Sermons

November 1, 2026

Psalm 43, Matthew 23:1-12

October 25, 2026

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1

October 18, 2026, Dr. Bill Withers Jr.

The Presence, Glory, and Mercy of God

The following message was shared by Bill Withers Jr. this past Oct. 18. He returns to worship with us again on Nov. 22!

It’s so good to be home again, and walking alongside you all – thank you for having me, and it’s great to be His church together with all of you…

Before I get started and continue the series you and Lee Ann are in around Exodus, you know how I love to share photos to keep you updated, and here are three from what we believe to be our 35^th year up in Northern MN. This was the first trip up to the fishing cabin dad shared with us, and we were blessed to have his nephew Steve joining us this year in his spot…

I suspect you ALSO know what I’m going to ask next since my visit last month…how has the prayer challenge been going? I won’t ask for a show of hands, but I’m hoping some of you accepted the three-prompt prayer challenge that was in your bulletin that Sunday, to pray some configuration of “HELP, THANKS, and WOW!”

Here’s the thing – if you missed that message, or are wondering what that was all about, ASK someone who was here that day to explain! That’s what being this church is all about, and why I get such joy coming back…and I’m excited to be here the Sunday before Thanksgiving too – Nov. 22. Until then, know that I remain thankful for all Lee Ann and Session are doing; honestly, I’m finding joy in this adventure we’re on together, even some of the ‘unknowing,’ and THAT is a perfect segue into our scripture readings and message for today…

As I shared last month, there are moments when the road ahead is NOT clear, and we are not sure how to navigate the unknown, or how we’ll feel when possible adjustments or changes might be challenge us as a church.

Ironically, we know the responsibility we HAVE as a church. We can even name our challenges, the calling we have to be His church beyond our walls; we can even imagine changes we might be asked to explore. And honestly, we realize it might take more than simple determination. We’re going to need more than Lee Ann, more than Session, more than our collective volunteer energies. We need God; we need to know the character of God. And too, He needs US here – in prayer and community WITH Him.

That’s the tension we find Moses experiencing in Exodus 33 – and we know the basics — Moses leads Israel from slavery in Egypt, confronts Pharaoh, receives the Ten Commandments, and eventually guides God’s people toward the Promised Land. God has told him, “Lead these people,” but Moses is painfully aware of the uncertainty and weight of that command. Israel has chosen, like you heard last week, to worship a golden calf. The people have broken trust, and Moses knows there’s probably not much he can humanly do to fix things.

So, he prays with remarkable honesty: “You have not let me know whom you will send with me.” In other words, “Lord, I know what you told me to do, but I can’t do it alone, or without you.”

Now, centuries later, and as part of our NT reading today, Paul reaches back to this very same scene when he writes to the church in Rome, a church he’s never visited, a mixed early church group of Jews and Gentiles, and Paul’s doing his best to ‘set the record straight’ on who God is, and why He wants these two groups – Jews and Gentiles, to live and worship together. He quotes the Lord’s very words to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Paul then doubles-down on what we’re to learn – the church in Rome — and First Presbyterian Church today: “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Exodus tells us the story; Romans announces the truth at the heart of that story – it’s all about God’s mercy and grace. Moses and Israel will NOT move forward because they are deserving, or strong. They move forward because God is present, God is good, and God is merciful and full of grace.

These passages give us a couple insights to carry into our week together.

First, God’s presence is where it all begins – and as I said last month, not just His presence, but KNOWING Him, knowing His CHARACTER.

Second, as we just shared, God’s revealed through goodness, grace and mercy.

And remember, mercy depends on God, NOT on us or our self-reliance or independence, and as I also shared last month, getting too worried or ANXIOUS! THAT’s why I wanted to try that prayer challenge – to come to God in prayer, WITH THANKSGIVING, to learn more about His character, seek His help, while never forgetting to marvel in all the good things along the way as a church…for us to proclaim every once in a while, “WOW!”

