Doylestown Presbyterian Church

Happy Mother's Day Weekend! Our primary scripture is Acts 17:22-31 if you’d like to read ahead.  - Pastor Mac

"This Sunday’s main scripture text (1 Peter 2:1-10) talks about stones: Jesus as a living stone and cornerstone. We, who are followers of Jesus, also are living stone that are called to be part of the building of a spiritual house. We all need grounding in our lives. Sunday we’ll explore grounding ourselves in Christ as the cornerstone." - Pastor Mac

"There’s something about church that keeps drawing people in, even when it’s not perfect. This Sunday, we’ll look at Acts 2 and what makes a community truly meaningful. Come be part of the conversation about what we’re building together." -Pastor Becca

"This Sunday, we will be looking at Romans 8:15-27 and Paul's beautiful reflections on hope, Spirit, and creation."-Pastor Mac

The Sunday following Easter is known as “Bright Sunday,” an ancient tradition started by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity. Today, that custom is being revived in American churches of many different denominations with what is referred to as “Holy Humor Worship.” - PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation

Our main scripture text for Easter Sunday is the Gospel of John 20:1-18. There is lots of movement in this story. Dr. Clayton J. Schmit from Fuller Theological Seminary says, “Come and see” is one of the abiding themes of John’s Gospel. “Come and see” is a strong Easter theme as well.” -Pastor Mac Schafer

Episcopal priest, Katie Kirk-Costas wrote this in a sermon published in the March edition of the Christian Century magazine: “Parades interrupt the ordinary with childlike wonder: on Palm Sunday, we bring out the best outfits and all the props, with branches and thuribles and singing. Parades…structure our lives with their motion; they help us process what’s going on.” Together in worship, we can process “what’s going on” in our faith and life. - Pastor Mac 

This Sunday is week five in the season of Lent and we continue our Lenten Theme: Out in the Elements: Valley. Dr. Stephen Breck Reid, Professor of Christian Scripture at Baylor University writes, “The valley is a metaphor of opportunity as well as challenge.” Our primary scripture for Sunday is Ezekiel 37:1-14. - Pastor Mac Schafer

We continue our Lenten series, Out in the Elements, this Sunday. Our theme is “Mud.”  Read all of chapter 9 in the Gospel of John - an incredible story with multiple characters: Jesus, disciples, neighbors, pharisees, and parents. There is also a man, blind from birth, who receives his sight from Jesus putting mud on his eyes. - Pastor Mac

We continue our Lenten series Out in the Elements, focusing on water, one of the most basic things every person needs and a way Jesus draws people together.  - Pastor Becca

This is the 2nd Sunday of Lent. My sermon title is “Out In the Elements: Birth and Wind.” Our scripture text is John 3:1-17. A Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night. Jesus speaks to him about birth and wind. See you Sunday.  - Pastor Mac

Pastor Mac begins this Lenten season as we explore the theme: Out In the Elements...

This Sunday we welcome Rev. Terry Chapman as guest preacher at both the 8:30 and 10:30 am services. Terry is married to DPC member Jan Chapman. Terry is a retired Presbyterian minister and a spiritual director. He is a leader in Illuman and the Center for Purposeful Leadership. On this Transfiguration Sunday, his sermon title is “Stewarding the Currency of Attention.” In his own words, his sermon will be: "A reflection on Transfiguration, holy listening, and the way our attention quietly shapes how we love in a distracted world."

"Join in this Sunday as more youth lead in worship as it is Youth Sunday. Together, we explore the question: Where do we belong? Not just as a community, but also with in our identity with Christ." - Pastor Becca

This Sunday I will be preaching on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-2). We are thrilled to celebrate Scout Sunday and our partnership with Troops 24 & 48 who will be participating in the services. In worship we will be reading the names of African Americans buried in the DPC historic graveyard as Black History Month begins. - Pastor Mac

This Sunday I will be looking at two scripture texts in my sermon: Romans 13;1-7 and Leviticus 19:33-34. In light of our recent Sunday morning educational series on immigration education, I will reflect on events that happened in Philadelphia in the summer of 1844. How do these scriptures and that historical event inform our faith and citizenship today? - Pastor Mac

“This Sunday our primary scripture text is Isaiah 49:1-7. It's a story of being called by God. Like many of our journeys, we get distracted from what God might be calling us to. Then there are moments where we wake up to that calling despite all the distractions.” - Pastor Mac

Through baptism and communion, we remember that God comes to meet us—again and again. Come worship and share in these holy rituals. Join this Sunday as Pastor Becca preaches on the baptism of Jesus from Matthew 3.

