A Year of Encouragement (Hebrews 10:19–25)

On January 4, Pastor Jeff McLain opened River Corner Church’s 2026 theme, A Year of Encouragement, by teaching from Hebrews 10:24–25. This message frames encouragement not as affirmation that avoids tension, but as faithful community life that engages friction in ways that lead to love, perseverance, and good works.

In this sermon, Pastor Jeff explores how biblical encouragement differs from cultural encouragement. Rooted in Hebrews 10, he calls the church to a shared, intentional practice of spurring one another toward Christ through five embodied commitments: praying for one another with open eyes, listening carefully to one another’s lives, offering care through presence and touch, acting in ways that spread the fragrance of life, and inviting others to taste goodness at our tables. Together, these commitments form a practical vision for mutual encouragement that sustains faith, deepens love, and shapes a resilient Christian community.

About River Corner Church

River Corner Church is a simple community of Jesus followers rooted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We gather around Scripture, prayer, shared meals, and life together, seeking to follow Jesus faithfully in ordinary, embodied ways. Our desire is to cultivate a church marked by encouragement, perseverance, and love that overflows into good works for the sake of our neighbors and the world.

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