The disciples’ proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ began the first church. They professed what they had seen and experienced, inspiring thousands to believe in Jesus Christ.
What is our profession? This month, as we journey through Lent, and then come to the momentous days of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, each sermon will explore another aspect of our profession of the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ.
•In Holy Communion we profess Jesus Christ. (April 3)
•We profess the glory of Jesus Christ. (April 10)
•We profess the love of Jesus Christ through His death. (April 15)
•We profess what we see and believe about Jesus Christ in His resurrection. (April 17)
•We profess the gospel of Jesus Christ with our lives. (April 24)
We hope these thoughts inspire a beautiful celebration of Jesus Christ in these holy divine services, but more importantly, in our lives.
Throughout this month, may we better understand what we're professing, when we profess Him.
We Profess Him - April 2022
Proclamations of the Resurrection - April 2024
Lent gave us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Holy Week, to walk the path to the cross with Christ. April leads us into the joyous season of Eastertide - the longest liturgical celebration in the Christian calendar. It also gives us the time to truly celebrate the Risen One; an event as astounding as the resurrection could not be contained in just one day. Christ's victory over sin and death, prompt our April sermon theme: Proclamations of the Resurrection - truths that we will unearth as we, along with the disciples, encounter the Risen Christ: •April Midweek: I live with Christ! - now and in the future •April 7th: The tomb is empty! - the women's testimony •April 14th: I believe! - Thomas' move from doubt to faith •April 21st: Enlightened in wisdom, Rooted in love - a prayer for the church •April 28th: He is perfect! - the people recognize their Messiah From our Meditations of Lent resource: He who this day rose from the clods of earth, we expect one day from the clouds of heaven: to raise our bodies, to perform His promises, to finish our faith, to perfect our glory and to draw us unto Himself. Let us celebrate the Risen Christ!
The Path With Christ - March 2024
The month of March leads our preaching through Lent and the holy days of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. Lent is a time of reflection and repentance that allows us to intentionally know Jesus in a new way; we walk with Him on the path that led Him to His death, and ultimately His victory on Easter. Each sermon leads us further on the path with Christ: •A prayer of confidence in God's mercy, •A reflection on the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, •An invitation to the realities of Christ's table, •A perspective of His kingdom through the events of Palm Sunday, •A journey to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, and •A celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday. To walk and preach this journey takes focus and intention. This is our proclamation for this month - resolved to know nothing... except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Devoted - February 2024
With the month of February, comes the beginning of Lent - a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation. Our theme for this month leads us to contemplate what it means to be devoted - a devoted disciple of Christ. The word devoted, borrowed from the Latin dēvōt-, suggests to vow or dedicate oneself to a purpose; to set apart or consecrate; to apply oneself zealously or exclusively. What would our preparation for the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ look like if we became disciples who are dedicated to Christ zealously and exclusively, who set apart and consecrate time to reflect, repent, and prepare? Each Sunday highlights various aspects of our devotion to Him: sharing the promise, praising the Lord, faith, love and hope, and interceding for others. Our midweek service on February 14, the beginning of Lent, will focus on "giving things up" - a key area of reflection in this time. Contemplate these verses from Psalm 119 and how they connect with our theme, Devoted, in the weeks to come: "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You... Behold, I long for your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness." Psalm 119:37-38, 40