ACTS: The Holy Spirit Working Through Us

11A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

November 3, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:1–36

In conversations, and in what I’m reading online and in print, there is a growing sense of anxiety about our lives, our community, our nation and world. Technology is advancing faster than we can process it (thank goodness for AI). Global conflicts seem poised to expand (thank goodness for the UN). It is a year of national and local elections (thank goodness for our political parties). Cultural divisions seem to be widening (thank goodness for our common values). What can and should a Christian do in such times? Pray, yes. Re-connect with the truths and promises of God, yes. Live in this troubled world with both Grace and Truth, yes. Remember who we belong to, yes. And … we live each day knowing that God knows, God cares, God remains sovereign, and He is with us.

11A Worship

October 27, 2024 • 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:1, John 17:18

Some of you know, I’m no stranger to Sunday mornings. I grew up a preacher’s kid in a large family. ….A-Lotta kids, A-Lotta ministry, so as you can imagine: …Not a lotta room for nonsense! Our household was, well…. Structured… to put it gently 😊 We had a clear set of rules and expectations that helped keep the peace and ensure things ran smoothly. But while God made me quite adept at honoring my parents and obeying the rules… (I was never a rebel) … God also gave me the qualities of a box breaker. Ya know that kitten or that puppy that’s the first one to bust out of the nesting box or the play pen? God gave me a little bit of that. I have a big, thick streak in me that longs to be eager and unrestrained and out of the box! So, I’ll never forget when I was reading my Bible one day, as a kid, and I came across this familiar passage: I’d memorized it and knew it by heart because we had all learned it in the song. You know it: [The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, etc .…. Gentleness and Self Con-troooool!] Right, well that’s where the song ends. But as I was reading, that wasn’t where the VERSE ended. You know how the verse ends??! “AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW”!!! Man alive, that made me excited! I found something that the Bible says: I could do AS MUCH AS I WANT! There were NO RULES against doing these things. NO ONE can tell me NOT TO DO these things!! I can do them as much and as long and as far as I WANT!! It might seem silly to you all now. “Of course, Kara, you can be good as much as you want cause that’s, well… GOOD! …Duh!” But that reaction of excitement and enthusiasm is the joy and elation of a kid who has been told: not what they CAN’T do… but what they CAN do! And that is the topic I believe God wants us to hang out on today: What have you been SET FREE to do?? Who have you been set FREE to be?? Hebrews 12 says to “Fix your eyes on Jesus.” Psalms 119 talks about “Fixing our eyes on his Word.” Psalm 121 speaks of lifting our eyes to heaven for our strength and our direction. Today we are being invited to stop and call to mind: What was the last directive you received? What is the current purpose and point of my Christian life? What have I been FREED to do, or who have I been FREED to be? When you fix your eyes on God, what is the path He has set you on TODAY? What His current directive for you? When you go to The Lord in prayer, what does He speak to you? What has He revealed to you through His word? What passage of scripture has been highlighted in your spirit such that you know it's just for you? What has been the theme of how the Lord has been speaking, directing, revealing Himself to you recently?... or what has been His last directive or truth He’s given you to stand on? Or move on? f

9A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

November 3, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:1–36

In conversations, and in what I’m reading online and in print, there is a growing sense of anxiety about our lives, our community, our nation and world. Technology is advancing faster than we can process it (thank goodness for AI). Global conflicts seem poised to expand (thank goodness for the UN). It is a year of national and local elections (thank goodness for our political parties). Cultural divisions seem to be widening (thank goodness for our common values). What can and should a Christian do in such times? Pray, yes. Re-connect with the truths and promises of God, yes. Live in this troubled world with both Grace and Truth, yes. Remember who we belong to, yes. And … we live each day knowing that God knows, God cares, God remains sovereign, and He is with us.

