Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. December 10, 2017 Text: II Peter 3:9, O.T.: Isaiah 40:1-11, N.T.: II Peter 3:8-15a The world is filled with people pleading with God to act. They’re praying for God to intervene in a painful situation. Then, many become angry at God for not answering their prayers. They want evidence God is saving them. They want God to act in ways they can understand as good. One of the…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. December 3, 2017 Text: Mark 13:32, O.T.: Isaiah 64:1-9, N.T.: Mark 13:24-37 First Sunday of Advent America is built upon Apocalyptic expectations. When the Pilgrims came to America, they believed their settlement was part of God’s great Apocalyptic plan. They drew their belief from a British astronomer by the name of John Bainbridge. In 1618, Bainbridge predicted a global upheaval was about to take place. The settling of…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 26, 2017 O.T.: Ezek. 34:11-16, 20-24, N.T.: Eph. 1:15-23, Text: Ezek. 34:12 The Pilgrims left Europe because they were tired of government failures and religious conflict. They wanted a New World where they could find hope and a better future for their families. They wanted a community where they belonged. They wanted a church that lived up to the promise of God’s covenant with Abraham. They wanted a…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 19, 2017 Text: I Thessalonians, 5:6 O.T.: Judges 2:6-14a, N.T.: I Thessalonians 5:1-11 A young woman came by the church Wednesday needing assistance. She was from McKeesport and was on her way to the University of Pittsburgh where she was a student. We were talking about how cold it was outside, and how our congregations were trying to save money keeping the thermostats down. She admitted to…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 12, 2017 Text: Mark 15:34, O.T.: Job 23:1-9, 15-17; Job 38:1-7, 16-21, N.T.: Revelation 22:8-16 I’m glad to see each of you this morning. Your presence today is a blessing, not just to me, but to each of you. Your investment of yourself in worship is a sign of your faith in Jesus Christ, particularly this morning. I say this this morning because you have every…