Park View Mennonite Church sermons: Recent Episodes
Park View Mennonite Church
On April 20, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on Resurrection Sunday continuing a sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On April 13, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on Palm Sunday continuing a sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On April 6, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On March 23, 2025, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On March 16, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On March 9, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Christ Collides".
On March 2, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Story of Jesus and Outsiders".
On February 23, 2025, John Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Story of Jesus and Outsiders".
On February 16, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Story of Jesus and Outsiders".
On February 9, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "The Story of Jesus and Outsiders".
On February 2, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Anabaptism at Five Hundred 1525-2025".
On January 26, 2025, Sara Wenger Shenk preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Anabaptism at Five Hundred 1525-2025".
On January 19, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Anabaptism at Five Hundred 1525-2025".
On January 12, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Anabaptism at Five Hundred 1525-2025" with the reminder that Anabaptism is a movement not just a label.
On January 5, 2025, Pastor Steve Slagel preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Together on the Journey".
On December 22, 2024, Loren Swartzendruber preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Together on the Journey".
On December 15, 2024, Russ Eanes, Caitlin Miller Ickes, Barbara Bowman provide reflections at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on Restored Joy: How do we continue on?
On December 8, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Together on the Journey".
On December 1, 2024, John Stoltzfus provides a reflection at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Together on the Journey".
On November 17, 2024, Loren Swartzendruber preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" exploring Jesus describing the destruction of the temple and signs of the end times from Mark 13.
On November 3, 2024, Paster Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service remembering members of the congregation those who have died in the last 12 months.
On October 27, 2024, Aaron Kauffman preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" looking at how King Jesus listens and hears us just like he did listened and heard Bartimaeus in Mark 10. Aaron Kauffman gives overall leadership to the ministries of Virginia Mennonite Missions. He loves to see people transformed and released into God’s reconciling work through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
On October 20, 2024, Joe Hackman preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" exploring on the disciples bold and ambitious request to sit next to Jesus in the midst of an uncertain future from Mark 10.
On October 6, 2024, John Stoltzfus provides a reflection at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" on World Communion Sunday welcoming us all to the feast at God's communion table and calling us to continue to expand and extend the circle around the table.
On September 22, 2024, Loren Swartzendruber preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" exploring markers of wisdom.
On September 15, 2024, John Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide" exploring living the question.
On September 1, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus provides reflections at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Jesus our Guide".
On August 25, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss provided parting reflections at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service celebrating his retirement after forty years of Pastoral ministry and twenty-eight years as PVMC's lead pastor, providing some words of encouragement and blessing with a hint of challenge.
On August 18, 2024, Loren Swartzendruber preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service reflecting on importance and worthwhileness of life-long learning on Back to School Sunday, as well as reflecting on the legacy of Pastor Phil's and his ministry.
On August 11, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Walking in Love and Light: Reflections on the First Epistle of John" exploring the work of love.
On July 28, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Walking in Love and Light: Reflections on the First Epistle of John" exploring the call to find our spiritual and relational grounding in the deep love of God in the midst of the disequilibrium of our world and church today.
On July 21, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Walking in Love and Light: Reflections on the First Epistle of John".
On July 14, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at an outdoor Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service at Morrison Park concluding the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring belonging at the table.
On June 30, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring the ritual of communion as an act of worship.
On June 23, 2024, Benjamin Bixler preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring discernment as the process of figuring out what time it is.
On June 16, 2024, Ervin Stutzman preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring the power of confession at the table, in a small circle of care and trust.
On June 9, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring the church as a compelling witness of a living community of Christ, not being afraid to put our shared lives on display, showing hospitality, and extending the table.
On June 2, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" exploring church at the table as being similar to alchemy - a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, combining that creates something completely new that cannot be separated once combined.
On May 26, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service introducing a new sermon series entitled "Bringing Church Back to the Table" reflecting on different aspects of how God is working to carry out God's purposes through very human and very flawed communities of people trying to practice the life that Jesus demonstrated in everyday and ordinary places.
On May 19, 2024, Rev. Dr. Sarah Bixler preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" on Pentecost focusing on human words - in their various forms - as powerful and creative.
On May 12, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" exploring the gravity of resurrection - a theology of hope - as experience by Paul's first century readers, and how this can speak into our lives today.
On May 5, 2024, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continue the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" focusing on the call to active love in 1 Corinthians 13.
On April 28, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continue the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" focusing on three significant arguments among the followers of Jesus over truth and integrity, identity politics, and power.
