In many Christian traditions, the seven last words (or sayings) of Jesus are read during worship on Good Friday. By broadening the tradition to a Lenten sermon series, we will allow more space to examine each saying and appreciate the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus’ words spoken through the pain and anguish of the crucifixion will shape our journey to the cross and our experience of the resurrection miracle. (Art is by Scott Erickson)
Transcripts are updated as available, typically four days after the sermon is delivered. Thank you for your patience!
1/5/25 – Luke 2:41- 52 – Searching for Jesus – The Reverend David J. Powers
1/12/25 – Luke 3:1-6; 15-22 – Remembering Baptism – The Reverend David J. Powers
1/19/25 – Luke 4:14-21 – Concerning Mission – The Reverend David J. Powers
1/26/25 – Luke 5:1-11 – The Call – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
2/2/25 – Luke 6:6-11 – Jesus Heals: In Unexpected Places – The Reverend Dr. Victor Aloyo
2/9/25 – Luke 7:1-10 – Jesus Heals: Through Unexpected People – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/16/25 – Luke 7:11-17 – Jesus Heals: At Unexpected Times – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/23/25 – Luke 7:36-50 – Jesus Heals: Do We See This Woman? – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
1/21/24 – Mark 5:1-20 – The Power of the Kin(g)dom: Healing Costs – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/4/24 – Mark 6:6b-13 – The Power of the Kin(g)dom: Faith in Nothing – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/11/24 – Mark 9:2-8 – The Power of the Kin(g)dom: Listen to Him – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/18/24 – John 5:1-15 – Do You Want to be Made Well? – Dr. Catherine Meeks
2/25/24 – Mark 10:46-52 – What Do You Want Me To Do For You? – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/3/24 – Mark 12:1-12 – They Knew – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/10/24 – Mark 12:28-34 – Not Far | The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
3/17/24 – Mark 13:32-37 – Stay Awake – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/24/24 – Mark 11:1-11- Witnesses to Power – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/31/24 – Easter – Mark 16:1-8 – There You Will See Him – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/7/24 – Acts 1:1-11 – Convincing Proofs – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/14/24 – Acts 3:1-10 – Beyond Beauty and Expectation – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
4/21/24 – Acts 17:1-9 – Turning the World Upside Down – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/28/24 – 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 – Youth Sunday Sermons – Clark Thomas and Webb Thomas
5/5/24 – Psalm 150 – Songs of Faith – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/12/24 – 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 – An Invitation to Mystery – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/19/24 – Pentecost – Acts 2:1-13 – As the Spirit Gave Them Ability – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/26/24 – John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18 – Theology 101: The Trinity – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
6/2/24 – Romans 7:14-25 – Theology 101: Sin – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/9/24 – Acts 4:8-12 – Theology 101: Salvation – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/16/24 – Acts 9:1-9 – Theology 101: Revelation – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/23/24 – Romans 3:23-28 – Theology 101: Justification – The Reverend Dr. Stephen Haynes
6/30/24 – Phillipians 2:1-13 – Theology 101: Sanctification – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/7/24 – Matthew 6:24-34 – Theology 101: Providence – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
7/14/24 – Romans 8:28-39 – Theology 101: Predestination – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
7/21/24 – Acts 2:37-47 – Theology 101: The Church – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
7/28/24 – Romans 8:18-25 – Theology 101: Hope – Demarius Brinkley
8/4/24 – Jeremiah 18:1-6 – Theology 101: Reformed – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/11/24 – Psalm 23 and Acts 6:1-7 – One More Thing – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/1/24 – Proverbs 9:1-6 – She Has Set Her Table – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
9/8/24 – James 2:1-10, 14-17 – Faith That Works – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
9/15/24 – Hebrews 10:19-25 – Behind the Bulletin: Gather – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/22/24 – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 – Behind the Bulletin: Proclaim – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/29/24 – John 15:1-11 – Behind the Bulletin: Respond – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/6/24 – Genesis 11:27-32 – Behind the Bulletin: Send – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/13/24 – 1 Samuel 1:1-19 – Misunderstood Tears – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
10/20/24 – 2 Samuel 7:1-17 – The House that God is Building – Jeanene Mutchler
10/27/24 – 1 Kings 8:22-24, 27-30 – Concerning Dedication – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/3/24 – 1 Kings 17:8-16 – Concerning Fear and Faith – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/10/24 – Jonah 1:1-17 – Concerning Dereliction of Duty – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/17/24 – Isaiah 6:1-8 – Concerning Calling – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/24/24 – John 18:33-37 – Are you the King? – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
