Sermons Cast Your NetWholly Holy April 12, 2026Between Easter and Pentecost, 2026, God’s people at The First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights will be diving into the Lord’s Prayer. Each week, we will consider one of the six petitions contained therein as we explore its meaning in our lives and world today. On April 12, we explored hallowed nature of God. Our […]Trembling and Bewildered April 5, 2026As God’s people at the First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights gathered together on Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), we considered the shortest of all the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection- that in Mark 16:1-8. We also raised the possibility that Paul’s words in I Corinthians 15:1-11 might not have been as dogmatic and certain […]Stay Awake! April 3, 2026On Maundy Thursday (April 2), 2026, the saints at the First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights received a lively group of seven young adults who made their public profession of faith and became members of the congregation. That evening, we read a part of Jesus’ story in Mark 14:32-50 and sought to apply it to […]Followers Wanted March 29, 2026On the first Palm Sunday, the crowds in Jerusalem were close, but didn’t quite get Jesus’ point. Today the saints at the First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights considered an earlier text (Mark 8:34-9:1) that might shed some light on Jesus’ intentions for those who would accompany and learn from him – then and now. […](Back) Among the Tombs March 22, 2026I don’t do this very much, but for worship on March 22, 2026, I revisited the text of a sermon that I’ve preached previously. Partly, this is because it’s been a pretty intense week as I recover from neck surgery, re-engage the congregational care tasks, and take part in a weekend youth retreat. Partly, it’s […]“Believe” is a Verb March 15, 2026After a four week leave following surgery, I was able to return to the pulpit at the First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights on March 15, 2026. The Lectionary Text for the day was John 3:14-21. For context, we also looked at Numbers 21:7-9. To hear this message as preached in worship, please use the […]When We Want the Wrong Thing February 8, 2026As we begin 2026, God’s people at The First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights are spending some time with the ancient prophet Jonah. How did he hear God’s call to take a message of hope to a foreign people? Where is there grace and on whom does judgment fall? On February 8, we watched as […]The Gleeful Prophet of Doom January 25, 2026s we begin 2026, God’s people at The First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights are spending some time with the ancient prophet Jonah. How did he hear God’s call to take a message of hope to a foreign people? Where is there grace and on whom does judgment fall? On January 25, we watched the […]A Cry from the Depths January 18, 2026As we begin 2026, God’s people at The First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights are spending some time with the ancient prophet Jonah. How did he hear God’s call to take a message of hope to a foreign people? Where is there grace and on whom does judgment fall? On January 11, we considered Jonah […]A Question of Identity January 11, 2026As we begin 2026, God’s people at The First U.P. Church of Crafton Heights are spending some time with the ancient prophet Jonah. How did he hear God’s call to take a message of hope to a foreign people? Where is there grace and on whom does judgment fall? On January 11, we considered Jonah […]
