God Will Answer, "Here Am I" February 5th Worship

Isaiah the prophet had watched people who were seeking God. Desperate to see the Divine Eternal One they would try anything. Isaiah declared, “God will answer, ‘Here am I.’” Paul tells us that the secrets of God had been hidden, but in the arrival of Jesus His glory from before time began would be revealed. In Him the deep things of God are given to us. Jesus tells us that we can be salt and light to those around us because God has answered us, “Here am I.”

Blessed are You, January 29th Worship

Jesus said a lot of amazing things, but in the speaking of what we call the Beatitudes he almost seems deliberate in wanting to surprise us. He is trying to tell us that God’s love and compassion for us is so deep that he will bless us even in the most unexpected situations. Do we have the courage to look for God’s blessing and be consoled with that alone? May God so bless us with such discerning hearts of wisdom to be able to see that we are truly blessed in infinite and eternal ways by God above all else.

The Light Enters In, Worship January 22nd

Jesus walked north to Galilee and did many things. There he claimed to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, that light would shine on those living in darkness. Jesus then called four fishermen to be His first four disciples. Jesus then healed “every disease and sickness among the people.”  Jesus was beginning what God is still doing today, caring for us, in infinite and eternal ways.

The Light Revealed, January 15th Worship

The light of Christ expands throughout the Epiphany season as God reveals more ways in which His joyous light of glory has come among us. His light illuminates even the darkest of days and ultimately guides the way to eternal light. As we gather for worship, we celebrate that we are children of the light in eternal and infinite ways.

Epiphany Worship, The Light of Life, Jan. 8th, 2017

Our celebration of Christmas now turns into Epiphany when the Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem. There they found the Christ Child, Jesus, and worshiped Him as King.

As we consider the mystery of just how that guiding light might have worked, we can celebrate that God has arrived in our midst to guide us. He is a real guiding light. Wise men and women still seek Him because the True Light that enlightens all things has come!

New Year's Day Worship, The Naming of Jesus, Jan. 1st, 2017

Mary and Joseph didn’t need to consult any books of baby names to decide what their child should be named. Angels had told them to name him Jesus, which means “Savior” or “the Lord saves.” Jesus’ name is the very essence of who He is. God has come to us with goodness, love, and light. He has come to rescue, recreate, and even resurrect us. Today we celebrate the beginning of a new year in his name.

Christmas Day Worship, Sunday Dec. 25th, 9:30am

As we gather on this sacred Christmas Day our minds are filled with new things. Christmas might bring new gifts and new strength to relationships with family and friends. Christmas creates a point of connection to all the gifts Almighty God has for you. Today in our Christmas worship we connect the manger at Bethlehem to the empty tomb at Jerusalem as we take communion and ponder the meaning of this miracle child being the eternal Savior King. The whole story of our salvation in Jesus is packed into this one day. It is as if someone gave you a gift in a great big box and every time you pull something out of the box you see that there is even more down there in the bottom. There is such great reason for joy in Jesus. Christmas reminds us that we have an eternity of gifts and blessings to look forward to because of the Christ Child born this sacred day.

Our God, Emmanuel is with Us, December 18th Worship

On this Fourth Sunday in Advent, we draw closer to the sign we are awaiting---the sign of the Word made flesh, our Emmanuel (God with us).  Long ago the prophet spoke of this, that God himself would come to be with us. As this promise was about to be fulfilled we hear the angel tell Joseph to name his new son “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This is what we prepare to celebrate: God has come to be with us, and we know his name is Jesus.

Our God Comes in Glory, December 11th Worship

John the Baptist was a strong and confident man, loudly proclaiming that the Savior of the world had come. But then John was thrown in prison. Challenged and tested by that circumstance John asked for reassurance that indeed Jesus was the one they had been waiting for. Jesus sent John a message of hope and confidence that echoed back the words of Isaiah the Prophet spoken 800 years earlier. In our journey of faith we too will often need to hear some message of hope from God. Even now, here today God speaks. Isaiah proclaims, “Our God comes in glory, He comes to save you”.

God Fulfills His Word, December 4th Worship

One man stands at the cross roads of God’s Word. John the Baptist strides between what we know as the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the past God had made extraordinary promises. “Now,” said John, “God is fulfilling His promises.” John reminds us that those who hope for God will indeed see Him, and even now, God is not far from us. In the spirit of Advent we sing for Him: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”