Blog Archives: January 2022 — December 2022

Hope for the Broken and Unloved - Sunday, July 31st - Facebook Livestream Imagine Jacob, fleeing for his life, leaving home without a thing to his name. Sounds bad...but it gets worse, and not just for Jacob. Join us today as we look at the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah and how God brings hope to the broken and unloved. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison Presbyterian Church Facebook page for the Livestream at 10 am on Sunday. You ...

Promises, Promises! - Sunday, July 24th - Facebook Livestream Just after God appears to Jacob in a dream and showed him an amazing stairway to heaven, He confirms His covenant, His promises to Jacob. And then Jacob makes a vow to the Lord. Was it a good vow? Were there problems with Jacob's vow? Where did it fall short?  Join us today as we look at Jacob's vow and how God responds to Jacob and to us in His grace. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out ...

Standing at the Bottom of the Staircase - Sunday, July 17th - Facebook Livestream In disgrace, after stealing his brother's birthright and blessing, Jacob flees for his life. He has nothing and feels all alone. He lays down to sleep on a rock and the Lord speaks to him in a dream. How does Jacob's famous dream of this ladder or stairway to heaven assure him that God will meet his needs? How does it assure us that God will meet our needs? Join us today as we see God's incredible grace in this amazing dream. ...

Faith in Failure -  Sunday, July 10th - Facebook Livestream If you grew up going to Sunday School you might remember the story of Jacob pretending to be his hairy brother Esau. He puts goat hair all over himself and puts on Esau's clothes and deceives his blind father into giving him the blessing. So often, a story like this is reduced to a moral fable of sorts. "See the failure of so and so...don't be like them."  But it's so much more. Come join us as we see God's grace and how God brings faith out of failure in His family. ...

God Chooses and Uses -  Sunday, June 26th - Facebook Livestream Just like his father, Isaac had to wait many years to see God fulfill his promise of a son. And then, Jacob, the second born son, becomes heir of God's promise. Join us today as we look at the amazing and sometimes surprising choices of God and how it all points us to God's grace and sovereignty. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison Presbyterian Church Facebook page for the ...

Real Freedom -  Sunday, June 19th - Facebook Livestream One of my seminary professors used to say, "Don't try to live like a Christian if you aren't one...it might kill you!" Sometimes, even for Christians, the gospel doesn't seem to be good news. It can seem that living like a Christian is so hard that it just might kill you. Today we will be looking at some words from Jesus about real freedom, a freedom that changes everything. Today is Father's Day and Baccalaureate Sunday where we celebrate our Grads and Dads. ...

God’s Appeal -  Sunday, June 12th - Facebook Livestream Paul tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. That is the totality of the gospel in condensed form. Today we will explore just how God makes his gospel appeal to the world. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison Presbyterian Church Facebook page for the Livestream at 10 am on Sunday. You should be able to access the worship service anytime after as well. ...

Isaac's Chosen Wife -  Sunday, June 5th - Facebook Livestream When you of the greatest love stories ever, who do you think of? People say things like, "They were meant to be" or "It was destiny". Today we look an unusual love story, the story of how Isaac found his chosen wife. While it might not seem to be the greatest of love stories to many, we're sure to see God's hand and learn some important lessons. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison ...

The Lord Will Provide -  Sunday, May 29th - Facebook Livestream Have you ever felt like your faith was being tested? Your faith will be tested...maybe it was this past week or maybe it will be tested in the near future. Join us today as we look at the story of how God told Abraham to offer up his one and only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to the Lord. That may sound crazy, but Abraham trusted in the Lord alone and that He would provide. We'll see how this story clearly points to Jesus and our need to put our faith in Him. ...

When Hope Fades -  Sunday, May 22nd - Facebook Livestream When you look at your life, when you look at your past, when you look at your current circumstances or to the future...is it hard to be optimistic? Sometimes it's difficult to trust in God's promises. Sometimes our faith falters and our hope fades. Join us today as we look at the amazing story of Abraham and Sarah and how they realize the fulfillment of God's promises when their situation seemed impossible. If you can't make it out to ...

