Oaks Parish

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:35–42

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Angela Duckworth, “I Study Successful People. They Have One Habit in Common”. The New York Times 08.28.26

You might think I’d love the image of the solo striver triumphing over every challenge. After all, I’m a psychologist who wrote a book called “Grit” about the necessity of passion and perseverance for achieving long-term goals. The truth is, I hate it. Without exception, every high performer I’ve studied credits a host of supporters for success. Research has found that a willingness to ask...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck and Martha Van Houten

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Psalm 1

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Byung-Chul Han, The Disappearance of Rituals

Rituals stabilize life. To paraphrase Antoine Saint Exupéry, we may say: rituals are in life what things are in space…They ‘have the function of stabilizing human life.’ Their ‘objectivity lies in the fact that…men, their ever-changing nature notwithstanding, can retrieve their sameness, that is, their identity, by being related to the same chair the same table.’ In life, serve as stabilizing resting points. Rituals serve the same purpose. Through their self-sameness, their repetitivenes...

Scripture Text: Psalm 129

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

George Herbert, The Sacrifice

With clubs and staves they seek me, as a thief,

Who am the Way and Truth, the true relief;

Most true to those, who are my greatest grief:

Was ever grief like mine?

Steven Lawson, The Holman Old Testament Commentary

In the face of defeat, God gave them the victory. In fact, such God-given victory marked the entire history of his people, Israel. God's people...

Scripture Text: Psalm 123

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Paul Goodman, Little Prayers and Finite Experience

Patience is drawing on underlying forces; it is powerfully positive, though to a natural view it looks like just sitting it out. How would I persist against positive eroding forces if I were not drawing on invisible forces? And patience has a positive tonic effect on others; because of the presence of the patient person, they revive and go on, as if he were the gyroscope of the ship providing a stable ground. But...

Scripture Text: Luke 12:13-21

David Bast

Psalm 133

Josh Hill

Quotes for Reflection

Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity

Since God is, before all things, a Father, and not primarily Creator or Ruler, all his ways are beautifully fatherly. It is not that this God "does" being Father as a day job, only to kick back in the evenings as plain old "God". It is not that he has a nice blob of fatherly icing on top. He is Father. All the way down. Thus all that he does he does as Father. That is who...

Sermon Text: Psalm 131

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Tim & Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus

We so often approach God only for what he can give, rather than simply to rest in his presence.

John of the Cross, The Ascent to Mount Carmel

Where your hope goes, there too will go your joy, fear, and sorrow; and if it turns back, they too will turn back.

Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

We are...

Scripture Text: Psalm 130

Jim Byrne

Quotes for Reflection

Christof Barth

It is the righteous who confess their unrighteousness before God.Only the godless man refuses to do this, because he regards himself as righteous.

Claus Westermann

Whenever one in his enforced separation praised God in song or speech, or silence, he was conscious of himself not as an individual, but as a member of the congregation. When in hunger and cold, between interrogations, or as one sentenced to death, he was privileged to praise God...

With Special Guest Bryan Buck

Click here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the Transfiguration:

In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our own community.

Sermon Text: Psalm 128

Jim Byrne

Quotes for Reflection

David Dickson (1583-1663)

The scope of this psalm is to show the blessedness of the one who fears God, which appears first in the temporal blessing of that person in their calling, second in their family, and third, in pouring spiritual blessings on them.

James Luther Mays

Because Zion is the place of the Presence, the pilgrims bring the needs and hopes of everyday life with them.

Willem VanGemeren

To sit under one’s...

Scripture Text: Psalm 127

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

The first people to sing this psalm had expended much effort to get to Jerusalem. Some came great distances and overcame formidable difficulties. Would there be a tendency among the pilgrims to congratulate one another on their successful journey, to swell with pride in their accomplishment, to trade stories of their experiences? Would there be comparisons on who made the longest pilgrimage, the fastest pilgrimage, who had brought the most neighbors, who...

Scripture Text: Psalm 126

Bryan Buck

Scripture Text: Psalm 125

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Thomas Keating, Open Minds, Open Hearts

You can only face up to who you really are in the presence of someone you trust.

Steven J. Lawson, The Holman Old Testament Commentary on Psalms

What difficulties are you facing? What disturbing circumstances are threatening your peace? For what demanding challenge, threatening problem, or imminent crisis do you need God's help? Be assured that God is infinitely greater than whatever threatens you. This is the time to...

We apologize that the first couple minutes of this sermon replay are missing, but you can jump right in to the main content of the sermon!

Quotes for Reflection

Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

How God wants us to sing like this! Christians are not fussy moralists who cluck their tongues over a world going to hell; Christians are people who praise the God who is on our side. Christians are not pious pretenders in the midst of a decadent culture; Christians are robust witnesses to the...

Scripture Text: Psalm 122

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Anyee Bhutani, “Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass, WSJ May 3, 2026 Gen Z Christians attend church more often than millennials, Gen X and baby boomers, according to the Barna Group, a firm that studies U.S. faith trends. In 2025, the typical Gen Z churchgoer attended nearly two weekends a month, the highest level since the firm began tracking, and up from around one weekend a month in 2020. Young men in particular are more interested in faith. A Gallup poll released in...

Scripture Text: Psalm 121

Bryan Buck (Series: Psalms of Ascent)

Quotes for Reflection

Steven Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary

Making the trip to Jerusalem required making an upward ascent in elevation into the holy city to attend the feasts. There were no paved roads but, for the most part, only well-trodden paths across the valleys, along the side of rivers, and over mountain passes. This psalm recounted the arduous journey and the abundant strength they found in the Lord himself to complete their trip. God himself was their strength, sustainer...

