Presbyterian Church of Western Springs: Recent Episodes
Presbyterian Church of Western Springs
The Presbyterian Church of Western Springs (PCWS) is a dynamic congregation with close ties to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and grounded in the Reformed Tradition, which stretches back to John Calvin, Martin Luther and the Reformation that gave birth to the Protestant tradition of the priesthood of all believers. PCWS embraces worship that touches the mind, heart and soul; learning environments that invite questions and provide encouragement; service that reaches out to others in need; and fellowship that brings people together. Our church is about merging faith and daily living, as we seek to know God deeply and more fully.
Scripture Reading: John 18: 12-27
The Presbyterian Church of Western Springs is an inclusive Chicagoland church with a focus on community and mission. We welcome people at all stages of their faith journey to discover, grow, and serve alongside us. More information is available on our website: https://presbyws.org/
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Scripture Reading: John 13 1-17
The Presbyterian Church of Western Springs is an inclusive Chicagoland church with a focus on community and mission. We welcome people at all stages of their faith journey to discover, grow, and serve alongside us. More information is available on our website: https://presbyws.org/
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Pastor Dan Robertson
Reading: Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-15, Luke 2:16-20, Matthew 2:1-12
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Pastor Dan Robertson
Reading: Mark 13:24-37
*NOTE: There is a slight jump in the sermon at 10:54 due to the short loss of streaming during worship.
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Rev. Lesley Weir, Rogers Malone, Loretta Gratias-Bremer
Reading: Acts 17:16-31
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A story of faith - Loretta Gracias Bremer
A scripture of faith - Kay Kelly
A story of faith - Joyce and Herb Smyers
A song of faith Hymn #462 I Love to Tell the Story
A story of faith - Laurie Merrifield
A scripture of faith - Marcia Buell
A story of faith - Paul Banovic
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Rev. Lesley Weir (Featuring Rogers Malone and Mike Lobash
Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
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Rev. Scott Matheney
Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, John 5:1-9
The Rev. Scott Matheney is our guest preacher today. Rev. Matheney is currently the Chaplin and Dean of Religious Life at Elmhurst College.
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The Rev. M. Grayson Van CampReading: John 13:31-35
Today we welcome The Rev. M. Grayson Van Camp to lead worship. Listen as she talks about "What's Love Got to Do With It?
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The Rev. Craig Howard
Reading: John 10:7-16, 25-28
The Rev. Craig Howard changes up the Scripture and talks to us about what Jesus says about sheherds and being a good shepherd. Rev. Howard is a native of Chicago’s South Suburbs and is currently the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Chicago.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 24:13-35Pastor Erik preaches his final sermon at PCWS, offering some reflections on the continued journey for this church and all of us.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 20:19-31
Pastor Erik introduces the concept of contemplative prayer and invites you to place yourself into the context of the scripture.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: John 20: 1-18
On Easter, we gather to celebrate not only the empty tomb but turning away from that empty tomb to face the Risen Jesus.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 19:28-40
On Palm Sunday we come to grips with the reality that we can often get swept up in the emotions of the crowd. What does it look like for us to be followers of Jesus from the palms to the cross to the grave and into our lives today?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
We all have a tendency to look back at times at the “glory days” but God invites us to reflect back while also looking forward with wonder and awe at what God will do in our future.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
The parable of the prodigal and his brother is one of the most familiar scriptures, but like most parables, there seems to be more under the surface. Let’s take a closer look.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 4:5-42
Two sentences: When Jesus talks to the woman at the well, he’s breaking (at least) two societal norms and this woman becomes an early apostle as she tells her story of encountering Christ.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 15:1-12 & 17-18
When we look at the world around us, it can be difficult to understand what it means to trust in God. As we learn more about God, though, we learn more about God’s worthiness to be trusted.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus went into the wilderness and experienced the scarcity of the harsh place. What are our wildernesses and scarcities?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Pastor Erik’s Ash Wednesday homily reflects on the start of our Lenten journey and an invitation to allow God to do something new with us.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 9:28-36, 37-43a
Have you ever wondered why we pray? Or what it means to pray? The disciples went with Jesus to the top of a mountain to pray. Let’s join them.