12/8/24 – Luke 1:39-45 – Holiday Gatherings: Mary and Elizabeth -The Reverend David J. Powers
12/15/24 – Luke 2:8-15 – Holiday Gatherings: Shepherds and Angels – The Reverend David J. Powers
12/22/24 – Matthew 2:1-12 – Holiday Gatherings: The Magi – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
1/1/23 – Sermon on Collosians 1:11-20 – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcesse
1/8/23 – Sermon on Matthew 3:13-17 – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
1/15/23 – Sermon on Matthew 4:1-17 – The Reverend David J. Powers
1/22/23 – Sermon on Matthew 5:1-16 – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/5/23 – Sermon on Matthew 6:7-15 – The Reverend David J. Powers
2/19/23 – Sermon on Matthew 16:24-17:8 – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
2/26/23 – Matthew 18:23-35 – Parables That Prepare Us: The Talents – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
4/2/23 – Sermon on Matthew 21:1-17 – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/9/23 – Easter Sermon on Matthew 28:1-10 – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/16/23 – Sermon on John 20:19-31 – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
4/23/23 – Sermon on Acts 10:1-35, 44-4 8 – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/30/23 – Sermon on Acts 10:1-35, 44-4 8 – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
5/7/23 – Sermon on Romans 8:1-17, 44-4 8 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/14/23 – Sermon on Romans 5:1-5 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/21/23 – Sermon on Romans 6:1-8 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/28/23 – Sermon on Acts 2:1-15 – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/4/23 – Sermon on Matthew 28:16-20 – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/11/23 – Psalm 1 – Psalms of Summertime: Introduction – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/18/23 – Psalm 150 – Psalms of Summertime: Praise – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/25/23 – Psalm 145 – Psalms of Summertime: Hymns – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
7/2/23 – Psalm 97 – Psalms of Summertime: Hymns – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
7/9/23 – Psalm 44 – Psalms of Summertime: Communal Lament – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/16/23 – Psalm 103 – Psalms of Summertime: Thanksgiving – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
7/23/23 – Psalm 13 – Psalms of Summertime: Personal Lament – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/30/23 – Psalm 119 – Psalms of Summertime: Wisdom – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/6/23 – Psalm 136 – Psalms of Summertime: Pilgrimage – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/13/23 – Romans 12:1-8 – Beginning Again: Faith – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/20/23 – Genesis 45:1-15 – Beginning Again: Family – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/27/23 – Matthew 18:15-22 – Beginning Again: Foes – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
9/3/23 – John 15:12-17 – Beginning Again: Friends – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
9/10/23 – Genesis 2:4b-17 – To Water the Garden – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/17/23 – Genesis 18:9-15; 21:1-7 – Who Would’ve Said? – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/24/23 – Genesis 32:22-31 – Wrestling is Real – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/1/23 – Sermon on Exodus 3:1-15 – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/8/23 – Sermon on Dueteronomy 6:4-9 – The Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse
10/15/23 – Sermon on Ruth 1:1-17 – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/29/23 – Sermon on 1 Kings 12:1-17 – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/5/23 – Sermon on 1 Kings 18:20-39 – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/12/23 – Sermon on Hosea 11:1-9 – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/19/23 – Sermon on Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
11/26/23 – Sermon on 2 Kings 22:1-10; 23:1-3 – The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
12/24/23 – Luke 1:67-79 – A Weary World Rejoices: Sing a New Song – The Reverend David J. Powers
1/2/22 Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 • The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians
1/16/22 Sermon on John 2:1-11 • The Reverend David J. Powers
1/23/22 Sermon on Luke 4:11-21 • The Reverend David J. Powers
2/13/22 Sermon on Jeremiah 17:5-8 • The Reverend David J. Powers
2/20/22 Sermon on Luke 6:27-38 • Leigh Bruno
2/27/22 Sermon on Luke 9:28-36 • The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians
3/6/22 – Matthew 16:21-23 – Good Grief: Denial – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/13/22 – Matthew 21:12-22 – Good Grief: Anger – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/20/22 – Mark 14:32-42 – Good Grief: Bargaining – The Reverend David J. Powers
3/27/22 – Matthew 27:32-46 – Good Grief: Depression – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/3/22 – John 19:28-30 – Good Grief: Acceptance – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/10/22 – Easter Sermon on Luke 19:28-40 – The Reverend David J. Powers
4/17/22 – Sermon on John 20:1-18 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/1/22 – Sermon on John 21:1-19 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/8/22 – Sermon on John 21:15-19 – The Reverend David J. Powers
5/15/22 – Sermon on Acts 11:1-18 – The Reverend Elizabeth H. Doolin
5/22/22 – Sermon on Acts 16:1-24 – The Reverend Stephen R. Haynes
6/5/22 – Sermon on Acts 2:1-13 – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/19/22 – John 20:19-23 and Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Being the Body: Lungs – The Reverend David J. Powers
