Category: sermon

Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. January 13, 2019 Text: Isaiah 43:5-6, O.T.: Isaiah 43:1-7, N.T.: Acts 8:14-24             Once again God is challenging American Christians. God may be challenging Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikkhs, Jains, and Native Americans, too. But the challenge that’s uniquely Christian is restoring the Spirit among us. All about us are congregations and church leaders asking questions about the future of Christ’s mission. This Christian conversation has been held while “government…

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Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. January 6, 2019 Text: John 8:2, O.T.: Isaiah 60:1-4, N.T.: John 1:1-14             The Christmas season has ended. We’re putting our lights away. The merriment, the parties, the swollen crowds are gone.   Pittsburgh’s First Night fireworks are done. Winter’s darkness has descended upon the Three Rivers. It was such a time, long ago, that Jesus’ appeared in Jerusalem’s Temple to teach. The annual Festival of Tabernacles had ended with…

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Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. January 6, 2019  O.T.: Isaiah 60:1-4, N.T.: John 1:1-14             The Christmas season has ended. We’re putting our lights away. The merriment, the parties, the swollen crowds are gone.   Pittsburgh’s First Night fireworks are done. Winter’s darkness has descended upon the Three Rivers. It was such a time, long ago, that Jesus’ appeared in Jerusalem’s Temple to teach. The annual Festival of Tabernacles had ended with its seven nights…

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Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. December 16, 2018 Text: Philippians 4:7, O.T.: Zephaniah 3:14-20, N.T.: Philippians 4:4-7             Six years ago on Friday the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut remains unexplainable. Events like this defy the hope of Christmas – that Jesus Christ was born so peace would come on earth, as it is in heaven. Peace is hard to find while living in the world, but not being of the world. That is…

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Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr December 9, 2018 Text: Philippians 1:9, O.T.: Malachi 3:1-4, N.T.: Philippians 1:3-11             Julie and I drove to the Ross Park Mall two Fridays ago. It wasn’t Black Friday, yet the parking lot was full. Stretched before us were cars to the farthest corner. The Mall was buzzing with life. We entered the Christmas bazaar to look for eye-glasses. But you didn’t need spectacles to see the Mall sparkling…

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