sermons

Sermons by Rev. Douglas B. Olds

There is a time to paint God of The Things as They Ought to be for The Things as We See Them. .

--with a nod to Kipling


"Incarnating Grace, Participating in God"

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Douglas Olds

Two Rocks Presbyterian Church

Petaluma, CA

October 16, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 17: 7–8; Romans 8: 28-32

Sermon begins at 19'45



"The Way of the Lamb in the World of the Wolf"

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Douglas Olds

Tomales Presbyterian Church

Tomales, CA

October 2, 2022

Readings: Deuteronomy 5:32–33; Prov. 2:20-22; Proverbs 4:25–27; Proverbs 8:20

Sermon begins around the 12 minute mark.



"Quieting the Roaring Heat"

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Douglas Olds

St. Luke Presbyterian Church

San Rafael, CA

August 29, 2021

Reading: Isaiah 25: 1-10



"Unbolting the Door at Pentecost"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship, Fairfield, CA

May 31, 2020

Sermon Text: John 20.19-23

"Our Abode in the Spirit"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

June 23, 2019

Sermon Texts: Lamentations 1.1-4; 11-13

Genesis 1.1-4

Audio of sermon

"Grazing on Ashes"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

June 16, 2019

Sermon Texts: Galatians 5: 13-18,

Isaiah 44: 9-20

Audio of sermon: http://www.buzzsprout.com/5748

"Failing Nature’s Trust"

December 30, 2018

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Rev. Douglas Olds

Texts: 1 Samuel 2.22-26

Psalm 148

Audio of sermon

"Created for Community: Working Miracles"

Rev. Douglas Olds (all rights reserved)

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Lessons: Psalm 14, John 6 1-21

Audio of Sermon

"At A Loss for Words"

Audio Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

May 27, 2018

Texts: Isaiah 6.108; Gospel of John 3.1-10

"Choosing God’s Voice"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

January 14, 2018

Texts: 1 Samuel 3:1-9, John 1:43-51

Abstract: Listen for God's voice--which is still active--but we have to be very careful with the operation of our minds. What Freud called the id (and the cultural din of the monkey brain inside and surrounding us) can speak louder than the whispers of God. The id is what keeps us alive as children, but it can become selfish and judgmental as we grow into adulthood. That voice can mislead you. If it isn't loving, it isn't God.

However, since God is lord of the conscience according to our confessions, we can test the voice we might think is God with our conscience of what is right and loving vs. wrong, hateful and judgmental. We will confirm it is God's voice by the fruit of our actions. The virtues of silence (Sabbath from technology/games/screens), honesty, and gratitude prepare our conscience to receive God's voice and build resilience of character.

Audio of sermon

"Festive Love"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Summer of Love Sermon Series

July 16, 2017

Texts: Psalm 45 and Song of Songs 2.8-17

"From Division to Fullness"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo

Festival of the Holy Names, January 1, 2017

Texts: Numbers 6. 22-27; Galatians 4. 4-7

"Meals Matter"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

May 1, 2016

Texts: Psalm 67, Acts 16: 9-15

"Bearing Lenten Fruit"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds (all rights reserved)

Redwoods Presbyterian Church, Larkspur (CA)

February 28, 2016

3rd Sunday of Lent

"Nothing Left for Him"

Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds (all rights reserved)

Redwoods Presbyterian Church

January 10, 2016

2nd Sunday after Epiphany: Baptism of the Lord

"Leading from Our Joy"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Fisherman’s Chapel by the Bay

Bodega Bay, CA

November 15, 2015

"Refugee's Dream"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Church of the Redwoods, Larkspur (CA)

27 September 2015

Silences of an Elusive God

Rev. Douglas Olds

Stinson Beach Community Presbyterian Church

Calvary Presbyterian Church of Bolinas

August 9, 2015

“Grief Shapes the Hero”

Rev. Douglas Olds

Church of the Redwoods, Larkspur, CA

June 28, 2015

Lesson Texts: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, 2 Samuel 1: 1, 17-27

Counting the Omer

Rev. Douglas Olds

Stinson Beach Community Presbyterian Church

Calvary Presbyterian Church of Bolinas

Pentecost, 24 May 2015

Lesson Texts: Leviticus 23.15-22; Acts 2.1-21

"Where Are You Headed? Where are You Needed?"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Stinson Beach Community Presbyterian Church, CA

Calvary Presbyterian Church, Bolinas, CA

19 April 2015

Lesson Text: Luke 24.36-48

"Making Signs, Starting Wonders"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Heritage Presbyterian Church, Benicia, CA

8 March 2014

Lesson Texts: Psalm 19, John 2:13-22

"King of the Jews or King of Kings?"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church, Richmond, CA

Christ the King Sunday, 23 November 2014

Lesson Texts: Ezekiel 34: 11-25; Ephesians 1: 15-23

Podcast at https://soundcloud.com/user261954048/king-of-the-jews-or-king-of-kings

"EMPTY LAMP RELIGION"

REV. DOUGLAS OLDS

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF VALLEJO (CA)

9 NOVEMBER 2014

LESSON TEXT: GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 25: 1-13

"FESTIVE LOVE:"

MEDITATION ON THE THE SONG OF SONGS

Rev. Douglas Olds

Heritage Presbyterian Church, Benicia, CA

6 July 2014

Lesson Texts: Psalm 45 and Song of Songs 2: 8-13

Podcast: http://www.hpcbenicia.org/Sermons/Sermon140706.mp3

[Redrafted, with edits and delivered to

St. Luke Presbyterian Church, San Rafael, CA

September 21, 2014]

