Exploring Our Worship and Sermons
- fccsantapaula
- Mar 26, 2019
- 16 min read
Updated: Jan 7
Each week, we explore different holy text within the Bible as part of our weekly Sunday sermons. While we base our discussions on the teachings of the Bible, we connect them to our hectic, confusing modern day lives. Our worship services combine reflection on the scripture, singing, praise, praying and a message. Both the pastor and lay people (men, women and children) participate in and lead in worship , service and spiritual growth. Please join us Sundays at 10:00 a.m.!
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PLEASE NOTE: We are meeting in the Sanctuary for worship. Please feel free to come out and join us. If you have questions, please contact us through our Facebook page (@SantaPaulaFCC), email us at fccsp.doc@gmail.com, or call our pastor, Rev. Jenny Crosswhite at 805-351-5501.
This page is regular updated with some of the most recent sermon topics.
SUNDAY, Jan 11, 2026
Scripture: Mark 1: 1-13
Sermon: CLAIMED BY LOVE
Before doing anything, he is claimed by God and called “Beloved,” not for what he has done, but for who he is.
Too often, we believe we must earn our belovedness. We think we must prove ourselves worthy through faithfulness, productivity, or moral certainty. Yet in baptism, God meets us before our striving. God claims us in the midst of unfinished lives and imperfect faith. Baptism is not a reward for holiness; it is a declaration of belonging.
Baptism doesn’t spare us, or Jesus, from trials and testing, but it reminds us who we are when we face them.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Mark 1:1-13 and the theme, “Claimed by Love.”
SUNDAY, Jan 4, 2026
Scripture: Colossians 3: 16 and Matthew 18: 20
Sermon: SPIRITUALITY VERSUS CHURCH
In our current time spirituality is more popular than “organized religion”. I had a friend once who told me he didn’t need or like organized religion – but he was spiritual. He didn’t really explain what he meant by spirituality, but in simple words, it’s about that feeling of being connected to something bigger than yourself – nature, humanity or a higher power and finding deep meaning, purpose or peace in life.
But church is more than spirituality. Instead of a solo journey, we are a community of people who have experienced and continue to experience God’s presence in our lives. We are not in this alone – we have God and each other. Our journeys are not necessarily traveled in the SAME way, but rather in many different ways, demonstrated by the stories we tell and the things that move us.
And as a Christian church, we do share and embrace the belief that through Jesus, God came among us and God’s character and saving power were revealed to humankind.
Join us on Sunday, January 4th and ponder not only the difference between spirituality and church, but what the experience of church can offer for all of our spiritual journeys through this life.
SUNDAY, Dec 28, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12
Sermon: A STAR FOR THE JOURNEY
In Matthew’s Gospel, the Magi are not guided by a map or by certainty, but by a star. The light in the dark sky invites them forward into the unknown. It invites them to trust that God is present in the journey itself, not just the destination. Their story reminds us that faith is rarely about having all the answers and more often about learning to follow the light we are given, one step at a time.
As we prepare for 2026, we will again this year be given the opportunity to choose a star word to guide our reflection. Like the star that led the Magi to Christ, may these words help orient our hearts toward God’s presence as we journey into a new year, attentive to the light that still leads us.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore Matthew 2:1-12 and the theme, “A Star for the Journey.”
SUNDAY Dec 14, 2025
Sermon: UNQUENCHABLE JOY
Advent joy doesn’t come to us because life is easy. In fact, some of the deepest joy in Scripture grows out of stories that feel anything but joyful. Bathsheba’s story is one of them. She was drawn into a situation she didn’t choose, harmed by someone with power, and left to carry the consequences. Her grief was real. Her pain mattered. Yet out of her sorrow, God speaks a new word of love and promise, ushering in a future and joy that cannot be extinguished.
This is the heart of Joy Sunday. We don’t light the pink candle this week because everything is perfect. We light it because God’s joy showings up even in messy, painful, complicated places. Bathsheba reminds us that human injustice cannot stop God’s redemptive work. The light shines, and no darkness can quench it.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore 2 Samuel 11:1–15, 26; 12:19, 24–25 and the theme, “Unquenchable Joy.”
