Oconee Presbyterian Church

This Sunday is Rev. Joel's last Sunday with us before we send him to his next calling at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown. www.presbyterianchestertown.org  This week, Rev. Joel shared some of his own call story, and how this scripture passage from Matthew 4 has been a part of Joel's call into ministry, Joel's call to Oconee Pres 8 years ago, and now Joel's call to Chestertown. But he reminds us, the call of God is for us all. We are ALL called into God's grace, and into service of God's kingdom. Every call is as unique as the individual being called. And sometimes, the call of God comes as silence, meaning no matter what we choose, God is with us. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert, preaching Matthew 4

From being a toddler on the run in Matthew 2 to the preacher of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, how did Jesus get ready? In Matthew 3, he went to his mentor John. (That was last week) This week, he faces the tests and temptations of staying true to his identity and purpose. There is a difference between a test and a temptation. How can we face the tests with courage, but turn our back on the temptations? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Matthew 4

In the new year, we often make resolutions to start or change something. Those are great, but how do we get ready to truly DO them? Jesus started his ministry by getting ready. What did he do, and what can we learn from him? This week, we see how Jesus starting getting ready by going to John as a mentor. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Matthew 3

Herod is hunting for Jesus, wanting to kill him. Joseph and Mary run across the border to Egypt to protect the child from Herod's destruction. Herod is so angry, he kills every little boy he can find that is about Jesus' age. The people weep. Jesus' arrival as perfect love unleashes a heap load of hate and fear. Those in charge get even crazier and more dangerous. How can we stand with Christ and Christ's kingdom against a leader with a fragile ego and a lot of power? Guest Rev. Mark Harper preaching Mattew 2

Strangers came to welcome and worship God in the flesh. They brought their gifts. They saw the signs. They were excited. The people and the leaders had not noticed the star. They were not excited but disturbed. They did not go visit the child or bring him gifts. Why? Why were strangers, outsiders more aware and willing to welcome God and God's kingdom, while leaders and insiders were less aware or willing to go to Him and bring Him gifts? Who are we today, insiders unaware and unwilling and disturbed by God's arrival in our world, or strangers and outsiders who are excited to welcome God and God's kingdom into our world? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Matthew 2

When Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant, what did his religion tell him to do? What did the culture tell him to do? What did scripture tell him to do? What did his own fears, disappointment, anger, sadness tell him to do? All of those voices, opinions, and assumptions were whispering their wisdoms to Joseph. Thankfully, he found a quiet place, and listened deeper, for something more true, and more loving. May we also listen deeper, below the shallow wisdoms around us or in us for the deeper truer forgiving love and loving forgiveness of God. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Matthew 1

Parish Associate Rev. Decatur "De" Rodgers preaches this week about the odd, surprising family tree behind Jesus. Despite all those surprises, God brought into the world God's own self in Jesus through those broken people, and that broken family. Surely, that gives us a chuckle as we imagine what God might be doing even now through our broken families, and our broken selves.  Rev. Decatur Rodgers preaching Matthew 1

Isaiah twas foretold it... but what? He imagined a time and place where enemies would be friends, and those once dangerous to one another would be family, and a little child as the leader of that community. He begged God's people to look among the stumps for the little shoot of new, healthy growth. Can we see it? Can we believe it? Will we wait and work for it together? That's the call of the prophet then and now. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Isaiah 10 and 11 First video shown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NPOD92a78I&t= Second video shown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aNeVuGOTFk

On this first Sunday of Advent, HOPE Sunday, we hear how a prophet and poet wrote words of hope. He or she imagined entering a new Jerusalem and all the tribes were reunited. They were one community... with justice, prosperity, security, and peace for all God's people, not just for some but for all. Isn't that still our hope? Its hard to see it, or believe it. But let's hear the poet's disbelief, grief and confusion at the brokeness, and embrace the power of hope. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Psalm 122

What is the "Good News"? On this Christ the King/Regin of Christ Sunday, we remember the key message of Christ... that God's Kingdom is here, and is coming. That was the core of Jesus' message. His preaching it challenged the authorities and powers so much, they crucified him for it. But it is still here, is still coming, and is still good. Do we believe it? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 23

John was on the run. Why? For preaching the Word of God, and talking about Jesus. He ran through seven different cities and ended up running to the end of the world, the Island of Patmos. Those who could see the Kingdom with him understood. They too suffered persecution, and patiently endured. Those who couldn't see Kingdom chased him from town to town. Will we see Kingdom, and have the patience and endurance to help Kingdom come? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Revelation 1 and 21

