Faith and Focus

Third Isaiah writes that we are the clay and God is our potter. The clay cannot conceive of the pot until it is formed. We cannot conceive of the wonder into which God will shape us. We must have faith that He has a plan for each, and focus, that we may become aware of the hands of the Potter.

 Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Faith and Focus by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Christ the King

We commonly hold images of Christ in a manger, or on the cross, or in a lonely tomb. Today, we celebrate Christ, the King of the Universe.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Christ the King by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Silence is Complicity

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Silence is Complicity by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, God or Guns by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Barnacles

As the church sails through culture, it inevitably collects barnacles from the current culture. It is right and appropriate, from time to time, to scrape her bottom. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Barnacles by clicking HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

THE Story

The church sails through culture like a boat through water, and it is fit and proper, from time to time, to scrape the barnacles off its bottom. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, THE Story, by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

PUPPETS

What does your puppet look like? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Puppets by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Look Long, Look Deep

If God is the ultimate authority, what better way to win an argument than to find something in Scripture to support your position? That's dishonest.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Look Long, Look Deep by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

What th...?? Hamsters? HAMSTERS?!? He's lost his mind.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Hamsters' Tale by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

How Bout Them Cats?

How do you react if your preacher "get's too political" and speaks to contemporary issues? Do you listen? Do you get mad? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, How Bout Them Cats by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

God's Justice

I played whack-a-mole with God's children for 25 years as the chief felony prosecutor of my judicial circuit. God's view of justice is much different from the model I followed.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, God's Justice by clicking HERE for audio or HEhttp://communitypresbyterian.org/God's%20Justice.pdfRE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Unforgiving Sermon

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Unforgiving Sermon by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org
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Church Wars

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Church Wars by clicking HERE for audio or HEhttp://communitypresbyterian.org/Church Wars.pdfRE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

It is Absurd

 Which photo depicts your view of our world? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, It's Absurd by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text. http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Riptide

The tide of history demonstrates a riptide that links the Hyksos rulers of lower Egypt with Egypt's New Kingdom, and my first girlfriend. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Riptide by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Good and Evil

Can evil spring from a commitment to righteousness? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Good and Evil by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Sexton's Miracle

The work of living as a Christian in a world ruled by sin must be done with the workers available. To find out how, join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Sexton's Miracle by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

ohmygod

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, ohmygod by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Active God, Present God

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Active God, Present God by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Tilling Sin's Garden

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Tilling Sin's Garden by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Whither the Seed

Presbyterians come into some grief over the issue of predestination. Take a look at the issue through the lens of the Parable of the Four Soils. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Whither the Seed by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

#RACK Random Acts of Cody Kindness

On May 26 of this year, Elliot and Lee Ann Gollihue lost their 21 year old son, Cody, in a tragic auto accident. I, too, have lost a son. I grieved, and moved on as we must. Elliot and Lee Ann, though, were taught by the kindness and generosity of spirit which defined Cody to begin a .... not an organization....more of a movement, Random Acts of Cody Kindness, or #RACK. RACK encourages us to do an act of kindness for a stranger to build connections between us. Too often our charitable impulses begin and end with giving money. As important as money is, it can desensitize us from the actual needs and suffering of others.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, #RACK by clicking HERE for audio, HERE for text or HERE for Facebook video.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

$15.95

When I returned from my vacation in Pennsylvania, Kathy fixed me with a steely glare and gave me my instructions for this sermon. “It’s Fourth of July. Do NOT preach anything political.”

“What CAN I preach about, then?” I asked, whimpering a little. She can be a little intimidating. 

“Sin”, she said. “You’re agin it.” 

Tune in and see how THAT turned out, and how I tried (badly) to fill in for the music department, who were away for the holiday. (shudder)

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, $15.95 by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Otherness of God

What do you think about prayer, church?



Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Otherness of God by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

I Confess

I'm in school this week and the demands of travel kept me from posting the sermon yesterday. I have the text, and will release the recording "in a short period of time". I hope  you won't be disappointed. It is my heart-felt confession of inadequacy.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, I Confess by clicking HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Shavu'ot

Among our Jewish brethren, the Passover, or Pasach,  celebrates the liberation of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt, but that is not the end of the story. For the next 50 days, Jews "count the Omer" each day until the celebration of Shavu'ot. Shavu'ot celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses. Pesach without Shavu'ot is unthinkable.