On April 21, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continue the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" focusing on the offense that Paul and Silas' controversial interpretations of Scripture created in their visit to Thessalonica from Acts 17.
On April 14, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continue the sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" focusing on the story of Peter healing a lame beggar at the temple gate in Jerusalem.
On April 7, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Easter Sunday morning service beginning a sermon series entitled "The Church in (com)Motion" focusing on Jesus sending out the disciples into the world with authority and vulnerability juxtaposed against a defensive Christianity.
On March 31, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Easter Sunday morning service finishing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" exploring the resurrection story from Mark 16.
On March 17, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" exploring the apocalyptic text from Mark 13.
On March 10, 2024, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" exploring the conversation between a scribe and Jesus in Mark 12.
On March 3, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" exploring the question that Jesus asks, "Whose head is on it?" in Mark 12.
On February 25, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" imagining Jesus hurrying down the road to Jerusalem and the example of trust and faith the disciples provide as they continue to follow Jesus in spite of the conflict and confrontation that Jerusalem represents.
On February 18, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" reflecting on how hard it is to follow Jesus even with our fuller picture of Jesus' life and teachings today.
On February 11, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" focusing on the risks that are inherent in following Jesus, and the risks inherent in being in a community of Jesus followers, in a world shaped by the values of Empire.
On February 4, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" focusing on the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God disturbing those in positions of power and authority and moving towards those on the margins from Mark 6.
On January 28, 2024, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" focusing on the story of Jesus' healing power through the stories of raising a dead girl and healing a sick woman from Mark 5.
On January 21, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" focusing on the story of Jesus' restorative power as evidenced through restoring the demon-possessed man from Mark 5.
On January 14, 2024, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" focusing on the parables of seeds and growing from Mark 4.
On January 7, 2024, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Mark: The Urgent! Gospel" exploring the urgency permeating the gospel of Mark.
On December 24, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the 2023 Advent season sermon series entitled "What shall we cry?" exploring the Mary and Zachariah's backwards songs of revolution, of overturning the powers and changing the status quo.
On December 17, 2023, Pastor Moriah Hurst, with Eleanor Yoder, Lilianna Stoltzfus and Calvin Bixler preach at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the 2023 Advent season sermon series entitled "What shall we cry?" focusing on the story of rebuilding the temple in Ezra.
On December 10, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning the 2023 Advent season sermon series entitled "What shall we cry?" reflecting on how Jews and Christians living in a war zone are hearing the common lectionary passage from Isaiah this morning, and what we can do be the prophetic spark of imaginative peace in a conflict as entrenched as it is in the Middle East.
On December 3, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning the 2023 Advent season sermon series entitled "What shall we cry?" exploring doing the work of angels to cry out hope to the world and into our communities.
On November 26, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "And God saw..." focusing on the work of reparation and making things right. Also, Barbara Fast and Phil Helmuth share personal stories of joining in shared efforts to make things right through land reparations for the Dakota people in Minnesota and through rebuilding and recovery work for those displaced by extreme weather events in southwest Louisiana, respectively.
On September 3, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on Labor Day weekend reflecting on the relationship between work and grace.
On August 27, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service celebrating Back to School Sunday and this season of orientation.
On August 20, 2023, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service drawing on the stories of Jacob and Esau as well as Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well in Samaria as examples of complex histories, longing for acceptance and belonging, and journeying towards wholeness.
On August 13, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series studying 2 Peter entitled "True to the Root" contrasting the violent mindset that has become institutionalized in the Western church surrounding these apocalyptic texts with the most basic affirmation of God's character - God's love and compassion for the world and all humankind.
On August 6, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continues the sermon series studying 2 Peter entitled "True to the Root" slogging through the end of 2 Peter chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2 looking for inspiration for today in speaking truth when we see that the Church is embracing the way of life of the Empire and no longer resembles the way of Jesus of Nazareth.
On July 30, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series studying 2 Peter entitled "True to the Root".
On July 23, 2023, a collection of participants share reflections at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from the Mennonite Church USA MennoCon23 and Delegate Assembly, as well as the Virginia Mennonite Conference Summer Assembly.
On July 16, 2023, Laura Yoder, Steve Nussbaum, Gloria Diener, Carissa Gredler, and Donna Shank share reflections at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on faith formation as gardening.
Seed - what seeds have been planted in you that have grown into faith? Soil - what have you done to cultivate the soil of faith; what groups/people have fed your soil? Gardener - who has been the gardener helping you grow in faith, tending to the garden, working beside you? Harvest - what are the fruits of your faith? What harvest do you long for? Fallow - when has your faith laid fallow for a season? What has rest and faith looked like for you?
