Media - Otterbein Church Waynesboro

Otterbein Church Waynesboro

October 18, 2026 - Worship Service

October 18, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "Transformed," part 4 in the CHOSEN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Put Off, Put On: Becoming Like Christ (Chosen, Week 4: Ephesians 4:17-5:20) Synopsis In week four of the Chosen series on Ephesians, Pastor Mike picks up where he left off, with Paul’s call for believers to mature in their faith. He looks at what that maturity means in daily life, and he draws four truths from the passage. First, following Jesus means we no longer live like the rest of the world. Second, we put off our old way of living and put on a new one. Third, our goal is to imitate God in everything we do, the way children imitate their parents. Fourth, being filled with the Holy Spirit is the key to doing any of it. Mike stresses that willpower alone will fail, and that daily surrender to the Spirit is what makes lasting change possible. The message closes with a prayer and a song of surrender. Questions Pastor Mike Asked and How He Answered Them 1. “Are you different than the people you know who are not Christians?” (Do you act, think, or talk any differently?) He answered that Paul says believers must live differently from the world, just as the Gentiles of Ephesus lived in idolatry and immorality. If there’s no visible difference, that’s a problem. Quoting Romans 12:2, he says God wants to transform us by changing how we think. 2. “What does the Spirit-led life look like in practical terms?” He answered with the “put off / put on” pattern from the passage: Put off lying and put on speaking the truth in love. Put off anger and put on resolving things quickly. The feeling itself isn’t sin, but letting it control you is. Put off stealing and put on hard work and generous giving. Put off foul language and put on encouraging words. Put off bitterness, rage, and slander and put on kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness, because God has forgiven us. He adds that if you only stop a bad behavior without replacing it with a good one, you’ll likely slide back. 3. “In your effort to stop those behaviors, have you replaced them with what God says, or have you just said, ‘I’m going to stop’?” His answer is that stopping alone isn’t enough. Real change means replacing the sin with the right behavior God calls for, and renewing your mind by changing what you dwell on. 4. “If I slide back into sin, am I in danger of losing my salvation?” No. Mike explains that “will not inherit the kingdom” refers to sin that characterizes a person’s life, what they’re known for and never see as wrong. It doesn’t refer to occasional failures that we confess and turn away from. 5. “All that sounds good, but how do you actually do that?” (the “million-dollar question”) He answers that being filled with the Holy Spirit is the key. He distinguishes between: Indwelling: the Spirit lives in every believer from the moment of salvation (his presence). Filling: surrendering control of your life to the Spirit, which is a command, not a suggestion. He compares it to drunkenness, where something other than you is in control. The way to be filled is to surrender daily (“God, today I open myself up to the leading of the Spirit”), and to confess sin promptly, since unconfessed sin pushes aside the Spirit’s control. Hashtags #Sermon #SundayService #ChurchOnline #BibleStudy #Christian #Faith #Jesus #HolySpirit #Ephesians #Ephesians4 #Ephesians5 #ChosenSeries #PutOffPutOn #ImitateGod #SpiritFilled #SurrenderToGod #Forgiveness #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #TransformedLife #RenewYourMind #SermonOfTheWeek #BibleVerseOfTheDay #ChristianCommunity #GrowInFaith #FollowJesus #ChurchFamily

