La Jolla Presbyterian Church Sermons

Lament is the honest expression of grief before God, bringing our sorrow and questions into His presence. Rather than ignoring suffering or rushing past it, Scripture invites us to name what hurts and trust that God meets us there. In this week’s message, “Lament,” Pastor Paul Cunningham reflects on John 11:17–36, where Jesus meets Mary and Martha in their mourning after the death of Lazarus. As He stands at the tomb and weeps, we see the heart of Christ, not distant, but fully present in human sorrow. Before resurrection comes tears. Before hope breaks through, grief is acknowledged. Through this passage, we are reminded that lament is not a lack of faith, but a faithful response to loss. Join us for worship this Sunday! We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

God does not promise us easy lives, and Scripture reminds us that suffering is often part of the journey of faith. During Lent, we slow down to acknowledge both our weakness and our need for God’s strength. In this week’s message, “Life Is Fragile,” Pastor Paul Cunningham reflects on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, where the Apostle Paul speaks of his weakness and the grace that sustains him. We are reminded that God’s power is made perfect in weakness and that even in our limitations, Christ’s strength is enough! Join us for worship this Sunday. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Shadows are part of every life. Grief leaves a mark, aging reminds us how fragile we are, and some days feel heavier than others. The season of Lent invites us to slow down, reflect honestly on these realities, and remember that we do not walk through them alone. In our new Lent series, Shadows and Daybreak, we explore how God meets us in life’s shadowed places with presence, community, and hope! In this week’s message, “Shadowlands,” Pastor Paul Cunningham reflects on Mark 8:22–33, where Jesus heals a blind man and then teaches His disciples about what it means to see and follow Him. As Peter struggles to understand Jesus’ path, we’re reminded that faith often unfolds gradually, moving from limited understanding toward deeper trust, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. Join us this Sunday as we worship and journey through Lent together. Sermon Questions: 1. Who would you say Jesus is? 2. Do you need to ask Jesus to help you see something more clearly? We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Hospitality has always been a mark of faithful Christian living, showing the love of Christ through generosity and care for others. In 3 John 1–8, we see how hospitality strengthens the church and supports God’s work, as believers open their lives and homes for the sake of the Gospel. In this week's message, “Hospitality Is Key,” Pastor Chad Fransen invites us to consider how simple acts of welcome can have a lasting spiritual impact. Join us as we reflect on how living generously and supporting one another help God’s love flourish with those around us. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

In the busyness of life, juggling responsibilities, relationships, and the constant pull of what feels urgent, it can be easy to lose our sense of balance and direction. We often find ourselves rushing from one thing to the next, trying to hold everything together faithfully, yet feeling stretched thin and distracted from what matters most. In 2 John 1–9, John reminds us that walking in truth is the rhythm that anchors us. God’s commands are not burdensome, but an invitation to live with purpose and peace, loving one another and remaining in Christ. As we reflect on “Finding The Balance,” Pastor Paul Cunningham will guide us to consider how abiding in God’s truth helps us realign ourselves when life feels overwhelming and draws us back to what is eternal. Join us this Sunday! We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

In a world full of uncertainty, where do we find lasting assurance and hope? In 1 John 5:6–15, we’re reminded that eternal life is not something we earn or guess at, but a gift God has already given through His Son. John writes so that we may know we have eternal life, rooted in God’s faithfulness and love. Pastor Paul Cunningham will lead us as we reflect on “Eternal Life,” and are invited to rest in the confidence of God’s promise and live each day in His life-giving grace. Sermon Questions: We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Where does love begin? According to 1 John 4, love doesn’t start with us - it starts with God. This passage reminds us that God is the source and definition of love, and that His love is most clearly revealed through Jesus Christ. When we receive that love deeply, it transforms how we live and how we love others. This Sunday, Pastor Paul Cunningham will preach a message titled “Love Begins With God,” calling us to live rooted in God's love—freely given, fear-breaking, and meant to overflow into every part of our lives. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us.” In 1 John 3:1-10, we’re invited to pause and take in God’s love, that we are called children of God. This identity shapes how we live, how we love, and how we see ourselves in light of who Christ is. God’s love doesn’t leave us where we are; it transforms us from the inside out, calling us to live differently in the world. Pastor Paul Cunningham will share this week’s message, “Children of God,” encouraging us to live with confidence, trust, and faithfulness as we grow into who He says we are. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

