Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJuly 3, 2022Luke 8:22-25 At the beginning of worship: I’m afraid the church, as an institution, along with our world, is heading for stormy waters. Some who claim to be a part of the church are doing outrageous things. From Christian nationalism to the extreme, a pastor in Texas preaching for … Read more Let Jesus Calm Our Hearts
Jeff GarrisonMayberry and Bluemont ChurchesJune 20, 2022Luke 8:16-23 At the beginning of worship: One of the key doctrines of the Protestant Reformation is the “priesthood of all believers.” The concept, defined by John Milton, held that “every person is created by God with the freedom of conscience, reason, and will.”[1] This doctrine implies that we … Read more Bringing Light to the World
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesJune 19, 2022Luke 8:1-15 At the beginning of worship: Does everyone have their gardens planted? I transplanted eggplants and winter squash this week, which I’d started indoors by seed. That’s the last for my garden until later in the summer when I’ll replant lettuce, turnips, and beets for the fall. … Read more We’re called to be farmers
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJune 12, 2022Luke 7:36-50 At the beginning of worship: The first great end of the Presbyterian Church is “the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind.”[1] In other words, we’re to bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ for he is the way to salvation.[2] By teaching and sharing Jesus’ … Read more All are in need of forgiveness: the seemingly righteous and the obvious sinner
Jeff GarrisonMayberry and Bluemont Presbyterian Churches Genesis 11:1-11June 5, 2022 Thoughts at the beginning of worship: Scripture teaches that our lives are grounded in God. Adam was a clump of clay until God breathe life into his lungs. Likewise, for the church, as an organization, would’ve been long dead had not God breathe the Spirit into … Read more Pentecost: Unity in Christ through the Spirit
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesGalatians 6:1-10 May 27, 2022 At the beginning of worship: This is Memorial Day weekend. After a week of rain and gray, it appears we’re in a few beautiful days. Enjoy it, but remember, as we will in our prayers today, those who have their lives for our nation. Today, think … Read more Our Gracious Work Christians
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesGalatians 5:1-15, 22-23May 22, 2022 Thoughts at the beginning of worship: What does it mean to be a Christian? This week I came across a meme that I thought was insightful and a bit challenging. Geocide is biblical.Loving your enemy is biblical.Only one is Christ-like. Slavery is biblical.Chainbreaking is biblical.Only … Read more What does it mean to be a Christian?
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesGalatians 4May 15, 2022 At the beginning of worship: Do we have faith? There was farming community experiencing a severe drought. Day after day, month after month, the sky held no clouds. Pastures dried up; crops wilted. Without enough water and feed, ranchers sold off their herds. Things looked bad. … Read more Adopted by God: Entitled to an Inheritance
Jeff GarrisonMayberry and Bluemont Presbyterian ChurchesGalatians 3:19-29May 8, 2022 At the beginning of worship: Mothers will do whatever they can to protect their children. Sadly, sometimes this gets them into trouble, as it was with this one poor grandmother in New York City, whose daughter was sick. This was back in the Great Depression. Her … Read more Law and Grace
Jeff GarrisonMayberry and Bluemont Presbyterian ChurchesApril 24, 2022Galatians 1:1-11 At the beginning of worship The “Church Curmudgeon” post daily memes on Facebook and Twitter. If you don’t follow him, you’re missing a treat. With humor, he makes so good insights. This week he posted: “Remember, you are made in the image of God and so … Read more Paul corrects the Galatians