Christmas Eve Service

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's website. We hope you enjoy the video of our Christmas Eve service. Our children read Christmas letters. The adults shared several readings and memories, Ryan Shirley and Joe Ellis sang "O Holy Night," and we finished the service with our traditional candlelighting ceremony. It was a wonderful night of worship!

Duet: O Holy Night -- Ryan Shirley and Joe Ellis

Candlelighting Service

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Did you ever know someone who led by example. Joseph, Jesus' adoptive father was such a man. He faced fear, humilation, difficulty and tribulation, as he walked the path of obedience to God. Today's message from Scotch Ridge examines the life of Joseph. But first join us in our time of praise as we sing "What Child Is This" and "The Little Drummer Boy."

The message today, "Actions Speak Louder Than Words," is from Matthew 1:25-31.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Getting First Things First

Is your life a mess right now? In today's message from Scotch Ridge discover how you can get things straightened out and move from the valley to the mountaintop. But first check our five newest church members--our kids from the communicant's class: Becky, Ashley, Ryan, Leigh Anne, and Caleb.

Today's sermon by Pastor Joe is from Matthew 6:25-35.
Getting First Things First

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

THE END OF THE WORLD--Are You Ready?

Are you ready for the end of the world as we know it? Since 9/11 it has become clear we are vulnerable to sudden destruction. The lastest Hollywood offering, 2012, has got people thinking the end may be near. In Mark 13 Jesus talked about getting ready for those difficult end times. Today's message from Scotch Ridge will help prepare you. But first during our time of praise we sang "While We Are Waiting, Come" and "The King Is Coming."

Sermon : Prepared for the End of Days - - CLP Joe C. Ellis
Mark 13:1-13

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Give 'til It Hurts

What's the secret to a happy and successful life? Learning to be a giver and not a taker. Today's message is from the gospel of Mark 12:38-34.

But first, join us in our time of praise:

Sermon: The Greater Gift

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Spiritual Innoculation

Have you received your spiritual innoculation yet? It will protect you from the soul infections and spiritual diseases of this world. In Matthew 12:28-34 a teacher of the law discovered how important this vaccine is from the Great Physician himself. But first, in our time of praise we sing "Draw Me Close to You" and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee."

Sermon: "Spiritual Innoculation" by CLP Joe C. Ellis

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

What Is It You Want Me To Do for You?

If you met Jesus face to face and he asked you, "What do you want me to do for you?", how would you answer that question? Today we look at Mark 10:46-52 to see how a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, responded. But first we sang "Open Our Eyes Lord" and the "Untitled Hymn" (Come to Jesus) during our time of praise:

Today's sermon: "What Do You Want Me to Do for You?" CLP Joe C. Ellis

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Do You Want to Be Great?

Is there something wrong with the human drive to be significant, to be recognized, to be praised? Today's sermon explores what it means to be great in God's Kingdom. But first here's our time of praise. We sang "Awesome in This Place" and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul"

Sermon: To Be Great in the Kingdom - CLP Joe Ellis

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Do You Really Want to Go to Heaven?

Do you really want to go to heaven? Most people would say yes if heaven was like a beautiful vacation resort with 5-star restaurants, golf courses, and plenty of entertaining activities. But what if heaven is God-focused instead of self-focused? Today's sermon, from Mark 10:17-31, challenges most people's view of heaven.

Sermon by CLP Joe C. Ellis

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Understanding Communion

When you take communion, are you drawn into a more intimnate relationship with God? This week's message explores the deeper meaning of communion.

But first we celebrate the baptism of Hannah Langsdorf:

During our time of praise we sang "Above All" and "Amazing grace."

Sermon: A Deeper Understanding of Communion
by CLP Joe C. Ellis

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

The Effective Servant

What does it take to be an effective servant in God's Kingdom? Today we will look at Mark 9:38-50 to find out. But first, our time of praise. We sang "Refiner's Fire" and "Glorify Thy Name."

The Sermon: "The Effective Servant" -- Mark 9:38-50.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

The First Shall Be Last

What is the secret to success? Maybe not what you think. In today's message we explore why those who put "self" last are successful in God's eyes. In our time of praise we sang "I Will Serve Thee" and "Shout to the Lord". Sorry about the camera angle.





Today's sermon: The First Shall Be Last--Mark 9:30-37

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Who do you say Jesus Is?

This week's message raises the most important question you could answer in your life: Who do you say Jesus is? In the sermon I share my personal experience of coming to grips with this question as a college student at West Liberty State College.

During our time of praise we sang "I have decided to follow Jesus."

This morning's message is : "Who do you say Jesus Is?"

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Be Opened

Have you ever felt trapped? Directionless? Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Today's message relates how Jesus can release us from our personal prisons.

During our time of praise we sang "Isn't He" and "Draw Me Close to You."

Time of Praise:

Sermon: "Be Opened"

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

A Spiritual Heart Transplant

Sometimes we get caught up following traditions, rules, and regulations, and forget about seeking the deeper things of God. Today's time of praise and sermon reflect on our spiritual heart problem and the only surgeon capable of giving us a new Spirit-empowered heart, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In our time of praise we sang "The Revelation Song." This is the first time we have sung it in worship, but we plan on singing it often. To see a great version of this song go to tangle.com or youtube.com and search for Kari Jobe's version of "The Revelation Song." We also sang "Something Beautiful."

