Idlewild Presbyterian Church

This morning, we'll turn to 1 Chronicles 29 as we continue our Sermon Series, Growing in Gratitude. In verses 10-16, we will hear a portion of King David's farewell address to his kingdom, as he reflects on the devotion and the resources necessary to build the Temple. Sermon on 1 Chronicles 29:10-16, delivered by the Reverend The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on October 19th, 2025.

This morning, we will begin a new three-part sermon series on generosity which will help us explore our annual theme “Growing in Gratitude.” Our worship will be grounded by Lamentations 3:22–26 and Philippians 4:10–13, 19–20, where we will reflect on God’s steadfast love and the contentment that grows from trusting in God’s provision. Sermon on Lamentations 3:22–26 and Philippians 4:10–13, 19–20, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 12th, 2025.

This morning, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day when Christians around the globe gather at the Lord’s Table. In Luke 24, the disciples’ eyes were opened at Emmaus when Jesus blessed and broke bread with them, turning their despair into joy and their confusion into hope. At the Lord’s Table, we too encounter Christ’s living presence—a presence that binds us together across nations and generations, strengthens us for the journey, and nourishes us for the healing of the world. Sermon on Luke 24:28-35, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on October 5th, 2025.

This morning, we will turn to Mark 9 as we reflect on how we understand and practice faith. Together, we'll explore the relationship between faith and uncertainty in a world that demands conviction in all things. Come and join us as we listen for God's Spirit amidst our doubts. Sermon on Mark 9:14-27, delivered by the Reverend The Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on September 28th, 2025.

This morning in worship we will turn to one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Deuteronomy 6:10–14a. Together we’ll discover how we are inheritors of God’s good gifts—both personally and as a community. As we give thanks for the gifts of God passed down through our forebears who shaped the life of faith at Idlewild, we will also pause to remember the countless saints who have poured into each of our lives. Who are the spiritual guides, teachers, mentors, coaches, and friends who have formed your faith? Come and join us as we listen for how God is calling each of us to build up the faith of another. Sermon on Deuteronomy 6:10-14a, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 21st, 2025.

This morning, as we begin our season of generosity, our worship will center on the well-known story of the prodigal son from the Gospel of Luke. In telling the parable, Jesus teaches us that faithful generosity springs from relationship -- our relationship with Him, His unending generosity toward us, and the life we share as His body, the Church. We’ll see that God’s generosity is not earned or calculated; it is a gift that calls us into deeper connection with one another. Join us for worship and be reminded that generosity is not something we do to settle accounts, but the natural fruit of being held in the generous embrace of Christ. Sermon on Luke 15:11-32, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 14th, 2025.

This morning, as we celebrate the official start of the programmatic year with Kickoff Sunday, our worship will be centered on the Book of Acts. In Acts 6, we read about a grievance brought by the Hellenists against the Hebrews in the early church: the Hellenist widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. In response, the Disciples instructed the community to choose seven individuals known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom to take on this responsibility. This moment is widely recognized as the calling of the first deacons of the church—a pivotal step in ensuring that both the physical and spiritual needs of the community were met, even as the Disciples continued to preach the Good News of the Gospel throughout the region. Sermon on Acts 6:1-7, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on September 7th, 2025.

This morning we will continue our exploration of the lectionary as we meet Jesus at Sabbath meal in Luke 14. There, Jesus offers a parable to the guests seeking places of honor and prominence. As we worship we will explore how insecurities often send us following after the limelight rather than Christ, and remember that we are each called a child of God, and that is enough. Sermon on Luke Luke 14:1, 7-11, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on August 31st, 2025.

This morning, the lectionary lesson will situate us alongside Jesus as he teaches in the synagogue on the sabbath. Seeing a woman crippled by a spirit, Jesus will pause his lesson, call the woman over, and heal her saying, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” While the woman will praise God for her healing, the leader of the synagogue will grow indignant saying, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” Sermon on Luke 13:10-17, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 24th, 2025.

This morning, our worship will grow from the words of Jesus found in the lectionary Gospel passage. In Luke 12, as he teaches several lessons to his disciples, Jesus' tone changes. He begins to speak about bringing fire on the earth and dividing families again themselves. Jesus says that fathers will divided against sons, and mothers against daughters. Sermon on Luke 12:49-53, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 17th, 2025.

