Preacher Paul's Blogs

This Sunday we will gather to celebrate All Saints Day , a time to honor those who have gone before us in faith and to remember that we are also part of that great communion of saints. In Philippians 1:6, Paul reminds the believers that “the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” That verse captures the heart of our faith, that the story of every saint, past and present, is ultimately the story of God’s grace. God began this work in us, sustains it each day, and will one day bring it to glorious completion. As we prepare for worship, I invite you to reflect on this truth: we are saints not because of what we have done, but because of what God is doing in us.  How have you seen God’s good work continue in your life, even in times of struggle or doubt?  And where might God still be calling you to trust that the work is not yet finished?

  Reformation Sunday By Pastor Paul   What exactly is Reformation Sunday, you may ask, and why do we celebrate it each year? Those are two good questions that I will try to succinctly answer in just a few paragraphs. Reformation Sunday is observed on the last Sunday of October by many Protestant churches, including the Presbyterian Church USA. It commemorates the Protestant Reformation, which began on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (pronounced VIT-ten-burg ), Germany. This bold act challenged the church's practices and set into motion a movement that shaped the course of Christianity. On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate the truths that were rediscovered during the Reformation: salvation by grace alone ( sola gratia ), through faith alone ( sola fide ), in Christ alone ( solus Christus ), based on the authority of Scripture alone ( sola scriptura ), all for the glory of God alone ( soli Deo glori...

This Sunday’s sermon, “See for Yourself,” from Mark 7:6–9, challenges us to think about how easily truth can be distorted when we pass along what we think we know instead of returning to the source. Jesus confronted this problem in his own time when religious leaders elevated human traditions above God’s commandments. On this Reformation Sunday, we are reminded that faith must continually be reformed, not by opinion or custom, but by the living Word of God. We live in a world overflowing with voices claiming to speak truth. Yet, just as in Jesus’ day, the greatest danger comes when we stop verifying what we hear and begin to mistake human words for God’s Word. The Reformers risked everything to put Scripture into our hands so we could read it for ourselves. The question now is whether we still take advantage of that gift. As you prepare for worship, consider: How do I ensure that what I believe about God’s Word comes from Scripture itself? What might God be asking me to rediscover or r...

This Sunday’s message, “Living Faith,” is drawn from 2 Timothy 1:3–7 , where Paul reminds his young protégé to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” In this passage, Paul reflects on the faith that first lived in Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, a faith that has now taken root in Timothy himself. It is a powerful reminder that our faith is shaped by the prayers, examples, and steadfast trust of those who came before us. Paul’s words call us to remember that same sacred responsibility in our own lives, to nurture the gift of faith within us and to pass it on with love and courage. As we prepare for worship, reflect on who has helped shape your faith journey.  How are you tending the flame of faith in your daily life?  And in what ways might God be calling you to share that light with others this week?

This Sunday will be a truly special day in the life of Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church as we celebrate 270 years of worship, service, and community. Our congregation will join together with our friends from Wade Memorial Presbyterian Church for a homecoming service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a covered dish luncheon in the Fellowship Building. We are honored to welcome back Rev. Dr. R. Shane Owens, Honorably Retired, who once served as pastor of Old Waxhaw and will deliver a message titled “Let’s Go Home Again,” based on Luke 15:11–32, the parable of the prodigal son. This story of homecoming, forgiveness, and grace reminds us that no matter how far we may wander, God always welcomes us back with open arms. As we reflect on 270 years of ministry, may we also remember the countless ways God has guided, restored, and renewed this church through every generation. As you prepare for worship this week, consider these questions: How has Old Waxhaw been a “home” for you in your faith journe...

This Sunday we turn to Luke 17:5-6, where the disciples ask Jesus to “increase our faith.” Jesus responds with an image that still stirs us today: even faith as small as a mustard seed can move what seems immovable. In other words, the power of faith is not in its size but in the God we place it in. Real faith isn’t about collecting more; it’s about trusting enough to act, even when forgiveness, obedience, or hope feels impossible. Jesus then reminds us that discipleship is not about earning God’s favor but simply doing what we ought to do as servants who have already received God’s grace. This helps us shift our focus away from “Do I have enough faith?” toward “Am I willing to trust God with the faith I already have?” As you prepare for Sunday, consider these questions:  Where in your life have you been waiting until you felt like you had “enough faith” before acting?  How might God be calling you to step forward this week with the faith you already carry?