In the same way, Easter and Pentecost are linked. Pentecost is a game-changer, from Follow the Leader to Lead the Follower.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Uncomfortable Christianity by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Manchester

We have been witness this week to an act of unspeakable evil. What can the world's oldest living Nuremberg prosecutor teach us about evil?

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Uncomfortable Christianity by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Content Without Context

Last Sunday, we had no audio because I forgot to push the button. Trying to make a joke, I said it was because the congregation didn't remind me to do it. I love these people more than I can say. This morning, as I began the sermon, signs reading "Push the button!" appeared all over the sanctuary.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Content Without Context by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Turning Point

Well, it's happened again. The entire congregation forgot to yell "Push the record button, dummie" and so I didn't. I blame management.

But for that glitch, we talked today about the incarnation as the turning point of history. Because we are who we are, it is difficult for us to conceive of how disturbing the incarnation was to the people of the time. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Turning Point by clicking HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Walk the Talk

I'm having a spiritual crisis! I can't get the teachings of Jesus to agree with my experience of the world. Has that ever happened to you? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Walk the Talk by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Hinge of History

The CEO of Ringling Brothers Circus explained that the circus could no longer compete because modern people have lost their ability to appreciate wonder. Easter calls up images of happy children and bunnies, not the unspeakable horror of a crucifixion followed by the impossibility of a resurrection. How do you view the most astonishing event in history? Do you still have a sense of wonder? Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Hinge of History by clicking HERE for text or HERE for audio.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Credo quia absurdum

The first century witnesses' accounts of the Resurrection have to live in the same space that we live in or there's no point in celebrating Easter. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Credo Quia Absurdum by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

She Saw Angels

When Mary looked into the empty tomb, she saw angels. Have we become too sophisticated to do the same, or can we reclaim our sense of wonder?


Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, She Saw Angels by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Chametz

The images we saw this week from Syria will never leave our consciousness. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for a lesson on the taint of sin, Chametz, by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Lazarus, Come Out!

Jesus spoke to him who was dead and brought life. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Lazarus! Come out!  by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Law and Order

It's hard to make a case against law and order, but experience teaches that our need for order can oppose even a miracle. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Law and Order by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text. (There is an extra, blank, page at the beginning).

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Reaching Across

We live in a time of deep distrust of those not like us. Our fear moves us to behave in ways very different from Jesus' actions with the woman at the well. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Reaching Across by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Being "blameless" is not the same as being "righteous". Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Blameless by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Road to Hell

We make ourselves feel better about ourselves when we focus on sins we might not yet have committed, blinding ourselves to the ones we have done. Imagining that we are the judges of good and evil is one of those things.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Road to Hell by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Which Way's Up?

What you accept as true determines the decisions you make. If you habitually get your news from Fox News, you accept one narrative of the world in which we live. If you are an MSNBC watcher, you accept a different narrative. If you believe that it's “us against them” you will make one sort of decisions. If you see all of us as part of the family of God, you will make different decisions. Where do you look for guidance on what is true? Which way is up? It makes all the difference.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Which Way's Up? by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.
 

Let's Make a Deal

I'm so ashamed! After three weeks in hospital, I finally was able to return to our pulpit, only to find myself singing! Singing! Me!

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Let's Make a Deal by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Family Feuds

Fights within a family are often the bitterest sorts of disagreements, leaving scars for decades. We are currently in one such fight -- a feud between two of the great Abrahamic pillars of faith -- Christianity and Islam. We are family, but you wouldn't know it from the way we act. Indeed, our national dialogue was troubled by the refusal of the Obama administration to use the phrase "Islamic terrorism". Nevertheless the term has become so ingrained that we cannot hear "Islamic" without thinking "terrorism". It is as if we had permitted the KKK to speak for Christianity.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Family Feuds by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Dylann Roof

Dylann Roof, the mass murderer and white supremacist, may be the most evil person of our contemporary environment. He's 22 years old. I have a belt older than that.

If you ever wanted to hear a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister preach about a mass murderer from a text by Fredrich Nietzsche in a Presbyterian Church, here's your chance.

 Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Dylann Roof by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Refugee

In the Gospel According to Matthew we learn of the flight to Egypt. Mary, Joseph and little Jesus share the experience of uncounted families in the Middle East today who flee for their lives.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, Refugee by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.