The title of Sunday’s sermon is “Searching Diligently.” These are the words of Herod to the magi in Matthew 2:8. The motives for this search were different for the magi and Herod. As we enter into a new year, what will you be searching diligently for? Our texts are John 1:10-18 and Matthew 2:1-12. See you Sunday! - Pastor Mac Schafer

"This Sunday, amidst the light of the candles of the Advent wreath, the bright songs, and the beacon shining from our steeple, come discover how the everlasting light of Christ meets us right in the middle of our longing and our deepest needs this Advent season." - Pastor Becca

November 30th is the first Sunday of Advent. Our main scripture text is Isaiah 2:1-5. it concludes with, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” You are invited to come into this season with anticipation and hope for the incarnation, God coming near. - Pastor Mac

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the Christian Liturgical Year before we head into Advent. We will be concluding the Fabric of Faith sermon series with Elijah and his mantle (1 Kings 19:11-15; 19-20 & 2 Kings 2:8-15) - a fabric he wore and passed down to Elisha. 

"Today we ponder Matthew 25 and Jesus’ call to clothe the naked. Other scriptures we will be using are James 2:14-17 and Luke 3:10-11. As we conclude collecting coats for Bethel Presbyterian Church, these are important words of generosity to ponder." - Pastor Mac Schafer

"This Sunday in our Fabric of Faith series, we'll meet Lydia - a woman whose open home in Philippi became the birthplace of the church. As we share in Communion we'll pause to notice those missing from the table, both the saints who have passed in this last year, as well as those who have not yet been welcomed." - Pastor Becca Bateman

This Sunday we continue our Fabric of Faith sermon series as we look at Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. Consider reading John 11:1 to 12:11 before listening to get a full sense of the story.  - Pastor Mac Schafer

"It's Reformation Sunday and our liturgy reflects the historical protestant tradition DPC was born within. We continue the Fabric of Faith sermon series, this week focusing on Jesus' grave cloth found in the tomb following his resurrection (John 20:1-9; Luke 24:1-12)." - Pastor Mac Schafer

"We continue our series “Fabric of Faith,” and we move to Christmas in October, like all the stores. We’ll be pondering the “bands of cloth” that Jesus is wrapped in after birth. They are mentioned twice in Luke 2:1-14. Even though my children are grown I think the muscle memory of swaddling them is still within me." - Pastor Mac Schafer

"This Sunday we continue in the sermon series for October and November called Fabrics of Faith. This Sunday we are exploring the determined woman who touches the hem of the cloak of Jesus. We will be looking at this event through the Gospel of Mark 5:21-34." -Pastor Becca Bateman

"This Sunday we begin a sermon series for October and November called Fabric of Faith. This Sunday we are exploring the curtain in the Holy of Holies in the temple being torn in two at Jesus' death. We will be looking at this event through the Gospel of Mark 15:33-39." - Pastor Mac

This Sunday, I preached on Romans 12:1-8. If you have a chance to read it before listening, I encourage you to do so. Really, all of chapter 12 is a powerful exhortation on how to be in relationship and community. - Pastor Mac

"This Sunday I preach on Psalm 113. I’m particularly interested in verse 3: “From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised." -- Pastor Mac

This Sunday we welcomed special guest Dr. Peter Enns, who preached on how God's love is perfected in us. Together we explore the truth that the way we see God is revealed in the way we treat one another. 

"As many of you know, last weekend was Arts Fest in Doylestown. Appropriately, our scriptures depict God as a potter and humanity as the clay (Jeremiah 18:1-11)."- Pastor Mac 

Pastor Mac concludes his sermon series on the 1700th Birthday of the Nicene Creed. 

