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 GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Churches March 27, 2022Luke 9:51-61 At the beginning of worship As we continue our Lenten theme of “Why Church?” consider the role of church to reorient our lives. Back in the 1980s, Neal Postman wrote a classic book titled, Amusing Ourselves to Death. Even before the rise of 24/7 news programs and the internet … Read more Why Church? To Reorient Our Lives to Jesus
Jeff Garrison Bluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesMarch 20, 2022Luke 10:25-37 Thoughts at the beginning of worship: We’re continuing with our Lenten theme, “Why Church?” Our world can be cruel. But that shouldn’t be the church. We’re to show an alternative to the world.[1] We’re to be a place and a people who care for others. And because … Read more Why Church? To Care for the World
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesDecember 26, 2021Luke 2:41-52 A few years ago, one of our missionaries in South Korea shared a story about a boy named Amos (obviously, that’s not his Korean name and for obvious reasons, the missionary didn’t use real names). Amos’ father was from North Korea and spent ten years in … Read more Jesus at 12
Jeff Garrison Bluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian Churches December 18, 2021Luke 1:39-56 At the beginning of worship It’s the fourth Sunday of Advent. Out waiting is paying off. This week, we’ll celebrate the birth of Jesus. But what does Jesus’ coming mean? What will his return be like? Today, we hear from his mom. Jesus doesn’t … Read more Mary’s Song
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchDecember 12, 2021Third Sunday of AdventLuke 3:7-20 At the beginning of worship We’re at the third week of Advent. Christmas is coming. Have you’ve been naughty or nice? Of course, that sounds like I’m emphasizing works. We often think the only thing that matters is a belief in Jesus. And … Read more The Preaching of John the Baptist
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchesLuke 3:1-6December 5, 2021 At the beginning of worship Christ has come, and Christ will come again. This truth of the Christian faith is why on our Advent journey. As we recall what happened and will happen again, (Christ’s coming), we find we must deal with a crazy man out … Read more Advent 2: Preparation