This morning, we will continue our month-long exploration of the Revised Common Lectionary by studying the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 12, Jesus shares many lessons on faith and practice, and as we worship, we will listen as Jesus instructs the disciples on generosity and sacrificial giving before leaving them with one of the most enduring lessons in scripture, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Sermon on Luke 12:32-34, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on August 10th, 2025.

This morning, we'll reflect on the Parable of the Rich Fool. It is a story unique to the Gospel of Luke and provides us an opportunity to contemplate how our daily living reflects richness toward the One who created and sustains us. Sermon on Luke 12:13-21, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 13, 2025.

This morning, Genesis 32:22–31 will guide and inspire our worship. We’ll step into the darkness of Jacob’s long night of wrestling. As day breaks, we’ll explore what it means to encounter God in the struggle and emerge transformed.å Sermon on Genesis 32:22–31, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on July 27, 2025.

Last week, Pastor Mary helped us wrestle with how God's commandment to observe sabbath rest is an act of resistance and even defiance in an anxious and restless world. Today, the Reverend Joshua Narcisse will lead us in a meditative worship experience that puts into practice all we've explored together in worship this month. Elements of worship will remain the same; however, there will be time set aside for silence, guided meditation, and responsive singing as we conclude this sermon series. Meditation delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on July 20, 2025.

Last week, Pastor Courtnay kicked off our new sermon series, Sabbath Rest: Rejuvenation in the Spirit. She encouraged us to imagine how the sabbath becomes a way to attune our presence to the presence of the Living God. This morning, we'll wrestle with how God's commandment to observe sabbath rest is an act of resistance and even defiance in an anxious, capitalistic world. In the instruction to rest from our labor, God reorients us as beloved children and deepens our understanding of the work of faith. Sermon on Deuteronomy 5:12-15, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on July 13, 2025.

Today, we begin a new sermon series, Sabbath Rest: Rejuvenation in the Spirit. Sabbath is more than just a day! Sabbath practice reorients us, putting us in right relationship with ourselves, others, and with God. God calls faithful people to sabbath rest and prayerful ceasing throughout our scriptures, and this summer we’ll spend some time reflecting on the ways we can experience and practice sabbath. Sermon on Exodus 25:23-30 and Matthew 11:28, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on July 7, 2025.

This morning, we'll consider the first mention of the Spirit of God as we explore together the Creation narrative in Genesis 2. God, after forming the heavens and the earth, forms human beings from the dust of the ground and then breathes the breath of life into Adam, allowing him to become a living being. As we sit with this imagery, we'll meditate on how the breath of God offers us constancy, intimacy, and reminds us of our utter dependence on our God, who is nearer than breath. Sermon on Genesis 2:4-8, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on June 29th, 2025.

This morning, we'll turn to the Hebrew Scriptures to reflect on the prophet Elijah. Elijah was faithful and true to God's word, and thus his life was at risk. When he felt he was at his lowest, God surprised and challenged him. We'll wrestle with how we hear God speaking, surprising, and challenging us along our faith journey. Sermon on 1 Kings 19:1-15, delivered by the Reverend Mary Newberg Gale on June 22nd, 2025.

Today is Trinity Sunday, celebrating the Triune God—an identity we share as those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amid unrest and uncertainty, we turn to the Spirit of truth who delights, plays, and stays with us. As we face transitions and farewells, our Gospel reminds us the Spirit is always present. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to lean into that presence, embracing the invitation to delight and play—even now. Sermon on Proverbs 8:22-31 and John 16:12-15, delivered by the Reverend Courtnay Veazey on June 15th, 2025.

Today, we celebrate Pentecost and begin a new sermon series titled Nearer Than Breath. We’ll wrestle with our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, that forcibly blows us out into the world and is yet as comforting and reliable as our next breath. As we encounter the Spirit in wind, fire, breath, and even a descending dove, we trust that the Spirit journeys with us, comforting, transforming, and sustaining us with each step. Sermon on Acts 2:1-5, 14-21, delivered by the Reverend Joshua H. Narcisse on June 8th, 2025.