Rejoice: the Lord Is Your Strength

Sermon for January 27, 2019, based on Nehemiah 8:1-3, 8-10. Exploring what may be done against the odds when we work together, placing our faith in God and working with each other. There is a direct application presented for our church, and the same may be applied to all churches and communities everywhere. Come and watch!

Making Connections: Sermon for Sunday, January 20, 2019

Sermon based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-6: in which Paul advises the congregation not to divide over issues of status based on God-given gifts. He reminds them that these are gifts from the Creator and not rewards bestowed for merit, therefore, no smugness and judging of others should ensue. Such gifts are given to strengthen the whole community. An excellent message for the church today. Come and watch.

Fear No Trouble

In Isaiah, the prophet counsels his people not to be afraid in the face of their exile in Babylon. They are feeling isolated, powerless, and without any redeemer. Isaiah tells them God loves them, God will redeem them, and God will always love God's children. There is great reason to put away fear. But how could that be done? How might it be done today. Come and watch. See the good news.

Sermon for Sunday, January 13, 2019

Grappling with how to handle fear, according to Isaiah. It's ancient wisdom that remains valid today. Come and join us this Sunday for worship. All are welcome!

Here's a little teaser about our Sunday sermon: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2019/01/sermon-for-sunday-january-13-2019.html

Have You Heard the News

Sermon based on Matthew 2:1-12, the arrival of the magi, who seek to honor Jesus as Israel's new king. Discover what this meant back in the day, and what the magi's behavior means for us today. Come and watch.

Wonderful Christmas Celebrations in 2018

Christmas was a wonderfully festive season at Lansdowne Baptist Church. Fourteen volunteers got together to decorate the church. Our Candlelight and Christmas Eve services were wonderful, uplifting worship experiences. We celebrated Jesus' birth in Scripture, song, and sermon. We enjoyed the Sunday morning and evening services. Being together is always a wonderful experience, as God intends for us all.

Please consider joining us next year. We would be delighted to have you there.

Here's the sermon for the morning of December 23, 2018, if you are interested: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2019/01/mary-rejoices.html

Sermon for Sunday, January 6, 2019

Join us Sunday, January 6, 2019, to hear the good news from Matthew 2:1-12. We will discuss the magi who came from the East and what that means for our lives today. You might be surprised! All are welcome. 

To see the sermon: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2019/01/have-you-heard-news.html

Increasing in Wisdom

This sermon, based on Luke 2:41-52, is the only story of Jesus' youth. We can learn a great deal from Jesus and Mary as they interact. We too can grow in wisdom as we learn from what we have done, just as Jesus does. As Christ followers we should not fear making mistakes, but use them to grow in wisdom and in years, in favor with God and humanity. Come and watch.

Mary Rejoices

Sermon for December 23, 2018, based on Luke 1:39-45. Mary receives a message from an angel of God that she will be the mother of the Messiah, Jesus. Mary embraces the responsibility with great faith and action. She visits her older relative Elizabeth, who as proof that what Mary has been told, is also pregnant as nothing is impossible with God. There is a great deal for us to learn from Mary and her faithful response. Take a look.

Message of the Prophet

Sermon based on Luke 3:7-18, in which John the Baptizer speaks plainly to the crowd that has come to hear him. He wants to make clear what must be done by people who seek to turn their lives around and follow God's way in anticipation of the Messiah's arrival. It is a powerful message for people of any time. Come and watch.

Prophet Cries Out

Sermon based on Luke 3:1-6, studying how John the Baptist made the way straight for Jesus in word and deed. Plenty of life application lessons in John's message for his first century listeners and us on the way of repentance and being a good follower of Christ. Come and watch.

Peeking Into the Future

Sermon based on Luke 21:25-36, showing how Jesus' glimpse into the future and his eventual return in victory has a great deal to tell us about living as faithful disciples in the world today. Watch and discover what each of us can do in the here and now, even when it seems the world is falling apart. Then again, Jesus would ask us exactly how are we looking at the world. Come and see. 

Guidance for Hard Times

Revelation, that letter of vision from John to the seven churches of Asia Minor, had a great deal to tell them about surviving and serving God in dangerous times. It works just as well for us today as it did for those early Christian churches. Come along and explore the meaning of the early verses of chapter 1 and see what they have for us.

Out of Her Poverty

Sermon for Sunday, November 11, 2018, based on Mark 12:38-44. Jesus discusses giving, generosity, and how easy it is to go astray when your society is fixated on status. That fixation easily impacts people of all levels of society. Jesus focuses on the Temple Scribes, the wealthy congregants, and one poor widow. He is particularly interested in that widow, and so will we be in this sermon on good stewardship. You are invited to listen. You are also invited to join us at Lansdowne Baptist in Lansdowne, PA, any time you are in town.

Sunday, November 11, 2018, Sermon: Out of Her Poverty

Join us this Sunday when we will explore the meaning of the widow giving her two coins in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was all she had. Why was this significant to Jesus? Why is it significant to us? What does it have to tell us about living generous lives? Come and see. Sunday, November 11, 2018, at 11 a.m. in the Lansdowne Baptist Church sanctuary. You will be welcome!

To see the sermon: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/11/out-of-her-poverty.html

Faithfulness: Sermon for November 4, 2018

Sermon for Sunday, November 4, 2018, based on Ruth 1:1-18. Focusing on the faithfulness of Ruth the Moabite, a foreigner who proves more faithful in Israel than God's chosen people during the years of the Judges. Ruth will protect Naomi, her mother-in-law, even when facing an uncertain future, turning away from the comforts and familiarity of home to follow Naomi from Moab to Israel. In the exploration of Ruth's exemplary faith, we discover a secret to a happy life. Come and listen. If you enjoy what you find here, are near Lansdowne, PA, and don't have a church of your own, join us Sunday morning for worship in the sanctuary. You will be welcome.

See the Light

Sermon for Sunday, October 28, 2018, based on Mark 10:46-52. In this story, the blind beggar Bartimaeus, resists the urging of the crowd and continues to plead with Jesus for mercy. See how his persistence pays off and what he and Jesus together have to teach us all about discipleship. If you like what you see here, and are close to Lansdowne, PA, on Sunday morning, we invite you to join us in worship.

It was a somber Sunday. The menorah lit behind me was in honor of the grief stricken Jewish community of Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, following the mass murder that occurred there on Saturday, October 27, 2018, during their worship service. We are praying for this community, for all their grieving, 

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Power Play

Sermon for Sunday, October 21, 2018, based on Mark 10:35-45. John and James make a move, trying to become Jesus' right and left hand men. Jesus finds this a teachable moment for all his disciples, both the original 12 and every disciple since. What it means to be great in God's kingdom is the central focus of the message. Watch and find out. If you like what you see and are close to Lansdowne, PA, come worship with us Sunday morning in the sanctuary. All are welcome.

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Throne of Grace

Sermon for Sunday, October 14, 2018, based on Hebrew 4:12-16. Life is scary, and always has been. The first half of today's scripture reading is scary, and always has been. However, the second half of the reading tells us where to turn to leave fear behind. To whom can we turn to be courageous? Who is in our corner, ready to help us, and to be at our side when our judgment finally comes? Listen and find out.

Test of Faith

Sermon for Sunday, October 7, 2018, based on Job 1:1, 2:1-10. This challenging text grappled with the thorny question of why do bad things happen to good people. It also offers up a way to deal with those bad things when they arise in our lives. Come and listen. Join us Sunday morning at Lansdowne Baptist Church in Lansdowne, PA. We will welcome you.