John the Baptist's sermon to the crowds began, "You brood of vipers..." They heard him, and felt convicted, and asked, "What then shall we do?" Peter's sermon to the crowds included, "God gave you the messiah, and you along with your leaders killed him." They were cut to the heart, and asked "What then shall we do?" On both occasions, there was fire as in holy breath, wind, spirit. On both occasions there was water for baptizing. The fire and water of God convict us, cut us to the heart, and compel us to live differently, as the prophets have always imagined. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 3 and Acts 2

In the scriptures, fire and water imagery are often used about God, or even by God. Fire can block or can purify, can melt or mold. Water can cover or cleanse, can drown or baptize. Fire and Water have a life-giving purpose and have a life-changing ability.  In this three week sermon series, we are listening to some of the Fire and Water imagery used by God and about God, and wondering how God is guiding us, protecting us, correcting us through the fires and waters of life. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Exodus 13 and 14

Lots of people come to Jesus because they (or we) need something from him... healing, hope, direction, unconditional love. In today's readings, a rich ruler, the disciples, and a blind beggar reach for Jesus. He responds to them all, but not with what they expected. Instead, he sends them out to give back MORE than what they received. Life with Jesus is a full, abundant life but not for ourselves. When we are with Jesus, we find our true life is found in giving ourselves away for others. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 18

(Note: This week's live recording was lost and not live-streamed to YouTube or recorded for the podcast. Rev. Joel re-recorded the message for us on Monday.) The second line of our Mission statement is "Build Up One Another." But what does that look like? Jesus tells his disciples three different parables to might challenge our expectations around being "built up." What if being built up means showing up and crying for justice, being humble and open to change, and letting the children lead?  Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 18

People often came to Jesus with intentions. Some came wanting their faith increased. Others came to be helped and served. Some wanted healing or answers. Others wanted entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus pushes back against all these reasons for doing church. If not these things, then why do we do church? Why do we invite others to church? What can we tell them they will find when they come to church? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 17

When Jesus sat with his disciples in the upper room the night he would be betrayed and denied, he broke bread with them and offered them his peace. His peace is different than any peace the world tries to offer. It is wholeness, oneness, integrity of thought, feeling, word, and action... all in tune with the Spirit, the spark of God put in us all by God when God created us. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching John 14

As Ruth the Moabite immigrant bravely comes into Judah with her mother-in-law Naomi, how will she be treated? There were codes in the Torah, Deuteronomy, about how to treat immigrants. But not everyone in Judah and Bethlehem was remembering or honoring those codes. Thankfully, Boaz did, and through the family of Boaz and Ruth, God chose to bring forward King David, and the King of Kings Jesus. God's revelation of God's own self is through the families and communities that treat immigrants by the code... fairly, justly, with respect, hospitality, and generosity. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Ruth 2

The book of Judges is so hard to read. It has violence against the natives in a land, against foreigners into a land, and against women. Right after Judges is the book of Ruth. In it, women are treated with more dignity. Foreigners are treated with welcome, hospitality, and generosity. Of those two sides of the story, Jesus is born from the Ruth side. Jesus is a descendant of the family that loves the stranger, welcomes the outcast, and shows generosity to the foreigner. Perhaps if we were to do the same, we would find future scriptures written about us! Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Ruth 1

Jesus has a special way of recognizing the humanity in those the culture considered less than human. He often left the "normal" people to intentionally give his attention to the least in the culture... the women, the children, the oppressed, and the dis/differently-abled. Today, as CHrist's body, the church is called to be radically inclusive of those who are differently-abled. But do we? How could we? This week, one of our own young adults preaches on the call of God to see and include the differently-abled in all aspects of church life. Emma Peacock preaching John 9 and Mark 8

Jesus started his public ministry by gathering people into crowds and groups. Yes, he would get everyone that could hear together at once, just like we do in worship each Sunday. Then, he also set aside time and space for a smaller group to sit, study, eat, and reflect with him. To be a student, follower, disciple of Jesus means we show up for the big gathering up worship, AND we also commit ourselves to regularly attending a small group. Today, our three ministry staff read scripture and preach, then outline the groups available for Children, Youth, and Adults. Rev. Christin Norman preaching Ephesians 3, Chris Mokros & Caleb McArthur preaching Colossians 3, Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 5

Kingdom is coming! We try to remember that, hope for it, believe it. Kingdom is coming because of Jesus' faith, not ours, Jesus' faithfulness, not ours. Kingdom is coming for all God's people. There's nothing we could believe or do to make it come. There's nothing we could believe or do to stop it coming. Then, can we just sit back, relax, and wait? The paradox of faith is that we believe Kingdom is already coming, AND we also respond in faith to help Kingdom come closer and sooner. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Hebrews 13

We've heard it said God is like a parent. Today's scripture says that as well. But it also suggests God disciplines us, punishes us, makes us endure trials, and only does this to those who are GOd's children. Is that who this God is, as a parent? What if our English translation is misleading us? Rev. Joel shows us the Greek behind these four concepts, and helps us see God is like a parent, but unlike any parent we've ever known. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Hebrews 12

