Doylestown Presbyterian Church

"This Sunday’s scripture being preached on is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:1,13-25). It digs deep into what actions and characteristics bring us real freedom. I look forward to sharing in worship with you!" 

- Mac Schafer

This Sunday’s lectionary text is Luke 8:26-39 (Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac). It’s one of my favorite gospel stories. There’s so much going on in this passage. In the text before this one, Jesus calms a literal storm. This is foreshadowing to the calm he brings in a man’s life in the country of the Gerasenes.  - Mac Schafer

A portion of the following song plays during the sermon:

Welcome To The Family · Michael Franti & Spearhead · Michael Franti · Chris Stevens

Welcome To The Family

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On Trinity Sunday we celebrate, as described by our denomination, the unfathomable mystery of God’s being as Holy Trinity. It is a day of adoration and praise of the one, eternal, incomprehensible God.

On this Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Becca will remind us that Acts 2 is not the story of a finished church. May we be inspired by the spark of a Spirit still speaking!

Join in this Sunday as we share songs people have sung in hard times and the stories about the people who sang them. 

During this unique and exciting Earth Care Sunday, Pastor Mac Schafer offers several reflections touching on the life and experience of Scottish immigrant John Muir. After arriving in America in 1849, Muir would go on to become a noted naturalist, author, and environmental philosopher. 

In his book Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer writes, “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.” This Sunday we celebrate discernment and God’s call. God calls each of us. Join in worship as we celebrate new elders and deacons being called to service through the church. 

-Pastor Mac Schafer

"This Sunday we will be looking at Acts 9:36-43. In this story a faithful disciple named Tabitha dies. The text says, 'She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.' Join us for worship as we dive into the type of discipleship Tabitha modeled."

-Pastor Mac Schafer

With a theme reflecting on “what grounds you in life,” Sunday’s worship services were built on the firm foundation established by our faithful DPC Youth. 

"Even in our moments of doubt, we serve a risen Lord who transforms uncertainty into hope. Imagine facing every challenge with the assurance that God is alive and in control—because that truth changes everything!"

-Jamie Neal, Seminarian

Dr. Donald Juel, reflecting on the resurrection account in the Gospel of Mark, once wrote that: "None of the Gospels can really end the story of Jesus. The whole point is that it continues–and that its significance continues.” Thank God that we are a part of Jesus' living story! Looking forward to celebrating this continuing story on Easter Sunday with you. 

-Pastor Mac Schafer

"Join us on Palm Sunday as we continue to explore God’s joy. Your joy matters. Tom Are, Jr. says, 'Joy is not the result of turning a blind eye to the brokenness of ourselves and our world; instead, joy is a confidence in the power of love.'"

-Pastor Mac Schafer

"We are in week five of exploring God’s restoration of joy in our lives. This week our theme is joy as a group effort.

-Pastor Mac Schafer

Every church has a culture which can sometimes lead to a sense of belonging or exclusion. Join in this week as Pastor Becca explores the question found in the book of Romans: What does it mean to nurture belonging and be a part of a church together?

This Sunday, Pastor Mac will built on the first two weeks of our Lenten series: The restoration of God's joy, while affirming that God's joy is already in us.

"Join in this Sunday as we continue in the series Restore Unto Me the Joy! John 15, reflects on a joy that has been there all along. But how do you tap into it?"

-Rev. Becca Bateman

Our Book of Common Worship says, “The season of Lent is a time for growth in the faith through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the commemoration of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This Sunday Pastor Mac preached on Psalm 51, introducing our Lenten theme on the restoration of Christ’s joy in our lives.

Rev. Dr. Mac Schafer concludes our Advent theme of exploring the names of Jesus during our Christmas Eve Communion Service. 

"On this Second Sunday of Advent we’re talking about Jesus as the good shepherd. What made him a good shepherd? Why is that name so important for our lives in today’s world?"

-Rev. Dr. Mac Schafer 

"As the first Sunday of Advent, we will gather and center on our traditions. We will light the Advent wreath, sing carols of preparation, and create a space to reflect on the promise that Jesus meets us with his renewing light."

-Rev. Becca Bateman 

"It's hard to express the deep gratitude I have for you as I lean on the exit door, knowing a new and wonderful entrance awaits Pastor Mac. After more than a year at DPC, one would think I had said all I needed to say. So, this week I wrap it up with a little reminder that I hope you will never forget. I will spell it out for you this week in worship. See you then."

 -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"I don’t know how many of you play a musical instrument, but do you know the most difficult instrument to play? This week Leonard Bernstein, John the Baptist, and Peter’s brother provide the answer. Confused? Not to worry... I’ll orchestrate the answer in my sermon."

