God Leads Through the Desert Wilderness, March 1st Worship

A desert wilderness. In contrast to the lush garden of creation in which the fall of Adam took place, Scripture characterizes the world after the fall as a barren wilderness into which God's Son breaks in so that He might undo what sin has done.  The devil tempts us, our sins convict us, and death is sin's curse upon us.  Into this wilderness, God sends His Son who is tempted in our place and found faithful---even to death on the cross.  This great news can be cherished even as we pass through the desert wilderness. Christ took our place, fought for us, and now there is glory before us, as Christ leads us home to the promise of the Father.

Just One Glorious Thing, Transfiguration Sunday, February 23

We are looking for that first sure sign of spring. Just one sight of something ready to start growing would be a glorious sight. When facing something difficult or uncertain we need assurance that we can continue to move forward. As we follow the life of Jesus, we have come to a mountaintop. Like his first disciples we have followed this amazing man as he began to reveal himself to those who were increasingly curious about where all this was leading. Now we stand on a mountain unsure of where we are being led. Here Jesus shows us His glory in all of its splendor and light. As we look out at where God will now lead us we must hold onto the vision of light and goodness. As we descend, the valley below looks dark and uncertain. This is when faith must actively remember who God is, what He has done, and will surely do again. God can lead us into the unknown assuring us that we will see His eternal the light, today and forever.

Only God, February 16 Worship

Paul reminds his friends in Corinth that we can trust God. As we each faithfully continue to plug along in our efforts, ultimately it is only God who can make things grow and succeed. This means we are called to walk humbly doing what we can and letting God decide what He will bless. Jesus reminds us that the Ten Commandments give us vital clues as to how we can make choices that God will bless. The gift of a discerning conscience is God’s way of saving us a lot of frustration. Only God can give us real life, right, true, and eternal.

God Has Answered, "Here I Am", February 9 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, February 2nd Worship

Jesus said a lot of amazing things. In the speaking of what we call the Beatitudes He is telling us that God’s love and compassion for us is deep and constant. Sitting at Jesus feet and absorbing His teaching gives us 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 26

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 Shines Forth, Epiphany 2, January 19 Worship

“Epiphany” means a
“showing forth” or “revelation” of a divine being. It can also mean having a meaningful
insight. We celebrate today that both of these things happen for us in the
arrival of Jesus. Here is a meaningful New Year’s resolution: this is our time
to find deeper insight about the glory of God shown to us in Jesus.

Jesus, The Light in His Father's House, Epiphany 1 Worship, Jan. 12

We would love to know more about Jesus’ childhood and the
years in which he was growing up in the little country town of Nazareth. The
only story we get is of one very public occasion in which Jesus slipped away
from his family to sit with the teachers and scholars in the temple court in
the center of the busy city of Jerusalem. This is the very miracle we
celebrate: that Jesus, the most humble of men, was also the very Light at the
center of His Father’s House.

Great Guiding Star that Leads Us, Epiphany Worship, January 5

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! Today we bring Him the gift of our
worship and rejoice in His glorious guiding light.

God is Here for Real, December 29 Worship

Jesus was born into the real world that we live in. The new
born child was already inspiring jealousy and threats. Joseph and Mary were
warned to escape to the safety of Egypt. This is what we celebrate: that God
has come to be with us in the entire reality of the world we live in. He is why
we are forever confident that goodness and truth wins out in the end.