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Sermon Archive

Sunday: September 29, 2024 Preachers: Michael Mitchum and Daniel Presa

Scripture: Matthew 14: 22-33

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

Title: UKirk Sunday

 

Sermon description: Two Davidson students speak about their faith journeys.

Sunday: October 6, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

Title: Slow and Quick

 

Sermon description: The Apostle James reminds us to be slow to anger, quick to listen and attentive to the needs of others as well as ourselves.

Sunday: September 22, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-17

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

Title: Visions of Peace

 

Sermon description: We are asked to consider our vision for Peace; what are we able to dream?

Sunday: September 15, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32 and

     2 Samuel 9:1-13.

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness

Title: The Legacy of Kindness

 

Sermon description: We are called on to share the gift of Kindness with others, knowing well that God's character is displayed through the loving kindness that God has shown to us.

Sunday: September 8, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scriptures: John 15:1-11 and

Galatians 5:22-25

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

Title: Positively Joyful

 

Sermon description: In relationship with God and with others we are called on to share joy in our homes, our community and around the world. Jesus has shown his joy in and for us and we should share this joy with others.

Sunday: August 25, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Psalm 84 and

Ephesians 6:10-20

Topic: Vulnerability

Title: An Under Armour Church

 

Sermon description: Through Jesus, we have a relationship to God that assures us of our wellbeing. The Church stands as a representative of God's presence in our lives.

Sunday: September 1, 2024

Preacher: Deborah Conner

Scripture: James 1: 17-27

Topic: Witness

Title: Do You See Who You Are?

 

Sermon description: As we consider the many influences on us and the way we act, we are asked to consider what witness we present to the world. We are encouraged to live up to the way that God sees us, in love and grace and, thereby, to allow others to see Jesus in our life and actions.

Sunday: August 18, 2024

Preachers: Peter Henry, Whittier Henry, Ada Hicks and Finn O'Brien Scripture: Numbers 27:1-11

Topic: Justice

Title: Noah's Gift

 

Sermon Description: A dramatic reading of scripture related to seeking justice.

Sunday: August 11, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scriptures: 2 Samuel 18:24-33 and Romans 12:9-18

Topic: Reconciliation

Title: God's Own Heart

 

Sermon description: We are asked to consider who we long to be reconciled with and are reminded that love and forgiveness are at the center of God's relationship with us.

Sunday: August 4, 2024

Preachers: Lyn Batty, Maggie Kinton, Claire Alexander

Scripture: Luke 10: 25-37

Topic: The Good Samaritan Story and DCPC's mission work in Nicaragua

Title: Who is My Neighbor?

 

Sermon description: Lessons of humility, mutual learning, mercy, and relying on partners from our Nicaragua mission trip participants.

Sunday: July 21, 2024

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Psalm 96

Topic: God's Glory

Title: How Can I Keep from Singing

 

Sermon description: We recognize God's Glory through God's Creation, Mercy and Love. We should reflect this with praise and thanksgiving.

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Note: Enya's version of the hymn, "How Can I Keep from Singing"

Sunday: July 14, 2024

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7 and Psalm 23 Topic: The Good Shepherd

Title: The Lord is My Shepherd

 

Sermon description: As the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus is with us, supporting us in our joys and struggles.

Sunday: July 28, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Psalm 139

Topic: God's All-Seeing Nature

Title: Hide and Seek

 

Sermon description: Opening ourselves to a watchful God helps us benefit from his loving, healing powers.

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Sunday: July 7, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Psalm 8

Topic: God's Original Blessing

Title: A Little Lower

 

Sermon description: We should be confident that we have God's blessing of love, glory and honor as described in this Psalm.

Sunday: June 30, 2024

Preachers: Whittier Henry, Will Palmer and Meghan Leeper

Scripture: Ephesians 2:17-22

Topic: Youth Mission Trip to Cuba

Title: Mission Experiences in Joy

 

Sermon description: This group of nineteen youth and leaders hoped to share faith experiences on their trip to Cuba. They found great joy in the work and play that they experienced with their Cuban counterparts and learned much about sharing God's love with their neighbors.

Sunday: June 16, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Topic: The Kingdom of God

Title: Sow So

 

Sermon description: As we do the work of the Spirit to grow God's Kingdom, we do not know how we effect others or even ourselves. Yet, we go forth in faith, trying to carry out God's will.

Sunday: June 23, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Topic: Reconciliation

Title: Open-Heart Surgery

 

Sermon description: Remove the things that block the flow of God's love and grace, thereby reconciling to God and each other and enabling us to serve our neighbors.