On July 2, 2023, Ben Bixler preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a series entitled "Isaiah, the Fifth Gospel" by exploring two main questions "What is this Good News?" and "Who is this Good News for?".
On June 25, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a series entitled "Isaiah, the Fifth Gospel" focusing on Isaiah's soft side of comfort, reassurance, and gentleness speaking of God paving the way home for the exiles returning from Babylon after two hundred years. How do we today properly place ourselves in this oracle? How can we move towards those suffering and seeking comfort from the systems of oppression?
On June 11, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing a series entitled "Isaiah, the Fifth Gospel" focusing on Isaiah's prophetic message to his audience and historical context calling for collective repentance and cultural reform and restoration. The message rings true today for the Christian church in need of God's restorative light dawning amidst the darkness so that we will know how to walk.
On June 4, 2023, guest preacher Maren Hange preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Isaiah, the Fifth Gospel" from Isaiah 6. Maren Tyedmers Hange and her husband Roy have been co-pastors of Charlottesville Mennonite Church for 23 years. Maren joined Roy as a Harrisonburg District Co-Oversight Minister in 2021. She joined the interim Conference Leadership Team (iCLT) for Virginia Mennonite Conference (VMC) in the summer of 2022. Maren and Roy have 3 adult children. One of Maren's many gifts is watercolor painting.
On May 28, 2023, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" pulling from Romans 8 of the suffering when Paul put pen to paper through to today and suffering we experience and God's loving presence in midst of the suffering.
On May 21, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" with the encouragement for us to joyfully embrace and show resurrection in our lives as much as Jesus' resurrection embraces us.
On May 14, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" focusing on God's eternal and unconditional love for us with the powerful reminder that "we are dearly loved".
On May 7, 2023, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" focusing on Paul's letter in Romans 1 declaring God's salvation and righteousness.
On April 30, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" focusing on Jesus sending witnesses with the story of the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to Lystra and their emphatic resistance of the slippery slope of personal exaltation and praise from the people of Lystra by insisting that we are just like you.
On April 23, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service introducing a new sermon series entitled "The Wind of God Blows New Life" following where the wind of God is blowing in the scripture stories as well as where it is blowing in our world today, beginning with the trouble making nature of the Holy Spirit blowing through the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10.
On April 16, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service concluding the sixteen week long sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the mission of God through the simple yet poignant words of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 to look and act like Jesus and inviting others to do the same.
On April 9, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on Easter continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the power of God through the story of the resurrection of Jesus from Matthew 28, and with the reminder to find Jesus and do not be afraid.
On April 2, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at an outdoor Park View Mennonite Palm Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the nature of his kingship with a critical look at the story of Jesus' triumphant entry to Jerusalem on a donkey from Matthew 21 and exploring the convenient fiction we may be introducing to the narrative.
On March 26, 2023, guest preacher Pastor Jonny Rashid preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the social justice priorities of God's realm drawing on the parable of the sheep and goats from Matthew 25. Jonny Rashid is a pastor, author, speaker and podcaster from Philadelphia, PA. Author of Jesus Takes a Side, Embracing the Political Demands of the Gospel published by MennoMedia (Herald Press) in 2022, Rashid studied journalism, education and history at Temple University and completed his masters of divinity at Palmer Theological Seminary.
On March 19, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing life in the meantime and unexpected curves in God's realm drawing on the parable of the ten bridesmaids preparing to meet the bridegroom from Matthew 25.
Pastor Phil Kniss, in a sermon to the Park View Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, VA, on March 12, 2023, takes a new look at Matthew's violent version of the Great Banquet parable, to discover what it says about the Antiochan Christian community that Matthew’s Gospel emerged from, and what it tells us about the nature of God.
On March 5, 2023, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the upside-down realm of God and God's economy of grace drawing on the story of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20.
On February 26, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the call to forgiveness drawing on the story of the unforgiving servant from Matthew 18, and the quantum entanglement theory.
On February 19, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing His glory drawing on the transfiguration story from Matthew 17.
On February 12, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing the nature of God's realm drawing on the Parables of the Kingdom from Matthew 13.
On February 5, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing right relationships.
On January 29, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on Jesus revealing authentic worship while providing a critical look at our ideas and practices of worship today.
On January 22, 2023, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" focusing on the famous teachings of Jesus in The Beatitudes from Matthew 5.