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Elder Loretta Gratias-Bremer
Reading: Luke 6:27-38Elder Loretta Gratias-Bremer shares a word about being followers of Christ and practicing love and forgiveness.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 6:17-26
Jesus speaks to some of his closest friends during the “Sermon on the Plain” where he talks about what it means to be blessed by God. Who are we being called to bless?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Peter’s first interaction with Jesus in Luke’s gospel comes when Peter’s had a long night of empty nets. Jesus looks him in the eyes and invites him to fish again. Where is Jesus inviting you to go?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 4:21-30
Jesus has some hard news for the audience in our text this morning. Good news, can sometimes be hard news, even when it shouldn’t be. Join us as we explore the radical invitation of Jesus.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 4:14-21
This week we’re looking at the start of Jesus’s ministry where he spells out his mission. As followers of Jesus, his mission is our mission, so let’s consider what this will look like for us.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
There’s something wonderful that happens when we’re a part of a Christian community. We’re invited to explore the ways that God can and does use each of us through our gifts. There are no “pew fillers” in church!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
As we reflect on our lives, what are the most memorable experiences? How do those relate to our faith and our understanding of being claimed by God?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
The wise travelers found a baby in the arms of his mother. The star led them to Jesus - a light breaking through. What are our lights? Where do we find Jesus?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Pastor Erik reflects in this sermon on the idea of living Christmas each day of our lives — allowing Christ to live in us, and inviting us to clothe ourselves in Christ.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Luke 2:13-20
Christmas is an opportunity and invitation for us to find some hope in a world that needs it - in our lives where we need it.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 1:46-55
This is our third week with Mary who the church recognizes as the mother of Jesus. This week, I’m exploring Mary as the mother of faith, helping show us the challenge and risk of wonder-fully coming before God with our questions and challenges and allowing God to grow our faith.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 1:39-45
On this Sunday of Joy we celebrate the wonder of the visit between two expectant mothers, Mary and Elizabeth and the surprising joy they experience in the midst of their own journeys of fear and the unknown.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
This is our first of three weeks journeying with Mary, the one who responds to the warning/invitation of the Angel Gabriel by saying “So be it.” Let’s journey together with Mary and read between the lines of this gospel message.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 21:25-36
Have you ever felt homesick? There’s a sense of earnest longing that comes with it. Let’s explore this together in Advent.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8
What does it mean that Jesus is the King? As ones who follow Jesus, the invitation is for us to be ones who point the way to him with our lives.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Hebrews 10:11-25
Why does gathering for worship matter? This question is one that is central to our existence as a church and it is intimately linked to the revolutionary love of Jesus. Join us as we explore the connection.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 12:38-44
What does it mean to sacrifice? The definition of the word is interesting, but so is the challenge from Jesus.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 12:28-34
There’s so much squabbling and squibbling in our world, but in the midst of all of the disruptions and disputes, Jesus tells us what really matters.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Mark 10:46-52
Jesus encounters the Blind Beggar Bartimaeus in one of his final interactions before Palm Sunday and the last week of his life. This encounter is one of transformation and leaves us to wonder — what happens next?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 10:35-45
Fear plays a definite factor in how we respond to the world around us. Jesus invites us to seek wholeness in him, and in doing so, to find that God sees in us a beauty that we might not even see in ourselves.
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Rev. Deb Roberts
Reading: Mark 10:13-16
We welcomed guest preacher The Rev. Deb Roberts on World Communion Sunday.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: James 5:13-18
We’re not meant to journey through life alone and God has given us the gift of people to journey with us. Join us as we examine how prayer and companionship are important aspects of navigating life with others.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 9:30-37
Our culture has a strained relationship with silence. In our text this morning, we have a tale of two silences — join us to see what we can learn from both of them.