Sunday: June 9, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Mark 3:19b-21, 31-35

Topic: Growth in Love

Title: When Jesus Grows Up

 

Sermon description: As we "grow up" in our family of faith, we grow in love and grow together.

Sunday: June 2, 2024

Preacher: Julia Watkins

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Topic: Service

Title: Lives of Leadership and Service

 

Sermon description: Through God's power we may lead in service to others.

Sunday: May 26, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17 Topic: Trinity

Title: CGI Lives

 

Sermon description: God's Love is shown through God's creation, through the love shared by Jesus and by the sustaining love of God's Spirit which calls us into the community of Life in God.

Sunday: May 19, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scriptures: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 and

Acts 2:41-47

Topic: Pentecost

Title: Rattle and Hum

 

Sermon description: Our hope is renewed by the Spirit with the breath and life of God. Living in the community of the Church, we are called to prophesy to God's Love.

Sunday: May 12, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Topic: Ascension of Jesus

Title: "Don't Just Stand There"

 

Sermon description: God equips us to be witnesses in the world. We are to use our gifts to bring about God's kingdom.

Sunday: May 5, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Topic: Communion

Title: Curators and Property Managers

 

Sermon description: As we partake in Communion, we should remember that this gift of God is the celebration of the victory of life over death.

Sunday: April 28, 2024 (Caring for Creation Sunday)

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: John 15: 1-17

Topic: Trusting God as the Vinegrower

Title: Love in the Garden

 

Sermon description: Love one another as God has love us. God's love sometimes takes the form of pruning the branches (us) who are connected to the True Vine (Jesus).

Sunday: April 21, 2024

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Topic: Love

Title: What's Love Got to Do With It?

 

Sermon description: As followers of Christ, we must show love to all in need.

Sunday: April 14. 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Topic: Witnessing to the resurrected Christ

 Title: Fish Tales

 

Sermon description: God's Holy Spirit gives us hope through the resurrection of Christ. We bear witness to this hope in Jesus through public worship, participation in the life of our church and community and through personal caring, listening and sharing with those in need.

Sunday: April 4, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Topic: Recognizing Jesus

Title: FOMO

 

Sermon description: Jesus comes to us in peace, calling us to live in community and, through him, to serve others as Jesus's hands in the world.

Sunday: March 17, 2024

Speakers: Jack Ridgeway, Cooper Bryan and Anne Arms

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:1-13,

Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 14:10-13

Topic: Youth Sunday

Title: Fasting from Judgement

Sermon description: Three young people reflect on Bible readings related to judgement and give us thoughts on how we can move from judgment to acceptance, including by seeking God's help through prayer.

Sunday: March 24, 2024

Preachers: Peter Henry and Matt Wiggins

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Topic: Palm Sunday

Title: Hungering for Acceptance

 

Sermon description: God continually comes for us, inviting our acceptance, and we should accept others, listening for their needs.

Sunday: March 31, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Topic: Easter

Title: What Are We Afraid Of?

 

Sermon description: While we sometimes have fears, it is important to remain hopeful, remembering that our hope is in Jesus who was raised from the dead.

Sunday: March 10, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Topic: Fellowship in community

Title: Do Dragons Love Tacos?

 

Sermon description: Much like the early Christian church, we can come together in community even when the world tells us that we should be individualists.

Sunday: March 3, 2024

Preacher: John Ryan

Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Hebrews 10:24-25

Topic: Community

Title: Better Alone

 

Sermon description: We can move from individualism toward creating a faithful community of God's people.

Sunday: February 18, 2024

Preacher Caitlyn Zold

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-11

Topic: Giving up excess

Title: The Fasts We Choose: Excess

 

Sermon Description: What do we store up in excess - money, goods, information, power...? Can we consider needing less as we move closer to God's purpose for our lives?

Sunday: January 28, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Topic: Knowledge

Title: Eating Jello Salad

 

Sermon description: Knowledge of Jesus Christ leads us to love and serve others.

Sunday: January 21 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Topic: A Transformed World

Title: Eyes on the Prize

 

Sermon description: Transformed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are called to remain focused on living with love.

Sunday: February 4, 2024

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Topic: Jesus purpose

Title: Lifting Others Up

 

Sermon description: Jesus proclaimed the coming Kingdom of God, lifting others up. We are called to do the same by opening ourselves to what God has done for us.

Sunday: February 11, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Topic: Ministry

Title: Can Sequels be Better?

 

Sermon description: Can we, like Elisha, undertake God's call to ministry in humility, with loyalty to those who went before us and trusting in God's provision of the gifts that are needed?

Sunday: January 14, 2024

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; 15-20 Topic: Discerning a Call

Title: An Adventure of Faith

 

Sermon description: Listen for the call of God and respond through action to take part in God's ongoing revolution.

