This morning, as we celebrate the official start of the programmatic year with Kick-off Sunday, we will begin a series entitled Hebrew 101 - Ancient Words Every Christian Should Know, exploring four ancient Hebrew words that deepen the way we understand and live our faith. We will begin with Shema - a word that means "hear" or "listen," drawn from Deuteronomy 6:1-9. In the passage, God's people are called not only to hear God's word, but to carry it into their homes, their relationships, and the rhythms of everyday life.

Sermon on Deuteronomy 6:1-9 , delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 13th, 2026.

This morning, we turn to the Gospel of Matthew as we wrestle with what it means to follow Jesus. In Matthew 16:21-28, Matthew foretells his passion and death while also clearly stating what true discipleship means. Together, we will reflect on how well we follow Christ, along with the obstacles we let stand in the way.

Sermon on Matthew 16:21-28, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on September 6th, 2026.

This morning, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Catherine Meeks back to Idlewild as our guest preacher. A nationally respected scholar, author, and leader in the work of racial healing, Dr. Meeks served as the founding executive director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing and now leads the Turquoise & Lavender Institute for Transformation and Healing.

Sermon on Hebrews 11:1–6, delivered by Dr. Catherine Meeks on August 30th, 2026.

This morning, we will conclude our I Pledge Allegiance series with a message entitled “A More Perfect Union.” Our worship will grow from Jeremiah 29:4–7 and Mark 10:42–45, and we will be invited to consider what faithful citizenship looks like when God calls us to seek the welfare of the place where we have been planted. Together, we will wrestle with what it means to create a more perfect union between our personal faith and our public witness.

Sermon on Jeremiah 29:4-7 and Mark 10:42–45, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 23rd, 2026.

This morning, we will continue our series, I Pledge Allegiance, with a sermon entitled My Fellow Citizens. Through Galatians 3:23–29, Paul will remind us that our deepest identity is found in Christ rather than in the categories that so often divide us. Together, we will consider what it means to be faithful citizens of the kingdom of God while also living responsibly as citizens of the United States.

Sermon on Galatians 3:23–29, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 16th, 2026.

This morning, we will continue our sermon series I Pledge Allegiance by turning toward the honesty, courage, and hope required to help our nation live more fully into its highest promises. Through the prophet Amos, we will hear God’s warning that worship and public virtue ring hollow when they are separated from justice.

Sermon on Amos 5:18-24, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 9th, 2026.

This morning, we will inaugurate a new sermon series entitled I Pledge Allegiance. In a time when faith and national identity are often blurred, this four-week study will help us wrestle with what it means to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Sermon on Philippians 2:5–11, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 2nd, 2026.

This morning, we conclude our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, by exploring the familiar story of Jonah. The Reverend Amy Howe will lead us as we look beyond the dramatic three days spent in the belly of a big fish and see how the story shows us Jonah's hesitation to preach repentance to a people he abhorred and God's determination to heal, not just the Israelites, but all God's people.

Sermon on Jonah 1:1-6, 11-17, delivered by the Reverend Amy Howe on July 26th, 2026.

This morning, we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, and we turn to the book of Daniel. Our focus scripture is Daniel 6:6-28, marking a pivotal halfway point in the story.

Sermon on Daniel 6:6-28, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 19th, 2026.

This morning, we continue our summer sermon series, Tell Me a Story, by turning to the story of Esther. Our scripture will be Esther 4:1–3 and 10–17, the turning point in the story when Esther must decide whether to risk her own safety for the sake of her people.

Sermon on Esther 4:1-3, 10-17, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on July 12th, 2026.