11A Worship

October 20, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:21–41

What would it take for you to join an angry and emotional mob, shout and raise your fists, march and carry on? I’m not talking about joining 68,000 others at Lumen field to show your support for, or opposition to, the Seahawks. I’m talking about a social cause, a political cause, what for you is a just cause. A few gather to air a grievance, to protest an injustice, and then others come out of the woodwork and march with them, shout shared slogans, and demonstrate the power found in large numbers. What would make you so hot and bothered that you’d start, or join, a riot? If you haven’t taken part in a riot… have you ever turned down the wrong road and been surrounded by an unruly and dangerous mob? In our passage this morning Paul, after two peaceful years in Ephesus, found himself in just such a situation. A silversmith, Demetrius, got so fired up, he rallied others to attack the Christians, and Paul. Threats and accusations spread rapidly. The mob in Ephesus grew, their anger too. For the original instigator, and his collaborators, Paul and his band of Christians were causing too much trouble, even threatening their pocketbooks. If you were a Christian in Ephesus at that time… what would you have done?

9A Worship

October 27, 2024 • Kara Brown • 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:1, John 17:18

Some of you know, I’m no stranger to Sunday mornings. I grew up a preacher’s kid in a large family. ….A-Lotta kids, A-Lotta ministry, so as you can imagine: …Not a lotta room for nonsense! Our household was, well…. Structured… to put it gently 😊 We had a clear set of rules and expectations that helped keep the peace and ensure things ran smoothly. But while God made me quite adept at honoring my parents and obeying the rules… (I was never a rebel) … God also gave me the qualities of a box breaker. Ya know that kitten or that puppy that’s the first one to bust out of the nesting box or the play pen? God gave me a little bit of that. I have a big, thick streak in me that longs to be eager and unrestrained and out of the box! So, I’ll never forget when I was reading my Bible one day, as a kid, and I came across this familiar passage: I’d memorized it and knew it by heart because we had all learned it in the song. You know it: [The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, etc .…. Gentleness and Self Con-troooool!] Right, well that’s where the song ends. But as I was reading, that wasn’t where the VERSE ended. You know how the verse ends??! “AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW”!!! Man alive, that made me excited! I found something that the Bible says: I could do AS MUCH AS I WANT! There were NO RULES against doing these things. NO ONE can tell me NOT TO DO these things!! I can do them as much and as long and as far as I WANT!! It might seem silly to you all now. “Of course, Kara, you can be good as much as you want cause that’s, well… GOOD! …Duh!” But that reaction of excitement and enthusiasm is the joy and elation of a kid who has been told: not what they CAN’T do… but what they CAN do! And that is the topic I believe God wants us to hang out on today: What have you been SET FREE to do?? Who have you been set FREE to be?? Hebrews 12 says to “Fix your eyes on Jesus.” Psalms 119 talks about “Fixing our eyes on his Word.” Psalm 121 speaks of lifting our eyes to heaven for our strength and our direction. Today we are being invited to stop and call to mind: What was the last directive you received? What is the current purpose and point of my Christian life? What have I been FREED to do, or who have I been FREED to be? When you fix your eyes on God, what is the path He has set you on TODAY? What His current directive for you? When you go to The Lord in prayer, what does He speak to you? What has He revealed to you through His word? What passage of scripture has been highlighted in your spirit such that you know it's just for you? What has been the theme of how the Lord has been speaking, directing, revealing Himself to you recently?... or what has been His last directive or truth He’s given you to stand on? Or move on? f

11A Worship

October 13, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:1–20

Is Jesus necessary? Many of us who have been immersed in Christian faith, and in the Christian church, answer “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Others aren’t so sure, or they outright reject such a rigid response. “I’m cultivating my relationship with God, growing closer to Him, I will be welcomed by God into whatever comes after this life, without Jesus, on my own, through my kindness and good deeds, by following some other faith, guru, or spiritual guide. I don’t need Jesus.” Christian faith, humbly and yet boldly, states that Jesus is the only way to cultivate a relationship with God, to grow closer to Him, to be welcomed into the life God provides beyond this life. That exclusive claim is not of our own making … it is confirmed time and again in the Bible. Acts 4, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men/women by which we must be saved.” 1 John 2, “No one who denies the Son has the Father.” There is no way (without doing great violence to the Bible) of getting around the necessity of Jesus. That’s why here at Grace we pray that God would help us be a Jesus Church! In the mystery, wonder, and love of God the way (Jesus) is narrow and His love for us is wide.