Sunday: February 25, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Topic: Contentment

Title: Hunger Pains

 

Sermon description: How you may be present and available to the presence of God and to God's people.

Sunday: 7:30 PM Service; December 24, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Topic: Christmas Eve

Title: Who Wants to Be a Shepherd?

 

Sermon description: When we feel left out and judged by others, we should remember the coming of Christ the Savior and receive the hope his coming gives.

Sunday: December 17, 2023

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Topic: The Annunciation

Sermon description: The angel Gabriel's annunciation of the birth of Christ to Mary brings her to recognize God's power to accomplish the impossible.

Sunday: December 31, 2023

Preacher: Caitlyn Zold

Scripture: Luke 2: 22-40

Topic: Hope

Title: And Yet, Hope.

 

Sermon description: Along with the Elders Simeon and Anna, we receive the coming of Christ with hope for peace on earth.

Sunday: January 7, 2024

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Topic: Epiphany

Title: Magi-cal Thinking

 

Sermon description: Following the example of the Magi (aka Wise Men), we can't just wish for the good we want to happen but we must look, listen and put our Faith into action.

Sunday: December 10, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5

Topic: Hope

Title: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

 

Sermon description: Frustrated by loneliness and difficulties, we can receive comfort through the power of God that brings hope for the future in fellowship together.

Sunday: November 19, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 25: 31-46

Topic: Call to Service

Title: Between a Sheep and a Goat

 

Sermon description: The scripture distinguishes between the reward for those who answer the call to service and the punishment for those who don't. If you are asking the question of where you stand relative to your service to others, by God's grace you can be sure that God will give you an answer to this question as well as a direction for your service.

Sunday: November 26, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Topic: The Reign of Christ

Title: The True Shepherd

 

Sermon description: The preacher urges us to follow Jesus model of using the power of loving relationships to do good and to bless others.

Sunday: December 3, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 3 - 9

Topic: Spiritual Gifts

Title: Riches of Christmas

 

Sermon description: We are enriched through the gifts of speech and knowledge of Jesus. These gifts should lead to Hope.

Sunday: November 12, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

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Topic: Grief

Title: All the Light We Can See

 

Sermon description: Grieving as Christians with hope.

Sunday: November 5, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Psalms 107:1-9

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Topic: God's Faithfulness

Title: Steadfast Love

 

Sermon description: Bear witness to God's steadfast love as shown by God's saving us from troubles.

Sunday: October 29, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-4 and 

2 Timothy 1:3-7

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Topic: The Church Across Generations

Title: Bridging the Gap

 

Sermon description: The sermon reminds us that, because of God's continuing presence over the ages, we can have hope in a changing world.

Sunday: October 22, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 9: 9-13

Topic: Welcoming the Outcast

Title: Present Company Excluded

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Sermon description: The story of Jesus welcoming and eating with tax collectors and sinners is illustrated with ways in which we can we can follow Jesus' example by including others beyond our immediate circle of acquaintances.

Sunday: October 15, 2023

Preacher: Caitlyn Zold

Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-20

Topic: Christian Community

Title: Who You Are & Whose You Are

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Sermon description: What it means to live in Jesus call to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world."

Sunday: October 8, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 5: 21-26

Topic: Reconciliation

Title: Stuck in Place

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Sermon description: We are reminded of the importance of reconciling with our brothers and sisters so as to maintain strong relationships of love and trust.

Sunday: October 1, 2023

Preachers: Anita Taylor and Robert Alexander

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Topic: Global Mission partners

Title: Humble Partners

 

Sermon description: The preachers describe the impact that these mission partnerships have on both DCPC and our mission partners in Nicaragua and Kenya.

Sunday: September 17, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-24

Topic: The message of the Cross

Title: It's Not What You Think

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Sermon description: When confronting conflict, the world tells us to strike back or argue it out. Jesus crucifixion and resurrection show the power of humility in confronting conflict.

Sunday: September 24, 2023 Preachers: Ellie Stewart and Shawn An Scripture: Exodus 16: 2-15

Topic: Providence and Love

Title: UKirk Sunday

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Sermon description: Two students share their interpretations of the love that God shows God's people through the provision of food and drink in the desert.

Sunday: September 10, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Exodus 12:1 -14

Topic: Faith community

Title: Forgetting to Remember

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Sermon description: The preacher reminds us that we need God, we need each other and we are better together.

Sunday: September 3, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Romans 12: 9-21

Topic: Living Peaceably

Title: Prepping for the Big Game

 

Sermon description: Guidance is given for living a peaceful life, especially in your relations with others.

Sunday: August 27, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Topic: Humility

Title: Before the Fall

Sermon description: Humility plays a role in how we discern the use of our gifts within the body of Christ.