This week, Rev. Joel begins with a reflection on the political tensions in a "purple" church, and imagines how we as followers of Christ with diverse political opinions can somehow find our unity in pursuing the higher polis, city, kingdom of God. Then, Joel turns to Hebrews 11 and 12 to hear about the faith of Moses, and to wonder why that kind of faith was remembered and honored in the long run. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Hebrews 11 and 12

After a three month sabbatical, from May through July, our pastor Rev. Joel returns to the pulpit. He comes back to us to share one of his goals for the Sabbatical... to focus on his own faith. Today, he begins a new sermon series on Faith, what faith is and what faith does in a community, using Hebrews 11-13. From Hebrews, faith is the "assurance of things we can only hope for, and a conviction of things not seen." Abraham is an example of faith. Well, what did Abraham hope for? What was Abraham so convicted about, that he could not yet see? Abraham believed in the city (polis) of God. Can we see it yet? Do we hope for it? Are we so convicted we will work for it? That is the milk of faith. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Hebrews 11

The Pastoral sabbatical is over, and Rev. Joel is back among us. Joel isn't preaching today. Instead, Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak is our guest preacher today. Glenn preached Joel's first Sunday away and moderated Session all summer. On this weekend, there were two significant mass shootings in our country. Glenn decided to change all his plans, and preach on Psalm 46, and how to find and commune with God in the midst of the chaos and busy-ness around us. Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak preaching Psalm 46

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Craig Topple. Craig helps us see the difference between work and rest, from the first story of creation, and from Mary and Martha. What does it look like for God to rest? Why is work sometimes the wrong thing to do now or next? How does creativity come out of stillness? Rev. Craig Topple preaching Luke 10

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Hillary Shuford, the Executive Presbyter of Northeast Georgia Presbytery. She reads from the letters and gospels and invites us to know the peace, forgiveness, wholeness, and peace that is only possible in Jesus the Christ through prayer, using the Lord's prayer. Rev. Hillary Shuford preaching Colossians 2 and Luke 11

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Will Norman. The Revised Common Lectionary gave Will the tough text from Luke 10 on the good samaritan on the same weekend that immigration raids and children separation policies were being rampantly enforced. He tried to preach with integrity and was challenged by some in the congregation. The podcast was edited to skip over some other worship moments after the sermon but include Will's invitation and benediction which came at the end of the worship service. Rev. Will Norman preaching Luke 10

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Joan Stevens. Its Independence Day weekend in our nation, so Joan helps us hear God's wisdom and instruction in being a holy community. Rev. Joan Stevens preaching Exodus 19, and 1 Peter 2

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Rindy Trouteaud. Why did Jesus have such an affinity for the youngest, and what did he mean by his lessons about children? Rindy invites us to include the children in all we do, and to let them lead us toward the kingdom. Rev. Rindy Trouteaud preaching Mark 9 and 10.

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome our own Rev. Christin Norman, the Director of Children's Ministries. Christian along with many of the youth and children of the church will read and preach from this week's Vacation Bible Adventure lessons. May the whole congregation share in the abundant learnings of our youngest ones.  

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Craig Topple. Craig imagines with us how to hear and speak Wisdom all around us, and is preaching from Proverbs 8 and John 16. 

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome home our High Schoolers from Montreat Youth Conference (montreat.org). Different youth read and preach from Scriptures, and reflect on the theme of the week "Let Love Lead" Andrew Stansell reading Jonah 4, and John 21 - Clay Baer preaching Peyton Ward reading Luke 19 - Peyton Ward and Joel Loftin preaching Tommy Sims reading Luke 15 -  John Sims preaching Caroline McArthur and Mattie Scaffe preaching from Revelation 21 and 22

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Will Norman, the Presbyterian Campus Minister at the University of Georgia. Will helps us imagine the ways Jesus is Lord, Jesus is RISEN can and hopefully does impact our daily lives. He wonders where the oppression and struggle of our world is today, and imagines we are being called to help bring in a new heaven and new earth with Christ. Can we act with hope even when we don't have optimism? Rev. Will Norman preaching Isaiah 65 and Revelation 21.

