The Word from South Highland

March 12, 2023 - Our world is replete with enemies far and near, from threatening dictators to that boss who just makes your work life miserable. But who is the real enemy? Rev. Dr. Larry Michael preaches on Jesus' call in the Sermon on the Mount to love our enemies.

March 5, 2023 - Jesus didn't come preaching a message of comfort and convenience, but rather one of costly, sacrificial love. Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley preaches from Matthew 5 on Jesus' call to - before bringing out gifts to the altar - be reconciled to those with whom we are in conflict.

February 26, 2023 - There are signs of hope throughout scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. Guest preacher Rev. Boutros Zaour from Syria brings a powerful message of hope centered around faith in Jesus Christ.

February 22, 2023 - "Remember you're dust, and to dust you shall return." Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley has a special homily for Ash Wednesday.

February 12, 2023 - Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Roger Dermody brings a fascinating perspective to the "why missions" question with stories from Pakistan's most prestigious university, Forman Christian College, led by scripture from Isaiah and Romans. 

February 5, 2023 - All the joy and fulfillment of life are not found in focusing on ourselves and on the gifts we have received, but rather on giving back: looking outward in service to others. Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley preaches on Jesus's words about salt and light from Matthew 5.

January 29, 2023 - A well-known TV minister used to call them "the be-happy attitudes." Do Jesus' words in Matthew 5 really amount to a prescription of how we can be happy? Here's a fresh look at this part of the Sermon on the Mount from Rev. Cort Gatliff.

January 22, 2023 - In Matthew 4, Jesus tells Peter, Andrew, James and John to come. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul helps that church remember who to follow. What comes next? Leading, says Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley in this powerful message.

January 15, 2023 - Have you really been living up to the high calling of Matthew 3? Have any of us? In this message for Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend, Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley has a few confessions of his own.

January 11, 2023 - The exiles in Babylon surely felt the pain of their situation and the distance from their God-given homeland. But God tells them to live a full and God-filled life in the knowledge of God's having amazing plans for their future. Rev. Dr. Larry Michael brings God's word in a Wednesday Vespers service in the beautiful Chapel at South Highland.

Jjanuary 8, 2023 - Christmas is packed away. Have we packed away Jesus, too? Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley says: with the wise men of Matthew 2, we’re called to travel a new way home.

January 1, 2023 - The Gospel doesn't begin in Matthew 1 - it begins in Genesis. Everything we read in the New Testament only happened because of God's work beforehand throughout the history of God's people. Join Youth Director Dallas Knight as he preaches on the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew chapter 1.

December 25, 2022 - Christmas gift giving can sometimes be a minefield: did I spend enough? do they really need it? Rev. Cort Gatliff has some very good news about the greatest gift ever.

December 24, 2022 - "Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people..." (Luke 2:9-10) Dr. Ed Hurley proclaims the same good news: Jesus has been born unto us.

December 18, 2022 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "When God comes in love to humans, and binds Himself to them, peace is made between God and human beings, and between human beings and human beings." Dr. Ed Hurley concludes our Advent sermon series "And He Shall Be Called..." with this homily on Jesus as The Prince of Peace.

December 11, 2022 - God is our loving father whose love is everlasting, having no beginning or ending. Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley continues our series on the names of Jesus from Isaiah 9, "And He Shall Be Called..." with a reassuring message about Jesus as The Everlasting Father.

December 4, 2022 - With scripture from Revelation and Matthew, Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley continues a series on the names of Jesus found in Isaiah 9, "And He Shall Be Called...", comparing the images of John's vision in Revelation to that of a baby in a manger.

November 27, 2022 On the first Sunday of Advent, we begin And He Shall Be Called..., a sermon series on the names of Jesus as written in Isaiah 9:6-7. Rev. Abby Gatliff points out that receiving counsel isn't just about the answers. It's also about the questions.

November 20, 2022 Christ the King Sunday offers us an opportunity to remember that, despite the uncertainties and fears swirling about current events and our own lives, Jesus Christ is still ruling and reigning over heaven and earth and all creation. Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley preaches with scripture from Luke 23.