Sunday: August 20, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Topic: Speaking in Love

Title: Reading Between the Lines

Sermon description: Comparing two stories about utterance demonstrates the hard work needed to show love through what is said.

Sunday: August 13, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Topic: Compassion

Title: You Give Them Something to Eat

Sermon description: In the story of the "Feeding of the Five Thousand" Jesus models the life of 'compassionate presence', demonstrating grateful acknowledgement of what we have been given and showing humility by sharing these gifts of God abundantly with others.

Sunday: August 6, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Topic: Faith struggles

Title: The Courage to Wrestle

Sermon description: We struggle with the consequences of our actions or words much as Jacob did but we are strengthened because of the grace of God.

Sunday: July 30, 2023

Preacher: Daniel Heath

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Topic: Invitation

Title: The Masked Host

Sermon description: When invited guest decline the host's invitation to dinner, the host calls for guests among the lesser status neighbors and , eventually compels people from the general population to attend. What explains the host's behavior?

Sunday: July 23, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Topic: Mission

Title: That's How We Got to Memphis

Sermon description: Report on the recent youth mission trip to Memphis and what was brought back from the experiences.

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 13: 1-9, 13-29

Topic: Parable of the Sower

Title: Bad Aim

Sermon description: Self-reflection on several questions arising from the Parable of the Sower.

Sunday: July 9, 2023

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Jonah 4:3-10

Topic: God's universal Love for humankind

Title: Whale of a Tale

Sermon description: The sermon asks whether, like Jonah, will we hold onto our aggressive feelings toward our enemies or will we respond to God's call to share love with all.

Sunday: July 2, 2023

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Topic: Understanding God

Title: A New Understanding of God's Command

Sermon description: This sermon about the Bible story of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac leads to a new understanding of the transformation of God's character from demanding to providing.

Sunday: June 25, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander 

Scripture: Psalms 86:1-10,16-17

Topic: Prayer

Title: A Prayer of Faith

Sermon description: Remembering God's past faithfulness, we are assured that God is both able and willing to address our concerns as shared in prayer to God.

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Sunday: 8:45 am service, June 25, 2023 Preacher: Shannon Langston

Scripture: Psalms 86:1-10, 16-17

Topic: Prayer

 

Title: Unanswered Prayers

​Sermon description: Our relationship with God is built through prayer and we should recognize that God answers our prayers on God's timetable.

Sunday: June 18, 2023

Preacher: John Ryan

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Topic: Hope

Title: Wishful Thinking

Sermon description: God will help us work through our suffering in order to become what God intends for us to be.

Sunday: June 11, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Genesis 12: 1-9

Topic: Answering God's Call

Title: Go!

Sermon Description: Looking and listening for God's call in our daily lives.

Sunday: June 4, 2023

Preacher: Mary Margaret Porter

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Topic: Exploring the meaning of the Holy Trinity

Title: Unity in Diversity

Sermon Description: As we strive to understand the nature of the Triune God, what can we learn about how to live in God's image?

Sunday: May 28, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Numbers 11:24-30

Topic: Gift of the Holy Spirit

Title: Pentecost Sunday

Sermon Description: Because of God's gift of the Holy Spirit, we do not face challenges alone.

Sunday: May 21, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: John 17:1-11

Topic: Unity in Christ

Title: Leave No Trace?

Sermon Description: In Christ's prayer for Christian unity, he calls for his disciples to focus on love.

Sunday: May 14, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Topic: Finding common ground in a divided world

Title: Made in the Image

Sermon Description: When confronted with skepticism and division, the Apostle Paul looked for common ground to help connect with his listeners.  Can we do the same?

Sunday: May 7, 2023

Preacher: Caitlyn Zold

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Topic: Beatitudes

Title: #blessed

Sermon Description: The Beatitudes tell us some characteristics of those who are favored of God.

Sunday: April 30, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Topic: Holy Humor

Title: What Are You Laughing At?

Sermon description: The Joy of Christ's resurrection is shared among all.

Sunday: April 23, 2023

Preacher: Robert Alexander

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Topic: Discernment

Title: Having Our Eyes Opened

Sermon description:  Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we should open our eyes to what Christ has done for us.

Sunday: April 16, 2023

Preacher: Mark Adams

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Topic: Reconciliation

Title: The Ministry of Reconciliation in a Divided World

Sermon description: Reconciliation such as that in Mark's congregation along the US-Mexico border can help to bring about God's good creation

Sunday: April 9, 2023

Preacher: Peter Henry

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 

Topic: Easter

Title:  Near Life Experience

Sermon description:  The redemptive work of Christ allows us to live lives of service to others.

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