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"This week we will take a look at the Scripture account of the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus does a pretty miraculous act experienced by the disciples and so many others. Jesus does not expect from us such splendors and magnificence...or does he?" 

 -Rev. Becca Bateman

"This Sunday was All Saints’ Day. In our tradition, a saint isn’t a plastic statue or someone who appears in a stained glass window. Humphrey Bogart, Jesus, and a shy Baptist from Mississippi all help us understand what it means to be a saint. Who knows, you might be one too!” 

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

“What can a former seminary president, a prophet named Ezekiel, a published Rabbi, and the literary character Faust teach us about dragons? You do know there are dragons out there, right? An even more pressing question is 'what do you do when you face a dragon?"   

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

“There is a common thread of life and faith that connects us to a dancing king, a sour puss, and Lee Ann Womack. I’ll share more this week in worship. Hope to see you on Sunday and bring your dancing shoes!”   

 -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

“This week we look forward to welcoming long time DPC friend Ruth Faith Santana-Grace as our guest preacher. Ruth hardly needs an introduction, and her list of accomplishments is as long and diverse as a menu at an NJ or PA diner. She has traveled across America and around the globe as the past moderator of the 225th PC(USA) General Assembly. Her joy, enthusiasm, and love for Christ is contagious.”   

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

“Instead of my usual ‘sermon blurb’ this week, I am thrilled that we will welcome Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, from Princeton Seminary, to DPC. Eric is an amazing preacher and teacher! His classes are the first to fill up each year. Eric will preach at both services and then, during the education hour, lead us in a discussion of life in the early church and its lessons for the church today.”   

 -Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

“I am not sure if the Apostle Paul had a voice like Luciano Pavarotti, or if he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. In either case, the Bible says when he sang, people listened. The same can be said of you and me. People are always listening to our song. I'll share more this week during worship.”   

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort 

Rev. Dr. MacHenry "Mac" Schafer is intrigued by the mission of DPC: “Be a bridge for Christ and a beacon of His love.”  Many texts in the Bible involve locations that are thresholds where a crossing is necessary. Christ’s light is a guide for these moments we step into unknown territory. Following the service, Mac was approved by members to become DPC's next Senior Pastor!

"Jesus had a gift for spinning a good story, many of which described what the Kingdom of God is like. This week we will linger with the story about the workers in the vineyard. I imagine, if the owner of the vineyard tried to pull a stunt like that today, we would sue for unfair labor practices. I mean fair is fair, but in the process, we might miss the point of the story. I’ll share more this week. See you in worship." 

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

What does William Shakespeare’s comedy Love’s Labour’s Lost have to do with celebration of Labor Day and the work we are called to do as servants of Jesus Christ? Join Pastor Pauline Sexton as we consider Love’s labor this Sunday.  

"How might an 18th century French lawyer, an organic carrot, and a free-range chicken all come together for this Sunday’s Communion mediation? There’s only one way to find out. I’ll let you know when you join me in the sanctuary or online for worship."  

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"I don’t think IHOP ever had a franchise in Ephraim, but the prophet Hosea knew something about the spiritual importance of pancakes. I’ll share his insights this week in worship. See you in church."   

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"Who is one person that made a lasting impression on you? Listen in on Sunday as some youth mission trip participants and I reflect on how certain people can have a great impact on our lives even after just a brief encounter." 
-Rev. Becca Bateman

"Is it possible for a crumbling cathedral, bussing tables, and the Great Commandment to provide fodder for a sermon? Let's find out together this Sunday in worship."  

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"Have you ever attended a high school reunion? If so, was it because you were curious about what became of certain classmates? What would they think about what became of you? Or more importantly - what would God think of what became of you? Let's explore this together on Sunday as we hear about a kid from Tarsus."  

-Rev. Dr. Tom Kort

"Some of us remember the famous line, 'the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,' which describes not only sports but life and faith. More than 10,000 world class athletes are descending on Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. I am not sure if all the authors of the Bible were good athletes, or watched Wide World of Sports, or ESPN, but they often use sports language to express a deep theological point, especially the apostle Paul. I’ve only met one Olympic gold medalist. I’ll tell you his story this week."

-Rev. Dr. Tom K...

"Join as we think about why a certain verse may once again (for the fourth consecutive year) be the most online searched for Bible verse."

-Rev. Becca Bateman

Worship on Sunday, June 30, was DPC's first Laity Sunday - with the service led entirely by our members! In this podcast, hear Scripture read by Brian Rawlings and then a sermon in three parts from Marty Starner, Jim Blore, and Tanner Benson.