Rev. Mark Hovermale continued our ‘The Awakening’ series based on Mark 12:28-34 by focusing on ‘The Awakening Strength.’ Connecting this passage with that of Psalm 46:1-3, which tells us where our strength comes from — the Lord — we can learn that, when it comes to the awakening strength, we need to recognize that to […]
This service was designed and led by the 2019-20 FPCP 8th Grade Confirmation Class. Assisted by leaders Doug & Julie Heasley and Rev. Mark Hovermale, the Confirmation students shared what they have learned, both in class and during their weekend retreat. Rev. Mark, who shared the message with the students and the congregation, talked about […]
Based on the Greatest Commandment shared with us by Jesus himself in Mark 12:28-34, the current sermon series is entitled ‘The Awakening.’ This week, we are looking at ‘The Awakening Heart and Soul.’ God gave His people this one commandment that summarizes all the previous commandments and that His poeple could hold onto in times of trouble. […]
Over the years, our lives tend to collect the dirt and stains of life. The vibrant colors of our youth diminish and become more monotone shades, until we are no longer shining examples that reflect our trust in God. But, like Simon Peter, God meets us where we are, and helps us clean away the dimmed colors in our lives. So, […]
Today we look at how God fights for us in the context of the story of Jacob. Biblical history shows us in great detail that Jacob was NOT a great guy. As a schemer and deceiver, Jacob saw what he wanted and always found a way to get it. Even so, God not only fought with Jacob, He gave […]
When looking at the story of Cain and Abel, the brothers in the book of Genesis, who gave sacrifices to God, the word that we considered today is ‘Envy.’ It was envy that drove Cain to murder Abel. Envy, which comes from a feeling of discontent, is an emotion that causes a great deal of strife […]
Epiphany (Star) Sunday is a celebration of the light shining through the star that guided the wise men to the Christ child. This Sunday is a celebration of the light, and of God’s grace in the world. This is the light that we need to hold on to. It’s not ONLY a light to guide the […]
As we celebrate Christmas Eve, our ‘Christmas Stories’ series looks at ‘Defiant Joy.’ Defiant Joy is not referring to the joy that we expect if we get every little Christmas detail just right — finding just the right gift, or wrapping our presents early, or taking the perfect photo for our Christmas cards. Defiant Joy is the joy […]
On the fourth (final) Sunday in Advent, we begin wrapping up our series on ‘Christmas Stories’ with a discussion on ‘Points of Grace.’ We know, as we listen to the stories of the birth of Jesus every year at Christmas, that God worked quietly in the background for centuries to both arrange for the prophesies of the […]
On the third Sunday in Advent, Mark Hovermale discussed Our Story. The question is, how do our stories fit into the bigger Christmas picture? Our stories are where the stories of faith and hope meet. Our stories are the stories of the messy lives that we live. We aren’t the only messes – the Bible is […]