March 21, 2021
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Ephesians 5: Be Imitators of God
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Have you spent any time in a church basement? For many of us church basements are places of love and acceptance. In today's Scripture Paul calls the full church, both upstairs and down, to a life of imitating God. |
March 16, 2021
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Ephesians 4: Many Gifts, One Body
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 Therefore, what shall we do? In this week's sermon, Pastor KJ notes that Paul starts a new section of Ephesians which calls us to an abundant life like no other. |
March 07, 2021
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Ephesians 3: A Prayer of Heart, Mind, and Gut
Ephesians 3:14-21 This sermon looks at Paul's prayer for the churches near Ephesus and reminds us that all of us--our hearts, minds, and guts--are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
March 05, 2021
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Ephesians 2: Breaking Down Walls
Ephesians 2:11-22 "Jesus has broken down the dividing wall between us" Ephesians 2 reminds us! Let us give thanks to God for this reality and pray about how we might participate in God's Kingdom come. |
February 25, 2021
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Ephesians 1: Praying for Wisdom and Revelation
Ephesians 1:15-22 First Paul prays that our hearts may be enlightened so that we will be able to see. But what are we to see? What are we to know? Rev. KJ Norris explores this and other questions in this week's sermon for Lent. |
February 17, 2021
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Ash Wednesday 2021: From Death to Life
Ephesians 2:1-10 The Scriptures tell us that we are dead. But God, out of his abundant mercy and love brings us to life in Jesus Christ. Come and hear the good news of the gospel. |
February 14, 2021
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The Art of the Apology: Repairing our Relationship with God
Exodus 9; 1 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51 A sermon given by guest speaker Kimberly Norris about repentance and confession. |
February 07, 2021
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Life in the Spirit 6: Humbly Like Jesus
Philippians 2; Isaiah 40:21-31; Mark 1:29-39 Yes, Jesus had great power and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus lived a life of humility. We will close this sermon series by looking at Jesus’ life and our call. |
January 31, 2021
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Life in the Spirit 5: Choosing the Good
1 Cor 8; Psalm 111 We are set free in the Holy Spirit and can do anything. So why choose good? This Sunday we will consider God's call to give up some choices not because we have to do so but because we are invited to love. |
January 25, 2021
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Life in the Spirit 4: Follow Me
Jonah 3:1-10; Mark 1:14-20 What does a radically repentant life look like? We explore life in the Spirit for two different groups of believers. |
January 03, 2021
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Life in the Spirit 1: Secular or Sacred?
Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 What is sacred? What is secular? This sermon asks us to consider what things are of God and what are not and to live our lives accordingly. |
December 26, 2020
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2021–The Promise Land?
Joshua 1:1-9 "2021 The Promised Land?" is a look at how we close the door on 2020 with hope, aspiration, and the knowledge of the presence of God waiting for us in 2021. It was written and delivered by Elder Ralph Lowe, Director of Justice Ministries, Pittsburgh Presbytery. |
December 24, 2020
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The Light Has Come!
Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20 God's light has come! Let us lift our voices with the song of heavenly angels and rejoice this Christmas Eve. |
December 17, 2020
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Advent 4: Love
Luke 1:5-38 God's love comes to two very different families in Luke 1. How can we experience God's love this Advent Season? Trigger warning: this sermon addresses families who are unable to have children. |
December 14, 2020
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Advent 3: True Joy
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:46-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 What is true joy? How does it differ from the world's notion of happiness? What does it look like to find joy in the midst of a pandemic. We ask these questions together in this week's Advent sermon. |
December 07, 2020
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Advent 2: Words of Comfort
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:8-13; and 2 Peter 3:8-15 For the Second Sunday of Advent, this sermon focused on God's words of comfort and peace. |
November 29, 2020
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Advent 1: Keep Awake!
Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37 "Keep Awake," Jesus calls to us on this First Sunday of Advent. |
November 16, 2020
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Exodus Series #8: Seeing God’s Face
Exodus 33 Can we see the face of God? This sermon looks at two apparently contradictory statements in Exodus 33 and asks us to consider how we see God. |
November 12, 2020
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Homecoming 2020: Grace & Gratitude
Ephesians 1:3-14 What do you think of when you hear the word “Presbyterian?” What makes Presbyterians different from other denominations of believers? This sermon looks at Grace and Gratitude which are central ideas for Presbyterians and how we live out our call from God. |
October 11, 2020
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Exodus Sermon Series #5: A Dream Deferred
Exodus 16:1-8, 13-15 What do we do with a dream deferred? How do we find hope when it seems God has abandoned us? This sermon written for Kerr Presbyterian Church as part of the Exodus Sermon Series asks these questions while studying Exodus 16. |
September 27, 2020
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Exodus Sermon #4: Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Exodus 14:5-25 Have you ever felt caught between a rock and a hard place? In this sermon, Pastor KJ looks at a time when the people of God were stuck between two terrible choices. How will God make a way when there is no way? |
September 13, 2020
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Exodus Sermon Series #3: The Blood of the Lamb
Exodus Chapters 5-12, Especially Exodus 12:1-13 In this sermon, Pastor KJ looks at the Plagues of Egypt and the continuous message of God to us: Even when the worst of the worst happens, God is still in control. Will we worship God in the midst of trial? |
August 30, 2020
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Exodus Series #1: Standing with God
Exodus 1:8-2:10 This sermon kicks off a new series on the Book of Exodus. It examines central themes of the book and asks us to examine our own positions of power. |
August 23, 2020
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Back to School
Luke 2:39-52 As we conclude our Story Sermon Series, Pastor KJ looks at the only story of the Bible when Jesus was a boy. What did his school year look like? How can we have the Spirit of Jesus as we return to school in a variety of ways this year. |
August 16, 2020
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Ask and It Will Be Given
1 Kings 3:5-15 If you could have anything, anything at all, what would it be? In this sermon, Pastor KJ invites us to consider what we might ask for if God came to us and told us we could ask for anything, just as God came to King Solomon. |
August 09, 2020
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Worship in Spirit and Truth
John 4:3-30, 39-42 Jesus meets the woman at the well and talks with her about two essential needs in life: water and worship. The questions they discuss are also essential for us to consider. We are invited to worship in spirit and in truth. |
August 02, 2020
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The Third Way
2 Kings 6:8-23 When we are put in difficult situations, our natural response is fight or flight. How can we seek a third way, a path of peace? This sermon looks at Elisha's example to us of seeking peace in a time of violence. |
July 26, 2020
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Hope to the Shepherds
Luke 2:1-20 This sermon celebrates Christmas in July by celebrating the God who announced the coming of Emmanuel not to those in power but to the shepherds in the fields at night. |
July 12, 2020
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Psalm 145, Guest Preacher Rev. Kohlmann
Psalm 145:8-20 Sermon based on Psalm 145:8-20 by The Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, Resource Presbyter, Presbyteries of Boston and Northern New England, Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly. Used by permission. |
July 05, 2020
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Freedom in Christ
Romans 8:1-28 In Christ's death, resurrection, and accession, we have been set free! This sermon looks at our Freedom in Christ based on Romans 8. |
June 28, 2020
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40 Days in Isolation
1 Kings 19:3-15 Elijah was called into 40 days of walking in the wilderness alone. Many of us are called to spend time alone right now during the coronavirus outbreak. How might we use this time of physical distancing as an invitation to walk with the Lord? |
June 21, 2020
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Out on a Limb
Luke 19:1-10 For what would you climb out on a limb? |
June 14, 2020
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Can These Bones Live?
Ezekiel 37 Ezekiel looked out on the valley of dry bones and wondered if they could live again. As we look out into our world what do we see? Do we see bones which can live again? |
June 07, 2020
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Trinity Sunday
Genesis 1:1-3, 26-27; 2 Cor 13:11-13 This sermon was written from Trinity Sunday and emphasizes God who is unified in diversity. |
May 31, 2020
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Pentecost
Acts 2 On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came as a mighty wind and a rushing fire and open tongues. May the Spirit fall afresh on us this day that we may speak truth in boldness and love deeply in truth. |
May 24, 2020
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Ascension
Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 5:6-11 Rev. KJ Norris speaks about Jesus ascending into heaven, how the disciples grieved and how we are called even in our grief this Memorial Day Weekend and through the Coronavirus experience. |
May 17, 2020
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Things are Not Always as They Seem
Acts 17; 1 Peter 3:16-19 Sermon about things not always being as we think they are. |
May 10, 2020
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Mothers’ Day Freedom
1 Peter 2:2-10 and John 14:1-3 Sermon written for Mother's Day 2020. |
May 03, 2020
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Abundant Life
Psalm 23; John 10:1-10; Acts 2:42-47 This sermon asks "What is an abundant life?" and invites us into the abundant life offered by the Good Shepard. Written for Kerr Presbyterian Church during the coronavirus outbreak. |
April 26, 2020
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The Emmaus Road
Luke 24 Sermon about walking along paths we did not choose. Written by Rev. KJ Norris for Kerr Presbyterian Church Sunday, April 26, 2020 during the Coronavirus Outbreak. |
April 12, 2020
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Christ is Risen!