So, let me unpack a few discoveries from today as part of this series…

1. God’s Presence and Character Are Essential

The Lord answers Moses with one of Scripture’s great promises: “My presence will go with you, AND I will give you rest.”

The Lord does not say that we will never face opposition. He does not say that Moses will never feel tired, misunderstood, or there won’t be occasional times of fear or anxiety. He does not hand Moses a road map or GPS of everything that lies ahead. God gives something better, He gives Himself through The Spirit and says clearly, “My presence will go with you.”

Moses understands and affirms that promise, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Moses would rather remain in the wilderness WITH God than arrive in a land of abundance WITHOUT God.

Let me stop here because this is very convicting for me – and I suspect many of us. These days, it’s easy to open our phone or computer at home and ask Google, or AI, “What’s the answer to what I’m searching for?!” Guess what, it will always give you something, some answer, RIGHT AWAY! No waiting. Many of us have done this very thing, like when we get a change in our health! We go to the internet, and it always shoots right back.  BUT, is it fully accurate? Does it cause us to spiral sometimes as we scroll through?  We know it’s fast – we want answers to our faith we can plop into the microwave and get heated-up RIGHT NOW!

…that’s not how God works, though He can sometimes, but according to His plan, His will.

I also fall into the trap of thinking, if a goal is accomplished, if church attendance increases – or a young family joins us, if the right diagnosis and healing occur — situations like that, THEN we can assume all is well.

But Moses teaches a deeper question. “Did we remain faithful to God as PART of the journey – in His sense of timing?”

We can – and SHOULD be grateful for buildings, traditions, programs, leaders, and ministries, but none of that can replace the PRESENCE of God. And yes, it’s often very hard work, and frequently stressful. That’s why God adds, “…and I will give you rest.” The rest God gives is the same assurance Moses received, that Moses does not carry the future, or his people alone.

2. God’s Glory Is Revealed Through Goodness and Mercy

After God assures Moses He is with both he and his people, Moses makes an even bolder request that caught me off-guard: “Now show me your glory!”

God’s reply is equally surprising, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.”

Moses asks for glory, God speaks of goodness. God is choosing to make glory known through goodness, and we can assume, mercy and compassion.

This is a portion of what I preached last month – the mercy of God is not separated from the CHARACTER of God. The more we can be here as a church family, in our bibles, serving together, the MORE we learn ABOUT God’s character – who He is, the better our chances of reaching a goal or destination as part of His plan for us!

That truth prepares us to hear Romans 9, right? Paul doesn’t quote the words about mercy in some abstract, philosophical way. He reaches back to the moment when God answered Moses. “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

At the same time, God tells Moses, “(BUT),You cannot see my face…” BUT God’s hiddenness should NOT be interpreted as abandonment; rather it is protection.

Moses learns what we all should, that he – and WE, can trust the God whom we cannot fully see or understand this side of Heaven, though we DO get to experience Him in those “WOW” moments I mentioned last month…

3. Mercy Depends on God; Not Us

We have to be careful about monetizing grace and mercy, making it a commodity – like it’s part of some transaction, or something we’re owed somehow. I’m guilty of this when I notice who ELSE got that new opportunity, that healing, that blessing, or that fresh beginning, and my sin is sometimes thinking, “Well, that’s NOT FAIR – WHAT ABOUT ME?!”

Paul addresses that directly in our text this morning, “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Paul repeatedly calls God’s people to seek, serve, persevere, and love, while NOT keeping score.

…remember, we cannot MANIPULATE God, or His preferred outcomes for us, or this church. We obey, but we can’t barter or bargain with God. We serve, but we cannot present service as some ‘receipt’ in return for something we think should be coming our way — that if we just do this one thing, or try our best to be good, THEN mercy and grace are ours.

Let me pause here — some of us grew up in unhealthy church environments where that type of theology was not only wrong, it’s not scriptural. Everything begins with God’s initiative and ends in His grace. God knows Moses by name, and He knows YOU by YOUR name. God promises presence. God reveals goodness. God declares mercy. The grace piece comes through our knowing and claiming Jesus and following — it’s not earned, though once claimed it SHOULD change us, right?