The Sermon today, "A Spiritual Heart Transplant," is taken from Mark 7:1-23

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

140th Anniversary Celebration

What a wonderful day we had celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church of Martins Ferry, Ohio. The church was filled with relatives, long-time friends, members, and even a few who came because they were interested in the history of our congregation. The meal was delicious! Bishop Michael Tolliver treated us to a wonderful concert in our afternoon service.

We also had a time to share memories. Paul Pickens remembered falling asleep in the pew at the age of nine back in the 1920s and dreamt of a bull charging him. He jumped so high out of the pew everyone thought the Holy Spirit had gotten hold of him. Jessie Williams shared that the the congregation had a similar reaction to her when a wasp flew up her dress. Thanks to all those who put so many hours in to make this such a successful day. A special thanks to Jane Daugherty who headed up our anniversary committee.

Below you will find three videos of our anniversary service.

Video 1: Duet -- Jessie Williams and Joe Ellis singing "Old Friends."

Video 2: Joe's Anniversary Sermon -- "The Solid Rock of Our Foundation"

Video 3: Bishop Michael Tolliver singing a beautiful praise song.

The Bread of Life - Part 3

Our 140th anniversary has almost arrived--one week to go. The celebration will start with our regular worship service at 9:30, a wonderful lunch from 11:00 to 12:45 and our afternoon gathering we call "Memories of Ministry" at 1:00 P.M. Mark it on your calendars and tell your friends. Our special guest vocalist, Michael Tolliver, will wonderful music with us as friends and members of the congregatin will be sharing wonderful memories.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

For this week's Time of Praise we sang "Open our eyes Lord" and "In His Time."

Joe's message this week is from John 6:56-69: "The Bread of Life - Part 3"

The Bread of Life - Part 2

Two weeks to go until our 140th anniversary celebration at Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church on August 23, 2009. The celebration will start with our regular worship service at 9:30, a wonderful lunch from 11:00 to 12:45 and our afternoon gathering we call "Memories of Ministry" at 1:00 P.M. Mark it on your calendars and tell your friends.

We are saddened this week by the passing of our dear friend and church member, Bill McCrea. A church trustee, Bill was the hardest working person in the church, always fixing anything that needed fixed and encouraging anyone who needed encouraging. Our hearts are heavy because of our loss, but we know Bill is now in God's presence, with his daughter and grandson. One day the circle will be unbroken and all believers will unite with Bill as we praise God in the eternal kingdom. Bill's funeral service will be held at the Heslop Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 11 at 1:15 P.M.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

For this week's Time of Praise we sang "I Can Only Imagine" and "I Will Serve Thee."

This week's sermon passage come from John 6:36-51.
This week's message is: The Bread of Life Part 2 -- CLP Joe C. Ellis

The Bread of Life

The countdown is on! Three weeks to go until our 140th anniversary celebration at Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church on August 23, 2009. The celebration will start with our regular worship service at 9:30, a wonderful lunch from 11:00 to 12:45 and our afternoon gathering we call "Memories of Ministry" at 1:00 P.M. Mark it on your calendars and tell your friends.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

For this week's Time of Praise we sang "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship" and "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord."

Pastor Joe's sermon for Sunday, August 2 is called: "The Bread of Life--Part 1"
Scripture passage: John 6:24-35

Great Expectations

The countdown is on! Four weeks to go until our 140th anniversary celebration at Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church on August 23, 2009. The celebration will start with our regular worship service at 9:30, a wonderful lunch from 11:00 to 12:45 and our afternoon gathering we call "Memories of Ministry" at 1:00 P.M. Mark it on your calendars and tell your friends.

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

Below is the video for this week's Time of Praise. We sang "Jesus Draw Me Close" and "The Power of Your Love."

Below is the video for this week's sermon from Pastor Joe: "Great Expectations." The text is Ephesians 3:14-21.

If you have any comments or prayer requests please send to Pastor Joe at joecellis@comcast.net

Faith Costs

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons.

Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

We are excited about our 140th anniversary on Sunday August 23, 2009. Please join us at 9:30 A.M. for an all-day celebration.

Below is a video of our time of praise. We sang "Draw Me Close to You" and "I See the Lord"

Pastor Joe's Message this week is: "Faith Costs" - Mark 6:14-29

Class Time Is Over

Welcome to the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church's (Martins Ferry, Ohio) Blog Site. Here you will find weekly videos of our time of praise and Pastor Joe C. Ellis's sermons. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. for our worship service and children's church. Click on the "Follow Blog" button on the blue bar at the top and and become a part of our online community of faith!

Directions to church: Take Ohio 7 north through Martins Ferry. Turn left onto CR4. Go 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Nixon's run. Go two miles to the top of the hill. Turn left onto Treadway Road. Go 150 yards and make a right up the church's steep driveway to the top of the hill.

We are excited about our 140th anniversary on Sunday August 23, 2009. Please join us at 9:30 A.M. for an all-day celebration.

The text for this sermon was Mark 6:14-29. It was delivered to the congregation of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church of Martins Ferry, Ohio on July 5, 2009.

Here is a video of our time of praise--very patriotic songs for the July 4th weekend.

Any prayer requests please send to Pastor Joe Ellis: joecellis@comcast.net