9A Worship

October 20, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:21–41

What would it take for you to join an angry and emotional mob, shout and raise your fists, march and carry on? I’m not talking about joining 68,000 others at Lumen field to show your support for, or opposition to, the Seahawks. I’m talking about a social cause, a political cause, what for you is a just cause. A few gather to air a grievance, to protest an injustice, and then others come out of the woodwork and march with them, shout shared slogans, and demonstrate the power found in large numbers. What would make you so hot and bothered that you’d start, or join, a riot? If you haven’t taken part in a riot… have you ever turned down the wrong road and been surrounded by an unruly and dangerous mob? In our passage this morning Paul, after two peaceful years in Ephesus, found himself in just such a situation. A silversmith, Demetrius, got so fired up, he rallied others to attack the Christians, and Paul. Threats and accusations spread rapidly. The mob in Ephesus grew, their anger too. For the original instigator, and his collaborators, Paul and his band of Christians were causing too much trouble, even threatening their pocketbooks. If you were a Christian in Ephesus at that time… what would you have done?

11A Worship

October 6, 2024 • Dennis Whitcher • Acts 18

Acts 18 recounts the end of Paul's second missionary journey. He leaves Athens for Corinth, in southern Greece, and works with Priscilla and Aquila as a tentmaker until Silas and Timothy rejoin him. The team stays eighteen months with no significant pressure. Eventually, Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila sail east to Ephesus. Paul leaves a short time later for Judea and Syrian Antioch before returning to Galatia for his third missionary journey. Meanwhile, Priscilla and Aquilla host the church in Ephesus and train a talented speaker named Apollos to be a minister of Christ. Ministry is never reserved for just a handful of Christians. But when that ministry becomes, as it was intended to be, the work of the entire body, then it is not very long before the world around begins to be changed. Think these things through, and ask yourself: "Have I found my spiritual gift?" and "Am I ministering with it as a member of the body of Christ?" "Am I part of the moving of the body of Christ in this area, to accomplish what God wants done?" God told Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid...I am with you." God is looking for availability, not ability.

9A Worship

October 13, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:1–20

Is Jesus necessary? Many of us who have been immersed in Christian faith, and in the Christian church, answer “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Others aren’t so sure, or they outright reject such a rigid response. “I’m cultivating my relationship with God, growing closer to Him, I will be welcomed by God into whatever comes after this life, without Jesus, on my own, through my kindness and good deed, by following some other faith, guru, or spiritual guide. I don’t need Jesus.” Christian faith, humbly and yet boldly, states that Jesus is the only way to cultivate a relationship with God, to grow closer to Him, to be welcomed into the life God provides beyond this life. That exclusive claim is not of our own making … it is confirmed time and again in the Bible. Acts 4, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men/women by which we must be saved.” 1 John 2, “No one who denies the Son has the Father.” There is no way (without doing great violence to the Bible) of getting around the necessity of Jesus. That’s why here at Grace we pray that God would help us be a Jesus Church! In the mystery, wonder, and love of God the way (Jesus) is narrow and His love for us is wide.

9A Worship

October 6, 2024 • Dennis Whitcher • Acts 18

Acts 18 recounts the end of Paul's second missionary journey. He leaves Athens for Corinth, in southern Greece, and works with Priscilla and Aquila as a tentmaker until Silas and Timothy rejoin him. The team stays eighteen months with no significant pressure. Eventually, Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila sail east to Ephesus. Paul leaves a short time later for Judea and Syrian Antioch before returning to Galatia for his third missionary journey. Meanwhile, Priscilla and Aquilla host the church in Ephesus and train a talented speaker named Apollos to be a minister of Christ. Ministry is never reserved for just a handful of Christians. But when that ministry becomes, as it was intended to be, the work of the entire body, then it is not very long before the world around begins to be changed. Think these things through, and ask yourself: "Have I found my spiritual gift?" and "Am I ministering with it as a member of the body of Christ?" "Am I part of the moving of the body of Christ in this area, to accomplish what God wants done?" God told Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid...I am with you." God is looking for availability, not ability.

