series for the summer on June 11, 2023.
The Reverend David J. Powers delivers a sermon on the parable of the Wedding Banquet on March 12, 2023.
The Reverend David J. Powers begins the first sermon in the Lenten sermon series, Parables that Prepare Us on February 26, 2023.
Charly Nanney, Braden Haynes, Lauren Hobson, and Reid Chauhan deliver their sermons on Youth Sunday, February 12.
The Reverend David J. Powers delivers a sermon on why it is important to give. If you feel called to make a commitment in the 2023 year, you can learn more here: www.idlewildchurch.org/commitment23
Sermon delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on October 9, 2022www.idlewildchurch.org
The Reverend David J. Powers delivers the sermon on July 24, 2022.
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Sermon was delivered by the Reverend Elizabeth H. Doolin on July 3, 2022.
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Sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on June 26, 2022.
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Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday of a new sermon series, Being the Body. 6.12.22
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The Reverend David J. Powers delivers the sermon Sunday, June 5, 2022.
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The Reverend James Gale, Executive Presbyter of the Mid-South, delivers the sermon on May 29, 2022.
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The Reverend David J. Powers delivers the sermon on May 8, 2022.
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Anne Bradley joins us with a 1750 Arts podcast on "Praying with your Hands: Meditating on Fire." Anne Bradley takes the listener into four different rooms of art through detailed, meditative descriptions. Feeling inspired by the subject? Submit your art to ab29thomas@yahoo.com.
The Reverend David J. Powers discusses Acceptance through the readings Isaiah 43:16-21 and John 19:28-30 on April 3.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on March 13, 2022.
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A sermon delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on January 30, 2022. The scripture reading was Luke 4:21-30.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
Psalm 14 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Psalm 53 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God? There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has not been. For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them. O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within its citadels God has shown himself a sure defense. Then the kings assembled, they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic, they took to flight; trembling took hold of them there, pains as of a woman in labor, as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God establishes forever. Selah We ponder your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. Your name, O God, like your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with victory. Let Mount Zion be glad, let the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go all around it, count its towers, consider well its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide forever.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from those who work evil; from the bloodthirsty save me. Even now they lie in wait for my life; the mighty stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Rouse yourself, come to my help and see! You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Awake to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah. Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. There they are, bellowing with their mouths, with sharp words on their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” But you laugh at them, O Lord; you hold all the nations in derision. O my strength, I will watch for you; for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. Do not kill them, or my people may forget; make them totter by your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, consume them in wrath; consume them until they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah. Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. They roam about for food, and growl if they do not get their fill. But I will sing of your might; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. When my enemies turned back, they stumbled and perished before you. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment. You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. But the Lord sits enthroned forever, he has established his throne for judgment. He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples. For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. Be gracious to me, O Lord. See what I suffer from those who hate me; you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death, so that I may recount all your praises, and, in the gates of daughter Zion, rejoice in your deliverance. The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught. The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail; let the nations be judged before you. Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah
Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor— let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart, those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord. In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, “God will not seek it out”; all their thoughts are, “There is no God.” Their ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of their sight; as for their foes, they scoff at them. They think in their heart, “We shall not be moved; throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.” Their mouths are filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under their tongues are mischief and iniquity. They sit in ambush in the villages; in hiding places they murder the innocent. Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; they lurk in secret like a lion in its covert; they lurk that they may seize the poor; they seize the poor and drag them off in their net. They stoop, they crouch, and the helpless fall by their might. They think in their heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed. Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, “You will not call us to account”? But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you; you have been the helper of the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoers; seek out their wickedness until you find none. The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations shall perish from his land. O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! The dullard cannot know, the stupid cannot understand this: though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever, but you, O Lord, are on high forever. For your enemies, O Lord, for your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
This month, the Reverend Elizabeth Doolin sits down with Jessica Joshi to talk about her outlook on life pre-pandemic versus today.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty. Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted.