October 11, 2026 - Worship Service

October 11, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "One Body," part 3 in the CHOSEN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. One Body, Bold Access, and Growing Up in Christ (Ephesians 3:1-4:16) Synopsis This is the third message in the Chosen series on Ephesians. Pastor Mike reminds the congregation that Paul's letter isn't correcting a heresy but reminding believers who they are in Christ and how God wants them to live. After two weeks in chapters 1 and 2, he covers Ephesians 3 and the first half of chapter 4, moving from who we are in Christ to how we respond. He is clear that the practical commands are not good works that earn salvation. They are an expression of gratitude, and they make our lives better too. The church is God's plan to unite every follower of Jesus into one body (3:1-13). The "mysterious plan" was that Jews and Gentiles would be equals in the church and share equally in the inheritance of heaven. Pastor Mike applies this to the modern church, where a hierarchy of "good people and okay people" can still creep in, and encourages those ashamed of their past to remember that all of us make up the body of Christ. Because the walls are down, every believer can come boldly and confidently into God's presence, as Hebrews 4 also describes. God is able to do far more in us than we can imagine (3:14-21). Paul prays that believers would have inner strength through the Spirit, have Christ at home in their hearts, and be rooted in his love. Pastor Mike clarifies this is not a promise that God will do whatever we want, but that we can have hope in the middle of despair because no circumstance is too big for him. God calls each of us to act in a loving way toward one another (4:1-6). In response to all God has done, Paul begs believers to live worthy of their calling: humble, gentle, patient, bearing with each other's faults, and protecting unity around the essentials (one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God). God gives each believer a spiritual gift to build up the church (4:7-16). Every Christian receives at least one gift, given to serve others, not for personal gain. When someone doesn't use their gift, the whole body suffers, like his own missing finger affects his hand. Pastor Mike warns against treating church as something we only receive from. God desires for us to become mature in the Lord (4:11-16). Leaders equip believers to grow into the full standard of Christ, and growth happens best in community. Marks of maturity include knowing what is true so we aren't tossed around by every new teaching, and speaking the truth in love. He urges testing everything, including claims of "prophetic words," against Scripture. Questions Pastor Mike Raised and How He Answered 1. What was the "mysterious plan" Paul talked about? The church. God's plan was to unite Jews and Gentiles into one body with no hierarchy, sharing equally in the blessings and the inheritance of heaven. It showed that salvation was never only for the Jews but for everyone. 2. What does that mean for us today? We can fall into a hierarchy of "good people and okay people," looking down on those with a different background or feeling ashamed of our own past. Paul says to stop, because Jesus died for all of us equally and we all make up the body of Christ. 3. Can we really come boldly into God's presence? Yes. The walls are broken down, and Hebrews 4 says all of us can approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace when we need it most. 4. When you think of God, do you see someone you can come to boldly, and who can do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine? He asks those who have lost hope to consider this. It doesn't mean God will do whatever we want, but we can trust him with our circumstances and have hope in despair. 5. If these commands don't save us, why do we live this way? We live this way out of gratitude, because God wants it, and because our lives are better for it. 6. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? They are given to serve one another and strengthen the body of Christ, not to benefit ourselves. When one part doesn't work, the whole body is affected. 7. How do we grow into maturity? Growth happens best in the body of Christ, through worshiping, learning, and doing life together, with encouragement and accountability, while keeping up personal habits like Bible reading and prayer. 8. How do we know what is true today? The Bible is the "truth monitor." Test everything, including sermons and claimed prophetic words, against Scripture. If Scripture doesn't confirm it, be suspect. If it does, declare it boldly. 9. What does it mean to speak the truth in love? When a fellow believer is going off track biblically, don't pull back to protect the relationship. Go to them out of genuine love, not to win an argument or feel better. 10. How are you doing at growing in maturity? He closes by asking whether we avoid being tossed around, know what the Bible teaches, and speak the truth in love, and challenges anyone stuck in their journey to keep growing. Hashtags #Ephesians #Ephesians3 #Ephesians4 #BibleStudy #Sermon #ChristianSermon #SundaySermon #BookOfEphesians #SermonSeries #Chosen #ChosenSeries #ChurchUnity #UnityInChrist #OneBody #TheChurch #GodsPlan #BoldAccess #ThroneOfGrace #ImmeasurablyMore #PowerOfGod #LoveOfChrist #WorthyCalling #SpiritualGifts #BodyOfChrist #SpiritualMaturity #SpeakTheTruthInLove #TruthMatters #Discernment #BreakingDownWalls #Humility #Grace #HolySpirit #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Gospel #Faith #Jesus #Christian #Church #Pastor #God #Bible #Hope #Encouragement #OtterbeinChurch