9AM Worship

September 29, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 17:15–34

I was sitting in a restaurant when I was approached by a young man selling flowers. Setting aside for a moment how socially inappropriate that was, and realizing he was dressed in the garb of a particular religious group, I began asking him questions. “What got you involved with the group you are a part of?” “How is this group helping you?” “What do you know about Jesus and Christian faith?” The conversation took him in a direction he did not expect. He simply wanted a dollar or two, possibly pass out some printed material. But my recollection of our encounter was that it was natural, comfortable, easy, positive. I don’t always get these encounters right but when I do it is a moment of beauty. This young man did not kneel in that restaurant, confess his sins, become a Christian … but I believe the Holy Spirit was present, and his soul (re)introduced to Jesus. When was the last time we had an opportunity to personally and directly talk to another about faith? I’m not talking a monologue. I’m talking about a genuine, generous, back and forth conversation on what really matters. If Christian faith is true, then these discussions are of absolute and eternal value. And yet, often we do not know where to begin. We do not want to offend. We aren’t sure what to say. We do not want to come across offensive and insensitive. Last fall (2023) I taught a series of sermons titled, “Walk Across the Room.” We focused on sharing our Christian faith with others in natural and non-offensive (as far as we are able) ways. Paul picks up this same theme in our passage today. His example will help us hear the Holy Spirit, follow the Holy Spirit, and speak when and where God leads. When we do, He is present … and it is beautiful!

11AM Worship

September 29, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 17:15–34

I was sitting in a restaurant when I was approached by a young man selling flowers. Setting aside for a moment how socially inappropriate that was, and realizing he was dressed in the garb of a particular religious group, I began asking him questions. “What got you involved with the group you are a part of?” “How is this group helping you?” “What do you know about Jesus and Christian faith?” The conversation took him in a direction he did not expect. He simply wanted a dollar or two, possibly pass out some printed material. But my recollection of our encounter was that it was natural, comfortable, easy, positive. I don’t always get these encounters right but when I do it is a moment of beauty. This young man did not kneel in that restaurant, confess his sins, become a Christian … but I believe the Holy Spirit was present, and his soul (re)introduced to Jesus. When was the last time we had an opportunity to personally and directly talk to another about faith? I’m not talking a monologue. I’m talking about a genuine, generous, back and forth conversation on what really matters. If Christian faith is true, then these discussions are of absolute and eternal value. And yet, often we do not know where to begin. We do not want to offend. We aren’t sure what to say. We do not want to come across offensive and insensitive. Last fall (2023) I taught a series of sermons titled, “Walk Across the Room.” We focused on sharing our Christian faith with others in natural and non-offensive (as far as we are able) ways. Paul picks up this same theme in our passage today. His example will help us hear the Holy Spirit, follow the Holy Spirit, and speak when and where God leads. When we do, He is present … and it is beautiful!

10am ACTS: Holy Spirit Working In Thessalonica & Berea

September 1, 2024 • Acts 17:1–14

This morning one of our own, Bladimir Rivera, will lead us farther into our study of the book of Acts. Bladimir, his wonderful wife Trinidad, and his amazing kids, Amy, Julian, Keila, and Sofia have been an important part of Gracia de Cristo / Grace of Christ for many years. On any given Sunday you will likely find him, and his family, praying with others, attending classes, playing drums in our worship services, greeting, leading, loving, welcoming those they meet. Bladimir has been in the Yakima Valley for more than 30 years. He became a Christian in his mid-teens and immediately jumped in to serve. He learned how to play the guitar, the drums too, and then started a band, toured and recorded CD's, all with the purpose of helping others meet and know Jesus. After marrying Trinidad he pastored and preached in a church in Toppenish, and then, thankfully, God led them here. He and his wife genuinely love Jesus. They live out their faith with passion, kindness, and warmth. It is an honor to have Bladimir preach this morning. In chapter 17 of the book of Acts, in the city of Berea, the people there, "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things (about Jesus) were so." I want to be like that! I want to examine the Bible, seek Truth, meet and know God. That's my prayer personally, and for this church, for our city too.