SUNDAY, Dec 7, 2025
Scripture: Joshua 2: 1-24; 6:1-2, 25
Sermon: THE PEACE OF CHOOSING A NEW STORY
This week, we light the second Advent candle, the candle of peace. The peace God offers isn’t passive or quiet. It’s the kind of peace that meets us in hard places and invites us to take a brave step toward something new. Rahab shows us this kind of peace in action.
Rahab lived in Jericho, a fortified city that was preparing for conflict, and she carried her own story of struggle and marginalization. Yet when two Israelite spies came to her home, Rahab made a surprising choice. Instead of letting fear shape her response, she reached for a different future. She acted with courage and protected the spies, trusting in the God she had only heard about, and aligned herself with a new story. That choice led to Rahab being welcomed into a new community and woven into the family line of Jesus.
Advent reminds us that peace isn’t just the absence of trouble. It’s the courage to believe that God can write a new story with our lives. May we, like Rahab, find the peace that comes from choosing that story.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Joshua 2:1–24; 6:1–2, 25 and the theme, “The Peace of Choosing a New Story.”
SUNDAY, Nov 30, 2025
Scripture: Genesis 38: 1-30
Sermon: HOPE BREAKS THROUGH
Advent begins in the dark. Before angels sing, or stars appear, or shepherds hurry toward a manger, we are invited to remember stories where hope feels distant, fragile, and almost impossible to find. One of those stories comes from Genesis 38, the story of Tamar, one of the four women named in Jesus’ genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew.
Tamar’s story is difficult. It is filled with injustice, power imbalance, and devastating heartbreak. Yet it also invites us to pause and remember how hope breaks through even in the most painful and complicated circumstances.
As we gather this week, we will light the first candle of Advent, the candle of hope, not because everything is perfect, but because even in the darkest times, God’s light refuses to be extinguished.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Genesis 38:1–30 and the theme, “Hope Breaks Through.”
SUNDAY, Nov 23, 2025
Scripture: Luke 10: 17-24
Sermon: LEARNING TO GIVE THANKS LIKE JESUS
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, many of us feel the tension between wanting to be grateful and the reality that life can feel heavy or overwhelming. In this week’s scripture, we witness a moment when 72 disciples return from preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. Jesus first reorients their joy, inviting them to see what truly matters, and then pauses to give thanks to God. It’s a rare moment when the Gospels offer us a clear glimpse into Jesus’ heart.
When we gather, we’ll explore what it means to learn to give thanks like Jesus—a gratitude not rooted in success or pretending everything is fine, but grounded in God’s presence, love, and work in the world. If you’re longing for a deeper kind of thanksgiving, one that can hold both joy and struggle, we invite you to join us.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Luke 10:17–24 and the theme, “Learning to Give Thanks Like Jesus.”
SUNDAY, Nov 16, 2025
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40
Sermon: ORDER FROM CHAOS
When everyone talks at once, it doesn’t take long for excitement to turn into chaos. That’s what was happening in the church at Corinth. Their worship was full of life—people praying, singing, and prophesying—but it had become noisy and confusing.
Paul wasn’t trying to curb their enthusiasm; he wanted them to remember why they had gathered in the first place. He called them to create the kind of order that makes space for every gift, every voice, and every act of worship to build up the body rather than turn into chaos or competition.
In today’s world of constant noise, God still invites us to live and worship in ways that reflect His peace. We are called to bring order from chaos and harmony from the many voices that make up the church.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore 1 Corinthians 14:26–40 and the theme, “Order from Chaos.”
SUNDAY, Nov 9, 2025
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34
Sermon: MORE THAN A POTLUCK
Potluck Sundays were some of my favorite memories growing up. I didn’t realize then that they were much closer to the early church’s communion gatherings than our weekly rituals today. In those first Christian communities, believers met regularly for what they called agape feasts (meals of love). They weren’t just sharing food at these gatherings but sharing their lives. There were times for fellowship, faith, and remembering Jesus. When done well, they were a place where everyone had a seat at the table, no matter their background or status.