October 4, 2026 - Worship Service

October 4, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "Dead to Life," part 2 in the CHOSEN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Dead but Made Alive: Saved by Grace, United in Christ (Ephesians 2) Pastor Mike | Otterbein Church | Chosen Series Synopsis This is the second message in the Chosen series on Ephesians. Last week focused on what God has done for us. This week, Pastor Mike turns to Ephesians 2 and what God has done in us and wants to do through us. He recaps the previous message: God chose us before we chose him, Jesus purchased our freedom, the Holy Spirit guarantees God's presence now and for eternity, and we have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Pastor Mike draws out three truths: We were spiritually dead, but God made us alive with Christ (vv. 1-7). Before following Jesus, we were not merely struggling or in need of improvement. We were dead in sin, and a person is either surrendered to Jesus or following the devil's desires. The turning point is the phrase "But God," because he made us alive out of love, mercy, and grace, not because of anything we did. We are saved by grace, but created for good works (vv. 8-10). Salvation is a gift, not a wage. Our part is to receive it by believing in Jesus, confessing our sins, and surrendering our lives. Pastor Mike warns against a universalist view that leaves out "when you believed." Good works are the evidence of a received gift, and Scripture's teachings are for our benefit, pointing toward the rich and satisfying life Jesus promised in John 10:10. The cross tears down walls and unites us (vv. 11-22). Jews and Gentiles in the early church carried hostility toward each other, and Paul says Christ broke down that wall. Pastor Mike applies this to modern prejudice and to church divisions over politics, COVID, and vaccines. He urges believers to stand firm on the essentials (how a person becomes a Christian, the authority of Scripture, heaven and hell, Christ's return) but not to fight over non-essentials like music style or meeting space. Churches that fight constantly lose credibility with a divided world. The service closes with communion, framed as a reminder of what unifies believers: Christ's body and blood, and God's unmerited grace. Questions Pastor Mike Asked and How He Answered 1. What was our condition before we became followers of Jesus? Spiritually dead, not just struggling or needing a little help. We were dead because of sin, following our sinful nature, and, in effect, obeying the devil. Anyone not surrendered to Jesus is surrendered to the other side. 2. Why did God make us alive when we were spiritually dead? Not because of anything we did. He did it because he loves us and is merciful, kind, and gracious. Romans 5:8 shows he loved us while we were still sinners. 3. What is God's part and what is our part in salvation? God's part is saving us by grace. Our part is to believe, which means trusting that Jesus is who he said he is, confessing our sinfulness, and surrendering our lives to him. We cannot earn the gift, only receive it, like a birthday present you can't repay. 4. If salvation is a gift of grace, what is all the other teaching in the Bible about how to live? These teachings are not a way to earn grace. They are our response to it and the evidence that we have received it. We were created for good works, and someone claiming to follow Jesus with no good works in their life has a "big problem." 5. Are the Bible's teachings meant to rob us of a joyful life? No. Jesus said his purpose is to give a rich and satisfying life, while the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Healthy marriages, peace in hard times, and less anxiety tend to be found in people who live out Scripture, so the teachings benefit us. 6. Do we hold attitudes toward people who aren't like us? Yes, and there is no place for prejudice among God's people. Whether the difference is ethnicity, income, politics, or past, the cross says we were all dead and are all saved by grace, so no one is more worthy than another. 7. Who are we to look down on or push away others when God saw them as worthy of his Son's blood? We shouldn't. Pastor Mike points to the Jew and Gentile divide as the model: Christ put the hostility to death, and our eyes belong on the cross rather than our differences. 8. What should believers stand firm on, and what should we not fight about? Stand firm on the essentials: how a person becomes a Christian, the authority of Scripture, heaven and hell, and Christ's return. Don't fight over non-essentials like music style, the type of room, or the Bible version. 9. What happens when churches fight constantly? They lose credibility to speak into a divided world, because outsiders see no difference between the church and everyone else. Hashtags #Ephesians #Ephesians2 #BibleStudy #Sermon #ChristianSermon #SundaySermon #BookOfEphesians #SermonSeries #Chosen #ChosenSeries #SavedByGrace #GraceAlone #Grace #MadeAlive #DeadInSin #ButGod #Salvation #GiftOfSalvation #GoodWorks #FaithAndWorks #ChurchUnity #UnityInChrist #BreakingDownWalls #NoPrejudice #TheCross #Communion #LordsSupper #Forgiveness #Mercy #FreedomInChrist #HolySpirit #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Gospel #Faith #Jesus #Christian #Church #Pastor #God #Bible #Hope #Encouragement #OtterbeinChurch