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This Memorial Day weekend, we welcome Rev. Joan Stevens. Joan helps us imagine what it means to abide in Christ, be pruned, and bear fruit. Rev. Joan Stevens preaching John 15

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Hilary Shuford, the Presbytery Executive for Northeast Georgia Presbytery. Hilary invites us to find the Word of God alive and around us always, in all things. As we read and study the word, we begin to notice it in ourselves, and each other. Rev. Hilary Shuford preaching John 13 and Revelation 21

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome our own Director of Children's Ministries, Rev. Christin Norman. Listen as she guides us into seeing the motherly images of God, and reminds us of the fierce mama bear who is always with us and always protecting us. Rev. Christin Norman preaching Hosea 11

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a well-earned three-month sabbatical, from May through July. Meanwhile, this summer, we welcome guests to lead and preach. This week, we welcome Rev. Joan Stevens, preaching Isaiah 42 and Luke 4, calling us to be the light of Christ and to continue Christ's mission into the world.

Our pastor, Rev. Joel Tolbert, is away for a week of vacation, and then a well-earned three-month sabbatical. Meanwhile, this summer, guests will be leading and preaching. This week, we welcome Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak, retired pastor of First Presbyterian Athens. Not only is Glenn a guest preacher this summer, but he is also moderating the meetings of our Session. He reminds us how, why, and when pastors do sabbaticals, and what can happen to them and to the church during a time of sabbatical. Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak preaching Revelation 1.

This Easter Sunday is Rev. Joel's last Sunday with us for a while, before he heads our for a well earned three month Sabbatical. Come celebrate the empty tomb, and let's listen for God's empowering call. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 24

We celebrate the party that was and is Palm Sunday. But why are there no palms in Luke's version? Why does he talk more about cloaks than palms? Would we still show and celebrate, and lay our cloaks, as gladly and boldly as we might wave palms? Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 19

We've been studying and learning about 12 disciplines since the beginning of the year. Some were internal, some were external, some were communal. Now what? So what? How do we live into these disciplines? What happens to us, our family, community, and church when we practice these? Which ones do we pick to do first? Jesus carefully warns the disciples how to get started, and to stay aware of the logs in their own eyes. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 6

When the younger brother is welcomed home and celebrated, the older brother refuses to join the celebration. What would it take for there to be no older and younger, no lost and found, no in-crowd and no out-crowd, but ALL to be together with the father celebrating? They kingdom come... Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 15

After Jesus, the early church had many conflicts with those OUTSIDE the church. But eventually, the conflicts and disagreements arose from INSIDE the church. How would they respond when they disagreed with one another over something very important, like the Torah, the Commandments of God through Moses? They came together, spoke honestly and humbly, listened to one another, and let Holy Spirit and one another give guidance. That ability to submit to the community and receive and offer guidance is a very important discipline, especially in these troubled times. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Acts 15

The gospel according to Luke ends differently than the other three gospels. In his telling, Jesus appears to the disciples, tells them the old stories of scripture again, then OPENS their minds to see all those old stories all over again in a new way. All the stories were always about Jesus. That means all the demand for obedience or faith, all the rules and laws, all the warnings and punishments, there were not about the disciples or their enemies. They were always about Jesus. Their response was worship. They were in the synagogue and temple constantly worshipping. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 24.

When the young man was given a share of the Father's property, and lost it all, the pathway home was wide open. But it was so hard, because it included confession. Confession is not the hard part. The failure is the hard part. Confession is simply the honesty with one's self and God and others about the failures already behind us. Confession is the moment of renewal and rebirth. Still, its so hard. Let's find a way to make confession our discipline. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 15

Jesus stood up from the Passover table and became a servant. He could have kept his seat, and been served. But he wanted to show them, and us, what it really looks like to love in the kingdom... to be a servant to others. Let's listen to him, and remember how he served, and go and do likewise. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 22

No discipline has been more misunderstood and misused... Even the church and religion have misused it and abused others with it. Submission. What does it really mean to submit? Submit to whom? What do we lay down when we submit? What did he mean when he dared us to deny ourselves and pick up a cross, or when he asked us to love our enemies? These hard lessons are about the discipline of submission, and we who seek to follow Christ need to be clear and brave as we practice submission wisely. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 6

Warning! The Audio from this podcast is not direct from the soundboard but indirect through a second microphone at the back of the sanctuary. Therefore, you will hear some other noises, like a baby cough, or a conversation. Do your best to focus and let those "tempting" voices fade away and stay with the Scripture and Sermon! This week, we learn about the Outward discipline of Solitude. Jesus began his ministry with a trip into solitude. There, alone, he heard the tempting voices. Do you know those voices, the ones that tempt you off course? Let's talk today about facing "Ha Satan" "Ho Diabolos" "The Devil" when we are alone, and staying there until we hear the voice of God, and know we are never alone. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 4.

When the brother asked Jesus to make his other brother share, Jesus warned him... "Do not want for things. Life is more than things." One spiritual (and practical) discipline of followers of Christ is Simplicity... living more simply, with fewer things, fewer possessions. Let's hear Jesus's warning and invitation, and simplify. Rev. Joel L. Tolbert preaching Luke 12