Think about that…those who know they live by mercy should be merciful. When we benefit from Christ’s compassion, we should be compassionate. We cannot ask God to calm our anxious hearts then refuse patience to someone else. God’s mercy humbles us, and that SHOULD change the way we see those around us so that we extend mercy and grace to others.

It’s wild how these two passages come together this morning in God’s timing – some 1300 to 1500 years between the two texts?

Trust me, there will be days we won’t feel up for the ‘wilderness.’

The good news is that God is present, God is merciful AND extends His Grace through his son. AND, when we’re feeling the pressure of it, God will give us rest…

So let our prayer today be the prayer of Moses: “Teach me your ways so I may know you.” “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” “Show me your glory.”

And let our hope this week be what Paul shared, it will NOT depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy and grace.

Amen.

October 11, 2026

The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-6 (Amplified Version)
32 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, they gathered together before Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron replied to them, “Take off the gold rings that are in the ears of your wives, your sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the gold rings that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he took the gold from their hands, and fashioned it with an engraving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5 Now when Aaron saw the molten calf, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation, and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord!” 6 So they got up early the next day and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; then the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play [shamefully—without moral restraint].

 

October 4, 2026

The Ten Commandments

September 27, 2026

Is the Lord Among Us, or Not!

Our lesson focused on Exodus 17:1-7. And our prayer is; “God of our wandering journey, we come before You today with dry throats and weary spirits. Like the Israelites, we find ourselves in places of testing–walking through dry stretches where the path ahead looks uncertain and yesterday’s manna feels a distant memory. Lord, You know the honest complaints of our hearts. We confess that when stress rises and resources feel thin, we are quick to grumble, quick to ask, “Is the Lord among us, or not?!” Forgive us for doubting Your steadfast care and meet our fear with Your grace. When we cry out in our distress and do not know what to do next, remind us–as You reminded Moses–that You do not hide from our pain. You stand before us on the rock. Strike open the hard places in our lives, God. Pour out Your living water to refresh our parched souls, to quench our deepest thirst, and to quiet our anxious thoughts. Make us bearers of Your hope in a thirsty world, trusting that You are truly here among us. Amen.

September 20, 2026

Biscuits and Gravy

We looked at several recipes of Biscuits and Gravy, noting their slight differences, yet understanding that each was still biscuits and gravy. We then looked at three familiar passages of Scripture, paying particular attention to how it spoke to each of us differently at any given moment; the same passage, the same biscuits and gravy if you will. As you look at the following passages pay particular attention to how it speaks to you today. Then as the week passes, read them again to see if God will reveal to you a new perspective, a new lesson, a new revelation of His Word.

Psalm 23  Amplified Bible

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],

I shall not want.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.

3 He refreshes and restores my soul (life);

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You have anointed and refreshed my head with [b]oil;

My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,

And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

Footnotes

Psalm 23:4 Or valley of deep darkness.

Psalm 23:5 In ancient times it was customary in hot climates for a host to provide his guest with olive oil to put on his head. The Lord blesses and anoints His believers with the Holy Spirit, whom oil symbolizes, to prepare them for His service.

Jeremiah 29:11-14  Amplified Bible

11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

Deuteronomy 31:6  Amplified Bible

6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”

[This is an edited and abridged version of Bill Withers Jr.’s message on Sept. 13]

Wait, Work and Pray

There are times in life when we find ourselves waiting, and our church is no different, even after 170 years!

Waiting for an answer.
Waiting for circumstances to change.
Waiting for something we’ve prayed about finally to happen…waiting for a pastor.

And sometimes, if we’re honest, waiting can be one of the hardest things God asks us to do, especially as a church.

Because when we’re waiting, we often want to know: When will God act? When will things change? When will we finally see the answer to our prayers?

