Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 20, 2020 Jeremiah 29:4-14 To watch this service on YouTube go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKiTvhFZ3Sk. If you just want to catch the sermon, go to 18:40, where I began with the scripture reading. If you … Continue reading
Category Archives: Sermons
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 6, 2020 Matthew 18:15-20 Click this link to watch the service which begins at the 6 minutes into the table. The sermon starts at 18:20 minutes into the service. Also, it seems I … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 30, 2020 Matthew 16:21-26 Click here to watch the service. The sermon begins at 18 minutes if you want to fast-forward. Beginning of Worship: I saw a meme the other day. A man … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 16:13-20 August 23, 2020 Click here for the worship service. Advance to 15:30 to begin watching the scripture and the sermon. At the Beginning of Worship What does it take for us to … Continue reading
JEFF GARRISON Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 15:21-28 August 16, 2020 To watch the service, click here to go to our Youtube site. To see just the sermon (skipping prelude, announcements, call to worship, first hymn and confession) forward to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 14:22-33 August 9, 2020 To watch the sermon, go to our YouTube page (linked here). The sermon begins at 16:30. As you heard in Deanie’s wonderful sermon last week, it had been … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50 July 26, 2020 Click here. The entire service can be seen on Youtube. The service proper begins at 15:30 and the sermon begins at 28:00. At beginning of Worship: Today, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 19, 2020 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The worship service is available at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church’s YouTube site. Click here. I began reading the scripture at 13:50 and the sermon begins at 16:50 and … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 12, 2020 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 A crowd gathers around Jesus. They press in, each trying to get closer to the mysterious storyteller, to touch the garment of the great healer. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 5, 2020 Matthew 11:16-19 To watch this service, click here. To watch the sermon, fast forward to 20:00 minutes in the stream. Opening of Worship: How many of you remember Calvin … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 21, 2020 Matthew 10:16-33 Click here to watch the worship service. To just catch the sermon, fast forward to 20 minutes and 30 seconds. How many of you are afraid? I wish … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 14, 2020 Matthew 9:35-10:15 You can watch this service on YouTube by clicking here. If you just want to hear the sermon, fast forward to 20:36. We made Blood … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 28:16-20 Trinity Sunday June 7, 2020 To watch to this service, click here. Disclaimer: Just because I use wheat bread and don’t use Hellmann’s Mayonnaise on tomato sandwiches doesn’t mean I’m a … Continue reading
Our worship services are available at our church’s YouTube page. This link will take you to this service. The sermon begins at 16:00 minutes and is over at 36:10. You can fast forward to the sermon. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 21:15-25 May 24, 2020 This service can be watched in it’s entirety on the church’s YouTube channel. If you want to just see the sermon, go to 13:00. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD3awv89c1E We’re finishing up … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 21:1-14 May 17, 2020 This worship service can be found at on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSbn75Dr6d8. To listen just to the sermon, go to 12 minutes into the service. The sermon ends at 36:40. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 24:36-49 May 3, 2020 The worship service can be watched on YouTube. The sermon starts at 15:01 and is over at 36:06, in case you would like to fast forward to just catch … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 26, 2020 Luke 24:13-35 To watch the entire service (approximately 40 minutes), click here to go to our YouTube site. It is solved by walking, Augustine of Hippo said.[1] … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 19, 2020 John 20:19-29 Throughout this Easter Season, we’re looking at post-resurrection stories of Jesus. We find these mostly in the gospels of Luke and John. As we left off last week, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 20:1-18 Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 Throughout Lent, we have been looking at pieces of art from around the world as a way to get into the Scriptures for each Sunday. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 14:32-43 April 5, 2020 Our text for today, as we finish looking at the events of Jesus’ final week of earthly ministry, is his prayer in the Garden. It’s a time of … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 13:1-20 March 29, 2020 Before reading the scripture, I want us to take a look at our image for the day, which can help us get into the text. We’re looking … Continue reading
Please remember, especially during this time when we need to maintain social distance from one another in at attempt to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, that you can always worship virtually with Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church on Sunday … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 22:15-22 March 15, 2020 If you read the entirety of Matthew 22 (and with the extra time we may be having on hand as everything is being cancelled because of … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 1, 2020 Matthew 21:1-11 Zechariah 9:9-10 Everyone loves a parade. Or so they say. I’m not sure it’s true. If you’re like me and prefer to take the back roads for … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 17:1-8 February 23, 2020 Today, we’re coming to an end of this series on SAD (Spiritual Affection Disease). We’ve looked at several ordinary activities that can be used, beyond prayer and Bible study, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 119:1-8 February 16, 2020 We’re back looking at ways for us not to be so SAD. How can we overcome bouts of Spiritual Affective Disease? How can we get closer to our … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 84 February 2, 2020 In her book, An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor writes: “Earth is so thick with divine possibility that it is a wonder we can walk anywhere … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 26, 2020 Micah 6:1-8 A widow’s son who died in a tragic accident. This put her in great grief as she was not sure what to do. A friend took her to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 10:23-27 January 19, 2020 We’re looking at another tool to beat Spiritual Affective Disorder. We’ve talked about spending time reflecting on the light. We’ve looked at how music can lift our … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 40:1-11 January 12, 2020 Between Christmas and Lent, we’re exploring Spiritual Affective Disorder. Many people during winter, when the days are short, suffer for a Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s due to the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Isaiah 60:1-7 January 5, 2020 Tomorrow is Epiphany, a word that means a manifestation. Think of it as an “a-ha” moment. It’s the 12th Day of Christmas, but in the Western World, Christmas Day … Continue reading