Matthew 28:1-10 Easter Sermon for Kerr Presbyterian Church. |
April 10, 2020
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A Call to Lament
Matthew 26-27 and Psalm 22 This sermon calls Kerr to the act of Spiritual Lament--a tradition of crying out before God. Note the Trigger Warning. |
April 05, 2020
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Eye Spy
Matthew 21 Have you ever played "eye-spy"? This sermon calls us to eye-spy with Spiritual eyes the work of our Lord Jesus Christ as he enters Jerusalem on what is now called Palm Sunday and to continue eye-spying how God is at work today. Written by Rev. KJ Norris for April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday, Kerr Presbyterian Church. |
March 29, 2020
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Wait on the Lord
John 11 and Psalm 130 This sermon calls us to wait in hope during this season of Lent and while we are practicing social isolation. It was written and delivered electronically by Rev. KJ Norris for Kerr Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 29, 2020, during the Coronavirus outbreak. |
March 22, 2020
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Making Mud Pies
John 9 At some point we all ask the question: Why do we suffer? This sermon looks at Jesus answering this question to his disciples in John 4 and inspires hope that God is at work in times of chaos. |
March 21, 2020
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Times of Plenty; Times of Want
Genesis 37-47 In this sermon, Pastor KJ considers the life of Joseph. His life can be a model of faith for us during this time of crisis caused by the Coronavirus. |
March 15, 2020
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Home Church March 15, 2020
Psalm 46 Home church service #1. This is a brief mediation on Psalm 46 to remind us of our call during times of chaos. |
April 21, 2019
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True Rest
Luke 23:50-24:12 Easter Sunday Sermon about finding true rest in the midst of life's hardships. |
April 14, 2019
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Shouting Stones
Zechariah 9:9-12; Luke 19:28-40 This sermon preached on Palm Sunday encourages listeners to shout out with praise along with all of creation. |
March 31, 2019
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Jonah 4: Enemies
Jonah 4 Batman has the Joker. Katniss Everdeen has President Snow. Who is your enemy? How should we treat our enemies? Rev. KJ explores this theme in the fourth sermon on a series on Jonah. |
March 24, 2019
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Jonah 3: Second Chances
Jonah 3 Are you in need of a second chance? God's steadfast love endures forever. Come to hear how God gave Jonah a second chance and let us stand in hopefulness for God's mercy in our lives as well. |
March 17, 2019
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Jonah 2: Calling on the Lord
Jonah 2 Are you a part of the "sandwich generation," feeling pushed in on all sides? This sermon looks at the struggles many face and invites us to call on the Lord as Jonah did. |
March 10, 2019
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Jonah 1: Running from God
Jonah 1 How are you running from God? This sermon looks at Jonah's escape from God's call and asks whether or not the plans of God can be stopped. |
March 06, 2019
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Ash Wednesday: Fasting, The Gift of Repentance
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 This mini-sermon part 4 was preached on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) at Kerr Presbyterian Church as part of a four part mini-series on fasting. The whole series emphasizes reasons for fasting. |
March 06, 2019
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Ash Wednesday: Fasting, The Gift of Space
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 This mini-sermon part 3 was preached on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) at Kerr Presbyterian Church as part of a four part mini-series on fasting. The whole series emphasizes reasons for fasting. |
March 06, 2019
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Ash Wednesday: Fasting, The Gift of Time
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 This mini-sermon part 2 was preached on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) at Kerr Presbyterian Church as part of a four part mini-series on fasting. The whole series emphasizes reasons for fasting. |
March 06, 2019
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Ash Wednesday: Fasting Introduction
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 This sermon introduction was preached on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) at Kerr Presbyterian Church as part of a four part mini-series on fasting. The whole series emphasizes reasons for fasting. Trigger warnings given here for those who may have eating disorders. |
March 03, 2019
