Sermons
Power Grab or Gift of Power?
Power Grab or Gift of Power? Rev. Robert P. Hoch, Ph.D. First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Baltimore MD September 27, 2020 Philippians 2:1-13 1If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the…
Read MoreLate in the Day
Late in the Day Rev. Robert P. Hoch, Ph.D. First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Baltimore, MD September 20, 2020 Matthew 20:1-16 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for her vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, she sent…
Read MoreConflict Resolution in Three Easy Steps
Conflict Resolution in Three Easy Steps Rev. Robert P. Hoch, Ph.D. First & Franklin Presbyterian Church September 6, 2020 Baltimore MD 21201 Matthew 18:15-20 15“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have…
Read MoreStandard Accounting Practices
Standard Accounting Practices Rev. Robert P. Hoch, Ph.D. August 30, 2020 First Reading Romans 12:9-12 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice…
Read MoreWrestling with Jesus
Wresting Jesus (Steve Hollaway) Wrestling with Jesus Genesis 32:22-31 First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Jacob was about to meet his brother Esau. He hadn’t seen him in 20 years, and the truth was that Jacob had robbed Esau of what he deserved as older brother. Jacob didn’t know if his brother would kill him. He’d…
Read MoreHow to Lose Without Losing Heart
How To Lose Without Losing Heart Robert P. Hoch July 5, 2020 First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Baltimore MD 21201 First Reading Romans 7:15-25a 15I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not…
Read MoreChain Reactions
Chain Reactions Robert P. Hoch First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Baltimore, MD 21201 June 28, 2020 Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in…
Read MoreLazarus is Walking: Resurrection Uprising in Baltimore
My contribution to the Epistles from Baltimore series for General Assembly was referenced in a motion that passed calling on the PCUSA to begin a process of repentance and study relative to white privilege and systemic racism. I submitted the piece, Lazarus is Walking: A Resurrection Uprising in Baltimore, to the Advisory Committee on Social…
Read MoreSong of the Sparrow | June 21, 2020
Song of the Sparrow Robert P. Hoch June 21, 2020 First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Baltimore, MD 21201 Romans 6:1b-11 1bShould we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?2By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?3Do you not know that all of us who…
Read MoreWhat the Trinity Tells Us about the Value of Humans
What the Trinity Tells Us about the Value of Humans Rev. Stephen Hollaway Trinity Sunday June 7, 2020 It is a fearful thing to be asked to preach in a crisis. You may well wonder if it is relevant to talk about the Trinity on a day like this. If I was in a…
Read MoreI Can’t Breathe — Come Holy Spirit!
I Can’t Breathe — Come Holy Spirit! Phyllis Felton & Rob Hoch Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church and First & Franklin Presbyterian Church Phyllis speaks all bold font May 31, 2020 Acts 2:1-21 John 20:19-23 Maybe Zoom feels like it has helped us . . . or maybe it feels like a desperate measure…
Read MoreCurtain Twitching
Curtain-Twitching Robert P. Hoch May 24, 2020 John 17:1-11 One of the bonuses of being married to a Brit is that you learn folksy expressions that you would never know about otherwise. One of my favorites is “curtain-twitching.” You almost guess the meaning by how you might be caught by your neighbor, and they…
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