Easter Day, The Resurrection of Jesus, April 4

Christ is risen! Jesus didn’t keep His resurrection a secret. He appeared to Mary, to Peter and the apostles, to His brother James, to more than five hundred people, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and lastly to the apostle Paul. Jesus had said that he would rise from the dead. But still, what a surprise and amazing joy when it actually happened. Today we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. We celebrate with those who saw Jesus alive again and wanted to tell everyone. Perhaps the most important question on this Easter day is what will you say about this Jesus who rose from His grave alive?

Exalting Our Servant King, Palm Sunday Worship, March 29

The Eternal King of all comes riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. In this moment no one could sit on the sidelines, it was time to join in the simple innocent parade that celebrated Jesus’ arrival. So many had been touched by His warmth. They had been impressed by the miraculous things He had done. They were ready to call Jesus King. But there were also those who considered Jesus a threat. Just five days later Jesus will be crucified. Then for three days it seemed as if darkness had won. Who in Jerusalem could guess that the celebration of the King was just beginning? The eternal triumph would be His!

Jesus, Our Eternal Salvation, March 21 Worship

Have you ever boldly announced that you can handle some challenge and then had to admit that it is completely beyond your ability? John and his brother James experience this, as they boast to Jesus of being able to do what is clearly well beyond their reach. In the end perhaps it humbles them to better appreciate what Jesus’ eternal salvation really means for us. Thanks be to God, He has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus is our Eternal Salvation.

The Tree of Life, March 14 Worship

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son. . .  Jesus shows us that sacrificial love makes good things grow. Just as a small seed can become a great tree, so too sacrificial love creates new things. We can live out a sacrificial love in the small things of everyday life. Maybe it is shown as you pause and really listen with attention and concern to what someone is sharing with you. Perhaps it is lived out by taking on a chore that someone else usually does. The strength of God’s love in Christ changes everything about this world and the eternity of our life with God.   

A Holy Place for God, March 7th Worship

During the season of Lent we have the opportunity to see ourselves through God’s eyes. God thinks of each of us as a kind of temple in which He would like to dwell. If our temple has become cluttered with things that prevent God from being first and foremost, then it is time to clean out the temple. As we hope and pray for a new season of life, we celebrate God’s Living Spirit’s guidance for our spiritual house cleaning.

For the Sake of Our Souls, February 28th Worship

Jesus tells us that God values our souls more than anything else in the cosmos. The salvation of our souls was to be the singular focus of Jesus’ mission. This is still as astonishing as the first time Jesus spoke of it. It reorients how we see ourselves and everything else. It changes what we value, and how we cherish everyone around us.

God With Us in the Wilderness, February 21 Worship

The First Sunday in Lent comes to us with stories of temptation and test.  Abraham had been bounced around his whole life and now he had his greatest test. In Abraham’s story we discover how God is present even in the troubles of life and how His good and gracious will carries us through those trials.  Jesus' own temptation shows us that God can battle and defeat foes that we are helpless against. God’s great love and infinite compassion is with us in the wilderness.

The Glorious Mystery Revealed, Transfiguration Worship, February 14

In the glorious transfiguration of Jesus God confirmed the mysteries of our faith. Moses and Elijah appear from the past, linking all of human history. In the voice that came from the bright cloud God the Father was proclaiming that God’s love is central to everything in the whole world. Jesus, transfigured in majestic glory revealed the fullness of heaven that awaits us.

Jesus, Our Healer, February 7th Worship

 The people in Isaiah’s day were wondering about God’s providence and the prophet tells them “those who hope in God will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others who were suffering from both sickness and demons, He demonstrated that He is the Healing and Renewing One Isaiah had spoken of. Jesus is our hope in every and even infinite ways.

Jesus, The Holy One of God, January 31 Worship

Jesus visited the town of Capernaum. He brought the power and authority of heaven. His voice ultimately rises above all other voices. Our hope is that the triumphant voice of Jesus command this moment. This is our faith in any and all moments of our lives. This is our trust for all of time and eternity. From heaven to earth, our Good and Almighty God speaks with ultimate and final authority.