Merry Christmas everyone. Today was beautiful in South Georgia, a nice day for a walk with the dog, after opening present, playing a new board game (Ticket to Ride: Rails and Sails), and continually snacking on ham. For the past … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 1:18-25 December 22, 2019 The Isaiah scripture is also referenced in Matthew’s telling of the birth narrative.[1] Before I read it, let me tell you a bit about the opening of Matthew’s gospel. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 1:46-55 December 15, 2019 Earlier in the first chapter of Luke’s gospel, the angel Gabriel met Mary in Nazareth to give her the good news. However, I’m not … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 3:1-12 December 8, 2019 Our series, “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” is all about joy. But this series is also based on traditional lectionary readings from scripture and today’s reading, on the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 4:32-35 November 24, 2019 “The story of Jesus doesn’t end with Jesus,” Eugene Peterson writes in Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. The Christian story continues on in this community and in … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Timothy 6:17-19 November 17, 2019 Last week scripture from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was used to explore how we might “look in” on the role money plays in our … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 10, 2019 Matthew 6:19-24 Our morning passage comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus forces us to consider what we value. Ponder this. What would you grab if your … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 22:15-22 October 27, 2019 Homecoming is a time to look back, and the sermon is titled “Looking Back.” But we don’t look back just to be nostalgic. Instead, we should look back to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 October 13, 2019 I’d ridden my bicycle down to the marina to meet with some friends late Friday. It was after dark when I left. With a rather bright … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Jeremiah 4:5-31 October 6, 2019 We’re back working through sections of Jeremiah in our series titled Prophecies and Pottery. And we’re moving backwards in Jeremiah. Two Sundays ago, we looked at what … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 22, 2019 Jeremiah 18:1-12 How many of you have a cabinet at home filled with Tupperware and other such plastic containers? (Raise your hands. Be honest). If your home is like mine, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 15, 2019 Jeremiah 2:1-13 We began our series on Prophesies and Pottery last week, when we saw how Jeremiah was formed by God to be his mouthpiece to Israel. Our image was … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 8, 2019 Jeremiah 1:4-10 The prophet Jeremiah lived in interesting times. He was one of the longest serving prophets in Israel’s history, his calling coming as the Assyrians were … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 14:7-14 September 1, 2019 The fourteenth chapter of Luke’s gospel opens with Jesus attending a dinner party at the home of a leading Pharisee. It’s the Sabbath, so it’s a special gathering … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Hebrews 12:1-2 August 25, 2019 Why do we exist? What is our purpose in life? The Westminster Confession says we’re to enjoy and glorify God. That’s succinct. In Rick Warren’s … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 12:32-40 August 11, 2019 A group of 12 Presbyterians spent the morning working on a new Habitat for Humanity home in Garden City. Four of us from this church, along with … Continue reading
At the bottom of the sermon, I have the opening of my pastoral prayer for the day as I reflect on the atrocities our nation experienced yesterday and early this morning in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Jeff Garrison … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Romans 12:1-3 July 28, 2019 Have you ever felt like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back? Sometimes life’s that way. It’s like climbing a cinder cone volcano. The … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Philippians 2:1-11 July 21, 2019 In her book, Sailboat Church, Joan Gray writes: “the church’s divine nature is not always easy to see. Sometimes it takes … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 14, 2019 Ephesians 3:14-21 There’s an old story about a pastor making a hospital call with a man who’d been in a terrible accident. The doctors said he’d never walk again. The … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 7, 2019 John 8:31-36 With pomp and circumstance, along with fireworks, hot dogs, watermelons, sunburns, and thunderstorms, we celebrated our Nation’s birthday on Thursday, Independence Day. But what does freedom mean? What are … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 30, 2019 Luke 9:51-59 As I was pondering the direction of today’s sermon, I came across this quote: “We do well to remember that the Bible has far more to say … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Kings 19:1-15 June 23, 2019 As a music tradition, the Blues rose out of the African American experience of slavery. In song, they cried about their plight as they longed … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Corinthians 2 June 16, 2019 Who likes to dance? I’ll admit that I have two left feet and am not exactly graceful on the dance floor. But thankfully, when it comes to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 14:8-17 June 9, 2019 Today is Pentecost, the birthday of the church, a day to wear red in remembrance of those tongues that appeared as flames announcing the arrival of the Spirit. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 June 2, 2019 I’ve seen the bodies of Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi and Lenin (not John) in Moscow. Walking pass their preserved flesh, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church First Corinthians 15:35-50 May 26, 2019 Today, I’m in my fourth of five sermons on the 15th Chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. That may sound like a lot … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 5:14-16 May 19, 2019 Over the past year, Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church has invested a lot of money along with both volunteer and staff time to help our congregation improve its technology. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 May 12, 2019 I have been reading Chimamanda Adichie’s novel, Purple Hibiscus. Set in Nigeria during a politically unstable time, it’s the story of Kambili, a fifteen year old girl … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 April 28, 2019 In a devotion for last Sunday, Easter Day, Richard Rohr, reminded his readers that “Easter isn’t celebrating a one-time miracle as if it only happened in the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Easter Sunday, 2019 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Resurrection Day! The most holy day in the Christian calendar as we celebrate the risen Christ! And what a glorious day we’re enjoying. Today I begin a series … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 2:21-28 April 14, 2019 We’re coming to the last Sunday in our series, “Busy: Reconnecting with an Unhurried God.” I hope you have discovered a freedom to enjoy life and God and not … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 April 7, 2019 Now that we have heard the first eight verses of the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, let’s now listen for the next seven verses as I … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 24, 2019 Luke 10:38-42 Our morning Gospel reading this morning stands in contrast to our Old Testament lesson. In our first reading, we heard about a Shunamite woman who, out of the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 23 March 17, 2019 Let us pray: “Where there is darkness, give us light. Where there is ignorance, give us knowledge. Where there is knowledge, give us wisdom. And for … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 10, 2019 Matthew 11:28-30 Jig Pendleton is crazy on religion. He’s a character in Nathan Coulter, a Wendell Berry’s novel. Jig lives alone in a shanty overlooking the Kentucky River. Like some … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Numbers 11:21-30 March 3, 2019 I’ve been out of the pulpit here for two weeks—it seems like a long time. Last week Deanie preached and the week before was the Presbytery pulpit exchange. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Numbers 11:31-35 February 10, 2019 We are on our fourth week of looking at the Hebrew people in the wilderness. We have seen how they have complained about the food, how they have … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Numbers 11:16-20 February 3, 2019 We are currently working our way through the 11th chapter of the book of Numbers. Some may wonder, “why Numbers?” After all, it’s an obscure book … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Numbers 11:10-15 January 27, 2019 This is our second week exploring the “land between,” that place where we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. When we are in the land between, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Numbers 11:1-9 January 20, 2019 As we worship in his beautiful sanctuary on a mild, yet wet and windy winter day, we should acknowledge and be thankful. Not everyone gathering for worship … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 13, 2019 Psalm 29 Upcoming! Starting next week, I will be preaching a series of sermons from the Book of Numbers. In this series, we’ll look at the Hebrew … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2019 This Sunday is Epiphany. In the Christian calendar it marks the end of the Christmas season as we see the decorations disappear. Epiphany means a surprise … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 90 December 30, 2018 INTRODUCTION This is an in-between time. We’re still in the Christmas season, but all the present have been open. And we’re just a day and a … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Homily for Nicky Pipkin’s Funeral December 22, 2018 Psalm 100 I first met Nicky at the beginning of the 4th Grade when we were both assigned to Miss Freeman’s classroom. A shy boy, he was by far the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve 2018 John 1:1-14 Throughout Advent, we’ve been reading traditional seasonal passages about the coming and birth of Christ using the various Christian traditions outlined by Richard Foster in Streams of Living Water … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 2:8-20 December 23, 2018 This Advent and Christmas season we have explored the traditional passages of the season through the lens provided in Richard Foster’s book, Streams of Living Waters. Foster outlines … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 3:1-20 December 16, 2018 Let’s watch a video…[1] Those of us who anticipate the coming of something great during this season may, once again, be sucked in by Madison Avenue. If … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 1:18-25 December 9, 2018 This Advent and Christmas season we’re exploring seasonal scripture passages through the lens of various traditions in which we encounter and respond to God. As I pointed … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 2, 2018 Luke 1:46-55 The sanctuary at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church is magical this time of the year. I hope you have a chance, when driving by at night, to enjoy our trees … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 November 18, 2018 Today, I want us to look at Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian letters show us that conflict within a Christian community isn’t something … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 28:17-31 November 11, 2018 This past Wednesday at the mission dinner, many of you took advantage to hear M K tell the story of his conversion to the Christian faith and … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 28:1-16 November 4, 2018 As we have seen over the last couple of months, Paul knows he’s supposed to be in Rome. He wants to preach the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 27:27-44 October 28, 2018 Today we’re reminded of God’s presence, even in the midst of the storms of our lives. But before we get to that, let’s again call on … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 27:1-12 October 21, 2018 Last Sunday we focused on Paul’s speech before Agrippa and Festus. Some scholars suggest that speech is the climax for the Book of Acts. Paul lays out his … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 26 (19-32) October 14, 2018 One of my goals over the past three years have been to preach through the book of Acts. Part of the reason is my belief the church in … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 9:38-50 October 7, 2018 It’s World Communion Sunday and Christians around the globe gather around this table to celebrate. But why? What are we to be about? A definition of a Christian … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 25:13-27 September 16, 2018 What a week! There’s been a lot of anxious anticipation. For a few days I wondered if we would even be here today. Perhaps, I thought, we’d be living … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 25:1-12 September 9, 2018 In the quote on the flyleaf of the bulletin, we’re reminded that Luke, the author of both the gospel and the Book of Acts, is writing to a person. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 24:24-27 September 2, 2018 What do we say when we are called or have an opportunity to speak to those in power? How do we behave? How do we act? Speaking to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 26, 2018 John 6:60-69 I’m stepping away from our journey through Acts today and want us to take a look at a passage in John’s gospel. This passage comes at the end … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 23:13-24 August 12, 2018 We often pray to God for help and protection. At least, I know I do. Hopefully you also trust the Lord enough to bring your troubles to him in … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 22:30-23:11 August 5, 2018 How do we sustain ourselves when we feel compiled to stand up for the truth when others around disagree? Our passage today answers this question. Paul is about … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 22:17-29 July 29, 2018 Last week, in our walk through the final chapters of the Book of Acts, we left Paul on the steps of the Roman barracks, adjacent to the Court … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 21:27-22:1 July 22, 2018 Last week we learned that Paul finally arrived in Jerusalem. There’s a warm welcome by the leaders of the church. They praise God for the work that … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 21:1-17 July 15, 2018 We continue our journey through the Book of Acts this week as we explore the third and final leg of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. You can see … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 20:17-38 July 8, 2018 We’re back to Acts this week, the book in the Bible that informs us of the amazing feats of God. God took a measly group of disciples and … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 5:1-20 July 1, 2018 Having been away for nine days and knowing I was going to be in a time crunch, I’m taking a break from our tour through the Book of Acts … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 20:7-14 June 17, 2018 Today’s topic is sleeping in church. Some might think this is an appropriate topic for Father’s Day. I’ll let you be the judge of that one. I assure … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 19:23-41 June 10, 2018 The Apostle Paul spent between two and three years in Ephesus. Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, provides us with several pictures of … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 19:1-20 June 3, 2018 Back in 2015, I began preaching through the Book of Acts. That year we looked at the story of the church up to the beginning of Paul’s … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 27, 2018 John 3:1-17 In the liturgical calendar, today is Trinity Sunday. The Trinity, like God, cannot be fully understood by those of us who are mere mortals. It’s a mystery. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Ezekiel 37:1-14 May 20, 2018 I pretty much thought I had the sermon all together Friday. Then, after the wonderful preschool graduation, I came home and learned about the latest school shooting. These have … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 13, 2018 Psalm 1 We’re exploring the very first Psalm today. Before we get to the Scripture, I want talk a bit about Psalms. Whenever I’ve preached from the Psalms, I’ve tried … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 6, 2018 I John 4:1-6 A few weeks ago I preached on the first chapter of 1st John. I noted then that this a love letter written to a church of whom … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 29, 2018 John 15:1-17 Have you ever asked yourself why we profess in the Apostles’ Creed to believe in the holy catholic church? “Didn’t we break away from the Catholics back … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 85 April 15, 2018 On this Sunday in which we celebrate our Scottish heritage, let me speak a bit about the Reformation in Scotland. Unlike the Swiss, German and English Reformations that … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 8, 2018 1 John 1:1-2:2 Today we’ll explore the opening of the 1st Letter of John. The letters of John have numerous similarities with the Gospel of John. Both begin talking about … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Revelation 5 April 1, 2018 I can’t stand before you this morning without at least acknowledging the day. Yes, it’s Easter. But it’s also April Fool’s Day. This day doesn’t fall … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Peter 1:13-25 March 25, 2018 We’ve done a survey of passages related to the Lamb of God within Scripture during this season of Lent. Starting in the Old Testaments, we saw how … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 1:29-37 March 18, 2018 We’ve been looking at Old Testament passages which provide a background for our understanding of “The Lamb of God” over the past month. We saw in Genesis … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Isaiah 53 March 11, 2018 In Genesis, we learn that the consequence of sin and disobedience of God is death.[1] In the last two weeks, we’ve look at the scripture passages dealing … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 22:1-14 March 4, 2018 Last week, I began a series of Lenten Sermons focusing on the theme, “Lamb of God.” This series will continue through Easter, when we meet the resurrected … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Exodus 12:21-32 February 25, 2018 I’m sure many of you have seen the movie Fiddler on the Roof. It’s about a poor Russian Jewish milkman named Tevye, who has an incredible voice. His family … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church February 4, 2018 Philippians 4:4-20 As a Boy Scout, I loved a good game of Capture the Flag. We often camped in Holly Shelter Swamp on the banks of the Northeast Cape … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 21, 2018 Philippians 3:2-17 What’s our number one priority? What’s the most important thing for us to accomplish? What should we all be striving for? As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 14, 2018 Philippians 1:27-2:10 We’re continuing our journey through Philippians. Paul has a special place in his heart for this church. It’s in Philippi, on the Sabbath, that Paul, Timothy and Silas … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Philippians 1:1-21 January 7, 2018 For the next month, I’m going to focus on Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. Unlike many of his other letters, where there were serious issues … Continue reading
JEFF GARRISON Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve Homily 2017 Luke 2:1-15 In this past Thursday’s Wall Street Journal, there was an article I hope you saw, titled “The Salvation of ‘Napalm Girl’”. When I saw “Napalm Girl,” … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Fourth Sunday of Advent: Mark 1:1-8 December 24, 2017 This is a weird day thanks to the way Christmas falls this year. As with most churches, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve at night. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 13:24-37 December 17, 2017 Sarah and her thirteen-year-old sister have been fighting a lot this year. This happens when you combine a headstrong two-year-old, who is sure she’s always right, with … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 13:1-9 December 10, 2017 Advent is a time of waiting. Let’s face it; we’re not very good at it. Everything about our society wants to push us to go faster. We hear … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Mark 8:11-21, 27-31 December 3, 2017 This is a beautiful season as lights pop up around the neighborhood. I’m not much for over-top-decorations. We’re not the Griswolds.[1] But I do like to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 26, 2017 Ezekiel 34:11-24[1] Today is Christ the King Sunday. That may not mean much to those of us who grew up in non-liturgical churches. After all, Christ should be our king … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 19, 2017 Psalm 100 It is deer season. In other churches I’ve served, we had to schedule things like Consecration Sunday around opening day just to make sure we had some men … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Leviticus 23:9-14 November 12, 2017 There was once a Chinese rice farmer whose paddies were high on a hill overlooking the ocean. One day during harvest, there was an earthquake. He looked around … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 November 5, 2017 We spent last month looking at the foundational themes of the Protestant Reformation. Can you remember them? (Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Scripture Alone and To God be … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 22, 2017 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Over the past couple of decades there have been debates over the visible presence of the Ten Commandments in public places like courthouses. This has brought out … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Hebrews 4:14-5:10 February 15, 2017 Today is homecoming Sunday and our kickoff for our 40th year. So let me begin with a cautionary note. Scripture warns us not to look back. It’s … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Romans 3:21-31 October 8, 2017 It is good to be back with you. I’ve been looking forward to this day for the past month because it meant we could share our new logo! … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 33:1-17 September 24, 2017 For the past two months we’ve been exploring stories of Jacob, the third patriarch of Israel. Last week, we heard that God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 32:22-32 September 17, 2017 Most of us, I expect, are a little exhausted. In the two weeks since we were last together, a lot has happened. Many of us, I’m sure, have done … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 31:22-55 September 3, 2017 We’re continuing to explore the passages in Genesis about Jacob and his dysfunctional family. In a way, Jacob is between a rock and a hard place. He’s … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 31:1-21 August 27, 2017 In the past two sermons, I’ve mentioned how the stories of Jacob (as well as other stories from Scripture) would have been shared around the campfires. People would have … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 30:25-43 August 20, 2017 Before getting into the Scriptures for today, I thought I we’d have a little educational session about what we might experience tomorrow afternoon if the clouds stay away. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 29 August 6, 2017 We began our look at Jacob last week, reading about his dream in Genesis 28. I hope you learned that the Stairway to Heaven existed long before … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 30, 2017 Genesis 28:10-22 Some people have the idea that all the guys and gals on the Lord’s side are holy, but when you read the Bible you find that’s not the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church James 5:7-20 July 23, 2017 It’s always bittersweet coming to an end. This is my last sermon from the Epistle of James, at least for a while. We’ve covered this Epistle thoroughly. At … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 16, 2017 Several of you have shared with me how much you like the book of James. You find his writings practical and helpful. We’ll see if that holds true after today. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 9, 2017 James 4:1-12 It’s good to be back with you. Thanks to the hard work of many of you, there is an excitement around here about our upcoming 40th … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 18, 2017 James 3:1-12 Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book Speaking of Sin, tells about a Lebanese Presbyterian classmate of hers in seminary. This guy threw, what she called, a “theological temper … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church James 2:14-26 June 10, 2017 “Prayers never gets grass out de field,” Archibald Rutledge writes quoting from an African American who worked on his plantation in South Carolina in the early … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church James 2:1-14 June 4, 2017 It’s Pentecost. Why did God send his Spirit down upon the church like flames of fire? Was it just to help us get to heaven or did God want … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church James 1:16-27 May 28, 2017 We’re looking at the second half of the first chapter of the Letter of James this morning. Last week, in the first half of this chapter, we … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church James 1:1-15 May 21, 2017 During Lent we worked through Galatians. This week, we’ll begin a journey through the Book of James. These two works are often contrasted with each other. Galatians … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 7, 2017 John 10:1-18 The pastoral image of a shepherd is a frequent metaphor in Scripture. Herders of animals were common in Palestine, especially in the Old Testament times. Think about it, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 103 April 30, 2017 Johnny had always wanted to take a ride in a balloon. He’d heard about how quiet they are and thought it was would be a delightful way … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Ezekiel 2:1-7 April 23, 2017 John Knox, the reformer of the Church of Scotland which gave rise to the Presbyterian Church, was drawn to the book of Ezekiel as a model for … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 20:1-18 Easter Sunday 2017 When I was a kid, Easter wasn’t as exciting as Christmas. On Christmas morning, we got lots of presents and could stay in our pajamas as we … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Galatians 6:1-10 April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday is a difficult day to preach. We hear about the glorious parade of Jesus entering Jerusalem. It sounds like a time to celebrate, yet we … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Galatians 4:1-16 March 26, 2017 A farming community was experiencing a severe drought. Day after day, month after month, there were no clouds in the sky. Pastures dried up, crops wilted. Ranchers began … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Galatians 3:19-29 March 19, 2017 I shared this story this past Wednesday in the Bible Study that I’m teaching on Galatians. It’s a story of grace. LaGuardia, a former mayor of New York … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Galatians 2:11-21 March 12, 2017 H. L. Mencken once said “Believing the worst about another person may be a sin, but it is seldom a mistake.”[1] The sage of Baltimore isn’t known for his … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 5, 2017 Galatians 1:1-11 We’re entering the season of Lent. Early in church history, this was a traditional time of preparation for those desiring to be baptized on Easter Sunday. There are … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Romans 6:2-11 February 26, 2017 My intention for this Sunday is to focus on the Christian Funeral and to use worship as a way to help us be mindful of our actions surrounding … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 3 February 12, 2017 Maybe we should talk about apples today as we look at Genesis 3. As I teased you last week, this is where things began to go terribly … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 2:4b-25 February 5, 2017 This past Wednesday, as I was coming back from a worship conference at Calvin College on the train, I had an afternoon layover in Washington D.C. Union Station … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 15, 2017 Genesis 1:24-2:4 If you haven’t yet attended any of the Calvin January Series lectures,[1] I encourage you to do so. You don’t have to travel to Calvin College, for … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 8, 2017 Genesis 1:1-25 This past Tuesday night, I was camping in Mizell Prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. There is little dry ground to camp on in the swamp, especially … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 24, 2016 Isaiah 9:2-7 This evening, I’m basing my homily on a well-known passage from Isaiah, one that is often read during the Christmas season. The opening 2/3 of the book of … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 18, 2016 John 14:25-31 My grandmother created this needlepoint of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in the early 1930s. She was in high school. Money was tight and she used an old … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 11, 2016 John 10:22-39 We’re exploring passages from John’s gospel this Advent season that relate to what Jesus’ coming was all about. The first Sunday of Advent, we learned that Jesus’ followers … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 4, 2016 John 20:24-31 The Christmas season is to be a magical time, a time of miracles. There are magical elves assembling gifts in a North Pole workshop, an ostracized reindeer with a … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 27, 2016 John 15:18-27 Today is the first Sunday of Advent, a season in which we recall the waiting for the Messiah by the people of Israel while we wait for his return. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 13, 2016 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 A few years ago I was flying on a commuter airline, you know the type where you have to squeeze yourself in and the aisle are not … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 5, 2016 1 Timothy 6:17-20 We’ve got a lot going on… A new elder ordained, quilts for valor, remembering saints, and communion. You’re probably thinking, “I hope he’s not too long this … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 30, 2016 Ephesians 1:3-14 Our topic this week, in our all-church study of Jeff Manion’s book, Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption, is identity shift. When we are adopted into … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 23, 2016 Matthew 20:1-16 This is our second week of looking at topics found in the book Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption. Last week we talked about enrolling … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 16, 2016 1 Timothy 6:3-10 After having spent the summer in the Book of Acts, we’re going to take a break. For the next six weeks, I am preaching on texts … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 2, 2016 Acts 18:18-28 Today we’re coming to the end of Paul’s second missionary journey as he leaves Corinth and heads back to his home base. What a trip it’s been. He … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 18, 2016 Acts 17:16-34 Last week, we ended up with Paul leaving Beroea, where a gang was out for his hide. He’s heading to Athens where he plans to wait for Timothy … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 11, 2016 Acts 17:1-15 Do you remember the horrific account of ISIS beheading Christians in Libya about a year ago? This past May, in a hearing held by the House Foreign Affairs … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 4, 2016 Acts 16:25-40 Today we finish up Paul’s time in Philippi. When we left Paul and Silas last Sunday, they were locked up below the jailhouse. Paul’s accusers were upset … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 28, 2016 Acts 16:16-24 In the sixteenth chapter of Acts, there are two stories of women encountering the power of Christ. The first was Lydia. We learned about her two weeks ago. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 14, 2016 Acts 16:10-15, (Revelation 22:1-7) Last week, we looked at how Paul and his companions (Silas, Timothy and maybe even Luke) experienced road blocks in their plans to preach the gospel … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 7, 2016 Acts 16:1-9 This week we begin Paul’s second missionary journey. The sixteenth chapter of Acts is another turning point in this book. Paul heads into Europe. The story Luke tells … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 31, 2016 Acts 15:22-40 Two weeks ago, we began our look at the fifteenth chapter of Acts, in which we learned about the Council of Jerusalem. As I suggested then, this council … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 15:1-21 July 17, 2016 Yesterday, in a tweet, Timothy Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City wrote: “The Gospel shows us a God far more holy than a legalist can … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 10, 2016 Acts 14:19-28 What a week: shootings in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas, all on the heels of Orlando. At times it appears our world is coming apart at the seams. We struggle … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 144 July 3, 2016 As this is the Fourth of July weekend, I am going to take a break from our trip with Paul around the Mediterranean World, and look at Psalm … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 26, 2016 Acts 14:1-18 For those of you not here last week, we’re back to the book of Acts, picking up where I left last fall. My goal this year is to … Continue reading
Funeral Homily for Darrel Lowell June 25, 2016 Romans 14:7-9 A few weeks ago, Darrel came to my office. He had learned the treatments of the past year had not worked and there were more treatments in his future. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church June 19, 2016 Acts 13:13-52 Starting a few weeks before Pentecost 2015 and running through last fall, I preached on the Book of Acts. That series ended at the beginning of Chapter 13. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Kings 17:1-16 June 5, 2016 For this morning’s passage we’re going back into the Old Testament and explore an Elijah story. Elijah was perhaps Israel’s greatest prophet even though he never got … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 7:1-10 May 29, 2016 “Mister, Mister,” a young man yelled at me as I left the bank. The man, dressed in a long robe and with a round hat that identified … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 22, 2016 Romans 5:1-11 Today is Trinity Sunday. It’s one of a few “Church days” that doesn’t recall an event like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost. Instead, Trinity Sunday celebrates the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Genesis 11:1-9 May 15, 2016 I attended a 6 AM worship service when I was in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Between Easter and Pentecost, this congregation hosted predawn worship services every morning, … Continue reading
A Prayer at the Dedication of the Docks at Landing’s Marina Jeff Garrison May 14, 2016 Almighty God, whose Spirit swept over the face of the waters at creation, separating the ocean from the land, we turn our attention … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 8, 2016 John 5:1-18 As I indicated last week, this will be our second take on the same text: the story of Jesus healing a man who had been an invalid for … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 2, 2016 John 5:1-18 A Scotchman goes into a bar with a broken arm. Standing at one end, laying his arm in a cast up on the bar, he calls for a … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 17, 2016 Revelation 7:9-17 Take out your Bibles or a pew Bible out and turn the book of Revelation. It’s in the back of the book. I want to point something out … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 19, 2016 Luke 24:24-48 Things can change in a second. I was reminded of this lesson on Monday night as I watched Carolina roar back from a 10 point deficit (the largest … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 3, 2016 Luke 24:13-35 I was working for the Boy Scouts of America in the summer of 1984. I had just been promoted to a much larger district in a different council and … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Easter Sunday 2016 Luke 24:1-12 The journey to Easter is exhausting. A lot has happened since last Sunday. Seven days that seem like seven ages, each pulling on our emotions as we recall … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Philippians 2:1-11 March 20, 2016 Palm Sunday Today is Palm Sunday. The title of the day causes us to recall the pomp and circumstance of Jesus entering Jerusalem as a victorious king. Yet, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church John 12:1-8 March 13, 2016 There is a Peanut’s comic strip where Charlie Brown approaches Lucy about the problem of world hunger. Lucy shrugs her shoulder in implied indifference. Charlie Brown then goes … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 6, 2016 Joshua 5:8-12 Our passage today comes at the point when Israel has entered the Promised Land. It’s a time when Israel recalls who they are and to whom they belong. It’s … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church February 28, 2016 Isaiah 42:10-17 I’ve been working on puzzles a lot lately. When living in Michigan, we put a lot of puzzles together. This was generally a winter activity and they were … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church February 21, 2016 Genesis 15 Friday evening and Saturday was the Presbytery’s “Leadership Development” Conference. This year’s keynote speaker was Michael Jenkin’s, the president of Louisville Theological Seminary. After one of his lectures, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church February 14, 2016 1 John 4:7-21 We’re going to dig into a passage from 1st John this Valentine’s Day, where we learn that love has nothing to do with cupid. Love is … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Jeremiah 1:4-10 February 7, 2016 I want to draw your attention to a quote at the top of the bulletin from Eugene Peterson. You may know Peterson from The Message translation … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 24, 2016 1 Corinthians 12:31-14:1 It’s good to be back up here this week. Thanks to everyone who pitched in last week as I was recovering from surgery. I would like to especially … Continue reading