6/26/22 – Mark 8:22-26 – Being the Body: Eyes – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/3/22 – Mathew 13:1-9, 18-23 – Being the Body: Ears – The Reverend Elizabeth H. Doolin
7/10/22 – Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 – Being the Body: Hands – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/17/22 – John 13: 1-17; 31b-35 – Being the Body: Feet – The Reverend Elizabeth H. Doolin
7/24/22 – Ephesians 4: 25-32 – Being the Body: Tongues – The Reverend David J. Powers
7/31/22 – Matthew 11:28-30 – Being the Body: Heart – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/7/22 – Sermon on Mark 6:30-44 – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/14/22 – Sermon on Hebrews 11:29-12:2 – The Reverend David J. Powers
8/21/22 – Sermon on Jeremiah 1:4-10 – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/11/22 – Colossians 3:12-17 – Finding Our Why: Why Worship? – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/18/22 – Proverbs 3:1-4, 13-18 – Finding Our Why: Why Study? – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/25/22 – Sermon on Luke 5:1-11 – The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Lord
10/2/22 – Luke 11:1-10 – Finding Our Why: Why Pray? – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/9/22 – John 6:56-60, 66-69 – Finding Our Why: Why Serve? – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
10/16/22 – John 1:43-51 – Finding Our Why: Why Invite? – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/23/22 – Matthew 6:19-21 – Finding Our Why: Why Give? – The Reverend David J. Powers
10/30/22 – Sermon on Mark 12:28-34 – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/6/22 – Sermon on Haggai 1:15b-2:9 – The Reverend David J. Powers
11/13/22 – Sermon on Luke 21:5-19 – The Reverend Courtnay Veazey
11/20/22 – Sermon on Colossians 11:1-20 – The Reverend Joshua Narcisse
11/27/22 – Luke 1:8-22 – Minor Figures, Major Faith: Zechariah – The Reverend David J. Powers
12/4/22 – Luke 1:39-45 – Minor Figures, Major Faith: Elizabeth – The Reverend David J. Powers
12/11/22 – Luke 1:26-38 – Minor Figures, Major Faith: Gabriel – The Reverend David J. Powers
12/18/22 – Luke 2:8-20 – Minor Figures, Major Faith: The Shepherds – The Reverend David J. Powers
9/5/21 – Sermon on Mark 7:21-37 • The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale
9/12/21 – Sermon on Mark 1:4-11• The Reverend David J. Powers
9/19/21 – Sermon on 2 Timothy 3:16-17• The Reverend David J. Powers
9/26/21 – Sermon on 2 Chronicles 5:11-14• The Reverend David J. Powers
10/10/21 Sermon on Hebrews 12:1-3 • The Reverend David J. Powers
10/17/21 Sermon on Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 • The Reverend David J. Powers
10/24/21 Sermon on Acts 16:11-15 • The Reverend David J. Powers
11/7/21 Sermon on 1 Kings 17:8-16 • The Reverend Andy Cooke
11/14/21 Sermon on Matthew 6:7-13 • Joshua Narcisse
11/21/21 Sermon on Revelation 1:4-8 • The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians
11/28/21 Sermon on Mark 1:1-11 • The Reverend David J. Powers
12/5/21 Sermon on Luke 1:46-56 • The Reverend David J. Powers
12/12/21 Sermon on Matthew 1:1-5, 17-21 • The Reverend David J. Powers
1/5/20 – Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 • The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians
1/12/20 – Sermon on Matthew 3:13-17 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
1/19/20 – Sermon on John 1:35-39 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
1/26/20 – Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23 • The Rev. Sara Dorrien-Christians
2/2/20 – More Than An Attitude (Matthew 5:1-12) • The Rev. Elizabeth H. Doolin
2/9/20 – Youth Sunday – Salt (Matthew 5:13-20) • Abigail Apple
2/9/20 – Youth Sunday – Light (Matthew 5:13-20) • Ellie Stewart
2/16/20 -Sermon on Matthew 5:33-37 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
2/23/20 -Sermon on Matthew 17:1-9 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
7/5/20 – Sermon on Matthew 11:25-30 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
7/12/20 – Sermon on Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23 • The Rev.Elizabeth H. Doolin
7/19/20 – Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
7/26/20 – Sermon on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 • The Rev. Sara Dorrien-Christians
8/2/20 – Sermon on Isaiah 30: 18-22 and Matthew 14:13-21 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
8/16/20 – Sermon on Matthew 15:21-28• The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
11/1/20 – All Saints Day – Sermon on 1 John 3:1-3 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
11/8/20 – Sermon on Joshua 24: 1-3A, 14-25 • The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians
11/15/20 – Sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 25 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
11/22/20 – Christ the King Sunday – Sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
12/6/20 – Second Sunday of Advent – Sermon on Isiah 40: 1-11 • The Rev. Sara Dorrien-Christians
12/13/20 – Third Sunday of Advent – Sermon on Isiah 61: 4, 8-11 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
12/20/20 – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Sermon on Luke 1:26-38 • The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
12/27/20 – Sermon on Luke 2:22-40 • The Rev. Elizabeth H. Doolin
Throughout February, the Narrative Lectionary will focus our study on the Gospel of Luke. In the assigned passages, Jesus heals three different people and raises a young man from the dead. Our series will invite us to grapple with the healing power of Jesus in scripture and to imagine how that healing power is still at work in our lives and the world.
