Fort Street Presbyterian Church

Pastor Sarah invites you to be honest about your relationship with God, and to really consider what you give to God...and not just what you get.

Pastor Garrett sets the stage for "I've Got the Power" by presenting the approach to change and empowerment embodied by Ella Baker.

Pastor Sarah begins the Jeremiah 7:1-11 scripture reading with the encouragement to REALLY listen to the text. When you really listen, you hear how the ancient text so readily applies to the uncertainty of today. The sermon addresses the chaos of the current social injustices and guides the listener to practical ways to "Improve your conduct and actions" in order for God to dwell with all.

Pastor Garrett floats the overarching notion that we are living in a rational era. Then he gets into this sermon and relates that throughout the Bible, you'll realize how often the various writers took from other ancient texts and how often they'll contradict one another...and it can become destabilizing. Pastor Garrett then guides us to continue down the path and find those places where trust can be unearthed and solidified again.

Pastor Garrett recounts a personal story where he first was asked to share how he found his calling. This story leads into a fantastical exploration of Matthew 2:1-11 with touch points of the Magi as astronomers and sorcerers who look to the sky for guidance. Listen and journey to learn "How to Experience God."

Pastor Sarah wonders how you feel about reunions based on Jeremiah 31:7-14. She explores the interpersonal dynamics that change over the decades and wonders how we learn to be together.

It's the story of Christmas and the birth of Christ with a new lens. Consider "Hope in the Margins" with Pastor Sarah.

Pastors Sarah & Garrett and Fort Street were featured in an article by Nancy Kaffer at the Detroit Free Press. Pastor Garrett used that article as a jumping off point to talk about God's love.

You can't escape whatever suffering you have. Those around you cannot alleviate it. Sometimes, the way out is going through. Pastor Garrett teaches a new way to manage expectations.

Pastor Sarah observes that babies are born with two fears--the fear of falling and loud noises. Every other fear is learned. This makes them geared toward peace. As adults, we default to fear, anxiety, stress, distrust--even amongst our friends and allies. Listen to understand why Pastor Sarah encourages you to go out and play with snakes this week.

Pastor Garrett encourages direct action in pursuing the key markers of the season--hope, joy, love and peace.

Pastor Sarah gets to the heart and soul of genuine gratitude. "Gratitude" is defined as "the state of being appreciative of benefits received." And in this sermon, Pastor Sarah urges us to move past the notion of thanking to receive favor and consider what we may appreciate beyond the expectation of receiving in return.

Join Pastor Garrett as he tells a story from his youth that embodies the spirit of giving and stewardship. You'll be surprised how the theme of "paying it forward" unfolds.

What will you be doing in 2095? Pastor Sarah invites you to imagine what the church will be in 2095.

Pastor Garrett kicks off stewardship season and reminds all that the greatest gift you have is the gift of yourself.

Pastor Sarah invites you to find an opportunity to sit in the unknown. Change direction, follow God's spirit, and allow yourself to be surprised by disappointment.

Second in the "What the Hell?" series, this sermon weaves together Pastor Garrett's threads of a car fire, a guy asking for money to rebuild his spaceship, and a golf pro named Fred. All showed up at a time when it seemed like the end of Pastor Garrett's young life.

Ever heard of the Rapture? No doubt you have. Pastor Garrett turns that classic interpretation of "live right or get left behind" on its ear and grounds the interpretation in scripture and the Bible.

Pastor Sarah delivers the last sermon in the Holy Disruption: Women Who Changed the Story series. Listen to know the best time to ask, "Are you OK?"

You've heard the story of Martha and Mary. Most likely, Martha was portrayed as a grumpy hostess by whomever was interpreting the Bible verses. "Listening Isn't Free" is a fresh take on Martha and her faithful contributions set against the cultural circumstances of the time.

Learn the truth about Mary Magdalene and glean insight into the influence of one of the most well-known albeit misunderstood women of the Bible. In this second in the "Holy Disruption: Women Who Changed the Story" series, Pastor Garrett lovingly schools on the incredible superhero energy of women in history. No sidekicks here!

With millennia of focus on the males of the Bible, Pastor Sarah flips the script. The highlighting of Shiphrah and Puah and their contributions, kick off the four-part series on the women of the Bible.

