In spring and early summer of 2026, Pastor Ryan preached a sermon series based on what he teaches baptismal candidates about life as a Christian in the church.
May 10 – Why We Worship May 17 – How We Worship May 24 – The Outcome of Worship May 31 – God’s Work in Us June 7 – Doing Our Part June 21 – June 28 – July 5 –
The third section of the Apostles’ Creed talks about the Holy Spirit. In this sermon, Pastor Ryan focuses on the Holy Spirit working in and through the church.
Sin effectively distances us from God, pushing us into exile from his kingdom. Jesus is the one who brings us back. Pastor Ryan traces the idea of exile through the entire Old Testament and into our lives.
Paul wrote “Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The story of Namaan in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings can help us understand what this means.
Jesus taught by his words and actions that giving to the poor and needy was of top importance. Yet, when Mary poured a whole jar of super-expensive perfume on his feet in a most unseemly display of outlandish love and gratitude, and Judas objected on the grounds that the money could have been given to the poor, Jesus defended her. How are we to understand this seeming contradiction?
God made a promise to Abraham, then to his son Isaac. Then, when Isaac’s son Jacob was running for his life after cheating his brother out of his birthright, God made the same promise to him. What can we learn from Jacob about God’s promise to us, and about what should be our response?
“Giving as Good as You Get”, by Pastor Ryan Emmons
Pastor Ryan is starting his new sermon series on Heroes and Villains of the Bible off with a bang! Jezebel (obviously a villain) was known for many things including leading Israel (via her husband king Ahab) astray to worship Baal. (Note: the recording starts about a minute into the sermon.)
Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash (with apologies to the real woman depicted in this photo, who is unlikely to be like Jezebel! But she does look like she is planning something…)
Pastor Ryan’s sermon “Prepared to Enter” explores how we should prepare ourselves for worship. What kind of character do we need to have if we want to “dwell in the house of the Lord”, or remain in the presence of the Holy One?