Standalone Sermons: The Harvest is Plentiful

Matthew 9:35 - 10:1

In this message, guest speaker Emily Cordon Drainville, a pastoral resident from Sanctuary Church in Providence, preaches about Jesus’ compassion for lost people. While it seems that people in Providence do not appear “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), many are walking with deep hurt inside and are searching for answers. In recent months, Emily has witnessed an openness to Jesus like never before from her peers locally and from testimonies around the world. In summary, the harvest is plentiful! There is a great need for people to go bring the light of Jesus into their communities here in New England, and Jesus is empowering you through His Spirit to join Him in the healing work. This message is meant to encourage anyone who needs needs a fresh wind of Jesus’ compassion for people in our lives.

Standalone Sermons: Looking for a Sign

Luke 24:13-34

Let’s talk about an Easter story after Easter! What if you already had the sign you were looking for? Council Leader Vicky Griffiths goes through the encounter of Jesus with the people on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection, how Jesus’ explanation of the scriptures and his breaking bread with the travelers both point to Him as the Savior we are looking for.

Standalone Sermons: A Pastoral Talk

Pastor Scott shares thoughts and updates for the Ren community this season related to Lent, the move out of the 184 Broad St building, and Core membership in 2024. Chris Waugh closes out with a brief word on communion and the full measure we can have of Jesus in our lives.

Standalone Sermons: Essentials for 2024

As followers of Jesus, how do we prioritize our love for God, our love for one another, and our love for neighbors in our spheres? Pastor Scott gives a pastoral talk on the most important essentials for Christian living to set us in the right direction for how we live and how we are a church together in 2024.

Standalone Sermons: Pursuing Jesus in 2024

Matthew 2:1-12

There is no one God is not willing to pursue. The wise men, doing their job as well-off astrologists, followed an unusual star and discovered the true King of the Jews—Jesus. It’s worth looking at our own stories to ask, how might God today meet us in our communities and in our passions and interests? By studying the Magi story in Matthew 2, Ren Church member Vicky Griffiths helps us reflect on how we can pursue Jesus in 2024.

Standalone Sermons: Why Are You Angry?

Ephesians 4:26-27

Dr. Mike Caparrelli is an author, public speaker, and a leader of a nonprofit, Unmuted, that helps trauma victims recover on a path toward healing. In this message he talks about anger in the context of Ephesisans 4:26-27: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” What are healthy ways to be angry? Why do we get angry? How do we address the underlying reason behind our anger? Dr. Caparrelli touches on the psychological and spiritual implications for anger and how addressing our anger can build unity in the church.

Standalone Sermons: Jonah 1

Jonah 1

This week is a message from special guest Anthony Pierre-Louis, associate director of the Greater Boston Men’s Center of Adult and Teen Challenge. Anthony unpacks the first chapter of Jonah, a book that displays the heart of God to reach the lost, including those who have done wrong to us or our people.

Standalone Sermons: Exciting Days Ahead

Pastor Scott gives a pastoral talk that sets the stage for exciting things ahead for the church. As other parts of the country have been experiencing revival, a diverse collective of pastors and leaders in and around Providence have been meeting monthly to pray and petition for God to revive the hearts of people in our region. Scott shares about the citywide worship gathering that is happening on March 15 that birthed out of these unified prayers, along with Ren Church’s plans for shifting the way we gather on Sundays starting this May and how this schedule change will help us better disciple the next generation.

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Standalone Sermons: Reflections from Israel

Pastor Scott returns from his recent trip to Israel! Listen to the prayers he wrote while in the gospel story’s landscape, along with reflections on what it means to be “a city on a hill,” and what mission and prayer in the holy land can say about God’s mission in Rhode Island.

Standalone Sermons: Living for Jesus

Sean Carew is the founder and director of Providence Rescue Mission, an emergency shelter for the homeless population in Providence. In this message, Sean shares a little about his story and looks at the life of Peter in the Bible, a fisherman who follows Jesus, denies him at one point, and returns to Jesus to end up leading His Church. A life like Peter’s—and Sean’s—shows how Jesus creates all of us for a purpose and God’s goodness, no matter what background we come from.