A Grateful Heart. Worship: October 9, 2022

God is faithful to His promises. His goodness and mercy are constant. Yet it is easy to miss this or lose sight of God’s goodness amidst the complexities of our lives. The blessing of a grateful heart is the best of things we could ever receive. In our reading of God’s Word we hear about the gratitude of Ruth when she finds a place that feels like home amidst people who are not her own. In our Gospel lesson Jesus heals ten men but only one of them returns to express his gratitude. In our epistle lesson Paul reminds his friend Timothy that we can build and rebuild a grateful heart by “remembering Christ Jesus raised from the dead.” Through Christ we can find our way to God with a grateful heart.

Note: This week’s Audio Service is a Repost from October 2021.

All Things are Possible for God, Worship: October 17, 2021

Jesus points out that living in a broken world we will often use the word “never.” By our own strength, many things we can imagine are not possible. But Jesus says, “All things are possible with God.” This means we can live in hope. With God the possibilities are infinite and eternal. What does that mean in your life?

A Living Faith in Our Living God. Worship: October 2, 2022

A living and vital life of faith is a blessing from God. We need God’s continued encouragement in our pilgrimage. Through Paul’s letter, God would affirm the young Timothy in his service, encouraging him to remain steadfast in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Jesus gives His disciples and us encouragement in our daily living telling us that like a mustard seed, the smallest faith is great and good. By God’s grace we have a living faith in Him who is alive among us.

This Audio Service is a reposting from October 10, 2021. Please enjoy.
Jesus is confident that God is our eternal treasure. But He sees that we grasp for the enticing things of the world first. It can be a challenge to see past all that is ultimately empty and take to heart that God’s goodness and love is our eternal treasure. We celebrate the reality of Jesus who is the saving Christ, the living God, who is our eternal treasure.

The Lord Reigns. Worship: September 25, 2022

Jesus tells a parable about a nameless rich man, and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man had it all---fine clothes, rich food, a big house with a gate.  Lazarus had nothing but crumbs and dogs licking his sores. In death, this is all reversed. The rich man is in anguish and Lazarus is right next to Abraham in honor. The rich man begs for mercy, but it is too late; a great chasm has been fixed that no one can cross. The rich man begs that his five living brothers might be warned; he is told that even if someone should rise from the dead, they will not be convinced. The name "Lazarus" means, "God is my help."  Jesus’ story speaks to us of God’s eternal care, and his ability to change every story however He should desire in His goodness. We believe that Jesus has triumphed over all things. Knowing Him, the One risen from the dead, we are blessed in His eternal reign.

God's Way for Us. Worship: September 18, 2022

Jesus understands how complicated life can get. He knows we need good orientation from the start. So, Jesus tells us stories about how God’s wisdom works in real life. Good judgement comes from the godly perspective that His Living and Holy Spirit gives us. It is our joy to honor our God with a way that glorifies Him.

Jesus Finds Us. Worship: September 11, 2022

Jesus Carrying Lost Sheep Home. By Melani Pyke

Things in a Lost and Found box sometimes never get rescued. They are forgotten or forsaken as long gone by whoever lost them. Our Creator God does not forget what He has lost. He has infinite patience, and will search with strength and determination until he finds what he holds dear. If God’s world has lost the truth or righteousness or goodness that God values, He will find and rescue these things. Most of all God loves us in body and soul. Jesus’ stories of rescue after relentless searching set us to appreciate His saving act of rescue and redemption.

The Voice of God’s Wisdom. Worship: September 4, 2022

Christ Pantocrator Icon

New born children quickly start picking up wisdom about the world with wide-eyed wonder. Inevitably we put our heads down and trudge along, relying on what we have learned in the past. But God’s Spirit tells us that seeking God’s wisdom is a vital part of thriving in the present moment. The voice of God’s wisdom enriches every moment for us. God makes things sacred. He reshapes and redeems things. Listening for God’s wisdom is the most important part of prayer. God speaks His eternal voice of wisdom.

In the Strength of God. Worship: August 28, 2022

Toothpick + Brick by Elizabeth Irene Architectural Sculptor

Maybe you have been impressed by some feat of strength like someone lifting a lot of weight or hitting a baseball really far for a home run. But, the most impressive power of all is the strength of Almighty God. His strength is so great that it can be seen in the humility of Jesus’ life. The strength of God can be seen in us as we walk in His humble way. God showed infinite strength in forgiving us. We show His strength whenever we use the great gift of forgiveness or express undeserved compassion and grace. God’s strength is living among us.

Onto God's Holy Mountain. Worship: August 21, 2022

Where would you like to go? The Bible is filled with travelers and pilgrims on journeys. Ultimately and always we want to head toward God. In His Word God gives us the image of his Holy Mountain to help us focus our spirit on the journey we are taking toward him. In God’s Living and Holy Spirit we journey on to God’s Mountain.

The Purifying Fire of God. Worship: August 14, 2022

Jesus could be gentle, but he also could be stern and deliberate when he wanted to be. This is God’s way. Wanting our purity and righteousness God will challenge us and affirm us. Like fire that has many good uses God’s will for us must be carefully watched and respected. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” Psalm 103

The Blessing of Faith. Worship: August 7, 2022

Our faith in God is secure for many reasons. The history of what Jesus did and said gives us solid reason to believe in God’s amazing provision. We are also inspired to believe by the faith of other people who have believed. Great figures of faith from ancient times still speak to us and encourage us to believe. Maybe the faith of your grandparents or a good friend is inspiration for your faith. Consistently we see that God has had mercy on everyone who calls upon Him in faith. Our Spirit-given faith is always a blessing. We celebrate God’s faithfulness to us by our confidence in Him.