Voices Of Hope

07/21/24 In a new series, we delve into the importance of spiritual self-care and its impact on our overall well-being. Reflecting on Psalm 46, we explore the call to "Be still and know that I am God," emphasizing the need to pause amidst life's busyness to reconnect with the divine. Pastor Caressa shares insights from a recent vacation, highlighting the struggle to unwind and the significance of intentional rest. This sermon encourages listeners to consider their routines and the ways they can incorporate spiritual practices into their daily lives.  

07/14/24 Pastor Jordan concludes our insightful series on the Book of Jonah, exploring themes of mercy, grace, and the human struggle with accepting God's boundless compassion for all, even those we might deem unworthy. Through Jonah's story, we are invited to reflect on our own biases and the transformative power of embracing a non-dualistic view of the world. This episode challenges us to look beyond our personal comforts and prejudices, urging us to see others through God's eyes—with love, empathy, and humility. Join us as we uncover the timeless wisdom in Jonah's tale and learn valuable lessons about grace, love, and unity.

7/7/24 Pastor Jordan continues our Jonah series drawing from Jonah 2:1-10, Jonah's prayer from the belly of the whale, reflecting on the themes of darkness, helplessness, and ultimate surrender to God's will. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural insights, he explores the profound journey of dying to self and embracing new life in Christ. Discover how Jonah's transformative experience speaks to our own struggles and the importance of letting go of our old selves to become the people God intends us to be. Tune in for an inspiring message of hope, trust, and spiritual growth.

6/30/24 This week, Pastor Jordan kicks off a compelling new series on the story of Jonah, focusing on our reluctance to accept God's mercy and grace. Pastor Jordan delves into the historical and emotional context behind Jonah's flight from God's command to preach in Nineveh. He discusses Jonah's struggle with showing mercy to his enemies and draws parallels to our own lives. Through vivid examples and personal anecdotes, Pastor Jordan challenges us to confront our anger, embrace forgiveness, and extend God's love to even our worst adversaries.

6/23/24 Join us as Pastor Caressa concludes our two part series Called to Serve, exploring the importance of each member in the body of Christ and how Vacation Bible School exemplifies community service. Learn about the vital roles of elders, deacons, and other church leaders, and discover how you can find your niche in ministry to contribute to the growth and unity of our church.  

06/16/24 This week we kick off our new series, "Called to Serve," with the inspiring stories from our youth mission trip to Niagara Falls. Listen as our students and leaders share their transformative experiences of service, community, and faith. Our scripture reading comes from Ephesians 3:14-21, highlighting the boundless love of Christ. Through heartfelt testimonies, you'll hear how this trip deepened their connection to God and to each other. From unexpected challenges to joyous moments of baptism in the Niagara River, this episode is a testament to the power of service and the strength of community.

06/09/24 Pastor Caressa concludes our sermon series, Spirit of the Living God, with a powerful message titled, Spirit, Empower Us. Discover how the Holy Spirit continues to work within us, offering comfort, wisdom, and the courage to navigate life's challenges. Reflect on the many names and roles of the Holy Spirit and consider how you can invite the Spirit into your own life to enlighten, equip, and empower you.  

6/02/24 This week, Pastor Jordan continues our series, Spirit of the Living God, with a sermon titled, Spirit, Be With Us. Pastor Jordan delves into the meaning of "with" and explores humanity's anxiety about God's presence, tracing it from the Garden of Eden through the New Testament. He emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in transforming our lives from a law-based to a love-based system, urging us to recognize the Spirit's work in our hearts and the world.

05/26/24 This week, Pastor Caressa continues our series, Spirit of the Living God, with a sermon titled, Spirit, Guide Us. Scripture is read by Pastor Caressa and Pastor Jordan from Acts 2. We dive into Peter's sermon at Pentecost and how it serves as a powerful reminder of the Holy Spirit's role in our lives. As Peter calls the crowd to repentance and baptism, we learn how the Spirit guides us individually and as a community of believers. This episode challenges us to recognize the Holy Spirit as God's presence dwelling within us and to consider how we can better align our lives with this divine guidance.  

