Heresy is a word we whisper. Yet heresy is something that has been with the Church since her birth. Indeed, even today, many Christians hold views that seem to make sense but are not found in Scripture. Heresy is destructive to the Church but God still redeems that destruction to help the Church clarify her beliefs and fortify her faith. Join Pastors Eric and Bo as we take a look at some of the classic heresies of the Church and see how God uses them to shine His light of truth in our lives.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knit us together, and, before a thought is in our mind, He knows it. His desire is for us to know Him intimately as well. Nowhere does this intimacy happen more frequently and intensely than in prayer. Prayer is the key to change us and change the world we live in, yet many of us find it challenging, frustrating and sometimes even boring. Using the Lord's Prayer and episodes from Jesus' life, this sermon series examines how Jesus prayed and will encourage us to follow His methods and practices to know the Father. Join Pastor Eric and Pastor Bo as we take this journey together!

The Bible is a story, the long history of god's passionate, persistent, and patient redemption of His people. However, most of us don't read the Bible like a story, we drop in on one part or another, not realizing that we have just parachuted into the beautiful vista of a grand narrative. That narrative tells of God's long and costly pursuit of His children, and the redemption and restoration of His creation.

The Bible is a story, the long history of god's passionate, persistent, and patient redemption of His people. However, most of us don't read the Bible like a story, we drop in on one part or another, not realizing that we have just parachuted into the beautiful vista of a grand narrative. That narrative tells of God's long and costly pursuit of His children, and the redemption and restoration of His creation.

As the Holy Spirit is poured out, we are told that the people of God will get visions and dream dreams. The Holy Spirit is at work among the people of PSOC. What are our God-given visions and dreams? For the last year the Vision Team has been working on a Vision to guide PCOS for the next five years. That vision is grounded in Jesus' prayer to the Father before He went to the cross. Pastor Eric will be sharing some of that vision and talking about this biblical truth that is so close to Jesus' heart for His people.

Plan to attend a pot-luck dinner and Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 5:30pm. We will discuss the Vision and vote on important by-laws changes that will be necessary to implement the full Vision of PCOS.

Heaven is the one theological topic we talk about outside the Church more than inside. We all have a vague and hopeful notion of the afterlife. Rarely do we attend a funeral where a beautiful afterlife is not claimed for the deceased. You do not have to look far to find books upon books about heaven, death and the afterlife. Consequently, there may be nothing else we are more curious about or more ignorant of at the same time. Most of these books, however, have very little of God's Word in them. Come and learn what the Bible has to say about Heaven and our lives to come in this perspective-changing sermon series by Dr. Eric Laverentz. 

John's Gospel teaches us that Jesus told the Disciples, "It is your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you." For the first Christians, faith was unintelligible without the Holy Spirit at the center. His power, His pouring, peace and perseverance were what they believed made the early Church the force it was. Today nearly three out of every five American Christians do not believe The Holy Spirit is a living person but only a symbol of God's power. There may not be a more important message for the Church to hear today. A life where the Holy Spirit is active and alive is a life that transforms the world.

John's Gospel teaches us that Jesus told the Disciples, "It is your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you." For the first Christians, faith was unintelligible without the Holy Spirit at the center. His power, His pouring, peace and perseverance were what they believed made the early Church the force it was. Today nearly three out of every five American Christians do not believe The Holy Spirit is a living person but only a symbol of God's power. There may not be a more important message for the Church to hear today. A life where the Holy Spirit is active and alive is a life that transforms the world.

"In God We Trust," this phrase first appeared on the two-cent coin in 1864. By 1866, "In God We Trust" was on every US minted coin. We say it with such casualness that the meaning is lost. But what does it mean to really trust in God? What does it mean to believe that He will provide in every circumstance and situation?

Hebrews promises that we may "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to helpin time of need." (4:16) The throne of grace is that place where dwells the glory of God. The throne of grace is the mercy seat wherewe meet our Heavenly Father. In sin the throne of graces is hidden from us. But Jesus our High Priest takes us there, removing the veil, so that we see God face to face.

The Bible records the last 24 hours of Jesus' life before he died on the cross and was placed in a borrowed tomb. It is a remarkable story of the passion of the Son of God who gave His life so that you and I might be dead to sin and alive to God.

We walk many roads in this life. Sometimes we walk alone, sometimes with a friend, a parents or a spouce. But when we walk without Jesus, too many roads result in dead ends, blind alleys or broken paths. We may have walked those roads for so long that we have given up hope of having the strong, loving, respect-filled friendships we crave. When we walk with Jesus and His Gospel and grace, every road, no matter how steep or narrow or dark, is one of bright hope.

Do  you crave friendships? Is your marriage not what you dreamed it would be? Do you feel alone? Don't give up hope. "Bright Hope Road, How Walking with Jesus Transforms Every Relationship" is a sermon series that demonstrates how we can transform every relationship into a living testimony to the Gospel.

John's Gospel begins with the famous words, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John goes back to the time before time to proclaim the name of the Savior to a world which desperately needed Him, where hope seemed to be running out.

We cannot further Christ's Kingdom from our comfort zone. Christ is always calling us to leave the familiar and the cozy to serve His purposes in the world. God's command is always "Go." Once we let the Holy Spirit lead us out, we can literally watch the world bend to the shape of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 150 commands, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" God made us to be instruments of praise. We praise, of course, for God's glory. But we also praise because it is good for us. When our mouths are filled with praise there is no room for doubt, despair or cursing. Praise not only changes our perspective. It changes the people around us too. In fact praising God in deed and word, especaiily during difficult times, can change our community.

Pastor Eric takes a look at the first seven chapters of Acts and asks these questions, “What made the early Church great?” and “How can we be great disciples and have a great Church?”

The greatest enemy of faith is fear. Fear robs us of our joy. Fear steals our hope. Fear forces us to settle for less than God’s best. Throughout Scripture we witness the teaching that God commands His people to “Fear Not.” Through this inspiring sermon series learn about fear’s origins, how to overcome fear, and to stand strong in God’s love in every circumstance.

Four Christmas Stories sermon series

Here you will find the Sermon Series: “Grace Alone” which included the following sermons: “The Problem with People and the Solution” “Grace for Ourselves” “Grace for the Church” “Grace for Non-believers” and “Grace for Those in Authority.”

Focusing on Leviticus' teaching to "not harvest our fields to the edge" Pastor Eric Laverentz will teach God's plan for getting the most from life by creating room for His blessing.

Six sermons from the series Twice Told Tales: Parables for Skeptics by Senior Pastor Eric Laverentz.

Sermon Series: “Why Are We Here?”
Sunday, April 22, 2007©
Eric Laverentz, Senior Pastor
Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 40:28-31

Sermon Series: “Come In From The Cold”
Sunday, February 25, 2007©
Eric Laverentz, Senior Pastor
Scripture Lesson: Revelation 3:16