Holy things happen when we gather together. In Matthew 18, Jesus told his disciples “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” If we take the words of Jesus seriously then we must believe that every gathering is an opportunity to experience the presence of God. Our Advent series will help us explore how God shows up in scripture, and what stories of God’s presence teach us about the significance of the incarnation.
Why do we worship as we do? If you are new to Idlewild or Presbyterianism, or if you have spent time in other worship traditions, you might have asked this question. The Presbyterian order of worship is meant to mirror the life of Christian faith, but seldom do we take time to examine the significance of the connection. Whether you are a lifelong Presbyterian or new to the tradition, Behind the Bulletin will help us connect our order of worship – Gather, Proclaim, Respond, and Send – with our daily practice of faith.
During our summer sermon series, we will spend time learning (or relearning) the fundamentals of Reformed Theology. We will gain a better understanding of some familiar theological concepts like the Trinity and Sin as well as unpack some less familiar concepts like Sanctification and Justification. Through the worship, we hope to not only expand our vocabulary of faith, but to gain a better understanding of what it means to be Presbyterian.
As we celebrate Epiphany, we embark on a new worship series entitled The Power of the Kin(g)dom. Over these 6 weeks, we will explore how the Kingdom of God is described in scripture and the ways the Kingdom breaks into the world today. We will wrestle with our calling to build for the Kingdom and how that calling changes our lives. The series will grow from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark allowing us to deepen our knowledge of the earliest gospel account as we learn about the Kingdom.
As Advent begins, the world around us seems evermore tumultuous, threatening the safety of God’s beloved children in our city and across the globe. The tumult taxes our minds, souls, and spirits, bringing a type of weariness that is hard to shake. We will learn from the Biblical witness how our ancestors in the faith navigated questions like ours amid the turmoil of their times, and we will wrestle with how we may faithfully claim that in Christ, a weary world rejoices.
Through this series, we will explore how to make a fresh start: in friendships and in family, at school and at work, even in our lives of faith. How does the Spirit of God enable us to begin again? How does our faith inspire hope and possibility in the future?
The Psalms are a collection of songs, poems, and prayers that capture the breadth of the human experience. This series will deepen our knowledge of scripture by exploring a different psalm each week.
During Lent, we will prepare ourselves to live into the paschal mystery by exploring five parables that Jesus shared in the days leading up to his crucifixion. Jesus’ favorite teaching method will guide our learning as we prepare to proclaim the promise of resurrection.
This Advent worship series will focus on some of the overlooked and under-appreciated figures of the story of the Incarnation. As we wait and prepare, we’re going to focus on some of the folks who don’t get the attention that they deserve. Each of these “minor characters,” as we’re calling them, have something to teach us. Zechariah, Elizabeth, the angels, the shepherds, and the inn keeper are here to teach us about how it is that we actually prepare for the Incarnation of God.
Every so often, it is important for people of faith to pause and ask, “why do we do what we do?” Our series – Finding Our Why – will allow us, lifelong church members as well as those new to the faith, the opportunity to examine some fundamental practices of Christianity. In our study, we hope to both rediscover the Biblical roots of the Church and reveal that which compels our faith and practice today.
Being the Body is a series inspired by a St. Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) quote that mentions, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” We will spend the summer discussing and breaking down what it means for us to be Christ’s lungs, eyes, ears, hands, feet, tongue, and heart.
With all the losses and transitions that Idlewild has navigated over the last few years, this series will help us understand the ways that God continues to shape our journey even through grief.