"PAYING YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD"

Rev. Douglas Olds

Church of the Redwoods, Larkspur, CA

4 May 2014

Lesson Texts: Acts 2.14a; 36-41 and Psalm 116

"YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN:

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, WITHOUT ANGELS, MANGER, AND SWADDLING CLOTHES"

Rev. Douglas Olds

24 December 2013

Lesson: Galatians 4: 1-11

“WINDFALL”

A Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

4 August 2013

Lessons: Deuteronomy 8:11–20, Luke 12:13-21

Podcast: http://www.buzzsprout.com/5748/107262-windfall?iframe=true

"PRINCIPLE FIRST, MONEY AFTERWARDS"

A Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

30 June 2013

Lesson Texts: Psalm 5, 1 Kings 21:1–20a

Podcast: http://www.buzzsprout.com/5748/101596-principle-first-money-afterwards.mp3

"PRAY ANGRILY, RENOUNCE VIOLENCE, AND REDUCE STIGMA:"

Responding to Friday's Sandy Hook mass killing of first graders

Rev. Douglas Olds

Sunday, December 16, 2012

“NO FAIR!”

Rev. Douglas B. Olds

A Sermon delivered to Covenant Presbyterian Church, San Francisco

San Francisco, Sunday, September 18, 2011

"IF I WERE GOING TO HEAVEN, I WOULDN’T START FROM HERE"

A Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds, Parish Associate

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

July 17, 2011

“THE CROSS OF CURSE, THE CROSS OF FORGIVENESS”

A Good Friday Sermon by Rev. Douglas Olds

First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo (CA)

April 22, 2011

Lesson Text: Luke 23: 32-34

"GOD OF ALL FAILURES"

A Sermon by Douglas B. Olds

On the occasion of his ordination to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, San Francisco

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Sermon Text: 1 Cor 1: 18-31

"THE PLACE OF PEACE"

A Sermon by Douglas B. Olds

St. Luke Presbyterian Church, San Rafael, California

August 29, 2010

Lectionary Texts: Psalm 81: 1, 10-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Hymn after Sermon, PH #239: How Happy is Each Child of God

Final Hymn, PH #274: O God of Earth and Space, vv. 1, 3, 4

"NOT WITHOUT COST OR STRUGGLE"

A Sermon by Douglas Olds

St. Luke Presbyterian Church, San Rafael, California

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Lectionary Texts: Amos 8: 1-12; Luke 10:38-42

"WHAT COUNTS IS A NEW CREATION:"

An Independence Day Sermon by

Douglas Olds, Elder and Candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, CA

July 4, 2010

Lectionary Texts: Ps. 30; Gal. 6.1-16

"AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING"

A Sermon by Douglas Olds, Elder and Candidate for Ministry

Montgomery Chapel, San Francisco Theological Seminary

November 13, 2009

Lectionary Texts: HEBREWS 10:11-14, 19-25; MARK 13: 1-8

"SERVING ETERNITY IN THE MOMENT"

A "Mission Sunday" Sermon delivered by Douglas Olds, Elder and Candidate for Ministry

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, California

January 11, 2009

Lesson Texts: Exodus 12:1-11; Luke 10:29-37; Luke 11:5-9

Theme: Mission to serve the human essence of the present moment resists imperial calls to serve an arbitrary past and future.

Purpose: Respond to the present knocking through critical, realistic, and humble mission of costly hospitality that transforms strangers into neighbors.

"BEGINNING AGAIN AT THE BEGINNING"

A World Communion Sermon delivered by Douglas Olds, Senior

Montgomery Chapel, San Francisco Theological Seminary

October 3, 2008

Lectionary Text: Exodus 20: 1-4; 7-9; 12-20

"DO NOT BE AFRAID, DO NOT BE ANXIOUS"

A Sermon Delivered by Douglas Olds, Elder

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, San Francisco

August 3, 2008 (abridged of May 25, 2008 sermon)

"NICODEMUS: AFTER THE SILENCE"

A Sermon delivered by Douglas Olds, Seminarian

Sunday, July 28, 2008

First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo

Scripture Lessons: John 3: 1-15; John 7: 40-52; John 19: 38-42

Theme: In the presence of irrepressible holiness we are silenced, yet God reconstructs our voice for later service to the truth.

Purpose: Open your mouth, make clear your faith, and walk in resurrection confidence.

"A VASSAL KING IS A VIRTUOUS KING"

A Sermon delivered by Douglas Olds, Seminarian and Elder

First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo, CA

June 29, 2008

Scripture Lesson: Dt 17. 14-20 “The Law of the King”

Theme: The king is to exemplify the peaceful nature of vassalage.

Purpose: Disciples, go and do likewise.

"ENTRUSTED WITH THE MYSTERIES OF GRACE"

Sermon Delivered by Douglas Olds, Seminarian and Elder

First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo

Presbyterian Heritage Sunday, May 25, 2008

Scripture Readings: 1 Cor 4: 1-5; Mt. 6: 24-35

"IT IS FINISHED"

A Good Friday Sermon delivered by Douglas Olds, Seminarian and Elder

First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo, CA

March 21, 2008

Text: John 19: 28-30