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Rev. ErikKhoobyarian
Reading: Mark 8:27-38
Jesus invites us to follow him. What does that really mean for us?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 7:24-37
Jesus says some pretty challenging words in our text this morning. How do we listen when we hear Jesus use harsh words? Let’s step into the challenge together.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: James 2:1-10 & 14-17
How do you see those around you? The writer of James is challenging us to strive to see the world the way God sees the world. The good news is that God is with us on the journey.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: James 1:17-27
In the letter of James, we are given the imperative to love and care for others and to recognize that all good things are a gift from God. This is the God we’re invited to know, love, and worship.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 6:35; 41-58
Difficult Bible texts sometimes help us to find some pretty important things about God and God’s love for us. What does Christ mean when he tells us to eat his flesh and drink his blood? Come explore with us.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8
How do you respond to the pressures of the world? Our faith invites us to be honest with God and to allow God to be our help in all of our trials.
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The Rev. H. Scott Matheney
Reading: John 6:24-35
The Rev. Scott Matheney, chaplain at Elmhurst University was our guest preacher on August 1, 2021.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20
When we look around us, we see a lot of pain in the world. Some 2,000-year-old advice to an early church can help guide us as we live in the world and hope to bring some joy to others.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7 & 11-16
What is the most important word in the Bible? There are a lot of good answers, but in this sermon, I’ll look at one option that helps us read and respond to scripture.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
As a pastor, I feel called to pray for the congregation on a regular basis. This sermon offers some insight into those prayers based in part on the prayer in our scripture text.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
This sermon is the first in a series from the letter to the Ephesians. How do we respond when we’re called blessed by God? What does it look like for us and for the church when we live as ones who are God’s adopted children?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Mark 5:21-43
There’s something about the human touch that is so important to our well-being. Jesus knew this as used touch as a way to heal both body and heart and he still does today.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
Our faith is a journey and through our ups and downs and storms, God promises to be with us.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 4:26-34
Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God growing within and around us. Have you ever wondered how this might happen or what it might look like?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
God gives us the gift of grace and we’re invited to be a part of bringing the unseen grace of God into the world we can see.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Worship is central to our life as a church, but why do we do it? And how does it help our understanding of God, three-in-one?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Acts 2:1-21
What was it like on the first Pentecost after Easter? We have some very specific words in scripture about this day as we try and imagine it. So, too, with our lives as we tell our stories - we find words.
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Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Wilson, Director of Collaboration and Community Partnerships, Presbytery of Chicago
Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Our lives in the church and together are fragmented. Where can we find God in the midst of our fragments?
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The Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman
Reading: Acts 10:44-48
Does the church ever change? Yes! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church’s story is one of ever-widening circles and radical kinship
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Who or what is God? It seems that throughout time people have sought the answer to this question. In 1 John, we learn that knowing God is not only possible, but it is our life’s purpose and calling.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 John 3:16-24
The earliest Christians were trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus after the resurrection. I find great comfort in this as we continue to explore the same question in our lives!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 John 3:1-7
You are a child of God! What does this mean? How does it impact how we see the world around us?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2
Sometimes it can be hard to remember that Christ became human to bring us into fellowship with God. The wonder is that God continues to be in fellowship with us even when we can’t see or hear him. Join us as we explore more about what it means to be Easter people following the risen Christ.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Mark 16:1-8
At Easter, we celebrate the Risen Lord as the work of God that started at Creation continues to be present in our lives.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 11:1-11
We all have expectations of ourselves, of others, and even of Jesus. Palm Sunday gives us a chance to examine those expectations and reflect on how God reframes our expectations in Holy Week.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: John 12:20-33
How can good come from evil? How can things that seem dead bring life? Jesus gives us something to think about in our lives and in the way we engage the world.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 3:1-17
There are conversations that only seem to happen in the darkness. What does it mean, to follow the one who brings light into the world?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: John 2:13-22
What have you learned from the church about anger? Join us as we consider the topics of anger, sin, and justice through the lens of Christ.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 8:31-38
During Lent, we’re invited to explore what it means to follow Jesus and how that impacts how we live our lives. Join us as we explore what Jesus invites us to do and who we’re invited to be!