What does it mean to have someone stand with us when we fall short? In 1 John 2:1–6, we’re reminded that Jesus is our Advocate, walking with us, speaking up for us, and calling us to live as He lived. This passage reassures us that grace isn’t meant to leave us unchanged, but invites us to grow in love and live with purpose. Pastor Paul Cunningham will share this week’s message, Our Advocate, encouraging us to reflect on Christ’s presence and guidance in our everyday lives. As we stay close to Him, we’re shaped into people who reflect His love. Join us as we explore what it looks like to follow Jesus with trust and faith. Sermon Questions: 1. How does the image of Jesus as “your Advocate” impact the way you live out your faith? 2. Is there an area of your life where you feel like you need to experience the true healing and cleansing of Jesus? We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

As we begin a new year, we also begin a new sermon series exploring the letters of John—practical, pastoral writings that speak to a church learning how to walk in truth and love. This Sunday, Pastor Paul Cunningham opens the series with a message titled “Falling Short.” In 1 John 1:1–10, we’re reminded that while we all fall short, we are not without hope. John invites us to walk in the light—not pretending we’re perfect, but honestly acknowledging our need for grace. It’s in this humility that we find forgiveness, healing, and the assurance that God is faithful. Start the year by centering your heart on what matters most: walking in the light and living in truth. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Welcome to Our Festive Family Christmas Eve Celebration! Get ready for a joyful, energetic service where we dive into the wonders of Christmas through Matthew 1:18-25, Deuteronomy 7:7-8, Mark 10:51-52, and John 1:14. Sing along with us as we belt out festive carols and unwrap the miraculous story of Christ’s birth and His incredible plan for us all. This service is designed to be fun and engaging for families—perfect for sharing the magic and meaning of the season. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

As we come to the final Sunday of the year, we take time to reflect on all that God has done and look ahead with hope! Continuing our Songs of Christmas series, this week’s message is titled “One More Song,” with a focus on Luke 2:22–38. In this passage, we encounter Simeon and Anna, two faithful witnesses who recognize God’s promise fulfilled in the child Jesus and respond with praise. Their songs remind us that even at the close of a season, God is still at work, fulfilling His promises and bringing light to those who wait. This moment invites us to pause, listen, and offer our own song of faith as the year comes to a close. Pastor Paul Cunningham will lead us as we worship together, closing the year with gratitude and anticipation for the new life God continues to bring. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Hope rises in Advent as we remember that God draws near to His people. In this third week of the season, we continue our Songs of Christmas series by turning to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” a hymn of longing that echoes throughout Scripture. This ancient prayer reflects the yearning of God’s people for rescue, and the presence of their promised Savior. Our focus Scripture, Luke 1:46–55, offers Mary’s song, a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness to lift the lowly and bring salvation to His people. Her voice reminds us that God is already at work, even in the waiting, bringing hope to a world in need. As we journey deeper into Advent, we are invited to join Mary’s song, trusting that God comes close, keeps, and brings light where darkness once stood. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Paul Cunningham leads us! We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Joy is at the center of the Christmas story, which bursts into the world with the arrival of Jesus. As we celebrate the second week of Advent and continue our series Songs of Christmas, we look at the carol “Joy to the World” and the words of Psalm 98, where creation is invited to rejoice because the Lord has come to make all things right! This carol proclaims not only the birth of Christ long ago, but the continuous work of His Kingdom in our lives today, a joy that transforms hearts and restores hope. This Sunday is also a special time in our church family as we give thanks for 120 years of ministry and worship here at La Jolla Presbyterian. As we celebrate God’s past faithfulness and look ahead in hope, we remember that Christ continues to be our strength and song. Join us as Pastor Paul Cunningham leads us, celebrating the joy that Christ brings to the world and to His Church, generation after generation. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