On January 15, 2023, Ervin Stutzman preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" with the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness in Matthew 4.
On January 8, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing in the sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer" with the story of Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3.
On January 1, 2023, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service giving an introduction to the gospel of Matthew and a new sermon series entitled "Jesus the Revealer". This sermon series will be a deep dive into the gospel of Matthew running through Easter exploring how Matthew attempts to reveal a picture of Jesus much as Jesus came to reveal a fuller picture God.
On December 18, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of the birth of Jesus from the first chapter of Matthew, juxtaposing our visions of the "perfect" Christmas against the messy and untidy reality surrounding the genesis of Jesus.
On December 4, 2022, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of Esther agreeing to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people before the King from Esther chapter 4, and in spite of the power balance stacked against her and the danger present in her actions Esther resolved to act for peace and justice.
On November 27, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on staying awake in the midst of a crisis of hope pulling from the conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God winding through the book of Habakkuk.
On November 20, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Isaiah 36 and 37 looking at the topic of group humility and the positive aspects of life, beauty, justice, shalom for all nations but also the negatives group humility can bring when religious arrogance can seep in. Especially when coupled with the visions of the House of God on the highest mountain from Isaiah which should not be view as a place of privilege and power but instead as a place of visibility and inclusion.
On November 13, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Micah 5 and 6 exploring the role of community in living out God's vision of justice, peace, and shalom in the world.
On November 6, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service using the story of God healing Naaman of leprosy and moreover the power of being intently present in the circumstances and people around you wielded by the enslaved girl in the story as a backdrop on All Saints Day to remember, celebrate, and be present with those who have passed away in the past year with connections to the church community.
On October 30, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from 1 Kings 3 on the story of God granting wisdom to Solomon and explores how Solomon's kingship fulfills God's vision of the dangers a king would bring when Israel asked for a king in 1 Samuel.
On October 23, 2022, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9 and Psalm 51. The focus of the sermon is to reflect on King David's sinful abuse of power and coercive sexual conquest (rape) of Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, that not only violated God's moral framework, but did violence to the community. Even so, God's grace reaches the worst of sinners, and none are cast away forever, and all are loved.
On October 16, 2022, guest preacher and PVMC member John Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Joshua 24:1-26, where Joshua gives a pep talk to the Israelites as they are entering the promised land about making a decision on whom they will serve -- the gods of the land around them or the One who rescued them from Egypt and wants them to live in faithfulness, justice and love to Yahweh, to each other and to neighbor. The phrase that we often highlighted from this text is "As for me and my household we will serve the Lord." Bob Dylan's song "Gotta serve somebody" also makes the claim that we all have a choice to make.
On October 9, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17; Psalm 19:7-10; and Matthew 5:17. The focus of the sermon is to help us reframe the “Ten Commandments” from being a mostly negative list, to being the culmination of a story of a loving and liberating God.
On October 2, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17. The focus of the sermon is to help us reframe the exodus story as the moment when God revealed whose side God is on, uncovering God’s preferential treatment of the poor and the oppressed.
On September 25, 2022, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Genesis 12:1-9, the story of the call Abram and Sarai.
On September 18, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of the Great Flood and God's covenant with creation from Genesis 6-9.
On September 18, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of the Great Flood and God's covenant with creation from Genesis 6-9.
On September 11, 2022, Sarah Bixler preaches at Park View Mennonite's Church Retreat Sunday morning service at Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center exploring Jesus' faith formation and how it relates to our own faith formation today.
On September 4, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Romans 12 with reflections on work, responsibility, and faith for Labor Day weekend.
On August 28, 2022, the Park View Mennonite Faith Formation Dream Team shares reflections at a Sunday morning service on laments of the current state faith formation at Park View Mennonite as well as hopes for the future.
On August 21, 2022, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Love And redemption: The Book Of Ruth" from Ruth chapter 4.
On August 14, 2022, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Love And redemption: The Book Of Ruth" exploring the story of Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor from Ruth chapter 3.
On July 31, 2022, Sarah Bixler preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the sermon series entitled "Love And redemption: The Book Of Ruth" exploring the story of Ruth gleaning the fields of Boaz from Ruth chapter 2.
On July 24, 2022, Jennifer Davis Sensenig preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Love And redemption: The Book Of Ruth". Jennifer plays the part of Ruth telling the story from the perspective of her life as an immigrant while also including materials from immigrants to the Shenandoah Valley.
On July 17, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service concluding the six-week "Sacred Currencies" sermon series focusing on worship.