This month's God in the Wild features an interview with Jason Potter and the Reverend David J. Powers.
Hear Nurture Ministry Unit's Shari Gross and her husband, Forrest, talk about their journey through 2020. They share their story through the lens as parents, congregants, and health care workers.
Listen as members of Idlewild share their stories celebrating the ministry of the Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
This episode of "Praying with Your Hands" uses sounds and imagery of water as a way to reflect and meditate. Find a quiet space in your home or outside as Anne Bradley Thomas leads you through your meditation.
Listen to Andrew Falls, Laura Falls, and the Reverend Anne H. K. Apple discuss all things Idlewild, memories, and her call as a pastor.
In the first episode of God in the Wild 2021, Ted Cashion is interviewed by Jacob Pierce!
In response to the events in Washington, DC on Epiphany, three ruling elders share their testimonies about what they felt and thought that day.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Dr. Anna Carter Florence on Sunday, January 10, 2021.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians on Sunday, December 6, 2020.
November 29 was a Service of Wholeness. Testimonies were given by John Pickens, Barbara Denley, and Alyce Haynes.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians on Sunday, November 8, 2020.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians on Sunday, October 18, 2020.
When Faye Smith died, we asked for you to share prayers of thanksgiving for her life and service. Earle Donelson shares those prayers here in the style of More Than A Meal prayers.
In the latest episode of God in the Wild, Julia Allen and Harry Wellford are interviewed by Buck Wellford!
The latest episode of God in the Wild shares the stories of some of the LGTBQIA members of Idlewild.
This special episode of "God in the Wild" celebrates stories of the Reverend Dr. Steve Montgomery from across the congregation.
God in the Wild explores stories from Idlewild members about their faith journey. This second episode features the Honorable Julia Gibbons interviewed by her son Will Gibbons.
God in the Wild explores stories from Idlewild members about their faith journey. This first episode features elder Chad Braddock interviewed by the Reverend Elizabeth H. Doolin, Director of Young Adults.
A sermon in dialogue delivered by the Reverend Anne H.K. Apple and the Reverend Will Christians.
Walk through Palm Sunday and Holy Week in a service that combines Scripture, music, and Midrash. Midrash is a Jewish tradition that weaves together Scripture and storytelling.
Join us on a walk through the lectionary text in Lent. Each week will feature a different spiritual practice. This week is Scriptio Divina. There will be periods of silence as you engage with the Scripture.
Join us on a walk through the lectionary text in Lent. Each week will feature a different spiritual practice. This week is Visio Divina. There will be periods of silence as you engage with the Scripture.
Sermons delivered by three high school seniors on March 22, 2020: Helen Gillespie, Caroline Seamons, and Peter Calkins.
Join us on a walk through the lectionary text in Lent. Each week will feature a different spiritual practice. This week is Ignatius and Daily Examen. There will be periods of silence as you engage with the Scripture.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Kori Philips-McMurtry on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this worship service was online and on the radio only.
Join us on a walk through the lectionary text in Lent. Each week will feature a different spiritual practice. This week is Praying the Psalms. There will be periods of silence as you engage with the Scripture.
Join us on a walk through the lectionary text in Lent. Each week will feature a different spiritual practice. This week is Lectio Divina. There will be periods of silence as you engage with the Scripture.
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Anne H.K. Apple on January 12, 2020 (Baptism of the Lord Sunday).
A sermon delivered by the Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians on January 5, 2020 (Epiphany of the Lord Sunday).
"And a little child shall lead them..." listen to the Christmas story shared by our friends in Children's Ministry. A huge "thank you" to Emily Chateau for directing and producing!
Virginia Goss, an inquirer with the Presbytery of the Mid-South, delivers a sermon on October 13, 2019.
Listen to the sermon from November 3, 2019 from the Reverend Dr. Stephen Haynes, Theologian in Residence at Idlewild Presbyterian Church.