"This Sunday is Part Two in our celebration of the 1700th birthday of the Nicene Creed. We’ll explore the middle section of the creed which answers the question, “Who is Jesus?”  - Pastor Mac

"2025 is the 1700th birthday of the Nicene Creed. It was written in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea. An introduction to the Nicene Creed in our Presbyterian Book of Confessions says, “The Nicene Creed is the most ecumenical of creeds. The Presbyterian Church (USA) joins with Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and most Protestant churches in affirming it.” Over the next several weeks. We’ll explore this creed and its meaning for our life today." - Pastor Mac

Pastor Mac explores passages from Hebrews Chapter 11 before pondering the question "What Is Faith?" in his sermon. 

"This Sunday is Young Adult Sunday, but don’t worry, there’s no age limit to attend. We’ll be led in worship by the generation that’s asking big questions and love being connected to the big church and DPC itself. In my sermon, I'll explore the scripture passage of Luke 12, and we will also share in another baptism. See you Sunday." - Pastor Becca

"Friends, our scripture is Psalm 119:97-106 and John 1:1-14 and the sermon focuses on Presbyterian views of scripture. As many people in the congregation read the book, The Bible Tells Me So by Dr. Peter Enns, Sunday’s scripture and sermon can be in conversation with the book and help you think through what you believe about God’s impact through scripture." - Pastor Mac

"This Sunday our scriptures focus on moments of hospitality with the Divine: Genesis 18:1-10a and Luke 10:38-42. God and Jesus come to visit the main characters in each story (Abraham and Sarah/Martha and Mary). What do these stories teach us about listening, hospitality, relationships and the many responsibilities we juggle?"- Pastor Mac

"This Sunday, we will dive into learning about God’s heart for missions from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10. Did you know that God is a missionary God? We learn about this together in worship."- Rev. Dr. Mina Choi

"This Sunday’s scripture being preached on is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:1,13-25). It digs deep into what actions and characteristics bring us real freedom. I look forward to sharing in worship with you!" - Mac Schafer

This Sunday’s lectionary text is Luke 8:26-39 (Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac). It’s one of my favorite gospel stories. There’s so much going on in this passage. In the text before this one, Jesus calms a literal storm. This is foreshadowing to the calm he brings in a man’s life in the country of the Gerasenes.  - Mac SchaferA portion of the following song plays during the sermon:Welcome To The Family · Michael Franti & Spearhead · Michael Franti · Chris StevensWelcome To The Family℗ 2025 Boo Boo Wax marketed and distributed by Thirty TigersReleased on: 2025-03-28Producer: Michael FrantiProducer: Chris StevensMixing Engineer: Jesse Ray ErnsterMastering Engineer: Gerard WestphalenMusic Publisher: Baldboy Beatz (BMI)Music Publisher: Work Hard Be Nice Publishing (ASCAP- Admin by Me Gusta Music)

On Trinity Sunday we celebrate, as described by our denomination, the unfathomable mystery of God’s being as Holy Trinity. It is a day of adoration and praise of the one, eternal, incomprehensible God.

On this Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Becca will remind us that Acts 2 is not the story of a finished church. May we be inspired by the spark of a Spirit still speaking!

Join in this Sunday as we share songs people have sung in hard times and the stories about the people who sang them. 

During this unique and exciting Earth Care Sunday, Pastor Mac Schafer offers several reflections touching on the life and experience of Scottish immigrant John Muir. After arriving in America in 1849, Muir would go on to become a noted naturalist, author, and environmental philosopher. 

In his book Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer writes, “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.” This Sunday we celebrate discernment and God’s call. God calls each of us. Join in worship as we celebrate new elders and deacons being called to service through the church. -Pastor Mac Schafer

"This Sunday we will be looking at Acts 9:36-43. In this story a faithful disciple named Tabitha dies. The text says, 'She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.' Join us for worship as we dive into the type of discipleship Tabitha modeled."-Pastor Mac Schafer