10am Worship - Monsignor Ecker

August 25, 2024 • Monsignor Ecker • Ephesians 4:1–6, Matthew 8:5–13

This morning we welcome Monsignor John Ecker to Grace of Christ. He has served as a Catholic priest for 66 years, the majority of those here in Yakima. He’s also led parishes in Kennewick and Warden. In 1967 he began eight years as a military chaplain to servicemen and women in Vietnam. He then returned to the Yakima valley where he has been, with one exception, ever since. Monsignor Ecker has been, and remains, one of the strongest, and brightest, voices for ecumenical relationships across the Christian community. He cares deeply for the churches in our city, and for people and pastors across our valley. He is viewed by many, myself included, as Yakima’s pastor. He is a friend of Grace of Christ, and my friend too. Last week I (Curt) had the opportunity to preach at St Paul’s. Yes, there are differences, Presbyterians and Catholics, in how we understand certain aspects of the church, and of the Christian faith, but what brings us together is more important. We share a common love for, and belief in, Jesus. Both of our churches were built, in their present locations, in 1927. The first service at St. Paul’s was Easter Sunday April 17th, 1927. The first service at First Presbyterian was Sunday October 9th, that same year. Both church communities have had a significant impact on the development of, and the heart of, our city and valley. Both church communities serve the needy and speak clearly about the need all have to know, love, and follow, Jesus. Our friendship with those at St Paul’s grows stronger as we welcome our good and dear friend Monsignor Ecker to Grace this morning.

10am Worship - Miracle Hunter

August 18, 2024 • Robin Stuber • Acts 16:16–40

Today we return to the book of Acts with an account from Paul’s second missionary journey. He has left Barnabas behind and joined with Silas, a Hellenistic Jew, to travel to Asia. But being forbidden by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6) they turn to Macedonia. There Paul has a vision of a man pleading with him to come to the region and preach the Gospel. As a result, Paul and Silas set off for the foremost city of Phillipi. Here is where the story takes a turn toward the miraculous. Meeting Lydia with at the river begins to spread of the Gospel to the people of Phillipi but not all were happy about the “Good News”. Join me today as the story picks up in Acts 16:16-40 displaying God’s miraculous power in advancing the Gospel.

Grace of Christ

ACTS: The Holy Spirit Working Through Us

2024 Series

11A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

November 3, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:1–36

11A Worship

October 27, 2024 • 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:1, John 17:18

9A Worship: Jerusalem - Paul & Mob Justice

November 3, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 21:1–36

11A Worship

October 20, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:21–41

9A Worship

October 27, 2024 • Kara Brown • 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:1, John 17:18

11A Worship

October 13, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:1–20

9A Worship

October 20, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:21–41

11A Worship

October 6, 2024 • Dennis Whitcher • Acts 18

9A Worship

October 13, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 19:1–20

9A Worship

October 6, 2024 • Dennis Whitcher • Acts 18

9AM Worship

September 29, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 17:15–34

11AM Worship

September 29, 2024 • Curt McFarland • Acts 17:15–34

10am ACTS: Holy Spirit Working In Thessalonica & Berea

September 1, 2024 • Acts 17:1–14

10am Worship - Monsignor Ecker

August 25, 2024 • Monsignor Ecker • Ephesians 4:1–6, Matthew 8:5–13

10am Worship - Miracle Hunter

August 18, 2024 • Robin Stuber • Acts 16:16–40