As the festive season begins, we enter a time when the Church prepares its heart to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. During Advent, our new series, Songs of Christmas, invites us to reflect on songs that point us toward the coming of Christ. Throughout Scripture, both creation itself and God’s people lift their voices in praise for the good thing He is doing by sending His Son into the world to bring peace and good news. This week, we will focus on the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” alongside Psalm 96, which calls all creation to sing a new song to the Lord. Together, they remind us that Jesus’ birth is more than a moment in history; it is the joyful announcement of God’s salvation, as heaven and earth join in praise. As we begin this season of Advent, we’re invited to slow down and allow these songs to reorient our hearts. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Paul Cunningham shares a message that helps us enter Advent with expectation and renewed worship! We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

As we move toward Thanksgiving, we’re invited to pause and consider how gratitude shapes our lives in lasting ways. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Paul calls believers to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, a simple invitation. These words point us to a posture of the heart that isn’t dependent on perfection or ideal circumstances, but on the faithful presence of God. This week, Pastor Sheri Perenon will bring a message titled “The Transforming Power of Gratitude.” As we reflect on this passage together, we are reminded that gratitude is far more than a seasonal sentiment; it is a spiritual practice that reorients our perspective and opens us to God’s joy and peace. When we choose gratitude daily, whether in abundance or challenge, we begin to see God’s hand at work in ways we might have otherwise missed. Join us as we explore how cultivating a heart of gratitude can renew our faith and lead us into this season with more awareness of God’s goodness. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

In this week’s reading from Ephesians 5:15–20, Paul encourages believers to live with wisdom and intention, to make the most of every opportunity and be filled with the Spirit! In a world full of distractions, his words remind us that faith is not accidental; it’s intentional. This Sunday, Pastor Paul Cunningham will bring the message, “Ordinary Time.” As we move through the routines of daily life, we’re called to live with gratitude and discernment, and to find holiness not only in great moments but in the ordinary ones too. Join us as we reflect on how God’s Spirit shapes our everyday choices, helping us live fully and faithfully in each moment we’re given. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

The passage from Micah challenges us to know what God really wants from us. Have you ever wondered what it looks like to live a life that pleases Him? In Micah 6:1–8, the prophet calls God’s people to return to what matters most — acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God. This Sunday, Pastor Paul Cunningham will bring the message, “Try These Three Things.” In a world that often measures success by status or achievement, this passage reminds us that God’s desire is not about perfection but faithfulness. Simple yet profound words, they still speak powerfully today, shaping how we live out our faith in daily life. Join us as we reflect on how these timeless truths can form our hearts and draw us closer to God’s purpose for us. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate

Even in seasons of weakness, God’s power is at work - shaping, refining, and revealing His beauty through our brokenness. In 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we carry this treasure of God’s light in fragile jars of clay, showing that the power comes from Him, not from us. Though we may be “hard pressed on every side,” we are never abandoned. Through suffering and struggle, the life of Jesus is revealed in us, even in our frailty. Pastor Paul Cunningham will share this week’s message, “Beauty in the Brokenness.” God’s forming work often happens in the places we least expect. What feels fragile to us becomes the very space where His glory shines brightest. Join us as we discover how God’s grace strengthens and gives purpose to the broken pieces of our story. We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.

Have you ever thought about what it means to have an ongoing conversation with God? In Ephesians 1:15-23, the Apostle Paul prays that believers would grow in wisdom and revelation, knowing God more and understanding the hope to which He has called them! Pastor Paul Cunningham will share this week’s message, “Continuing the Conversation with God,”. God desires to shape us not only through His Word but through the rhythm of prayer, forming hearts that are attentive, thankful, and rooted in His presence. Our relationship with God grows when prayer becomes a daily exchange, shaping how we see Him, ourselves, and the world around us. Join us as we reflect on how prayer forms and transforms us into people who live with clarity and faith! We want to connect with you! Email Pastor Chad at chadf@ljpres.org to get plugged in, or you can find our website at ljpres.org/connect. We hope to see lives transformed by a relationship with Jesus, and we strive to be a place where you experience and are able to express that transforming love of Christ. It builds our faith to help give back a portion of what God has given us. If you would like to help further His work in La Jolla, San Diego and the world you can give online at LJPres.org/Donate.