September 27, 2026 - Worship Service

September 27, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "You Are Chosen," part 1 in the CHOSEN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. This message launches a new series called Chosen, a walk through the book of Ephesians. Paul wrote the letter from house arrest in Rome to a church he loved and had lived among for about three years. Unlike many of his letters, it doesn't correct a heresy or fix a problem. It reminds believers who God is, how God views them, and how that should shape their lives and relationships. Pastor Mike focuses on Ephesians 1 and draws out four truths about what God has done for believers: God chose us before we could ever choose him (vv. 1-6). Before the world began, God loved and chose believers to be holy and adopted them into his family, knowing they would be imperfect. Pastor Mike briefly addresses the Calvinist and Arminian debate over election and free will, concludes that both God's choosing and our response of belief, confession, and surrender can be true together, and warns against living in shame as though God sees only a disappointment. Jesus purchased our freedom with his blood (vv. 7-10). God did not simply excuse or overlook sin. He paid for it at the cross, so believers don't need to live in guilt and regret over their past. The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee (vv. 11-14). The Spirit indwells believers permanently, marking them as God's own and guaranteeing both his presence now and their inheritance in eternity. Pastor Mike compares the Spirit to an engagement ring. We have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (vv. 15-23). The Christian life is not about willpower. Believers are called to stop living in their own strength and live in the Spirit's power. He closes by asking whether the congregation truly lives as though these truths are real, reminding them that the message is about how great God is rather than how great we are. Questions Pastor Mike Asked and How He Answered 1. If God chose me before I was born, does it matter how I respond? Do I have any responsibility? Yes. Scripture, including Romans 10, shows that we must believe, confess, and call on the Lord. He holds that both God's choosing and our choice are true at the same time. 2. Does God choose some people to be Christians and others not to be? He acknowledges this is uncomfortable and has been debated for centuries by faithful theologians. He outlines the Calvinist view (God predestines) and the Arminian view (free will decides), then says he doesn't think the debate needs to be settled for believers to trust what Ephesians says. He leans toward holding both truths together. 3. Which theological camp is right? He doesn't pick a side. People far more learned than he is have not agreed, and he believes getting hung up on the intricacies can distract from what matters. 4. When God looks at you, does he see one big disappointment? No. God knew exactly what he was getting before you took your first breath, and he chose you anyway to be his son or daughter. 5. Why did God purchase our freedom rather than just overlook our sin? Because sin required a real remedy, not a shrug. Jesus died and shed his blood to pay the cost. He did it because God is rich in kindness and grace and loves us more than we can imagine. 6. Why did God choose to indwell believers through the Holy Spirit? It was his way of marking us and reminding us daily that the relationship is real. If God lives in you now, he will live with you for eternity. Pastor Mike compares the Spirit to an engagement ring that points ahead to the wedding. 7. Would God really want to spend eternity with someone who still fails him? Yes. The Spirit living in you today is the guarantee that God will be with you forever. 8. Does having the same power that raised Jesus mean Christians can raise the dead? No. The point is that the Christian life isn't about willpower. When we feel exhausted and overwhelmed, we should remember who lives within us and live in the Spirit's power rather than our own. 9. Are you living like you really believe this is true? He challenges the congregation to let these truths move from head to heart and to live in forgiveness and power this week. When we live like we believe it, it changes everything. #Ephesians #Ephesians1 #BibleStudy #Sermon #ChristianSermon #SundaySermon #BookOfEphesians #SermonSeries #Chosen #ChosenByGod #ChosenSeries #Election #Predestination #Adoption #GodsLove #IdentityInChrist #WhoIAmInChrist #Grace #Forgiveness #FreedomInChrist #NoMoreShame #HolySpirit #IndwellingSpirit #Resurrection #PowerOfGod #EternalLife #LiveByTheSpirit #FaithOverFear #SpiritualGrowth #Gospel #Prayer #Faith #Jesus #Christian #Church #Pastor #God #Bible #Hope #Encouragement #OtterbeinChurch

