Gifts to Grow By
Sermon Preached By: Dr. Michael Hegeman
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1–13
About the Guest Preacher
Dr. Michael Hegeman holds a Ph.D. in Homiletics and New Testament Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary where he taught Speech and Preaching courses for 10 years. An Arizona resident since 1978, Michael graduated from Grand Canyon University (1990) with a degree in Music Education. Michael taught at the First Presbyterian Academy, formerly housed in the Historic First Presbyterian Church (Phoenix) where he served as an elder before going to Princeton Seminary in 1993. Michael has worked and taught in China and Israel/Palestine and is a composer of choral music, having served as the composer–in–residence of the Lauda Chamber Singers (New Jersey) for 10 years. Currently he teaches courses in the Humanities and Christianity at Grand Canyon University, and frequently lectures on diverse topics dealing with faith and religion around the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Categories: 2012, August 2012, Guest
The Seeds We Sow
Sermon Preached By: Dr. Terry V. Swicegood
Scripture: Matthew 13:1–9; 18–23
About the Guest Preacher
The Rev. Dr. Terry V. Swicegood is a native of Winston–Salem, N.C. Terry was educated at Pfeiffer College, Drew Theological School, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served Presbyterian Churches across the United States. Most recently, he was interim senior pastor at the Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, Ill. Terry is married to Barbara, also a native of Winston–Salem, and they have two grown children, Amie of Utrech, Holland, and Jeremy of Charlotte, N.C., and four grandchildren. Terry is an avid golfer, hiker, and mountaineer, having climbed major peaks in Oregon, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington.
A Reading of The Passion
Sermon Preached By: Dr. Wesley Avram, Rev. Kristin Willett, Rev. Sarah Johnson and Mr. Richard Ebert
Scripture: Matthew 26:14–27:66
Categories: 2012, April 2012, Dr. Wesley Avram, Guest
Forget Bubbles
Sermon Preached By: Dr. William Ritter
Scripture: John 5:1–9 (read by Dr. Wesley Avram)
Meet the Guest Preacher
Dr. William A. Ritter retired on June 30, 2005, after 40 years as a United Methodist minister and 12 years as senior minister of the 3200 member First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, Michigan. Prior pastoral assignments included Nardin Park UMC, Farmington Hills (1980–1993), Newburg UMC in Livonia (1969–1980) and Dearborn, First UMC (1965–1969).
A Detroit native, Bill was a member of Westlawn United Methodist Church. His educational path traveled through Mackenzie High School (1958), Albion College (BA, 1962) and Yale Divinity School (M.Div., 1965). Albion College awarded him an honorary DD in 1981.
Bill is married to Kristine, a Wayne State University graduate, who is a retired corporate trainer. As a couple, they have traveled widely including trips to Europe, China and Africa. A recent trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa resulted in the establishment of a scholarship fund for impoverished children in Cape Town in memory of their son. Their daughter, Julie Hopkins, her husband Jared and children Jacob and Georgia now live in Michigan. Their son, Bill Ritter Jr., died in 1994.
Bill preaches widely, has served on a number of denominational boards and community agencies, and has been a Trustee of Albion College for 30 years. In addition to authoring a book of prayers (Prayers for Albion College) and a book of sermons, he has contributed essays to recently–published books on the subjects of marriage and grandparenting. His book,Take the Dimness of My Soul Away: Healing After a Loved One’s Suicide, was released in fall of 2004.
After retirement, Bill held the title of Visiting Faculty in Preaching at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina. He also taught a course at Duke in stewardship, fundraising and financial management. He was designated Visiting Scholar in the Gerald R. Ford Institute of Public Policy and the Carl Gerstacker Institute of Professional Management at Albion College (winter/spring, 2006) and has taught at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, MI. Additional post–retirement responsibilities included a mentoring program linking him with clergy in their first decade of ministry and interim ministerial assignments at Newburg UMC, Fenton UMC and Northville UMC.
He is currently the Executive Director of the United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit, a foundation that provides loans and grants to churches in the Metro Detroit area.
Categories: 2012, Dr. Wesley Avram, Guest, March 2012
We Make Our Way By Walking
Sermon Preached By: Jan Loichle, Dr. Wesley Avram
Prayer of Illumination: Rev. Kristin Willett
Scripture: Isaiah 43:16–21 (read by Stephanie Webster)
Common Prayer: Dr. Wesley Avram, Pastor Luc Deratus of Harmony Ministries, Haiti
Categories: 2012, Dr. Wesley Avram, February 2012, Guest
We Are All Gifted
Sermon Preached By: Pinnacle Youth — Mac, Alyssa and Emma
Prayer for Illumination: Madeline
Scripture: John 15:4–8 (read by Ally); 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (read by Hale)
This sermon was written and presented by the Youth of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church as part of the 2012 Youth Sunday.
Categories: 2012, Guest, January 2012
Awe and Action
Sermon Preached By: Dr. Wesley Avram
Scripture: Psalm 8 (read by Shelly Core); 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (read by Dr. Wesley Avram)
Categories: 2012, Dr. Wesley Avram, Guest, January 2012
Three Testimonies
Sermon Preached By: PPC members Estelle Wade, John Rosenfeld and Emily Beghin
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8–16a
Categories: 2012, Guest, January 2012
Children’s Christmas Pageant: “The Advent Jesse Tree"
Sermon Preached By: the Children of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
Prayer for Illumination: Rev. Kristin Willett
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1–3; John 1:1–4
Categories: 2011, December 2011, Guest
Waiting
Sermon Preached By: Rev. Sarah Johnson
Scriptures: Exodus 17:1–7 (read by Shelly Core); 2 Peter 3:8–15a (read by Rev. Sarah Johnson)
Categories: 2011, Guest, November 2011