But in Corinth, something had gone wrong. Some ate their fill while others went hungry. Paul reminded them that the Lord’s Supper was never meant to divide but to unite, calling the church back to the heart of Christ’s love.
Today, as we gather to celebrate communion, may we also recover the spirit of the agape feast where love is lived out in welcome, generosity, and community.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 and the theme, “More Than a Potluck.”
SUNDAY, Nov 2, 2025
Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3
Sermon: LIVES THAT INSPIRE
This week we are invited to remember the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us. Whether we celebrate All Saints Day or Día de los Muertos, we pause to honor the impact others have had on our lives and the ways they have shown us what it means to live with faith, love, and perseverance.
In the chapter that comes before this week’s text, we are reminded of the many saints of Scripture, including Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and countless others whose stories of trust and courage still inspire us today. Their lives remind us that even when the road feels long, we can keep going. Remembering them, and our loved ones, is not about holding on to the past, but about letting their example shape how we live with courage, grace, and hope right now.
Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Hebrews 12:1–3 and the theme, “Lives That Inspire.”
We will gather at 829 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula, CA. Please email Rev. Jenny Crosswhite at fccsp.doc@gmail.com with questions. You can also connect with us at www.firstchristianchurchsp.com or call Pastor Jenny at 805-351-5501.
SUNDAY, Oct 26, 2025
Scripture: Philippians 2: 1-16
Sermon: FAITH THAT WORKS
Someone called me once while preparing for a Bible study on Philippians 2, feeling puzzled. They had just read, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” They said, “I’ve always thought that once I made my profession of faith, I was good to go—so what does this mean?”
I explained that Paul isn’t saying we must earn our salvation. He’s reminding us that faith isn’t a one-time event. It's a lifelong journey of living out our faith in response to how God is working in us. God plants faith in our hearts, but we’re called to nurture it, practice it, and let it shape our daily lives.
When we choose kindness over pride, service over self, and unity over division, we show that faith is alive and growing. Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Philippians 2:1–16 and the theme, “Faith That Works.”
SUNDAY, Oct 19, 2025
Scripture: Isaiah 64: 8 & 2 Corinthians 4: 5-10
Sermon: GOD'S POWER IN CLAY JARS
Working with clay has a lot to teach us about life and faith. Before a potter can shape anything, the clay must be centered on the wheel. If it’s off-balance, it wobbles and falls apart. Working skillfully, the potter shapes the clay with pressure from the outside and support from the inside. The potter knows that clay needs just the right amount of moisture. If it dries out, it cracks and if it’s too wet, it loses its form.
One of my favorite things about clay is that even cracked pots can be mended and made beautiful again both before they are fired, and after. We learn through studying clay that in God’s hands, even the broken pieces of our lives can become something new. We see that in our weakness God’s light shines through.
Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Isaiah 64:8 and 2 Corinthians 4:5–10 and the theme, “God’s Power in Clay Jars.”
SUNDAY, Oct 12, 2025
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-12, 17-19
Sermon: RICH IN GOOD DEEDS
You’ve probably heard it said, “Money is the root of all evil.” But what the Bible actually says is that it’s the love of money that’s the problem. When our love for wealth replaces our love for God and neighbor, it always ends badly. Chasing after wealth and stuff may boost our status, but it can never truly satisfy. Greed always whispers, “Just a little more.”
In our scripture for this week, Paul offers a different kind of wealth: godliness with contentment. Instead of chasing what fades, we’re invited to pursue what lasts—righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Real success isn’t measured by what we own, but by who we’re becoming. Real wealth is found not in what we hold on to, but in what we give away for the good of others and the glory of God.
Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore 1 Timothy 6:3–12, 17–19 and the theme, “Rich in Good Deeds.”
