In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 45

Becoming Whole - From Shadow To Light Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

What if the second half of the Psalm happened there in the darkest valley? The 23rd Psalm teaches us that God is with us, no matter what.

When I was young, one of the early movies I saw was called Pollyanna which was released in 1960 by Disney. I mentioned on Easter that I used to watch the Wonderful World of Disney with my family on Sunday night, and it was there that I saw the movie. For those who have never actually seen the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Is It Ok To Doubt? Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

For the doubters and skeptics, this is where you belong, right there with Thomas. Jesus didn't criticize his doubting, he invited him to actually touch him. You don't have to believe to come, this is a place where we can ask our questions. This is a place where we find Jesus to be real.

My theme this Eastertide is the way that Jesus changed who we are AFTER the resurrection – while most of our studies are on the person Jesus BEFORE the crucifixion, what happened after is what changed us permanently. But the truth is, even those of us who call ourselves believers doubt at times. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8, John 20:19-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Heading Home From Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

The concept (Bright Sunday) is that Jesus was having fun showing up for the disciples, here as they headed home, he walked with them, and they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.

Today is Bright Sunday. Easter is a Holy Day, a day when everyone comes to church. Today is the day when the Christian believers come back to celebrate, because we are now in Easter Tide – the time between the Resurrection and when Jesus Ascended into heaven. After the Ascension, we have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Total Confusion Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

If you feel like you are out of place, don't worry. That first Easter morning no one "got it." So if you don't get it, if you doubt, if you feel like this whole thing is crazy, you are in the right place. We don't have all the answers, we are just looking for them.

Back when I was growing up, there was a pattern almost everyone followed, or at least we appeared to. We woke on Sunday, got into dress clothes, went to Sunday school and worship, and topped it off with a hearty lunch. Then, to further date myself, we would tune our black and white tv on to one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, John 20:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wisdom Is Shown To Be Right By Its Results ...

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jul 4, 2020

Independence Day Sermon, July 2020, during the Pandemic - Responsibility is part of freedom

Reading of the Word: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Sermon: The Freedom of Following Jesus - Wisdom is shown to be right by its results When I first looked at this passage I actually only intended to preach on the last couple of verses here on Independence Day Weekend. I actually verbalized it to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:15-19, Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Undeserved - A God Who Loves Anyway

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 12, 2020

In the context of White Privilege, we sometimes think God loves us because we are lovable. Quite the opposite, God calls us when we aren't worthy or even very lovable. Responding to a God who brings laughter.

Sermon: Undeserved • Sarah and Abraham were unworthy but God gave them Isaac (laughter) anyway. • We were undeserving, but Jesus died for us anyway. • If we know God loves us even if we are undeserving, how should we act towards others? I was speaking with a group of pastors this week about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 17:17, Romans 5:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Can These Bones Live

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 4, 2020

Written during the pandemic while chaos reigned in the streets and people protested as the church tried to reopen

Come, Creator Spirit, and move over this chaotic world. Come, Creator Spirit, and bring life to this world. Come, Creator Spirit, and move over the chaos of our lives. Come, Creator Spirit, and bring us new life. Amen. Reading of Acts 1:1-4, Reading of Ezekiel 34:1-14 (Valley of the Dry Bones) ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-14, Ezekiel 34:15-24, Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Of The Pandemic

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 4, 2020

Paul confronts the Athenians with an Unknown God - that alter was placed for the God who removed the epidemic from Athens ... they wanted to know his name

Acts 17:16-32 (NLV) While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Of All Creation

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 4, 2020

In this world torn by pandemic, tragedy, and violence, we turn back to the beginning, to what God created us to be. Order out of disorder, light out of darkness, all of us made in God's image

Looking back over the last few weeks, perhaps the best word we can use is chaos. We have seen chaos as a disease struck our nation. We have seen chaos as hospitals have been overwhelmed and more than 100,000 have died. We have seen chaos as businesses closed and people lost their jobs. We have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3, Genesis 1:26-27, Galatians 5:22-23, Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Widow And A Prophet

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 10, 2020

While written in the time of Pandemic, it is a celebration of God's Love for Mothers

Creator God, you said that even if a mother could forget the child she is nursing, you would never forget us! On this Sunday, as we celebrate mothers and those who mother us, we open by lifting some of them up to you. First, we lift up mothers and fathers who are raising a child on their own ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 146:9, Deuteronomy 27:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith And Suffering - Reacting Or Responding Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 2, 2020

1 Peter talks a lot about Suffering. How should we act and react as Christians on this subject

1 Peter 2:21-25 Matthew 5:38-48 Psalm 23 Our primary passage today is the one from 1 Peter, and I confess, none of us like what he has to say. I added the Matthew 5 passage, because sometimes it is easier to hear if we know it came directly from Jesus. Both passages are addressing the same ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 28:20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith, Salvation, And Suffering Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 18, 2020

Paul's letter to 1 Peter has words for us in our time today. Today, we hit Faith, Suffering, and Salvation

Our scripture today comes from 1 Peter, I am reading 1 Peter 1: 3-9 (International Children’s Bible) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. He gave us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death. 4 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Stone Is Rolled Away Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 13, 2020

God is the God of the Unexpected

John 20 (New Living Translation): 20 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Good Friday, Words From The Cross

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 4, 2020

Designed as a Personal Meditation since we could not meet. Has the 7 words of the cross with questions. Was used as a one page meditation and sent to homes.

Good Friday – Words from the Cross Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, Isaiah 53:4-5, Luke 23:43, John 19:26-27, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, John 19:28, John 19:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love One Another

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 4, 2020

We cannot Gather around Tables, We cannot wash feet, We cannot Touch. Maundy Thursday Service in the time of Coronavirus

Maundy Thursday Lord, today as we gather apart, we pray for those who gather around tables at home. As we enjoy a meal, we know that in houses across the nation, families gather. Help us to feel your presence this evening, remembering the last meal you shared with your disciples. As we hear ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed