Happy Birthday... Church! Today is PENTECOST. We celebrate the unique qway Holy Spirit came among the earliest disciples and formed them into the new Body of Christ, the church, to continue his work and words in the world. Today's podcast begins with Rev. Joel reading the Acts 2 story while the children disperse around the congregation, and wave banners they made with red and yellow handprints, to be the wind and noise of Pentecost in our congregation. After the children gather their activity bags and say their blessing, Rev. Joel continues to show us 5 things about the first church we as church today can still learn. There's a vided of the youth and children in the middle of the sermon, and you can find that on FB, or Twitter, under OPCUSA. Rev. Joel Tolbert preaching Acts 2.

In this last week of our sermon series, we hear Paul write to the Philippians, and share his joy that has come through his humble service to Christ. Then he asked for their help in making his joy complete. But what is Joy? How is Joy different than Happiness? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Philippians 1 and 2

Sometimes, the best way to learn something is to become a teacher of it. What if being a disciple of Jesus means less about what we believe or learn, and more about what we teach... with our words and our lives? This week, we see Paul continue learning what it means to be a disciple by honing his teaching. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Acts 17, with a story told by Director of Music, Dallas Bono.

Jesus often said "Do not fear." But, is fear really a choice? How can we not fear? Sometimes, fear just happens. Perhaps Jesus' invitation and instruction to not fear is confession and admission we will fear, but to no let fear lead our words and actions. In Christ, we can feel the fear, but bend our words and actions to be more faithful than fearful. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Philippians 1

Following Jesus might mean we find ourselves making some good holy trouble in the world. But trouble makers sometimes end up behind bars. What would it take for us to stand with Jesus, even if it meant going to jail? This week, we see how Paul, and Martin, were both willing to go to jail for Jesus. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Acts 16

It isn't Easter, but its still the Easter season. What did those first disciples believe... and do... as a result of Jesus' resurrection? How did their hearts and minds change, and what did those internal changes become in their lives with one another, and to the world. For these 5 weeks, we ask "Now What?" What did Easter mean for them, and what does it mean to us. We are using the story of Saul, also known as Paul, in Acts and in his own letter to the Phillipians. Today, we start with Saul's change from persecutor/doubter of Jesus to seer/believer/preacher. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Acts 9

What do we do on resurrection Sunday? Yes the tomb is empty, but the disciples retreat and lock themselves away in fear, wondering. What can we learn from Jesus' appearance, and his offering of peace? What would it benefit us if we could touch, see, hold Jesus? Guest preacher Rev. Andy Chambers preaches from John 20

On that first Easter morning, there were plenty of tears and questions, frustrations and desperation. Those things are expected and welcomed at the tomb of someone we knew and love. Jesus knew them all very well himself. So why would we come to church with anything less than our saltiest tears, our biggest questions, our oldest frustrations, and our deepest desperations? Come! Its all welcome here. But look around, because the tomb is empty and he is risen! Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching John 20

We say in our creed "suffered under Pontius Pilate." But Jesus says the ones who handed him over to Pilate were more guilty than Pilate. Who has handed Jesus over to other religious and political powers, instead of honoring him as the true king of kings, and lord of lords? Have we? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaches on John 19

When Pilate asks Jesus, What is truth, he is dismissing Jesus. Today, we ask the same question, what is truth. We hear how philosophers have tried to define truth. Then, we linger around to hear how Jesus might answer this question. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching from John 18.