What thoughts or beliefs are standing in the way of your mental and spiritual vitality? Pastor Garrett explores Jeremiah 18, Kodak's conviction that the printed image is the way to go, and mental inflexibility in "50 Shades of Clay."

Pastor Sarah wraps up the series on the book of Revelation with a message of hope. For many, Revelation has been presented as a stern warning meant to control behavior of the masses. Not so in the hands of both Pastor Sarah and Pastor Garrett. Revelation 21-22 is reinterpreted through the lens of hope. And Pastor Sarah sends the listener into the world encouraged to look for areas of life in need of repair. Relationships? Perspectives? Actual machinery? Let this sermon take you to the place in your spirit where you answer this question for yourself.

The series on the book of Revelation pushes the limits again. Pastor Garrett flips the script on Revelation 14 and rebuilds it for today drawing a parallel to Rome's "virtue" of domination and our need to be right in social media, our opinions, and daily interactions.

This is how a leader speaks. Pastor Sarah takes us on a book of Revelation journey with the Rider on the White Horse. There are so many quotable moments in this sermon that approaches Revelation with clarity and kindness and not the shame and fear of old.

Guest Preacher Dave Tucker dives deeper into the book of Revelation. And he uses a story about Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson to paint a modern picture of this encoded book of the Bible.

Every day, there are decisions we make about the truth. Should we say something or just keep it inside? In this moment, Is it better to tell the truth or to lie? Pastor Garrett takes the listener on an emotional ride and relays his own experience with a true crime.

Pastor Sarah dives into the symbolism of the seven seals in Revelation 6 and applies the call to action to modern symbols. The interpretation is fresh and leaves you feeling empowered and not frightened or shamed.

The Summer Series: The Book of Revelation heats up. Pastor Sarah captivates the listener and shares a very personal and very special perspective on fighting empire with worship and surrounding yourself with community.

Throughout modern Christianity, the Book of Revelation has been used to tame the masses with fear. Pastor Garrett offers a new approach when discussing the Book of Revelation. This Sunday, Pastor invites us to listen with fresh ears and to let Revelation stir the imagination--not toward escape, but toward engagement with a world in need of healing.

Travel to the wild, rugged beauty of El Salvador as Pastor Sarah instructs us on "Traveling Light."

Apply yourself to your goals. Don't let your "buts" stand in the way.

When was the last time you had any amount of time in silence? Pastor Sarah researched the benefits of silence and ponders what could be achieved if each person could listen in the silence.

Pastor Sarah is back from her conference and ready to "Let It Burn!" She issues the challenge to turn up the heat in certain social situations to produce more interesting and engaging conversations.

Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Bob Cornwall visits FSPC and preaches on the uniting power of the love of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Emily Anderson joins Fort Street as a guest preacher. She challenges everyone to step up to the plate and keep swinging until you hit a home run for social justice.

Guest preacher and Fort Streeter, Dave Tucker, knocks it out of the park while the pastors are away. Dave presents the notion that we have several superpowers at our disposal...powers like gratitude and humility.

Pastor Garrett gets you thinking about your expectations when it comes to answered prayer.

Pastor Sarah discusses love and all the little ways we can show love to others as well as the little ways others show they love us.

Pastor Sarah leads this Easter service and reveals the life-changing nonsense that day.

Pastor Garrett takes a different view on Thomas' request that Jesus show him his wounds.

Pastor Garrett speaks up about the disappointments in life.

Pastors Sarah and Garrett attended a performance of "Swan Lake" last week. And the experience shifted Pastor Garrett's perspective and inspired a new avenue to peacemaking.

3.30.25 Audio Sermon_The Cost of Kindness by Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Detroit, Michigan

Pastor Garrett focuses on meekness and righteousness from the Beatitudes. This sermon will leave you pondering how you can counter anger and hostility with gentleness.

Pastor Sarah makes a case for the Beatitudes speaking to those who feel undeserving and yet are blessed anyway. Make sure you listen all the way to the end.

Think blessings are earned by hard work and perseverance? Pastor Garrett challenges that thinking with God's word.

Pastor Sarah is back at the helm. In "Make a Place," she looks at King Solomon and how he shifted his thinking based on his faith to dedicate holy places for all. And she encourages each of us to consider how we can make holy places in our lives.

2.23.25 Audio Sermon - What Belongs to God by Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Detroit, Michigan