Tag Archives: Medina Ohio

Packing For Our Future End, an advent sermon

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Last week’s sermon looked at the Luke 21 and focused on how we are to live in these days after the ascension of Jesus (Lk24, Acts1), but before his return. First, we did a little investigation into the claims of our secular culture for future. We did this by analyzing and interpreting the stories of our culture in popular film and television shows. We looked at both the “negative or fatalistic” views  of the recent 21st century (The Walking Dead) as well as more “optimistic or positive” views popularized in the 20th century (Star Trek). We contrasted those stories with what Luke 21 and the book of Revelation have to say about the future and how we are to “pack” for it.

12-2-12 – Advent 1C Sermon

Key Verses:

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
(Luke 21:34-36 ESV)

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John”
(Revelation 1:1 ESV)

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
(Revelation 22:20-21 ESV)

 

The Violent Kingdom – Joshua Toepper

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This past Sunday we had a guest preacher visit us, Joshua Toepper. Joshua works for the International Leadership Institute (ILI), he holds two Masters degree in Missiology and Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (where he studied with Fr. Ryan), has traveled and lived extensively in the Middle East, has a heart for Muslims to come to know Jesus, is a visionary leader with youth ministry, and most importantly is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. Sunday Joshua sought to answer the age-old question of “why bad things happen to good people.” He explored how often those who stand for the faith received from Jesus are often persecuted for this faith, but how the kingdom often advances despite and in the face of this persecution. The case study for Joshua is John the Baptist.

The text for Joshua’s sermon Sunday was from Matthew 11:2-15:

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them,“Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

11:18:12 – The Violent Kingdom – Joshua Toepper

Values: Towards Wholeness

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Over the course of five worship services, St. George’s is looking under the microscope to see what our DNA is and will remain to be. When we name our values we aren’t just posting a list of “ideals”, but the primal ingredients of what we are already about at our conception. The DNA of a tree remains relatively the same as a seed, sapling, or as a fully mature tree.

There is no particular order to our values, nor is it a closed list. We are still looking to identify any values that aren’t covered by these first five. I also attempted to put our values into “secular english”, so that non/un/de-church people will understand (at least in part) what we value.

Below is Fr. Ryan’s fourth homily (sermon) from the Values series: “Towards Wholeness.”

Sermon – 10-14-12 – Wholeness

 

Values: Being Witnesses in Christ

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Over the course of five worship services, St. George’s is looking under the microscope to see what our DNA is and will remain to be. When we name our values we aren’t just posting a list of “ideals”, but the primal ingredients of what we are already about at our conception. The DNA of a tree remains relatively the same as a seed, sapling, or as a fully mature tree.

There is no particular order to our values, nor is it a closed list. We are still looking to identify any values that aren’t covered by these first five. I also attempted to put our values into “secular english”, so that non/un/de-church people will understand (at least in part) what we value.

Below is my (Fr. Ryan’s) third homily (sermon) on “Being A Witness.”:

Sermon – 10-7-12 – Values – Story

Values: Towards Active Participation

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Over the course of five worship services, St. George’s is looking under the microscope to see what our DNA is and will remain to be. When we name our values we aren’t just posting a list of “ideals”, but the primal ingredients of what we are already about at our conception. The DNA of a tree remains relatively the same as a seed, sapling, or as a fully mature tree.

There is no particular order to our values, nor is it a closed list. We are still looking to identify any values that aren’t covered by these first five. I also attempted to put our values into “secular english”, so that non/un/de-church people will understand (at least in part) what we value.

Below is my (Fr. Ryan’s) second homily (sermon) on “Active Participation.”

Sermon 9-23-12 Values – Partipation

Values – Towards A Generous Hospitality

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As St. George’s Anglican Church moves into her new home at The Abbey, it has been on my heart to share and expand on what we value. Knowing our values helps both those on the inside and outside of our church know the culture we are hoping to shape in our church family. You can view our Vision, Mission, and Values here.

There is no particular order to our values, nor is it a closed list. We are still looking to identify any values that aren’t covered by these first five. I also attempted to put our values into “secular english”, so that non/un/de-church people will understand (at least in part) what we value.

Below is my first homily (sermon) on “A Generous Hospitality.”

Download: Values – Hospitality

3-3-12 – Mark Sermon Series – The Heartbeat of the Sent Ones

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The following sermon was preached Saturday, March 3rd by Rev. Ryan M. Kocak, the Rector (Sr. Pastor) and lead church planter of St. George’s Anglican Church in Medina.

The Text of the sermon was from Mark 3:13-19:

The Twelve Apostles

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

1-28-12 – Mark Sermon Series Pt1 – “The Authority of Jesus: Word is Deed”

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Last Saturday night (January 28th) we began the first in a sermon series from the Gospel according to Mark. During this Epiphany season, we will be journeying with the early followers of Jesus as we seek an answer to the pivotal questions in Mark 8, “Who do people say that I am?”

