Recorded on Sunday, 03/08/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Psalm 32:1-11, Luke 13:31-34 |

Life is a journey where we often carry invisible burdens that weigh us down spiritually and emotionally. These include grief, fear, rejection, and unconfessed sin. Jesus faced these same challenges but chose a different path - the way around - rather than conforming to worldly expectations. He offers us freedom from carrying these burdens alone. We can set down grief by allowing God to comfort us, replace protective fear with holy awe, choose forgiveness over rejection, and find freedom through confession. This week, examine your spiritual backpack and identify one burden you've been carrying too long, then choose God's way of handling it instead of the world's approach.

| This is the third sermon in our "The Way" Lenten series. Worship Resources for "The Way" Series from Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 03/01/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Psalm 37:23-27, Isaiah 55:1-2 |

God has prepared a place for each of us at His table, where everyone belongs regardless of their background or circumstances. Psalm 37 reminds us that God walks so closely with us that He holds our hand through every season of life, promising that we will never be forsaken. When we face modern challenges and spiritual hunger, God offers true nourishment without cost - His grace operates on different principles than our consumer culture. The invitation to communion represents radical hospitality where there are no outsiders, bringing together believers from all generations and communities. We are called to embody this same welcoming spirit in our daily lives, creating space for those who feel like they don't belong.

| This is the second sermon in our "The Way" Lenten series. Worship Resources for "The Way" Series from Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 02/22/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Psalm 1 |

Psalm 1 reveals the secret to lasting happiness: choosing to walk God's well-worn path instead of blazing your own trail through life. True happiness comes from rejecting harmful influences and delighting in God's ways. The Hebrew word 'ashrei' describes not just a feeling, but a blessed way of life characterized by right steps and divine favor. Like hiking on a marked trail versus bushwhacking through wilderness, following God's established path makes each step easier and more secure. While we're called to reach out to others with love, we must first walk closely with Jesus ourselves, surrounding ourselves with influences that draw us toward God rather than away from Him.

| This is the first sermon in our "The Way" Lenten series. Worship Resources for "The Way" Series from Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 02/15/26, at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Matthew 17:1-9 |

Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus during the Transfiguration, both faced tremendous suffering and injustice yet chose forgiveness over bitterness. Their presence with Jesus represents wisdom from those who understood how to overcome hardship without becoming consumed by resentment. True forgiveness isn't about forgetting or excusing behavior - it's about taking back your power and choosing peace for your own healing. Research shows we hold grievances when we think too much about painful events, giving them excessive mental space. Three practical steps can help: choosing what to focus on mentally, practicing gratitude through breathing, and using positive emotion refocusing techniques. Like Moses and Elijah, we can move from being victims of our circumstances to becoming heroes of our own stories through the transformative power of forgiveness.

| This is the fifth & final sermon in our "Trusting God When We Are Tempted" sermon series.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 02/08/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: John 16:16-24, 33 |

Life often brings seasons where hope feels impossible and we find ourselves exhausted by circumstances beyond our control. Jesus predicted that his disciples would experience deep sorrow and hopelessness, but he also promised that their pain would transform into joy. The key message is that our story isn't over - there's always more to be written. When facing hopelessness, we can turn to biblical promises, lean into our faith community, and commit to prayer. Hope requires courage and faith, refusing to believe that our current circumstances represent the end of our story.

| This is the fourth sermon in our "Trusting God When We Are Tempted" sermon series.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 02/01/26 at the 8:30am service

| Scripture Readings: James 3:1-18 |

Words have incredible power to build up or tear down, and James teaches us that our tongues, though small, can direct entire relationships like a bit controls a horse. Four dangerous forms of speech include demeaning words, boastful speech, deceitful communication, and speaking evil of others. While we cannot perfectly control our tongues through willpower alone, God can transform our hearts so that life-giving words flow from us. Before speaking, especially when frustrated, we should ask three questions: Is it kind? Is it true? Does it help? When we trust God to guide our speech, our words can bring healing, peace, and hope to those around us.

| This is the third sermon in our "Trusting God When We Are Tempted" sermon series.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 01/18/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Matthew 4:1-11 |

Jesus' 40-day wilderness experience reveals how to face temptation with God's strength. The devil tempted Jesus to prove himself, show off, and pursue power, but Jesus responded each time with Scripture. These same temptations challenge us today—pursuing money and power above all else, breaking commitments for personal gain, or turning to unhealthy dependencies instead of trusting God. Jesus shows us that true greatness comes from serving others, not ourselves. We have three powerful resources to resist temptation: God's Word in Scripture, the example of Jesus' life, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

| This is the second sermon in our "Trusting God When We Are Tempted" sermon series.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 01/11/26 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Mark 1:1-13 |

Jesus' baptism reveals two profound truths about our faith journey. First, through baptism, Jesus united himself completely with humanity, identifying with our experience and marking himself as one with us. Second, God affirmed Jesus' identity as his beloved Son before he faced temptation in the wilderness, demonstrating that divine love precedes our trials. This same baptismal identity defines us above all worldly labels - we are first and foremost children of God. Like sea glass transformed by constant washing, God's cleansing streams continue working in our lives, smoothing our rough edges and polishing us into something beautiful. When we face challenges, we can remember our baptism and declare with confidence that we are claimed forever as God's beloved children.

| This is the first sermon in our "Trusting God When We Are Tempted" sermon series.

| Find out more about our church at perintonpres.org

Recorded on Sunday, 01/04/26 at the 9:30am service

| Scripture Readings: John 1:1-18 |

As we enter a new year, we're invited to shift from achieving to receiving God's guidance. Jesus is the light that illuminates our path, not all at once, but step by step. Rather than relying on our own resolutions and willpower, we can trust that God will guide, challenge, and shape us. The Word became flesh to live among us, offering grace upon grace. As children of light, we're called to let Christ's light shine through us in our daily interactions, bringing hope to dark situations and love to broken relationships.

Recorded on Sunday, 12/28/25 at the 11am service

| Scripture Readings: Matthew 2:1-12 |

The Magi's visit to the Christ child reveals powerful lessons about hospitality and welcome. These Zoroastrian priests traveled from Persia to find Jesus, and Mary and Joseph welcomed them into their home despite cultural and linguistic barriers. This act of hospitality allowed them to receive the prophetic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their example challenges us to practice intentional hospitality in our own lives, creating space for others to belong and connect. Biblical hospitality isn't about having the perfect home but about the spirit of welcome we offer to strangers and guests.

| This is the fourth sermon in our "What Child IS This? Beyond the Lullaby" advent sermon series.