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Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman
Reading: Mark 1:9-15
Lent is a journey toward Easter, toward the cross, toward the resurrection and the empty tomb. Journeying toward this end helps us orient our whole lives toward God.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 9:2-9
Christ invites us to see God’s mystery revealed in new and different ways, not eliminating the mystery, but inviting us to understand a little bit more with each encounter. The mysterious transfiguration story helps us to understand this journey.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Mark 1:29-39
A mentor once told me that all preachers should be reminding us all of God’s goodness. I want to change his advice a little and encourage all of us to be reminding one another of God’s goodness. Are you ready to join me in this?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Psalm 111
God’s revelation to humanity is both in the past and ongoing. How do you see and describe God, and how is God calling you to live in the world?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 1:14-20
Do you know how to store cookies the right way and what happens if they’re stored wrong? Come and listen and consider how we’re a lot like cookies.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 1:43-51
Following Jesus in today’s world is a challenge, but that’s exactly the invitation to us right now. We bring all of who we are, including our struggles and doubts and questions — come, be surprised by God!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Mark 1:4-11
At the baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist declares that Christ is one who is stronger. We turn today toward Christ and what it means to follow him.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
On Epiphany, we follow in the footsteps of the wise ones who traveled to find Jesus. How can we travel like them in 2021?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Luke 2:22-40
Did you ever have adoptive grandparents in the church? Let’s explore together the ways that cross-generation friendships can enrich our lives and the church.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Luke 2:15-20
The Christmas story invites us to be people who seek to know the one we follow. Come and listen on the holy night.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Who am I? … probably one of the most existential questions! This morning our text considers the ways that God tells us who we are in God’s eyes. As we continue our Advent Journey, we acknowledge God’s claim on our lives and our future.
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The Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman
Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4
Brene Brown writes that joy makes us feel more vulnerable than fear or even shame. What gifts does vulnerable joy hold for us this Advent?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Who is God and how can we learn about and understand more of who God might be? On this Second Sunday of Advent, we look at God’s peace and God’s comfort and recognize that we follow a God who brings both into our lives.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
Hope and faith are intimately intertwined. This first Sunday of Advent, we listened to challenging words from the prophet Isaiah - words of lament. Even in our most challenging moments, may we actively wait for God’s presence in our lives!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 7:7-12; 24-29
We call Christ the King, but what does this mean? What does it mean for us to follow Jesus in our lives today?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 6:25-33
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples that they shouldn’t worry about food, drink, or clothing. But we all know these are definitely concerns for all of us. There’s something more here as Jesus tells us that we should instead “worry” about placing God first in our lives.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 6:6-15
The Lord’s Prayer, sometimes called the “Our Father” is familiar to most Christians. Listen to this sermon as Pastor Erik shares two ways this prayer can be transformational in your life.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 6:1-4
Life sometimes feels a bit out of control, and especially today our lives may feel this way. But even in the midst of the chaos of our world, we do have choices throughout our day about how we will live our lives and interact with others. Our sermon series in the Sermon on the Mount continues with this week’s message.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus often seems to have challenging instructions, but this week his well-known challenge to “turn the other cheek” in the face of our enemies can sound particularly difficult to hear. Join Pastor Erik as explore the words of Jesus and our call to love in the face of evil.
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Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman
Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
What does it mean to be meek? What does it mean to be blessed? When Jesus preaches the Beatitudes, who is he talking to?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Exodus 32:1-20
We all have false idols in our lives — things we use to find certainty and stability when it feels like God isn’t near. Our invitation, though, is to learn what it means to follow God even in the midst of the challenges we face.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Psalm 19
We are so used to looking for fairness in the world, but the parable this week inspires us to see things differently. Join us as we examine the text and learn more about God’s grace that goes way beyond fairness!
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Philippians 2:1-13
We all have hymns that we love. Hymns point us to God and remind us who Jesus is. But what is the value in remembering who Jesus is?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 20:1-16
We are so used to looking for fairness in the world, but the parable this week inspires us to see things differently. Join us as we examine the text and learn more about God’s grace that goes way beyond fairness!
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 18:21-35
Forgiveness was hard for the disciples, and we can all relate to the challenge. Be encouraged! Listen for a word about our journey of living faithfully as ones who strive, together, to be followers of Christ!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 18:15-20
This has been a season of pivots for all of us. As Christians, our lives are constantly about choosing to pivot away from the sin of the world and toward Christ. Join Pastor Erik as he explores what this means and looks like for us today.
