The journey of faith is one of uncertainty and sometimes peril, and always it requires trust in God's promise to lead us in the way we should go. This Sunday we discover that wandering, and even getting lost, may be the exact thing we need to draw us closer to God.

Petaluma First Presbyterian Church

On the Move - Audio

Inspirational messages that are biblical, personal and relevant to everyday life.

God’s First Move - Audio

Re-enchanted - Audio

Thoughts Matter - Audio

From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples to not hide their light but to put it out where everyone can see it. Pastor John expands on this image in his sermon, The Wattage is Up to You.

The Wattage Is Up To You - Audio

Beatitudes for the Modern Age - Audio

Pastor John asks the congregation to share how God has been present in our church and lives in the past year.

Follow Me - Audio

On this third Sunday in Epiphany - this season of light and revelation - we read the story of John the Baptist suddenly recognizing his cousin Jesus for who he really is and cries, "Behold, the Lamb of God." And John's final request to us is simple: tell the truth.

John Told the Truth. So Can We. - Audio

During Epiphany, this "season of light," we read the story of Jesus' baptism. The divine voice at Jesus' baptism identifies him as the Son of God. Whenever we read the story of Jesus' baptism, we all have an opportunity to remember our own baptisms and renew our decision to serve and follow Christ.

Marked for Purpose - Audio

On Epiphany Sunday, the Magi follow a light - a star that guides them to the Christ child, revealing to the world that this small infant is Lord and King, worthy of praise.

The Wrong Town at the Wrong Time - Audio

In this holiday Sunday, Linda Dragoo reprises her reading of the Legend of the Three Trees.

The Legend of Three Trees - Audio

Pastor John delivers his pre-Christmas sermon about Joseph and his reaction to the dream. Two of the four gospels narrate the birth of Jesus. The more familiar one, Luke's poetic version with Caesar Augustus, shepherds in their fields, and the babe in the manger, we will read on Christmas Eve. But before we get there, we have Matthew's account. And in Matthew's story Joseph the carpenter from Nazareth has a dream. And despite the fact that Joseph's part in the story is short, and he doesn't even have a single line of dialogue, we know that he's important, because Joseph spent his life near to Jesus. Through good times, and bad times, through the joys and sorrows of life, there was Joseph, near to Jesus. And isn't that what all of us should be striving for as well?

The Little Child - Audio

This Sunday in Advent continued with John the Baptist. This time John is not in the wilderness, but rather in prison. And much to our surprise, from there he sends messengers to Jesus, asking "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" John had been the outspoken forerunner of Jesus, and now he appears to be the chief questioner of Jesus. Perhaps Jesus did not match up with John's expectations for what the Messiah would be like. Perhaps a good Advent question is this: Will we receive the Messiah, Jesus, as he is rather than as we would have him to be? I mean, really, who is this guy?

Advent Disillusionment - Audio

A new world is coming, and the Scriptures for last Sunday's service carries a theme of promise and hope. In Isaiah 11:1-10 a healthy shoot emerges from the people who were seemingly cut dry by political upheaval, and there is hope of a new ruler to come. In Matthew 3:1-12, John the Baptist offers instruction on how to prepare during this season of Advent. We need to do more than decorate our trees, exchange presents, and go to church. We need to repent, experience a changed life, and prepare for the one who is coming. In both of these passages there is a claim that history is going somewhere, that the time is full, and that change is in the works.

Wilderness Checkpoint - Audio

This week in worship we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is Latin for "coming." It celebrates the most important news about the past and the most important news about the future. Christ has come; and Christ is coming back. Just as the coming of Christ as a baby in Bethlehem took everyone by surprise, although it had long been predicted, so the future coming of Christ in glory will no doubt take everyone by surprise, although it too has long been predicted.

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Petaluma First Presbyterian Church

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