(Sunday, January 10 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-18; John 1:43-50

Hymns: My Lord! What a Morning; I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me; Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing

Service Preview (Online):

This Sunday we will be celebrating the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recommitting ourselves to the work of racial justice during these difficult times. Our worship will include two opportunities for small breakout discussions, first on the scriptures and then on our reactions to policing and white supremacy. There will also be an opportunity to take action in support of police reform during the current Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis.

(Sunday, January 10 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39; Mark 1:4-11

Hymns: All Creatures of Our God and KingShall We Gather at the RiverHow Firm a Foundation

Sermon: “Secure in Life’s Alarms” by Rev. James Reisner

The first Sunday after Epiphany is traditionally called The Baptism of our Lord. The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is another act of revealing (or epiphany) of who Jesus is. In Mark’s Gospel, the story of the baptism ends with a descending dove, and a voice resounding from heaven and declaring, “You are my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased.”

(Sunday, January 3 At 11 AM, Ephiphany Communion Service, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Matthew 2:1-12

Hymns: We Three Kings of Orient Are; What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright; Sing of God Made Manifest

Sermon: “Wiser” by Rev. James Reisner

The Magi unwittingly bring Herod into the story of their pilgrimage to Bethlehem. While their motives are pure and their devotion enduring, the Magi’s naïvete regarding the intentions of the political powers leads to the atrocity of the slaughter of the innocents. Later, Jesus would teach his disciples to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. Part of being a follower of a star, or a rabbi, is gaining in wisdom as we travel along. Can we become wiser as to the ways of the world without succumbing to the temptations of lesser gods and baser instincts?

(Sunday, December 27 At 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

Hymns: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; Go, Tell It on the Mountain; Away in the Manger; Good Christian Friends Rejoice

Sermon: “The Fullness of Time” by Rev. James Reisner

“We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine [One] takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to the Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture? This, then, is the fullness of time: When the [Incarnate One] is begotten in us.” --Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)

(Thursday, December 24 At 5 PM, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Hymns: O Come, All Ye Faithful; Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Away in the Manger; Joy to the World; Silent Night

Christmas Meditation: “From Bedlam to Bethlehem” by Jim Reisner

TPPC celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, with familiar songs, anthems, and the telling of the Christmas story.

(Sunday, December 20 At 11 AM, Fourth Sunday of Advent, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-11; Philippians 4:4-7

Hymns: Angels, from the Realms of Glory; O Come All Ye Faithful; O Little Town of Bethlehem; The First Noel; Go Tell it on the Mountain; Angels We Have Heard on High; Joy To The World; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

The Word: “An Interactive Christmas Pageant” by Norman Allen

Our sermon this Sunday will come in the form of a Christmas Pageant. Our church school will retell the Christmas story through a pageant written for a Zoom format. Come and hear the old, old story in a new, new way. This will be fun.

Also, TPPC will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Thursday, December 24th at 5 pm.

(Sunday, December 13 At 11 AM, Third Sunday of Advent,Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-11; Philippians 4:4-7

Hymns: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates; Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming; ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

Sermon: “Joy in the Age of COVID-19” by Rev. James Reisner

“At its heart Christianity is joy; and laughter and freedom and the reaching out of arms are the essence of it. Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes.”

--Frederick Buechner

(Sunday, December 6 At 11 AM, Second Sunday of Advent, Communion, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8

Hymns: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus; Comfort, Comfort Now My People; Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending

Sermon: “Comfort Food” by Rev. James Reisner

“Comfort, comfort, my people” proclaims the prophet, Isaiah. These are the first words of what is known as Second Isaiah which starts at the 40th chapter of his prophecy. Isaiah is declaring that to the people, after years of bitter exile in Babylon, that they are finally going home.

(Sunday, November 29 at 11 AM, Live-Streamed On Zoom)

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37

Hymns: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; The Days Are Surely Coming; People, Look East

Sermon: “Apocalypse Now” by Rev. James Reisner

The language of apocalypse has been always hard for first-world Christians to access. Maybe the many extraordinary events of 2020 gives us insight into what these strange texts mean.