The first sermon was from Mark 1:16-28. This section of Mark’s narrative occurs shortly after Jesus’ baptism and subsequent 40 day long wilderness battle with Satan. Jesus returns preaching the message of Mark 1:15,

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.

This proclamation begins the teaching ministry of Jesus in and around the region of Galilee. Jesus answers important questions like: “What is the kingdom of God”, “Why repent, from what to what?”, and “why belief” with an invitation, “Come, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (the first four called were fishermen).”

It is with this backdrop that I leave you with the sermon from this past week. May the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, illumine the Person of Jesus Christ in this message and encourage you that if the Lord is for you then nothing can stand against you!

Tending the Flame this Winter

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To St. George’s Church and friends,

Greetings and blessings in the name of the one and only all-sufficient savior, the most unique personality ever to born of a woman, the king of kings, the lord of lords, the great I-AM, the one who loved us and saved us, the one who defeated death and pillaged the grave, the one who desires intimacy with his people (THAT’S YOU and ME), the one who is head of his body the church, the one who has conquered the devil and his minions, the one who knows your name, the one who sits on the throne of all authority and dominion, and has a name above all names… yes indeed, it is in the mighty name of Jesus Christ I greet you! 


During the winter season (especially in NE Ohio) I think of hibernation and the anticipation of new life. The trees, grass and vegetation go dormant. The sun is constantly obscured by thick clouds (seriously how can it be this dark at 3:30 PM). Snow blankets the Ohio landscape as the cold and sterile wind of winter moves unimpeded across the land. But, there is a rhythm of life that is unique to the winter months… and it is fitting for the season we find ourselves in as a church plant.

The winter for us will be a season of examination, exploration, contemplation, and renewal for mission. It will be marked by:

  • praying and fasting
  • processing through together what we learned from the first few months of our public and private gatherings
  • asking the Lord for greater vision and favor in Medina
  • ultimately we will continue to mature in our relationship with Jesus Christ and with each other (learning to be disciples of Jesus on mission).

The logic of this season is to further grow our “core team” both numerically (we need more folks to plant successfully) but also to grow in maturity (to become more like the Jesus we confess). Therefore, this winter we will continue to gather once or twice a month for public worship, meet in homes for prayer and ministry, gather together to grow in the faith (still finalizing what curriculum/bible study we will use), and learn together what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ as we participate in the mission of God (making disciples) in Medina County!

Here are some tentative dates for 2012: 

  • Thur, Jan 26 – 7-8PM - Prayer & Ministry time (Kocak’s House)
  • Sat, Jan 28 – 6PM -  Worship Service (Harvest Presbyterian Church)
  • Tue, Feb 7 – 7-8PM - Prayer & Ministry Time (Kocak’s House)
  • Sat, Feb 11, 6PM - Worship Service (Harvest Presbyterian)
  • Tue, Feb 21 – 7-8PM - Prayer & Ministry Time (Kocak’s House)
  • Sat, Feb 25, 9 AM – 2 PM – ** The Gospel-Centered Leader (Harvest Presbyterian), $15/person scholarships available
  • March 13-15th – SynergyEDGE Learning Community (Rivertree Church in Massillon) – email Fr Ryan (plantmedina@gmail.com) if interested in attending.
  • Sat, April 21, 7:30AM- 4:30 PM - The Big Day of Serving Event Medina - Sign up on website.
  • Fri-Sat, May 18-19 – Mission Trip to Athens Ohio to stay and work with Good Works Inc. – more info to come.
  • Mondays at 2:30 PM - Confirmation Class - McDonald’s on Rt 3

There will be more details coming out soon about the course/bible study offerings for the winter months (We’re looking at either using NT Wright’s Simply Christian, Alpha, or Christianity Explored). All are great means of grace to grow deeper in our knowledge (heart & mind) of being in Christ

Also keep visiting the blog for updates and news about new programs, gatherings, and mission opportunities at St. George’s Church.

As always, I am here to serve you.I am available for prayer, getting together to hang out, and spiritual direction (“uh, Pastor what do I do about ____”  kind of stuff). Please do not hesitate to contact me to meet up. I am here to serve.

In Christ,

Ryan+

12/31/11 – “Seeing in the Waters of Baptism”

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On January first every year, Christians celebrate the day in which our Lord and Savior was circumcised and given his name “Jesus”. During Christmas Day services we hear about the titles given to the child from the lips of meek shepherds: “messiah”, “savior”, “Lord.” But it is on Holy Name Sunday, the first day of the new year, in which the child is given the name to match the titles. It is into this name, Jesus (meaning Jehovah (the LORD) saves) that we are baptized, that we are nourished, that we hope, that we live and move and have our being.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Listen to the sermon here:
12-31-11 – Sermon – Seeing in the Waters of Baptism*

It was fitting that we celebrated this church holiday with the baptism of Devyn Piotrowski and thus began the new year by remembering the promises of being baptized in Christ.

Listen to the baptism here:
12-31-11 – Devyn’s Baptism

*You can also subscribe to sermons on iTunes