Park View Mennonite Church sermons

Phil Kniss: It takes a village to walk humbly

On November 13, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Micah 5 and 6 exploring the role of community in living out God's vision of justice, peace, and shalom in the world.

Phil Kniss: The power of being present

On November 6, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service using the story of God healing Naaman of leprosy and moreover the power of being intently present in the circumstances and people around you wielded by the enslaved girl in the story as a backdrop on All Saints Day to remember, celebrate, and be present with those who have passed away in the past year with connections to the church community.

Phil Kniss: Such a wise man! (wink, wink)

On October 30, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from 1 Kings 3 on the story of God granting wisdom to Solomon and explores how Solomon's kingship fulfills God's vision of the dangers a king would bring when Israel asked for a king in 1 Samuel.

Moriah Hurst: I’ve got the power

On October 23, 2022, Pastor Moriah Hurst preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9 and Psalm 51. The focus of the sermon is to reflect on King David's sinful abuse of power and coercive sexual conquest (rape) of Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, that not only violated God's moral framework, but did violence to the community. Even so, God's grace reaches the worst of sinners, and none are cast away forever, and all are loved.

John Stoltzfus: Liberated to choose

On October 16, 2022, guest preacher and PVMC member John Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Joshua 24:1-26, where Joshua gives a pep talk to the Israelites as they are entering the promised land about making a decision on whom they will serve -- the gods of the land around them or the One who rescued them from Egypt and wants them to live in faithfulness, justice and love to Yahweh, to each other and to neighbor. The phrase that we often highlighted from this text is "As for me and my household we will serve the Lord." Bob Dylan's song "Gotta serve somebody" also makes the claim that we all have a choice to make.

Phil Kniss: Ten words sweeter than honey

On October 9, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17; Psalm 19:7-10; and Matthew 5:17. The focus of the sermon is to help us reframe the “Ten Commandments” from being a mostly negative list, to being the culmination of a story of a loving and liberating God.

Phil Kniss: To be on God’s side

On October 2, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17. The focus of the sermon is to help us reframe the exodus story as the moment when God revealed whose side God is on, uncovering God’s preferential treatment of the poor and the oppressed.

Paula Stoltzfus: From Covenant to Blessing

On September 25, 2022, Pastor Paula Stoltzfus preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service from Genesis 12:1-9, the story of the call Abram and Sarai.

Phil Kniss: The Great Flood Story—The Original Whodunnit

On September 18, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of the Great Flood and God's covenant with creation from Genesis 6-9.

Phil Kniss: The Great Flood Story—The Original Whodunnit

On September 18, 2022, Pastor Phil Kniss preaches at a Park View Mennonite Sunday morning service on the story of the Great Flood and God's covenant with creation from Genesis 6-9.