A Bond in Blood -  Sunday, May 15th - Facebook Livestream Imagine you are about to enter into an agreement with someone, perhaps the biggest in your life. Now imagine that you know that you will never be able to fulfill your side of the agreement. That is just what Abraham felt. Join us today as we look at another wild story from Genesis and see how Abraham is assured that God has everything worked out. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison Presbyterian ...

Nothing Can Thwart the Promise of God -  Sunday, May 8th - Facebook Lifestream - Happy Mother's Day! Just after Abraham was called by God and receives the amazingly good news of God's promises and blessing, we see that promise is seemingly threatened. While Abraham, that great hero of the faith, almost blows it all, God in His grace remains true to His promises. Join us today as we see that nothing can thwart the promise of God...not even us! If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please ...

Living by Faith - Sunday, May 1st - Facebook Livestream! What does it mean to be called by God? When Abraham was called by God he needed to step out in faith. That's not always so easy, especially when we don't see God and don't always know his purposes. How can we, like Abraham, live by faith and develop a deepening trust in God and His promises? If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison Presbyterian Church Facebook page for the Livestream at 10 am on Sunday. You ...

When God Comes Down - Easter Sunday, April 17th - Facebook Livestream! While driving to Florida a while back I saw a giant billboard that read, "Don't Make Me Come Down There!" - GOD Join us today as we look at the story of the Tower of Babel. The people built a city with a giant tower, seeking to make a name for themselves and not be scattered...and then God came down there. Sometimes we can get focused on the wrong things and lose focus on what is important... and thankfully, God shows up. If you ...

You Know the Message - Easter Sunday, April 17th - Facebook Livestream! I hope you can join us this Easter Sunday as we celebrate that Jesus is risen! We'll look at the Apostle Peter's meeting with Cornelius and his family and friends in Acts 10.   They seemed to know the message, the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus. But did they accept it, did they believe it and have their hearts and lives changed forever? We hope to see you and, like Cornelius, invite a friend or family member to come and ...

With an Eye to the Cross - Sunday, April 10th - Facebook Livestream! Have you ever seen the meme that says, "The First 5 Days After The Weekend Are The Hardest"?  I think Jesus could identify with that. As Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds waved palms and praised him as a King. In the next five days Jesus was betrayed, tried and crucified.  Join us today as we look at the Cross and see how Jesus identifies with us in the hardest and most difficult times. ...

The Naked Truth - Sunday, April 3rd - Facebook Livestream! I love the honesty of Scripture. The writers of the Bible were not afraid to write about the sins and shortcomings of people like Noah, a hero of the faith. Even when the shame of our sin is laid bare for others to see, we see the truth that God's grace can overcome and shine through. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out the Harrison ...

Noah: Finding Grace - Sunday, March 27th - Facebook Livestream! You probably all know the story of Noah and the Flood. Imagine the world becoming so wicked, so depraved that God says, "That's it! I've had enough. I'm destroying it all and starting over." Sounds terrible, right? Where is the hope in that? Where is the grace? Join us today as we look at the account of Noah, and find that God's grace is found in the one man that God found favor. ...

What Should I Bring? - Sunday, March 20th - Facebook Livestream! When you are going to a party, many times you call up and ask, "What should I bring?" When we come to worship God, when we come before God, what should we bring? Join us today as we look at the story of Cain and Abel and look to answer that very important question. I think the answer might surprise you. If you can't make it out to church on Sunday please check out ...

The Turning Point - Sunday, March 13th - Facebook Livestream! Just after the creation of the world and everything in it, when everything is "good" and perfect, we come to some bad news, perhaps what some might consider horrible news...the fall of Adam and Eve, the fall of humankind. Join us today as we see that what seems to be the ultimate bad news is really part of the good news and what that means for us. If you can't make it ...