5/19/24 This week we celebrate the Pentecost and delve deep into our new series, Spirit of the Living God. Pastor Caressa expertly crafts a homily, reading a pivotal scripture from Acts 2. We revisit the time when Jesus passes the baton to the disciples, marking the end of 40 days he spent appearing to his followers after his resurrection. This passage presents us with the disciples, grappling with what it means to receive the Holy Spirit, a truly transformative experience.

05/12/24 Pastor Jordan explores the profound experience that changed the course of Paul's life, drawn from Acts 9, 1-19. The sermon delves deeply into Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Pastor Jordan guides listeners through the distinct phases of orientation, disorientation, and reorientation. These moments of transformation are linked with Paul's journey, from a zealous Pharisee to a persecuted Christian. The sermon is a thought-provoking exploration of how faith in Christ can bring about significant transformation.

5/5/24 Pastor Caressa continues our series, "Christ's Encounters of the Risen Kind," with an inspiring sermon titled, "The Great Commission and Ascension." Drawing from the scripture Matthew 28:16-20, Pastor Caressa reveals an emotional journey of faith, hope, and redemption as she recounts the story of Ari, a young girl who lives on the edge of a city dump in Guatemala.

4/28/24 Christ Encounters of the Risen Kind In this moving sermon, Pastor Caressa revisits the moment the disciples first encountered Jesus, traveling back to their initial fishing miracle and Jesus' prophetic challenge to Peter. From their struggles to astonishing miracles, from denial to restoration, immerse yourself in this transformative encounter that forever altered the lives of the disciples.  

4/21/24 Christ Encounters of the Risen Kind Pastor Jordan sheds new light on Doubting Thomas encounter with the resurrected Christ. Drawing from the scripture John 20, 24-31, the narration revisits Thomas's demand for proof of Christ's resurrection. Far from endorsing blind faith, it emphasizes the importance of mindful belief, transforming traditional understanding of faith and echoing the value of truth-seeking.

4/14/24 Pastor Caressa delves into a profound sermon from the series, Christ Encounters of the Risen Kind. She provides insightful reflections on the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples as depicted in John 20, verses 19-23. Pastor Caressa beautifully highlights the metaphor of hiding behind fear and uses it to emphasize the journey to inner power and purpose.

04/07/24 Listen to Pastor Caressa as she dives deep into the latest sermon of the "Meeting Jesus at the Table" series. The sermon is an intricate revelation about the resurrection of Jesus, his encounter with his followers, and the transformative power of faith and realization of the Divine. This sermon invites you to recognize and cherish the extraordinary presence of Jesus in the ordinary moments of life, encouraging a deeper understanding of his love, acceptance, and guidance.

3/31/24 In this very special Easter episode of Voices of Hope, Pastor Caressa presents a compelling and heartfelt resurrection narrative drawn from John 20, verses 1-18. She explores the story of Mary Magdalene’s heartrending journey from grieving at Jesus's tomb to bearing the first witness to his miraculous resurrection.

3/31/24 Pastor Jordan powerfully presents an Easter sunrise sermon titled "Roll That Stone". Taking place at Daniels Park, Pastor Jordan uses the scripture from Mark 16, 1-8, to talk about obstacles in our lives presented by stones. These stones are metaphorical and represent anything that hinders us from living freely in Christ. Just as the stone that blocked Jesus' tomb was rolled away, we too can move away from our stones to experience the freedom offered through Jesus.

3/28/24 In this episode of Voices of Hope, Pastor Caressa shares the inspiring message from New Hope Presbyterian Church's special Maundy-Thursday service for 2024.   Through this vivid storytelling, Pastor Caressa calls on us to understand and appreciate the sacrifice and servanthood of Jesus that underpins this sacred meal. Embrace the mystery of God's self-giving love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption through this divine communion, and realize the significance of Jesus's body broken and his blood shed for each one of us.  

3/24/24 Pastor Caressa brings a special homily during a service of songs and scripture.