Ripley Presbyterian Church

This week's sermon celebrates the birthday of the Christian Church with Pentecost Sunday.  We commemorate on this day the initial gift of the Holy Spirit to the church.  And even today, the Spirit FILLS the lives of Jesus' followers with a richer walk.   In The Way, Jody

For the heart to be a life-giving organ, it needs blood flowing into it and out of it.  For the church to be alive and thrive, it needs to receive and give as well.  We explore in this week's sermon how Jesus gives to the church and inspires us to share his love with the world around us. In the Way, Jody

Recently, my eleven-year-old son Luke lamented his performance on the baseball field. "Dad, I prayed for God to help me get a hit, and I didn't.  WHY?" In this week's sermon, I reflect on the scripture text known by many as the Walk to Emmaus. In the spirit of my son Luke, here two friends of Jesus were grieved because things had not worked out as THEY had planned, either.  But even when it seems God has departed, He never leaves us or forsakes us.  He journeys with each of us, every step of the way, down our individual roads to Emmaus.

Easter is the Holy Season in which we celebrate the risen Lord.  In this week's service, the two Mary's give us an example of what is most important in our journey of faith.  When they see Jesus outside of the tomb, they Stop, Drop & Worship.  May we modern day disciples receive the GIFT of worship and live with an attitude of gratitude daily.  Pausing to give Jesus thanks, where we see Him, and His love.

So often the twenty-third Psalm is seen as a funeral text.  But the deeper we dig into this beautiful passage, we find something more.  It is a brilliant passage about living--not dying. It is my prayer that this recording will inspire you to hear these words of life with fresh ears.   In the way, Jody