This sermon explores Luke 8:40–50, the story of Jesus, Jairus, and the woman who reached out in faith while waiting for healing. In this passage, we see how Jesus responds to interruption, models encouragement, and invites trust in moments of delay and uncertainty. This message reflects on faith, waiting on God, and how the Lord’s Prayer-shaped life calls us to encourage one another toward Jesus (Hebrews 10:24). If you are struggling to trust God while waiting for answers, this teaching offers biblical insight, hope, and practical encouragement for everyday life.

What we practice together.
Our small church community is uniquely caring, simple, laid-back, and intergenerational. As a church, we want to be a welcoming, safe, and healing community for those who are seeking, hurting, or need a place to belong. Our practices are contemplative (reflective) charismatic (Spirit-driven), conversational, and informative. The times we share together are intentional, intimate, and a mix between modern and traditional. We want to be a place in which love and honor are lived out, where humility is central, and where hospitality is woven into the threads of our community. There is room at the table.

When we gather together.
River Corner Church gathers weekly on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM to worship and experience God, study the scriptures, journey through life together, and partner with the Holy Spirit. We meet in a simple worship meeting house at 524 River Corner Road in Conestoga, Pennsylvania. You are welcome as you are, just be yourself. There are other times that we hold small groups, events, and more.

Our Pastoral Leader.
As the pastor of River Corner Church, Jeff McLain leads our church community and helps others to think differently about Jesus, life, and everything in-between. Jeff also serves as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission, where he works with those facing homelessness and poverty. Jeff, Katie, and their three wander-filled daughters look to lead quiet lives. Committed to lifelong learning, Jeff is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Kairos University and completing a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Executive Leadership at City Vision University. These academic pursuits complement the two masters he completed earlier at Fuller Seminary. Jeff has a passion for baseball, boardwalks, beaches, bays, and books, but above all, his greatest joy lies in spending time with his family and guiding our church community on our journey of faith together.

Learn more about us at www.rivercornerchurch.com.

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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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In this Advent Week 4 message, Pastor Jeff McLain concludes the series A Journey With the Shepherds by exploring Luke 2:19–20 and the theme of God’s love going forth. Focusing on Mary’s faithful treasuring and the shepherds’ joyful return to ordinary life, this sermon reflects on how encountering Jesus transforms us and sends us back into the places we live, work, worship, and play.

This message invites listeners to see Advent not only as a season of hope, peace, and joy, but as a call to live out God’s love in everyday faithfulness. Drawing on Scripture, theology, and pastoral reflection, Jeff highlights how God uses ordinary people to carry good news and how love takes shape through worship, obedience, and witness.

📖 Scripture: Luke 2:19–20 (NIV)
🎄 Series: A Journey With the Shepherds
📍 Theme: God Has Sent Us Out — Love Goes Forth

Whether you are reflecting on Advent, exploring the Christmas story, or seeking a deeper understanding of God’s love for all, this sermon offers a grounded and hope-filled invitation to follow Jesus into ordinary life.

When we gather together.
River Corner Church gathers weekly on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM to worship and experience God, study the scriptures, journey through life together, and partner with the Holy Spirit. We meet in a simple worship meeting house at 524 River Corner Road in Conestoga, Pennsylvania. You are welcome as you are, just be yourself. There are other times that we hold small groups, events, and more.

Our Pastoral Leader.
As the pastor of River Corner Church, Jeff McLain leads our church community and helps others to think differently about Jesus, life, and everything in-between. Jeff also serves as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission, where he works with those facing homelessness and poverty. Jeff, Katie, and their three wander-filled daughters look to lead quiet lives. Committed to lifelong learning, Jeff is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Kairos University and completing a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Executive Leadership at City Vision University. These academic pursuits complement the two masters he completed earlier at Fuller Seminary. Jeff has a passion for baseball, boardwalks, beaches, bays, and books, but above all, his greatest joy lies in spending time with his family and guiding our church community on our journey of faith together.

Learn more about us at www.rivercornerchurch.com.

Send us a text

Support the show