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Lottie MacAulay Friedman
Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
God was indeed present in the burning bush, but what might the presence of the “I AM” look like today?
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Lottie MacAulay FriedmanReading:Matthew 13:31-34
Jesus said, "the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven". What hope does that offer for us today?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Fear is a part of the human story - a part of our stories. The reminder that God is in control doesn’t erase our fear, but it gives us the reassurance that God is working within our stories and our fears.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Romans 10:5-15
Who is Jesus? This question has been asked by historians, skeptics, and believers alike. Our lives are about entering into this mystery over and over again in the hopes that we learn and grow and then share the good news!
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Romans 9: 1-5
Fear is a cheap and easy tool to get people to do something. But our God is not a God of fear, but rather a God of love. Come find beauty in the promise that in our brokenness, God is always with us, closer than we can imagine.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Romans 8:26-39
In our broken world, it can sometimes feel as though God is nowhere to be found. In our brokenness, it can be hard to see and experience God. Listen for the reassurance that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. Nothing.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Romans 8:12-25
Hope is not merely wishing for things, it is living with the assurance that God is working, even in the midst of our pain and brokenness. Like labor pain that results in new beginnings and new life, God works with and within our pain.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Romans 8:1-11
This sermon is the first in a series of six on God’s amazing work in Christ that brings Good News into our brokenness. God takes the challenges of the world, and the temptations of the world, and gives us another option - to live in Christ through the Spirit!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Why does God no longer seem to talk to people like we read about in the Old Testament? Has God changed? Pastor Erik preaches about how it isn’t God who has changed, but our ability to see God more clearly requires some deliberateness on our part.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the most challenging texts of the Bible. But maybe there’s something more about this text that can help us understand what it means to live a faithful life with God.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 21:8-21
God’s creativity takes Hagar’s pain and brings promises. We are invited to follow the God who sees, hears, and is with those who God is with and there we will find God.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 18:1-15
Abraham and Sarah laughed at God when God’s vision for the world seemed impossible. Our creative God, though, has a way of doing what God wants to do!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
One of the most famous stories in the Bible was written while the people of God were in exile. They needed to be re-introduced, or maybe even introduced to God and who God calls good.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Acts 2:1-6 & 12-13
In this Pentecost Sunday Sunday sermon, Pastor Erik invites us to follow the earliest Christians as their lives are disrupted by a faith that compels them to action. Listen, and hopefully walk away from this sermon with more questions than answers.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: John 17:1-11
Jesus prayed for you! Isn’t that awesome news?! Pastor Erik takes us on a tour of the prayer … stop by for a taste of eternal life!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Acts 17:22-31
Our search for God is as much a part of our humanity as our flesh and blood. Listen for the reassuring news that God is always with us, and always near.
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Rev. Erik P. KhoobyarianReading: Judges 13:3-14
Samson’s mother faithfully followed God’s instructions with a steady, calm, strong faith. We can learn from her and be guided by her willingness to follow God throughout all of the challenges of our lives.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 Samuel 1:9-10 & 12-15
Prayer. There’s something mysterious about the act of talking to God. Hannah brings all of her fears and anxieties before God and is transformed by the experience. We can learn from Hannah’s surrender and also from her strength.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 2 Kings 22:15-20
The prophet Huldah was a trusted speaker of truth - difficult truth. Pastor Erik encourages us to look at her and this text through our current lens and recognize that having hope doesn’t mean ignoring the truth of our circumstances.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16
This first sermon in a four-week series on Women of the Old Testament tells the story of the Widow of Zarephath who trusts God in the midst of her fear even when she doesn’t yet know God. In the midst of our uncertain times, Pastor Erik guides us in looking to the leadership of this brave women to help us today.
