Christmas Eve: God With Us (BG)
December 24, 2021 • Jon Siebert • John 1:14, Exodus 30—31
God dwelling among man, found in Jesus. Where do you see the presence (as a present) in your life?
Christmas Eve: God With Us (WS)
December 24, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • John 1:14, Exodus 30—31
God dwelling among man, found in Jesus. Where do you see the presence (as a present) in your life?
December 9: Elizabeth and Zacheriah
December 9, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • John 1:29–34
REFLECT: As we approach the Christmas season, let us celebrate like Elizabeth--finding joy in our lives for how God works in the unexpected and celebrating His faithfulness. Even more more importantly, let us find our joy in the knowledge that our Messiah has come! Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, is with us and He is forever faithful; always at work in our lives. His plans will always come to pass in His perfect timing. Through His choice to come, He did for us what we could not do for ourselves, saving us from our sins and reconciling us to God. Our Savior is born! RESPOND: Got Zechariah syndrome? Spend some time reading throught Luke 1:5-25 again today. Search your thoughts and ask God to reveal to you any areas where you--like Zachariah--are not believing God's promises for your life. Confess those thoughts to Him and to a loved one; invite them to pray for you in this area, and ask God to clear out obstacles in your heart preventing you from receiving all that He has for you in this season.
Faith Loves (BG)
July 18, 2021 • Jon Siebert • James 2:1–13, John 3:16, Matthew 25:34–46
Throughout Scripture, we see that God hates partiality; He gives many commands to care for the weak and oppressed. The ways we treat others reveal how well we understand God’s love for us. We have been called to love as Christ loved us, to love others as we love ourselves. We are undoubtedly quick to look after our own needs, but do we do this for those around us? More specifically, do we do this for those who cannot pay us back or grant us similar favors in return? A believer’s life should be marked by courtesy, compassion, and consistency toward all. We are called to show mercy because we have been shown mercy. Partiality is the opposite action to what God has shown each and every person who calls on the name of Jesus Christ. Simply put, our partiality reveals what, or who, we really worship.
Faith Loves (WS)
July 18, 2021 • Dave Williams • Matthew 25:34–46, James 2:1–13, John 3:16
Throughout Scripture, we see that God hates partiality; He gives many commands to care for the weak and oppressed. The ways we treat others reveal how well we understand God’s love for us. We have been called to love as Christ loved us, to love others as we love ourselves. We are undoubtedly quick to look after our own needs, but do we do this for those around us? More specifically, do we do this for those who cannot pay us back or grant us similar favors in return? A believer’s life should be marked by courtesy, compassion, and consistency toward all. We are called to show mercy because we have been shown mercy. Partiality is the opposite action to what God has shown each and every person who calls on the name of Jesus Christ. Simply put, our partiality reveals what, or who, we really worship.
Faith in Trials (BG)
June 27, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • James 5:7–11, Mark 3:21, Mark 6:3–6, John 7:5, James 1:1–12
What makes you happy? Where does joy come from? James begins his letter with a perplexing command, “Count it all joy my brothers [and sisters] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2). Joy and trials seem to be at odds—normally we think we have one or the other—definitely not joy while suffering! However, James gives a reason for joy in the testing; he points out the testing of our faith has purpose. Our trials, or tests, shape us into the image of Christ. Knowing our trials have purpose gives us hope, and hope, in turn, grants us the ability to be resolute and endure.
Faith in Trials (HP)
June 27, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • Mark 3:21, Mark 6:3–6, John 7:5, James 1:1–12, James 5:7–11
What makes you happy? Where does joy come from? James begins his letter with a perplexing command, “Count it all joy my brothers [and sisters] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2). Joy and trials seem to be at odds—normally we think we have one or the other—definitely not joy while suffering! However, James gives a reason for joy in the testing; he points out the testing of our faith has purpose. Our trials, or tests, shape us into the image of Christ. Knowing our trials have purpose gives us hope, and hope, in turn, grants us the ability to be resolute and endure.
The Necessity of The Spirit (BG)
March 7, 2021 • Jon Siebert • John 16
Do you need help? Where do you go for help? When you struggle, to whom do you turn? We are bombarded with messages of self-awareness, self-help, and self-care. All of these sound great, but what about when you reach the end of yourself? The problem with these is that they are self-reliant, and we are not the answer. We are not able to give the help we actually need. We all need help; we all need a helper. Jesus promised his followers he would provide a helper, and that promise extends to you and me today. How can you get help? Join us Sunday at 9 and 11 to find out what Jesus said.
The Necessity of The Spirit (WS)
March 7, 2021 • Dave Williams • John 16
Have you ever been on an excursion led by a local guide? Perhaps you were hiking 🎒 or white-water rafting, or fly-fishing. A good tour guide is familiar with the route because they have traveled it before. They know how to make the journey both enjoyable and memorable. John 16 📖 describes in detail the work of our guide for life--the Holy Spirit. Join us this Sunday as we take a closer look at the one Jesus says will “guide us into all truth”.
Abide (BG)
February 28, 2021 • Jon Siebert • John 15
“Jesus is my friend.” What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it really just about Jesus and me? Or is there something deeper, more meaningful, more powerful to the idea of a relationship with Christ? While many of us are familiar with the idea of friendship, this Sunday we will be unpacking the relationship that Christ invites his followers to have with him in John 15, and how that relationship transforms us and profoundly impacts those we interact with in our communities.
Comforting Words for Troubled Hearts (WS)
February 21, 2021 • Dave Williams • John 14
Have you ever been homesick? ♥️ Perhaps you were deployed overseas, or on a remote work assignment away from family and friends. Within each of us, deep down at our core, exists a desire, a longing for home–our eternal home. As we walk through John 14 📖 together this weekend, we'll experience Jesus provide words of encouragement & hope to His disciples as they faced a fearful future. He reminds them (and us!) that no matter what happens, we have this hope–that He is at work preparing our forever home. And someday (soon🙏) he’s coming back to take us there!
A Life of Humility & Love (BG)
February 14, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • John 13
This week as we continue in our study of the Gospel of John, we come to the point where Jesus begins preparing his disciples for his departure, not only in word but also in deed. Our text poses us with the question of: What does love look like? Is it pushing and shoving for your place, fighting, striving to be noticed? Jesus shows us another way. Jesus not only teaches us and commands us to love, but also puts on display how to love. It is by Jesus' humble, sacrificial love that we are changed and enabled to do the same for others.
A Life of Humility & Love (WS)
February 14, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • John 13
This week as we continue in our study of the Gospel of John, we come to the point where Jesus begins preparing his disciples for his departure, not only in word but also in deed. Our text poses us with the question of: What does love look like? Is it pushing and shoving for your place, fighting, striving to be noticed? Jesus shows us another way. Jesus not only teaches us and commands us to love, but also puts on display how to love. It is by Jesus' humble, sacrificial love that we are changed and enabled to do the same for others.
Anointing of Jesus (BG)
January 31, 2021 • Jon Siebert • John 12:1–11
We become like what we spend our time, energy, and money on. The question is, what or who do you look like? Our heart chases after what we value. If you want to change, shift your focus and devote your time to where you want to be and transformation will inevitably follow. This week we will look at a case study in transformation through devotion.
Anointing of Jesus (WS)
January 31, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • John 12:1–11
As followers of Jesus, our lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel. How does this affect our worship? Does it? Should it? Are we willing to have a relationship with Jesus cost us something? Or are we only seeking what we can get out of it? This week, as we take a look at John 12:1-11, we will encounter a glimpse of how Mary’s transformed life alters her worship of Jesus and reminds us of the powerful testimony our worship can be to those around us.