SUNDAY, Oct 5, 2025
Scripture: Romans 8: 18-28
Sermon: GOD OF REDEMPTION
I used to think the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason” was comforting, and then life happened, and it became cold comfort. Did God really cause or allow THAT for a reason? I was a freshman in college, and I was struggling with that possibility. I raised the question at Bible study that week, “Does everything REALLY happen for a reason?” I was deeply relieved by the answer I received, and it helped me to build a stronger foundation for my faith journey and the even more difficult things I would face in the future.
So, what does the Bible say about the truly difficult and/or terrible things that happen in our lives? Join us on Sunday at 10am as we explore Romans 8:18-28 and the theme, “God of Redemption.” What we learn is that the Bible doesn’t say that everything that happens is good, or that God causes it. Instead, it says that no matter what happens, God is at work bringing healing, weaving hope, and writing redemption into our stories.
SUNDAY, Sept 28, 2025
Scripture:1 Corinthians 10: 13; 2 Corinthians 1: 8-11 and Matthew 11: 28-30
Sermon: STRENGTH BEYOND OUR OWN
Ever feel like life is too much? You’re not the only one, and you’re not meant to carry it alone. Unlike the quip, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” the Bible shows us that sometimes we, like Paul, feel pushed beyond our ability to endure. So, what do we do? We are invited to come to Jesus and lay down our burdens to find rest in life’s difficult seasons.
The reality is that life will throw more at us than we can handle, but never more than God can. Faith isn’t about digging deeper into our own strength but about leaning on God’s strength and the support of community.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, and Matthew 11:28-30 and seek “Strength Beyond Our Own” when life feels overwhelming.
SUNDAY, Sept 21, 2025
Scripture: John 8: 1-11
Sermon: CLEARING UP A MYTH
In this age of intelligence, knowledge and having computers in our pockets, its amazing that we as people can just as easily spread half truths and misconceptions in the blink of an eye.
Many of us have heard things for years that we believed were in scripture, however this is not always the case! The bible calls us to love people and turn people away from sin, not weaponize our faith and engage in finger pointing to tell everyone else they are wrong.
We are called by Jesus to love each other. That love does not mean to be dismissive of people's sins, but we are not called to be arbiters and place judgment on this that we see are not acting in line with what we feel is right.
SUNDAY, Sept 14, 2025
Scripture: Isaiah 25: 1-6 & Romans 5: 6-8
Sermon: OUR HELP IN TIMES OF NEED
You’ve probably heard the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” It sounds biblical—but is it? Our scriptures this week paint a very different picture. They show us a God who is a refuge for those in need, a shelter in distress, and a Savior who steps in when we are powerless. A God who helps even when we haven’t proven ourselves and can’t fix things on our own.
Of course, there are steps in life only we can take. But often we need help first before we can move forward. And the good news is that God has never waited for people to “get it all together” before showing up. Again and again throughout history, God has parted seas, opened doors, and made a way where none seemed possible.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore Isaiah 25:1-6 and Romans 5:6-8 and the theme “Our Help in Times of Need.”
SUNDAY, Sept 7, 2025
Scripture: Isaiah 61
Sermon: A Flourishing Community
Last week we explored the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25. It was meant to be a time when debts were forgiven, land was restored, and freedom was proclaimed. The reality, however, was that the community struggled to live into God’s vision. In Isaiah 61—later read by Jesus when he declared these words fulfilled in him—we are reminded that even when we fall short, God still cares deeply about the wellbeing of the whole community.
In a world where many are overworked, underpaid, or unseen, God’s promise points us toward justice, release, and flourishing. As we reflect on our own callings and the work of others, may we give thanks for the labor that sustains us, pray for those who struggle under the weight of work, and commit ourselves to shaping a community where all can share in the blessings of God’s good news.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore Isaiah 61 and the theme “A Flourishing Community.”
SUNDAY, August 31, 2025
Scripture: Leviticus 25: 1-19
Sermon: THE GIFT OF REST
When we think of “rest,” we usually picture a nap, a vacation, or just catching our breath after a busy week. But in Leviticus 25, God shows us something bigger. Rest isn’t only for us as individuals; it’s for the whole community and even the land itself. The Year of Jubilee was designed to be God’s way of hitting the reset button: debts forgiven, families restored, land renewed, and freedom for all.