Scripture Text: Psalm 120

Series: Psalms of Ascent

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Julian of Norwich, The Showings of Julian Norwich As long as we are in this life, whenever we foolishly turn our attention to those we deem not to be on a spiritual path, our Lord God tenderly touches us and blessedly calls to us, speaking to our souls: Let me be the only object of your attention, my beloved child. Focus on me alone, for I am enough for you. Rejoice in your savior and your salvation.<...

Sermon Text: John 4:1-42

Pat Roach

With Special Guest Jim Byrne

Click here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Feast of the Holy Trinity:

Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the Holy Trinity:

In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our...

Scripture Text: Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 and Acts 2:1-13

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Ben Witherington III

Throughout Acts, the presence of the Spirit is seen as the distinguishing mark of Christianity — it is what makes a person a Christian.

John Owen, Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Each Person Distinctly, in Love, Grace, and Consolation

But just remember…he is our most loving Father. Every other discovery of God, without this, will but make the soul fly from him; but if the...

The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series

Martha Van Houten

With Special Guest Alex Wenig

Click here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for Pentecost.

Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of Pentecost:

In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the...

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:17-23 and Acts 1:1-11

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone

In the world of the first century, when someone was enthroned as king, that new authority would take effect through heralds going off throughout the territory in question with the news, ‘We have a king!’ That was always proclaimed as good news, because everyone in the ancient world (unlike many in the modern world) knew that anarchy is always worse than authorized government. Governments may be bad, but chaos is worse. So t...

The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series

Martha Van Houten

With Special Guest Jim Byrne

Click here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Ascension.

Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the Ascension:

In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special...

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16 and Luke 15:1-10

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Kylne R. Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus Few things are more important than our perception of God, for from that understanding we perceive our own identity, how we should think and act, and how the world ought to be.

J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke Christ’s love is a deep and mighty love. Just as the shepherd rejoiced to find his sheep, and the woman to...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck & Martha Van Houten

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and Luke 10:25-37

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Timothy Keller, Ministries of Mercy

What was the point of Jesus’ parable? We could put it this way. He was humbling us with the mercy God requires so we can receive the mercy God offers. This is the gospel. All of us lie helpless and bankrupt, dying on the road. Jesus Christ, who is our natural enemy, who owes us nothing, nevertheless stops and gives us of His spiritual riches and saves us.

J.C. Ry...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck and Martha Van Houten

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: 1 Kings 18:17-39 and Acts 6:1-4

Daniel Robbins

Quotes for Reflection:

Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Way

(quoting Tito Colliander on the Ascetics).

"Prayer is action."

Application Questions

1. If you look at your practice, what does is imply about your lived belief in prayer?

2. If you had to focus on one request for this coming day, what would it be? How about for the next week?

3. What fears does prayer bring up in you? Would praying about...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck & Martha Van Houten

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Philippians 1:3-11 and Acts 16:6-34

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles

The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world.

Ralph Ellison, Interview on Invisible Man, 1974

I think most of us Americans are challenged, to be very, very conscious of where we are and that’s not an easy thing to do, and I do believe that knowing wh...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck & Martha Van Houten

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Exodus 3:1-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:1

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God is Small

In the biblical sense, what we fear shows our allegiances. It shows where we put our trust. It shows who is big in our lives.

N.T. Wright, 2 Corinthians

The gospel is not just a mechanism for getting people saved. It is the announcement of a love that has changed the world, a love that therefore takes the people who find themselves loved...

Scripture Text: Isaiah 25:6-9 and Matthew 28:1-10

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

John Calvin, The Gospel of Matthew We now come to the closing scene of our redemption. For the lively assurance of our reconciliation with God arises from Christ having come from hell as the conqueror of death, in order to show that he had the power of a new life at his disposal. Justly, therefore, does Paul say that there will be no gospel, and that the hope of salvation will be vain and fruitless, unless we believe that...

Scripture Text: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Matthew 27:27-54

Bryan Buck

Scripture Text: Zechariah 9:9-12 and Matthew 21:1-11

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

C.S. Lewis, A Word About Praising

The world rings with praise — lovers praising their mistresses [Romeo praising Juliet and vice versa], readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favourite game — praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. . . . Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible. . . . I had not noti...

The Oaks Parish Podcast

Bryan Buck and Martha Van Houten

Week 5 in our Lenten series, "Ashes to Glory"

Exodus 29:1-9

Matthew 25:31-46

Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Exodus 29:1-9 and Matthew 25:31-46

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Martin Luther, Church Postil We receive Christ not only as a gift by faith, but also as an example of love toward our neighbor, whom we are to serve as Christ serves us. Faith brings and gives Christ to you with all his possessions. Love gives you to your neighbor with all your possessions. These two things constitute a true and complete Christian life.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity This is the terrible fix we are in...

Note: The views expressed by our guest regarding Mary’s intercessory role are their own and do not reflect the beliefs or doctrinal positions of our community or the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). At the same time, we value the opportunity to hear and engage with differing perspectives, recognizing that thoughtful dialogue can enrich our understanding and foster meaningful conversation. We remain committed to presenting these discussions while upholding the theological convictions that shape our faith and practice.

With Special Guest Clementine Schroeder

Click here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for th...

Scripture Text: Exodus 22:1-15 and Matthew 21:23-46

Bryan Buck

Quotes for Reflection

Dante, The Divine Comedy, Paradisio

Rather it is inherent in this state

Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within

The divine will, by which our wills with his Are one.

So that as we from step to step

Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all,

E’en as our King, who in us plants his will;

And in his will is our tranquillity; It is the...