Sermons by Reverend Ray Warren
Jesus and His Stories
Sunday, June 26 “Jesus: Does It Matter?” series. Traditions online worship service.
Today we continue our series on Jesus, does it matter? At the same time, we say our farewells and best wishes to Pastor Ray Warren as he moves into the next steps of his journey. Join us today in worship as we examine this Jesus who is with us in all of our days and the stories he tells.
Mark 12:1-11
Mark 2:15-22
Matthew 15:22-28
50 Days Later
Pentecost Sunday, June 5. Traditions online worship service.
Today is Pentecost, a day of celebration for new beginnings in the life of those gathered to follow Jesus. As we welcome our youth into full membership, let’s remember that the same Spirit that filled the disciples with power so long ago desires to fill us today. Come Holy Spirit Come!
Matthew 26:69-75
Acts 2:1-41
The Perfect Storm Part 2
Sunday, May 29 “Jesus: Does It Matter?” series. Traditions online worship service.
Living through the middle of a storm can make you feel small and powerless. It was that way in Jesus’ time and it’s certainly that way for us today. Will we let the one who calms the storms and has the power over life and death breathe into our troubled lives today?
Mark 4:35-41
The Perfect Storm
Sunday, May 15 “Jesus: Does It Matter?” series. Traditions online worship service.
Have you ever been caught in a storm? It can be a scary experience because we may find ourselves out of control and powerless in the face of it. Weather professionals describe a set of conditions for what they call a “perfect” storm – that is what Jesus was a part of 2000 years ago – and it also can happen in our lives today. What can we do to follow God’s call, even in the middle of a storm?
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
God Wins
Sunday, May 8 “Jesus: Does It Matter?” series. Traditions online worship service.
Have you ever wondered who is in charge? For a follower of Jesus that is God. And since God is in charge, God is going to get what God wants. The only question for us is will we be a help or a hindrance?
1 Samuel 8:6-21
Courageous Thomas
Sunday, May 1 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Everyone gives “doubting” Thomas a hard time for his lack of faith in the resurrection of Jesus. In fact his name has become a cliché – and yet Jesus gives him the answers he needs and calls him blessed. What can we learn from his story and how can we find our true north when we’ve lost our way?
Jeremiah 17:5-8
John 20:19-29
Walking with Jesus
Sunday, April 24 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Two of Jesus’ disciples walked with him on the road to Emmaus and didn’t recognize him! What can we learn from their story about recognizing Jesus in others? What does this story of the resurrected Christ tell us about ourselves today?
Luke 24:13-35
Resurrection Day
Easter Sunday, April 17 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Christ is risen? Christ is risen indeed! Sometimes when we are in darkness it’s hard to recognize light when we see it but if we will be patient and look for it – we may find the light in even the darkest of places. Welcome to worship at White Plains on this Easter day of resurrection.
John 20:11-18
John 21:1-14
Making Peace in Jerusalem
Palm Sunday, April 10 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
As the palms wave and hosannas are sung. Jesus rides humbly into Jerusalem and into our lives. Jesus is making right all that we have made wrong in the world and inviting us to be a part of God’s kingdom. It’s not a king or a kingdom that we could ever imagine – but one that we desperately need.
John 19:29-44
A Message on the Mountain
Sunday, April 3 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Digging into the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew’s gospel we find Jesus at his best. Transforming and fulfilling the law, never replacing or refuting it. How can we follow the example of Christ to live fully in this moment, loving and seeing others as God sees them? Everyone builds something with their life – will it be a material stronghold? A prison? Or will we join the Christ in building God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven?
1 John 4:7-16
Matthew 5:11-16
Blessed are You
Sunday, March 27 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
How would you prepare for the most important meeting of your life? The words of Jesus known as the Beatitudes are quoted widely inside and outside the church, it’s arguably the most impactful message ever given. So how did Jesus do it? And how can we ground ourselves in the same disciplines that Christ lived by? Welcome to worship at White Plains church!
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 5:1-9
An Offer of a Lifetime
Sunday, March 20 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
What if a preacher came home to preach and the congregation tried to kill them? That’s exactly what happened to Jesus. Why did Jesus face such opposition from those who knew him best and what can we learn from his response? How would we react if Jesus came amongst us today speaking truth? Guess what – he’s here!
Luke 4:14-30
Philippians 3:3-9
Temptation in the Wilderness
Sunday, March 13 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
After his Baptism in the river Jordan the spirit drove Christ into the wilderness to be tempted and tested. What does it mean for us to be in the wilderness? How can we ground ourselves in wisdom the way Jesus did to answer the competing voices in our time? Let’s worship together today in the comforting knowledge that Christ is with us no matter what.
Luke 3:21-22
Luke 4:1-13
Romans 8:5-6
True North
Sunday, March 6 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Have you experienced disorientation and confusion over the last two years? Join us in this Lenten series of pivotal moments in the life of Christ and how he found his bearings. Today we wrestle with the question – what is our “true north”?
Mark 12:28-34
John 14:6
The Crucible of Crisis
Sunday, February 27 “Finding Your Bearings” series. Traditions online worship service.
Join us for worship as we begin a new series “Finding Your Bearings.” Based on the book by Rev. Jim Harnish we’ll spend the season of Lent together looking at pivotal moments in the life of Jesus and how he oriented himself on the things that really mattered to guide him through difficult circumstances. If you’ve been feeling a little disoriented, you’re not alone. Let us worship together and find our way through Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 8:33-36
Romans 5:1-5
Creation Creativity and Worship Dr. Balasundaram
Sunday, February 20 “Conversations” series. Traditions online worship service.
What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? Join us in our final Conversations message as we speak with Dr. Balasundaram, a very creative Christian, and explore how the spark of the divine in each of us is nurtured in community.
Genesis 1:26-31
Ephesians 4:4-7
Colossians 1:17
Dr. Grant Wacker on the Influence of Billy Graham
Sunday, February 13 “Conversations” series. Traditions online worship service.
Today we continue our Conversations series with part two of Pastor Ray’s interview with church historian and Billy Graham biographer Grant Wacker. When we stand before God, are we judged by our best or worst moments? Or by how we lived our lives in totality, living out the commands to love God and neighbor? Questions to ponder and thoughts to share as we worship together online this week.
John 15:16-17
Galatians 5:19-23
2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Conversations… with Dr. Grant Wacker
Sunday, February 6 “Conversations” series. Traditions online worship service.
This week in worship we continue our Conversations series as we speak with Dr. Grant Wacker, one of the foremost experts on the history of Christianity in America. As always though, we find these messages to be as much about the heart as the head.
John 13:34-35
1 John 4:7-12
Creed
Sunday, January 30 “Conversations” series. Traditions online worship service.
How much time and effort do we put in each week to the foundations of our faith life? Probably not enough if we’re honest, especially compared to our other priorities. Join us in worship this week for part two of our conversation with Dr. Brent Strawn.
Ephesians 3:16-21
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Conversations… with Dr. Brent Strawn
Sunday, January 23 “Conversations” series. Traditions online worship service.
Have you ever found yourself in a season of disorientation? Duke Divinity School professor Brent Strawn joins us today to assure us that we’re not alone if we feel that God is distant in hard times. In fact, the Bible is full of passages that can guide us through those times if we’ll only engage.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Isaiah 64:8
Micah 6:6-8
Hebrews 13:5