I was asked to speak at an ecumenical service over the Martin Luther King weekend titled “Voices of Justice and Mercy” and was asked to briefly reflect (5-6 minutes) on what we might learn from someone in our church’s tradition … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison First Presbyterian Church January 17, 2016 1 Corinthians 12:4-19 Throughout Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he frequently uses the metaphor of the body. He writes about our individual bodies as temples for the Holy Spirit, but … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 10, 2016 Isaiah 43:1-7 Today, in the church’s calendar, is the Baptism of the Lord. It’s a date to remember that Jesus, in solidarity with us, was baptized by John the Baptist. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 3, 2016 John 1:1-18 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the better known Christian martyrs of the 20th Century, was killed by the Nazi’s days before the end of World War II. Bonhoeffer spent most … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve 2015 Luke 2:1-20 (verse 19) Growing up, I never felt like our Christmas tree was the real thing. Yeah, it was a live tree; we’d never go for the artificial … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 20, 2015 Luke 1:39-56 Spring mornings in the Appalachian Mountains are special. Just before dawn, an hour or so before the sun rises, birds began to sing. It can be quite … Continue reading
JEFF GARRISON Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 13, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-20 Old Testament reading from Zephaniah was a song of joy, a song sung by those who experienced God’s saving love. Israel rejoices and sings. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 3:1-6 December 6, 2015 Christ has come and Christ will come again. This truth of the Christian faith is why on our Advent journey in which we remember the future (Christ’s coming), … Continue reading
My thanks to Andy Lohn who delivered this sermon on Sunday as I was in North Carolina with my father who had emergency surgery. Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Luke 21:25-36 November 29, 2015 Today we … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Psalm 65 November 22, 2015 Come Thursday, we’re going to all be stuffing ourselves with turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, yeast rolls, pecan pie, and other goodies. One of my favorite dishes that my … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 13:1-12 November 8, 2015 Barring unforeseen circumstances, this will be the last sermon I will preach on Acts this year. It’s been a long journey as we’ve watched the early church … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 November 1, 2015 Today, I’m going to be talking about prayer and I would like to point out one thing done in Washington this week that I found encouraging. Don’t … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 12:6-24 October 24, 2015 Two weeks ago, before heading off to my class reunion, I ended with a downer in Scripture. Herod had James killed and Peter thrown into prison and held … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 11:19-12:5 October 11, 2015 We continue our journey with the Apostles in Acts. There will only be two more sermons in this series. After Paul is commissioned (which happens at the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 4, 2015 Acts 11:1-18 We’re continuing to work through the first half of the book of Acts today, looking at the aftermath of Peter and Cornelius’ encounter in Caesarea. Peter is … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 27, 2015 Acts 10:23-48a Today, we’re in the middle of a large section in Acts that deals with the conversion of Gentiles. If you remember, last week we looked at God’s Spirit … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 20, 2015 Acts 10:1-23 We’ve come to the pinnacle of Acts.[1] As I have discussed again and again over the past few months, the book we know as “Acts of the Apostles” … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway island Presbyterian Church Acts 9:36-43 September 13, 2015 Today, as we continue working through the book known as Acts of the Apostles, we’re going to read about two individuals, Aeneas and Tabitha. Both experience a … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 9:19b-30 September 6. 2015 A few years ago at Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Writing Conference, I attended a seminar led by Barbara Nicolosi, a screen writer from Hollywood. She spoke … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 9:10-19a August 30, 2015 The late British New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce declared that “no single event, apart from the Christ-event itself, has proved so determinant for the course of … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 9:1-9 August 23, 2015 As we continue working through the first half of Acts, we come to a pivotal point, the conversion of Saul, who became Paul, the greatest missionary of our … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 16, 2015 Acts 8:26-40 I grew up on the first generation of Star Trek, which seems a bit dated now. The special effects were somewhat cheesy, but back in the day, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 8:3-24 August 9, 2015 Last Sunday, we explored the passage of Stephen’s martyrdom. The blood of martyrs often fertilize the soil for church grown and as disturbing as reports of Christians … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 2, 2015 Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-60 Last week, as we learned the Apostles could not do everything by themselves. Like us, they were human so they began a process to select others to … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church July 26, 2015 Acts 6:1-7 Last week, I was on study leave and stayed at my grandmother’s home in Pinehurst while I read and did planning for the upcoming year. On Sunday, I … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 5:12-42 July 12, 2015 In the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain works in this kernel of truth: “Often the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 4:23-5:11 July 5, 2015 I am grateful for Rachel who preached for me while I was on vacation and to Allan who brought us the good news last Sunday, right after … Continue reading
Accountability as a Christian June 28, 2015 Allan Pulaski The construction of a baseball: 2 pieces of leather cut in a figure 8. Generally only from a Midwest Holstein 369 yards of Wool Yarn and Cotton Yarn … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 4:1-22 June 14, 2015 We all know the saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.” That’s what happens to Peter and John. If you remember from last week, they go to the temple … Continue reading
As we continue to work our way through the Book of Acts, I’ll begin my reading today with the 3rd Chapter. If you remember, last week we look at the end of the second chapter, where we had an idyllic … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 2:37-47 May 31, 2015 On the church calendar, today is Trinity Sunday. I’m not really preaching on the mystery of the Trinity except that in our story we see all three persons … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 24, 2015 Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1-16 When I was in seminary, Ken, a fellow student from Japan, found America’s “alternative newspapers” worthy of his attention. I am speaking of the papers … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Acts 1:12-26 May 17, 2015 Before I get into my sermon today, I want us to do something. I would like everyone who has plans to travel this summer to stand up. I … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church May 10, 2015 Acts 1:1-11 We’re setting off on a new tack this morning, as we work our way through the book of Acts. The official title given to this book is The … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church First Corinthians 11:17-34 May 3, 2015 This week, as we continue to look at how worship helps us reflect Jesus’ face to the world, we’re considering the sacraments and specifically, communion. As Protestants, … Continue reading