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Transfiguration Sunday: Get Your Glow On Sermon
Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Cor 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 This sermon was preached on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Kerr Presbyterian Church in Penn Hills, PA. For Transfiguration Sunday it emphasized the theme of being transformed by encountering God. |
February 10, 2019
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New Year; New Vision 6: Seeing Ourselves Sermon
Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Sermon number 6 in our series New Year: New Vision follows the journey of three Biblical characters as God meets them. How does God see them? How does God see us? |
February 03, 2019
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New Year; New Vision 5: Loving Boldly Sermon
Jeremiah 1:4-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Luke 4:21-20 Part V of our Epiphany Sermon Series titled "New Year; New Vision." This sermon discusses loving boldly--both how God loves us and how we are called to love beyond all barriers. |
January 13, 2019
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New Year; New Vision 2: Reaffirming Our Baptism Sermon
Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22; Psalm 29:1-4 Part II of our Epiphany Sermon Series titled "New Year; New Vision." This sermon discusses baptism and calls us to see ourselves as baptized Christians, signed and sealed by the Lord Jesus Christ. |
January 06, 2019
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New Year; New Vision 1: Celebrating Epiphany Sermon
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 |
December 16, 2018
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Becoming People of Joy
Isaiah 12, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7 Part III in our Advent Series at Kerr Presbyterian Church. Discusses true Christian joy and the difference between joy and happiness. Addresses the sorrow that many are feeling during the holiday season. |
December 09, 2018
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Becoming People of Peace
Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11 Part II of our Advent Series at Kerr Presbyterian Church. Focuses on becoming people of peace. This sermon discusses the opioid crisis and physical ailments like cancer. |
December 02, 2018
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Becoming People of Hope
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 130; Luke 21:25-36 Part I of our Advent Series at Kerr Presbyterian Church. Focuses on becoming people of hope. |
May 13, 2018
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The Empty Tomb: What Now? A Name
John 20:1-18 This sermon was preached on Mother's Day, May 13, 2018 at Kerr Presbyterian Church as Part IV of the Easter Series called The Empty Tomb: What Now? It emphasizes the theme of God knowing our name. |
April 29, 2018
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The Empty Tomb: What Now? Fear
John 20:19-23; 1 John 4:18 This sermon was preached on April 29, 2018 at Kerr Presbyterian Church as Part III of the Easter Series called The Empty Tomb: What Now?. It emphasizes the themes of fear and peace. |
April 22, 2018
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The Empty Tomb: What Now? Defeat
John 18:15-27; John 21:1-19 This sermon was preached on April 22, 2018 at Kerr Presbyterian Church as Part II of the Easter Series called The Empty Tomb: What Now?. It emphasizes the themes of defeat and forgiveness. |
April 15, 2018
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The Empty Tomb: What Now? Doubt
John 20:24-31; John 11:16; John 14:17 This sermon was preached on April 15, 2018 at Kerr Presbyterian Church as Part I of the Easter Series called The Empty Tomb: What Now?. It emphasizes the theme of faith and doubt. |
March 25, 2018
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Lent 6: Promise of Death
Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:12-19 God promised that the old would pass away and the new would come. |
March 11, 2018
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Lent 4: The Promise of Healing
Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21 This sermon is Part 4 of the series on Promises of God. |
March 04, 2018
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Lent 3: The Promise of Law
Exodus 20:1-17; 1 John 4:16b-5:5 How can the law be a blessing? |
February 25, 2018
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Lent 2: The Promise of Family
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; 1 John 2:7-14 God made a covenant with Abraham: the promise of family. |
February 18, 2018
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Lent 1: The Promise of Forgiveness and Recreation
Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 John 1:5-2:3 and Daniel 9:3-10 God reaches into our world and creates covenants with us and with all of creation. God calls us to forgiveness so that we can be recreated. |