Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Sermon Notes Brian Conklin – interim pastor Madison Valley Presbyterian Church Jan’s sermon notes:
“Skipping across the lake’s surface The perfect stone seems to dance. Looking for something specific, God has chosen us as Living Stones.
Peter says we’re built on the cornerstone, The most important part of the building. Jesus Christ is our cornerstone – But He was rejected by the world.
Moses struck a stone; there were stones That allowed Christ followers to walk Across the Jordan without sinking. Stones are instruments of God’s work.
God is our steady, certain rock. Each of us is built in His image. Like rocks, if we are fitted together, We can be built into a spiritual house.
God never intended us to be a lone stone – A stone out in the field by ourselves. Faith allows us to be built into a Holy Priesthood – A place where God is encountered.
We are offerings of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Our lives make God visible on earth. Sometimes we feel like a lone stone, But we belong. We’re connected. We matter.
We’re not designed to be lone stones!
We are held together by grace. Living stones are not identical, but As unique individuals, start asking “What is God building among us?”
Where am I placed and why? Can I bear the weight of others? I am strong enough and I am fit. I’m willing to be placed and be a light in the darkness.
Today’s sermon focused on the Good Shepherd. Here are my notes from interim pastor Brian Conklin’s message today.
Psalm 23 is one of the Bible’s Most memorized and loved scriptures. It is powerful, impactful, comforting. The care and protection are heartwarming.
The word shepherd means to be a friend – Be a faithful companion who cares. God is our friend, our closest companion. He is faithful; his presence surrounds me.
God guides me along the right paths. Solitude and quiet are part of my DNA. I reflect, marvel, and hear God’s voice. Solitude is not a sad time for me.
Life is tough; we encounter dark valleys, But as a person of faith, I’m comforted. I feel God’s presence and everlasting peace. My cup overflows… abundance is mine.
In a world of scarcity, I am blessed. God provides a voice to be trusted. His voice encourages me to follow Him to still waters. His still, small voice leads me to light, love and hope.
He is with me.
Hallelujah!
Amen?
Love, JanBeek (with my friend Stephanie at fellowship after church today)
By the way, we discovered today that Stephanie has a look-alike in Switzerland! My daughter, DeAna, sent me this photo of her choir girlfriends who were out enjoying social time together. It’s not hard to find Stephanie’s look-alike! I think they could be long-lost twins!!
Our daughter, DeDe, is the third from the right. Looks like they’re having fun, doesn’t it?
This is Easter week Each day’s a time to seek Greater understanding of the death And resurrection. Take a peek!
A peek at the message clear That resonates throughout the year About the joy and love we share Living Christ’s legacy here.
Last Sunday’s sermon spoke To all the tuned-in folk I took notes (as I always do) I am tethered to the Lord’s yoke.
The message really resonated with me. Thank you, Brian Conklin, for your sermon’s artistry. I hope my readers find it impactful, too. Here it is for you, my friends, to see:
He is Risen, Indeed!
There are moments in life When everything changes Easter Sunday may have been One of them for the disciples.
Climbing a mountain Easter morning Was one of those moments – a struggle. Reaching the summit, I could look down The town below me was washed in sun.
The hope of a new year dawned A dark, challenging climb gave way To a carpet of wildflowers – The sun washed over me, too.
Today God has opened a way for me. He has created a turning point: Death does not have the final word – The empty tomb brings a transformation.
Jesus’ followers went from hope To a time of fear and confusion. Doubting, lives torn apart, they hid. Weeping, they gathered in the Upper Room.
They didn’t believe the women who told them “He has been revived! He’s alive!” But when Jesus joined the disciples And broke bread with them, they believed. Do we believe or is it too dark? Do we have unanswered questions? Christ brings hope and transformation. Believe! Step out! Death has lost its sting.
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I used to share my sermon notes after church every Sunday. I still take sermon notes every Sunday, but not always in poetry now, and not always shared. I just got outta the habit. But, today’s sermon begs to be shared. It’s Palm Sunday… the start of Holy Week for us Christians. It’s a time to share our faith. That’s one of Jesus’ commandments! So here’s what I heard our interim minister, Brian Conklin, say today:
Jesus rode a donkey on a path of pain, Not a magnificent steed’s ride of triumph. The crowd expected a powerful leader – Not a man who would die a horrific death!
Was Jesus alone in His heartbreak? Was He alone asking, “Take this cup?” Was He alone saying, “Not My will… But Your Will be done?”
Jesus died a “flop” in the eyes Of His followers. They misunderstood. They didn’t believe the message: “I’ll die, but in three days I will live again.”
Obedience, care, compassion, humility – These were the Lordship of Jesus. Peace… and a willingness to suffer… These were His expressions of Power.
The Way of Jesus wasn’t domination. Not then – not now – So tell me, Which parade are you following? Which path do you choose?
Complacency, complicity, cruelty, pride? Love, humility, obedience, compassion? I choose the latter path – but the road is painful! Really? The Via Dolorosa… the way of suffering?
What path do you choose?
Back at home, I decided to do a little research. That path of suffering is sometimes known as Via Crucis (Latin for “Way of the Cross”). It is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path Jesus took, forced by Roman soldiers On His way to His crucifixion. It’s the winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The current route has been established since the 18th century. It is marked today by 14 Stations of the Cross. Nine of them are outside, in the streets, with the remaining five being currently inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
AI generated this image of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. My “Path of suffering” doesn’t look like that. It’s not paved. It is much more like that first one: dark, barren, windey, foreboding. Jesus didn’t promise us a bed of roses. During this Holy Week, We are asked to travel with Him as He is arrested, tried, scorned, rejected by His very followers, denied by Peter three times, and Ultimately put to death. That’s the path. It’s not a pretty one. But, don’t stop there! If Jesus had done so, He’d be a forgotten martyr!
Walk on with confidence! Remember where your chosen path leads! Amen?
The sermon title at church today was “In the Wilderness.” The message by our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, was inspired by Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Here are the sermon notes I took as I listened to today’s message:
It’s no accident That Jesus ends up In the wilderness
It’s a place of clarity He spent forty days – Forty days and nights there
These forty days of Lent Are our chance, like Jesus, To stand up for our beliefs
What happens in the wilderness Doesn’t stay in the wilderness Jesus rejects political power
The promise of the Gospel Is that God has gone – He has gone ahead of us
Like our Lord Jesus, We venture into the wilderness It’s a place that propels us forward
In seasons of disorientation We wander without a clear end in sight We feel alone, but God is ahead of us
Instead of feeling overwhelmed Accept Jesus’ inspiration Let God catch and shape us
Gain inspiration in the wilderness It comes when we walk with Jesus May we gain clarity of purpose
May we walk with courage May we wander with a clear end in sight And let the wilderness propel us forward.