April 26, 2015 Psalm 34:1-14 In a documentary titled Mother Teresa, a priest who had known her since she was young noted this misconception about Teresa. Most people think she went to Calcutta and was so moved by … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Isaiah 6:1-8 April 19, 2015 The need to worship is something instilled in us. Whether or not we’re Christian, whether or not we’re religious, all of us have a desire to find meaning … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church April 12, 2015 Genesis 1:14-18, 1:26-2:3 Over the next five weeks, I want us to think about how worship can assist us in being better disciples. How might worship help us reflect Jesus’ … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Easter Sunday 2015 John 20:19-29 What a contrast today is to that first Easter. We worship in an open building with signs drawing attention and encouraging others to visit. We’re told … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison First Presbyterian Church March 22, 2015 John 12:20-26 This morning we’re going to explore a passage in the 12th Chapter of John’s gospel. This incident occurs just a few days before Jesus’ crucifixion. The situation in Jerusalem … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 15, 2015 John 3:14-21 Spring is around us as trees are budding forth as azaleas bloom. The show of color is a reminder of the new life offered through Jesus Christ. But before … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 8, 2015 John 2:13-25 The second chapter of John’s gospel has two stories. In the first, Jesus is the life of the party as he turns water into wine. In the second story, … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church March 1, 2015 Mark 8:27-38 We didn’t talk about Lent last week as we were busy with the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans. Thanks to everyone who made that service special. Today is the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Ephesians 2:11-22 February 22, 2015 For the past two months, I have tried to hit on some of the key tenets of the Presbyterian Church while linking these topics with theologians who were instrumental … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Boy Scout Sunday: Psalm 8 February 8, 2014 My love for being outdoors was kindled during my years as a Boy Scout. Our troop would often camp in Holly Shelter Swamp along the Northeast … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Deuteronomy 5:1-10 February 1, 2015 A salty old sailor who sat through a sermon at the Seaman’s mission on the Ten Commandments was visibly shaken. “What’s the matter,” another asked. “Well,” he said … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 25, 2015 Romans 8:18-30 I am continuing my review of the theology that makes us Presbyterian and a part of that great body within … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 11, 2014 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Before the great awakening of the church in the 16th Century, known as the Protestant Reformation, the Western Church held to multiple sources of authority: the … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church January 4, 2014 Isaiah 12 As we enter that gap between the Christmas season and Lent, I will use these Sundays to give you a primer on what it means to be Presbyterians. … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 28, 2014 Isaiah 64 Jesus was born at an interesting time. Luke provides a historical setting for the birth: Augustus was emperor, Quirinius was governor, and there was a major census being … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve 2014 Titus 2:11-15 This evening, let’s think about gifts. This is, after all, the season of giving and we’re bombarded with media encouraging us to give and give more… Christmas is … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church December 21, 2014 4th Sunday of Advent Hebrews 1:1-4 A year ago, on this very Sunday, I did something I had never done in my a quarter century of preaching… I cancelled … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014 First Peter 1:1-5 It’s the third Sunday of Advent and today we’re looking at the third non-tangible gift that we might receive this Christmas—one of the … Continue reading
OUR SPIRITUAL WORSHIP Preached on the Occasion of the Installation of the Rev. Jeffrey Garrison As Pastor of Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, Skidaway Island, GA Nov 9, 2014, 4 pm By Dr. Jeffrey Newlin Text: Romans 12 Intro I … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Second Sunday in Advent December 7, 2014 Romans 8:25 Last week we looked at the gift of anticipation. As followers of Christ, we anticipate a better world coming. Today, as we continue … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 30, 2014 First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 25:6-26:4 It is good to be back with you. Last Sunday I was in North Carolina with my father, checking on my mother and spending … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 16, 2014 Luke 8:4-15 Let me begin this morning in which we’re talking about Stewardship with the concept of the firstborn. In the Old Testament, God calls on Israel to consecrate … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 9, 2014 Luke 12:13-25 Next Sunday is the day we make our commitments to support God’s work through Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church for the next year. Our … Continue reading
Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church November 2, 2014 I John 2:28-3:7 Have you read any of Don Miller’s books? His best, in my opinion, is Blue Like Jazz. Miller is considered one of the leaders in the emergent church movement. … Continue reading
Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 26, 2014 Matthew 20:20-28 This is Reformation Sunday and, as I am fond of mentioning, one of the most important doctrines to come out of the Protestant Reformation, especially when it concerns how we … Continue reading
Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 22:1-14 October 19, 2014 As I have been doing for my past two sermons, we’ll continue to look at a section of the covenant that exist between me and the congregation. The third part … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church October 5, 2014 Philippians 2:5-11 Today is my second in a series of sermons highlighting aspects of a covenant covering our relationship as a pastor and congregation as we work together to further … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 28, 2014 Matthew 18:10-14 In the early years of the 20th century, John Deere introduced a revolutionary corn planter that changed agriculture in our country. It was called the John Deere … Continue reading
Sermon series starting September 28th … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Matthew 20:1-16 September 21, 2014 Our Old Testament reading this morning is often seen as the foundational text for marriage, and it is. But there is also something else important tucked into … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church September 14, 2014 Matthew 18:21-35 Today, let’s consider what I think is the key to being the church in which Jesus envisioned. Jesus gave the church something which distinguishes us from para-church … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Deuteronomy 1:34-45 September 7, 2014 As we’ve indicated earlier, today is traditionally called “Rally Day” in the church. The day signals the beginning of a new church school year. It’s a time … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Deuteronomy 1:19-33 August 31, 2014 Fear is one of our basic instincts and we live in a fearful world. Part of this is natural. We fear what we don’t know. We fear what … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church August 24, 2014 Deuteronomy 1:6-8 Summer is coming to a close, although you’d never know it by this week’s weather. Schools have resumed and so has high school football. We’re in the season … Continue reading
Jeff Garrison Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church Revelation 1:4-8 August 17, 2014 I am humbled and a little nervous to stand up here for first time to proclaim God’s good news to you and to this community. I am thankful … Continue reading