The Bible has a lot to say about waiting. But what I find especially interesting is that biblical waiting isn’t simply sitting around and doing nothing. The Bible teaches us something different; we WAIT WITH HOPE. WORK WITH FAITH. PRAY WITH TRUST.

Let’s revisit the three passages that help us better understand what that means.

Our Old Testament reading comes from Isaiah 40:28–31, and Isaiah is speaking to people who are weary and discouraged. Israel was facing uncertainty. They were wondering what God was doing—and, even more importantly, WHEN God was going to do something.

If we’re honest, we’ve all been there, and Isaiah reminds them of something incredibly important:

God does not get tired. God does not grow weary. God is everlasting.

And then Isaiah says that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Read that promise again:

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah does not say, “Those who hope in the Lord will immediately get everything they want.” Or “God will instantly change the circumstances.” Instead, Isaiah reminds us that the beginning of patience is remembering the character of God – who He is.

Sometimes God doesn’t change the circumstances we’re waiting through. Sometimes, God changes and strengthens us WHILE we’re waiting.

Waiting doesn’t mean God isn’t working, or that we should pretend all is fine – OR, that we should stop working and ‘doing ministry…’ WAIT WITH HOPE.

The first of two New Testament passages for today was James 5:7–8, where James uses a wonderful illustration we can all identify with, that of a farmer.

“See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”

Think about that farmer for a moment. He or she doesn’t just sit and stare at the field. The farmer prepares the soil, plants, tends, and WORKS! Further, that farmer waits for something he or she CANNOT control—the rain, and the harvest.

That’s a fairly good picture of church patience too.

Patience is not inactivity. We keep doing what God has called us to do—and we trust God with the harvest, and no, that’s not always easy. James reminds us that we cannot manipulate God’s timing. We are to wait—while STILL moving FORWARD.

Finally, we come to Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, Philippians 4:6–7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

There is something particularly powerful about these words because Paul isn’t writing them from a comfy chair in an easy season of life. Paul is also facing uncertainty as he sits under house arrest. And yet Paul tells the church not to be consumed by worry and anxiety. Instead, he says, “pray.” He encourages that early church to bring everything to God – our requests, concerns, fears, hopes, BUT to do that with thanksgiving. Notice too that Paul doesn’t promise prayer will immediately change things. Instead, he says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer may not always change things according to our earthly timetable, but it CAN change how we wait on the Lord, and that’s an important difference.

For us, we can look back over some 170 years of God’s faithfulness in this congregation; in this community.

God has brought this church through seasons of uncertainty before, provided before, answered prayers before, sustained people before…and the God who has been faithful in the past is the same God we trust with the future for this church and community.

Perhaps these three passages give us a straightforward way to think about what God asks of us when we’re waiting, especially knowing He already knows the outcome.

Isaiah says: WAIT WITH HOPE.

James says: WORK WITH FAITH.

Paul says: PRAY WITH TRUST.

And perhaps there is an especially straightforward way we can put that into practice between now and my return in October and November.

Anne Lamott has a wonderfully simple formula for prayer, especially for those of us who might struggle in our praying. She suggests prayer can sometimes be reduced to three basic ideas:

Help me.

Thank you.

Wow.

“Help me” reminds us we need God.

“Thank you” reminds us of God’s faithfulness.

And “Wow” reminds us to recognize and celebrate ways God is working around us—even when we weren’t expecting it.

Maybe that’s a fairly good prayer for us right now.

God, help us wait. Help us work. Help us trust.

God, thank you for what you have already done. Thank you for your faithfulness all these 170 years.

And finally, Wow, God…we marvel at what You’ve done, at what You are doing, and at what You may yet do!

Church, let’s remember:

WAIT WITH HOPE.

WORK WITH FAITH.

PRAY WITH TRUST.

And then let’s keep walking forward—trusting God with the harvest.  Amen.

Here We Are!

September 6, 2026 Isaiah 43:19 Amplified Bible “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” As we embark on a new journey in finding a pastor after the retirement of Reverend Dr. Grant VanderVelden, we are trusting God will make our way clear!

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