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***Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading:*** Matthew 28:1-10
Easter this year, like everything else, is a bit different. Or is it? That first Easter was a frightening moment. Join Pastor Erik as he explores what it means to choose to say “Alleluia!” in the midst of fear.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianIn the predawn darkness, the light of Christ is lit and Pastor Erik shares the wondrous acts of God’s Resurrection power throughout history.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
“Hosanna!” This is the word that the gathered masses shout to Jesus on Palm Sunday. In this sermon from Palm Sunday, Pastor Erik considers the Palm Sunday march from a different perspective: as people united in their common plea to Jesus: “Save us!” Listen for some words of encouragement and grounding of our faith in Jesus Christ.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Breath. We take more than 23,000 breaths in a day and yet we hardly think about it. In our familiar text from the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of the dry bones, Pastor Erik focuses on the power of breath, but even more importantly, the way that God breathes into the world.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 9:1-27
How long? The writer of the Psalms asks this question to God, and for many of us it is our question, too. In this strange season, Pastor Erik invites us to be willing to sit with our struggle while also connecting with others for whom the struggle is a familiar companion. And we’re also invited to find, even in the midst of our fear, the room to rejoice!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Exodus 17:1-7This Sunday we had our first live-streamed worship. In this sermon, Pastor Erik calls us to be a people of worship, even in the midst of our present wilderness. Worship will look different going forward, but it is still worship, and it is still where we find our identity. Come! Let us worship and bow down!
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Rev. Dr. E. Scott Matheney
Reading: John 3:1-17
Listen as our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Scott Matheney, the chaplain of Elmhurst College, preaches on one of the most famous Biblical texts - John 3:16. Scott reflects on the wonder and goodness of God’s love for humanity and how that love speaks into our lives today.
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Temptations. We all have things that tempt us, but our temptations reveal something about our identity. The more we are able to be in tune with our true identity in Christ, the more we can resist temptation and live into our created purpose!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 17: 1-9
Jesus invited his disciples to follow him up a mountain where they saw a surprising sight. Jesus is inviting us to follow him and he is inviting us to be surprised and transformed so that we can bring God’s light into the world.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 8:23-27
We all have fear. The question is how we let our fear define us. Following Jesus doesn’t mean that we won’t have fears or that the storms of life won’t affect us. Following Jesus means that we follow a God who knows our fears and who is stronger than our fears.
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world! Jesus is speaking into our identity as the church and as people and we are invited to be part of bringing the light into the darkness of the world and our own lives. First, we need to take some steps to know the source of the light!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Imagine being in the audience when Jesus looks out at you and calls you blessed. The words of Jesus were surprising news for those who heard the Beatitudes for the first time, but how do we hear those words today in our lives?
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Rev. Erik KhoobyarianReading: Matthew 4:12-23
Our whole lives are made up of split-second decisions. We make choices all the time that can boil down to the same choices that the first disciples faced – will I follow? These split-second decisions, though, are guided by an advocate – a helper.
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***Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading:*** 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
It is our daily challenge to seek to understand how we, in our lives, can live into our calling to be that faithful light to others pointing the way to Christ. This challenge is not easy. And the good news is that we are surrounded by others who share the same call.
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Rev. Izette Sama Hernandez
Reading: Matthew 3: 13-17
On Sunday, Izett reminded us that our baptism is not an ending, but rather a beginning. Just as the ministry of Jesus started with his baptism, each one of us is called to live into our baptismal covenant by following Christ and loving others in Christ’s name. This is what we are about as a church!
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
What a blessing there is in a fresh new start to the new year! Take a deep breath today. I’ve always loved that today is a holiday … it is like a breath of fresh air before we hit the ground running into a new year. So, take a moment at some point today, and take a breath of that fresh air. Take a moment to look at your life and ask the questions that somehow feel easier, and less dangerous, to ask on a day like this when the world feels a little more hopeful and a little more filled with possibilities. Questions like: Where am I going this year? What changes do I need to see in my life? But also questions like: For what am I grateful? How can I make choices to improve my happiness?
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Rev. Erik Khoobyarian
Reading: John 1:1-4
I wanted to let you know that I’ve spent time praying for you all this week. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you’ll experience God’s gift of love in a new way. I am reminded regularly that I follow a God of surprises - and I hope and pray that you will encounter the God of surprises this Christmas! Know that you are loved, by God, by me, and by those around you in this community. Alleluia! Amen!
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