Rest, then, is about more than stopping work. It’s about trusting God to provide, living with balance, and helping others find renewal too. Embracing the gift of rest makes us people of restoration and wholeness. It invites us to ask, “How can I make space for others to rest?” because rest is a gift that is meant to be shared. This scripture gives us a glimpse of God’s vision of justice, healing, and joy for all creation.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore Leviticus 25:1-19 and the theme “The Gift of Rest.”
SUNDAY, August 24, 2025
Scripture: Genesis 1: 26-2:3
Sermon: WHAT KIND OF REST?
This week we continue our exploration of rest with a question, “What Kind of Rest?” In our scripture for this week, we are reminded that we are created in the image of God, blessed, and given a purpose. We are also reminded that even God rested as part of the rhythm of creation. This rest was not rest of exhaustion, but the rest of completion, delight, and presence.
What difference might it make if we thought of our Sabbath day with God as the first day of the week and not a place we collapse in exhaustion at the end of the week? This text reminds us of the importance of taking time to remember that our identity begins in relationship, not in production. We are invited to join God in celebrating creation’s goodness (yes, we are part of that goodness), trusting God’s care, and living in a rhythm where our work flows from worship.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore rest that is wholeness, joy, and sacred time. That is, rest that is a gift meant to shape every part of life. We will be exploring Genesis 1:26-2:3 and the theme “What Kind of Rest?”
SUNDAY, August 17, 2025
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13
Sermon: SACRED INTERMISSIONS
We are living in a noisy, restless time. The headlines change by the hour. Political tension, global conflict, and economic uncertainty swirl around us. Our calendars are packed, our phones buzz constantly, and the pace of life keeps getting faster. The pressure to keep up never seems to stop.
And yet… life still moves in seasons. There are times for planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing, working and resting. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that God sets a rhythm for all things… one that’s often very different from the chaos around us.
The reality is that most of us aren’t great at slowing down and treat rest as a reward instead of a gift. Yet God creates opportunities for us to step back, take a breath, and remember who we are… and who God is. These holy pauses remind us that we don’t have to hold the whole world together on our own.
Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. as we explore Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 and the theme “Sacred Intermissions.”
SUNDAY, August 10, 2025
Scripture: 1 Kings 19: 1-9
Sermon: RELEASE INTO REST
After what he thought was a big win on Mount Carmel, Elijah expected things to change. But instead of peace, he saw more threats, more danger, and nothing getting better. Finally, he saw the weight of the situation, and it broke him. Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah fled to the wilderness and told God he was done. God didn’t respond with scolding or shame. Instead, God gave him space to rest and sent an angel with food and water.
This story reminds us that even when we feel burnt out or fed up, God meets us with care. Before asking us to keep going, God invites us to stop, breathe, and be cared for. There are times to work hard, and times to rest. When we’ve seen too much, carried too much, or feel tired and empty, what we may need most isn’t more effort but real rest. We don’t have to hold it all together all the time. Release it into rest. God will still be there. And once renewed, we’re more ready for the journey ahead.
Please join us on Sunday at 10 a.m. We will be exploring 1 Kings 19:1-9 and the theme, “Release into Rest.”
SUNDAY, August 3, 2025
Scripture: Acts 16: 16-40
Sermon: SPIRIT ON THE MOVE
From the day the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ first disciples at Pentecost, the ways the Spirit moved through the early church, and beyond, were incredible. In this week’s text, we see how the Spirit brought justice, freedom, and hope. From releasing a young girl from an oppressive situation, to shaking open the doors of a prison and transforming an entire household, the Spirit of God was moving through both confrontation and compassion, in justice and in joy.
Wherever there is bondage, whether spiritual, social, or systemic, the Spirit is at work to set people free. When we look around at all that’s wrong in the world, this story reminds us that there is still hope. The Spirit is still moving, still freeing, still transforming. Are we paying attention to where the Spirit is moving today?
Please join us on Sunday at 10 a.m. We will be exploring Acts 16:16-40 and the theme, “Spirit on the Move.”
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