On July 10, 2022, Lana Miller preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the "Sacred Currencies" sermon series exploring scarcity and abundance. Lana serves as an Everence Stewardship Consultant from the Harrisonburg office. She works with churches, organizations and individuals, supporting them as they fulfill God’s work in our communities and around the world.
On July 3, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the "Sacred Currencies" sermon series exploring God's thumb on the scale of justice.
On June 26, 2022, Phil Helmuth preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the "Sacred Currencies" sermon series focusing on compassion and care for the poor.
On June 19, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service continuing the "Sacred Currencies" sermon series exploring at God's jealousy.
On June 12, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service beginning a new sermon series entitled "Sacred Currencies" exploring God's trust.
On June 5, 2022, at a Park View Mennonite Pentecost Sunday morning service guest speaker Osheta Moore preaches on the theme of embracing God's expansive family and what that means for the church today. Osheta is a pastor and author of Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace (Herald Press). Find more about Osheta at http://osheta.com/
On May 29, 2022, at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service Spencer Cowles, Donna Shank, Joe Lapp (with an intro by Pastor Phil Kniss) shared personal stories guided by the prompt, "Where have you seen sacrificial love at work in the church community?".
On May 15, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service morning service continuing the "Belonging & Beyond" sermon series from Acts 17 as well as testimony from Laura Yoder on the question, "Where do you see God at work in the world where you live? Where do you see seeds of the Gospel?".
On May 8, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service morning service celebrating the high school seniors from Acts 16.
On May 1, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service starting a new sermon series entitled "Belonging & Beyond" with the story of Saul's conversion from Acts 9 as well as testimonies from Susan Bedell and David Brubaker on a time in their lives where they experienced a turning point.
On April 24, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples and then to Thomas from John 20.
On April 17, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Easter Sunday morning service on the story of Mary Magdalene and the disciples discovering Jesus' empty tomb and Jesus then appearing to Mary and what the resurrection story means for us today from John 20.
On April 10, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Palm Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey from John 12.
On April 3, 2022, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus being sentenced to be crucified by Pilate from John 19.
On March 27, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus' trial before Pilate and the politics involved from John 18.
On March 20, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus' trial before Annas and Peter denial of being a disciple of Jesus from John 18.
On March 13, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet from John 13.
On March 6, 2022, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead from John 11.
On February 27, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus healing the man born blind and the following investigation by the religious leaders from the beginning of John chapter 8 and into chapter 9.
On February 20, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on Membership Sunday on the story of Jesus teaching at the Festival of Tabernacles from John 7.
On February 13, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand from John 6.
On January 30, 2022, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well from John 4.
On February 6, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus healing at the pool in Jerusalem from John 4.
On January 23, 2022, during a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service Phil Kniss, Gretta Owen, Vernon Jantzi, Anieta McCracken, and Saloma Furlong provide personal stories of a time when God invited them to let go of something known, safe, comfortable and enter into something new, unknown, risky but turned out to be transformative and life giving.
On January 16, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus clearing the temple courts from John 2.
On January 9, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jesus' first miracle turning water to wine from John 2.
On January 2, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on Epiphany Sunday with the theme of "Who are you looking for?".
On December 19, 2021, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service continuing with the Advent season themed "While we wait" focusing on Love.
On December 12, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service continuing with the Advent season themed "While we wait" focusing on Joy.
On December 5, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service continuing with the Advent season themed "While we wait" focusing on Hope.
On November 28, 2021, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service beginning the 2021 Advent season themed with, "While we wait".
On November 21, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on Thanksgiving and Reign of Christ Sunday from Isaiah 9.
On November 14, 2021, Caleb Schrock-Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on imagining and hoping for God's prophetic vision and calling in a new way from Amos 5.
On November 7, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of God speaking to Elijah from 1 Kings 19.
On October 31, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Solomon building the temple from 1 Kings 5 and 8.
On October 24, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Samuel annointing David to be king from 1 Samuel 16.
On October 17, 2021, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of God calling young Samuel from 1 Samuel 3.
On October 10, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of God sending manna and quail to the Israelites from Exodus 16.
On October 3, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 2-4.
On September 26, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of Jacob's dream from Genesis 27 and 28.
On September 19, 2021, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Church Sunday morning service on the story of the binding of Isaac from Genesis 21:1-3, 22:1-4.
On September 12, 2021, Phil Kniss provides an in introductory meditation kicking off the Fall 2021 Narrative Lectionary series entitled "Listen! God is calling!" which will highlight the Voice of God.