Joy (BG)
December 17, 2023 • Jon Siebert • Luke 2:10
We're so glad you're here! Join us as Pastor Jon leads us through a study of Joy. -------------------- Were you challenged or encouraged by the message you just heard? We'd love to help you take your next spiritual step. Text CONNECT to (360) 260-8300.
Joy (WS)
December 17, 2023 • Kenan Stolz • Luke 2:10
We're so glad you're here! Join us as Pastor Kenan leads us through a study of Joy. -------------------- Were you challenged or encouraged by the message you just heard? We'd love to help you take your next spiritual step. Text CONNECT to (360) 260-8300.
Joy (HP)
December 17, 2023 • Kyle Wetzler • Luke 2:10
We're so glad you're here! Join us as Pastor Kyle leads us through a study of Joy. -------------------- Were you challenged or encouraged by the message you just heard? We'd love to help you take your next spiritual step. Text CONNECT to (360) 260-8300.
Whatever It Takes
November 13, 2022 • Kenan Stolz • Luke 5:17–26
As Jesus was beginning His ministry there was a man who was paralyzed. He had no way to get to Jesus, he was helpless and hopeless. Yet, this man’s friends were unwilling to give up on him. They took their paralyzed friend to Jesus and instead of being stopped by the crowd and the religious leaders they did whatever it took for their friend to see Jesus. By cutting a hole in the roof they lowered their friend down to be healed and encounter Christ. Are we willing to go to the same great lengths for those who are helpless and hopeless? Are you willing to do whatever it takes for people to meet with Jesus?
December 18: Jesus is Reason for the Season
December 18, 2021 • Luke 1:26–38
REFLECT: "Shopping for the last gift. Figuring out what you’re going to wear to your fourth Christmas party. Assembling the grocery list for Christmas Eve. Making sure you didn’t leave anyone off your Christmas card list. And so on… Our time is held captive by the myriad of tasks we must do during the Christmas season. And if we’re not careful, this list can strip us of remembering the true “reason for the season.” We celebrate Christmas to remember Jesus taking on flesh and stepping into this world. When we open the pages to the beginning of Luke, we read in awe of the unfolding events that brought us the baby Jesus laying in a manger. Over 2000 years have passed since the moment Jesus breathed His first breath. During this time, Christmas has become more about expectations other people placed on us and less about the expectations our Heavenly Father has for us. To do this, we must give Jesus our hearts and not just our minds. We must declare with words, actions, and priorities that Jesus truly is the reason for the season." RESPOND: As our mouth declares that “Jesus is the reason for the season", our priorities communicate that friends, gifts, family, and busyness is the real reason for the season. We have one week left before Christmas day. What shift will you make to declare with your heart that “Jesus is the reason for the season?”
December 17
December 17, 2021 • LeAnn Ashton • Luke 1:26–38
REFLECT: Last week we saw God’s plan unfolding through the promise of John the Baptist--the man sent to prepare the way for Jesus the Rescuer. This week we will focus on Jesus' birth! His birth is important because of what He came to do. God sent Him to earth as a human baby, to bring Him into our world, to save us from our sins. RESPOND: Plan with your family to celebrate Jesus’ birthday! You can make Him a birthday card--bake Him a cake! Sing Happy Birthday to Him. Whatever you like! You can post pictures of your birthday party for Jesus and tag us: @SVKidsVancouver. To access our extended family devotional click the following button.
December 16: Mary & Joseph, Part 1
December 16, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • Luke 1:26–38
REFLECT: The past couple of years have been marked by unexpected difficulties, foiled plans, and losses to grieve. And yet, God promises that He is with us, even in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. Just as God was with Mary in a season of unexpected hardships, we can look to God and His eternal promises for comfort and security. May we be like Mary when unexpected circumstances come our way; resolved to likewise say "I am the Lord's servant…may things be for me as you have decided them to be." This simple act of submission opens us up to engage the presence of a gracious God and experience His favor and presence. RESPOND: What places in your life do you need to submit to God's perfect authority; your future, your finances, your relationships, your current circumstances? God has a plan for you. Take time today to sit with God; ask Him to reveal what strongholds might be holding you back from receiving all that He has for you, and surrender them to Him in a confession of faith today.
Faith In Our Prayers (BG)
August 29, 2021 • Jon Siebert • James 5:13–20, 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, 1 John 5:14, Luke 18:10–14
The act of praying helps us remember Who is in control (hint, it isn’t us) and strengthens our faith. If you remember, James instructs his fellow believers to pray when facing trials, trusting fully that God will answer and provide what they need (1:5). But he doesn’t stop at prayer during trials. James ends his letter by urging readers to sing praises when they are cheerful. We give thanks to God for what He has done, which strengthens our endurance as we remember His faithfulness to us. As we rejoice in the hope of God’s goodness, we are increasingly able to find patience in our trials because our eyes are on Jesus. We are also called to pray with others when we are sick or find that our faith is weak; the encouragement of believers gathered together in Jesus’ name asking God for healing and strength, is a great help to the one in need. Prayer is powerful because God is all-powerful. God hears our prayers.