September 20, 2026 - Worship Service

September 20, 2026 • Mark Green

Pastor Mark Green shares the message, "The Wise Life Embraced," part 2 in THE WISE LIFE series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Wisdom Employed Is Life Enjoyed: Loving the Wisdom That Leads to God (Proverbs 8:17-36) Synopsis In this message, Pastor Mark finishes a study of Proverbs 8 by moving from knowing what God commands to knowing how to live those commands out. He recaps earlier points: wisdom is a gift from God and a learned skill that bridges the gap between God's commands and everyday choices. It is readily available, it straightens crooked paths, and it is proven by the friends it attracts. The second half of the chapter makes three major moves: Wisdom rewards you and the next generation (vv. 17-21). The tone shifts from seeking wisdom to loving it. Its rewards are not a health-and-wealth promise but a legacy that includes passing on wisdom itself. Mark challenges believers who are "hoarding" their spiritual wealth to give their lives away, as Paul did in 1 Thessalonians 2:8. To seek wisdom is to seek God (vv. 22-31). Wisdom is eternal because it is part of God's character. It was present at creation, when God brought order out of chaos, and it delights in humanity. Apart from God there is no wisdom, and the world takes God's wisdom and claims it as its own. Wisdom brings blessing, and the choice is life or death (vv. 32-36). "Blessed" means happy, going straight, and being envied. Whoever finds wisdom finds life, and whoever rejects it loves death. He closes with practical applications: do what brings the most glory to God and benefits the most people, and practice prayer and fasting, scripture and meditation, and active repentance and submission. Questions Pastor Mark Asked and How He Answered 1. How do we bridge the gap between God's commands and everyday life decisions? Through the gift of wisdom, which is both a gift from God and a skill we must practice and hone over time. 2. What do discipline and love look like when your teenage son climbs out his window and rings the doorbell, grinning? (humorous illustration) He admits he wasn't sure and just laughed, then sent him back upstairs. The point is that knowing the commands doesn't always tell us how to apply them in the moment. 3. What do patience and kindness look like when someone honks at you the instant the light turns green?(humorous illustration) He admits he's not sure he handled it right, which shows that we often know what to do but not how to do it. 4. How do we manage the gap between what we know to do and how to live it out? By pursuing wisdom with passion, since wisdom turns knowing into doing. 5. If wisdom brought order out of chaos in creation, can't God do the same in your life? Yes, of course he can. Pursuing wisdom is the path to bringing order into our lives. 6. How do we explain non-Christians who say and do seemingly wise things? The world is taking God's wisdom and claiming it as its own, like renting a car and telling everyone it's yours. This is the same lie Satan told in the garden: that we are the source of our own wisdom and don't need God. 7. If God is the source of wisdom, don't we need to get people to Jesus? Yes. Any discussion about wisdom should lead to a discussion about the gospel and who Jesus is. We should also practice gratitude, which ends pride and self-reliance. 8. When you're unsure what to do, what should you do? Do what will bring the most glory to God and benefit the most people. He ties this to Psalm 37:4: delighting in the Lord means God shapes your desires rather than giving you whatever you want. 9. Is a Christian "allowed" to be happy? Yes. The Hebrew word for "blessed" means happy. Its root means "to go straight," and it also carries the sense of being envied. Happiness comes from walking straight paths under God's favor. 10. What will you choose: life or death? (closing challenge) Ground your life in God, search out his commands, and bridge the gap with wisdom. Rejecting wisdom is a confession that you love death. #Proverbs8 #BibleStudy #Sermon #ChristianSermon #SundaySermon #Wisdom #WisdomOfGod #BookOfProverbs #GodlyWisdom #BiblicalWisdom #LifeEnjoyed #WisdomEmployed #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #SeekWisdom #LoveWisdom #GodlyLiving #GenerationalLegacy #SpiritualLegacy #Discipleship #Generosity #IdolatryOfWealth #LifeOrDeath #ChooseLife #StraightPaths #BlessedAreThey #PrayerAndFasting #Scripture #Meditation #Repentance #Gospel #Faith #Jesus #Christian #Church #Pastor #God #Bible #DailyWisdom #FaithOverFear

September 13, 2026 - Worship Service

September 13, 2026 • Mark Green

Pastor Mark Green shares the message, "The Wise Life Pursued," part 1 in THE WISE LIFE series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Wisdom Employed Is Life Enjoyed: Seeking Wisdom in Proverbs 8 Kicking off a two-week series on wisdom, the pastor opens with a humorous (and humbling) story about a DIY kitchen cabinet project gone wrong over a mere 1/8 of an inch — a reminder that life, and even following Jesus, can be genuinely frustrating. He points out that the Bible doesn't give us a script for every decision (who to marry, what job to take, how to raise our kids), but instead God has given us something better: wisdom. Diving into Proverbs 8:1–16, he unpacks how wisdom is available to everyone, valuable beyond material wealth, and proven by the company it keeps. Along the way, he shares practical "wisdom applied" examples — seeking out wiser people, deciding on the "straight path" in advance rather than in the heat of the moment, and choosing companions carefully — all building toward the summary phrase repeated throughout: "Wisdom employed is life enjoyed." Q&A: Questions the Pastor Raises (and How He Answers Them) Q: If the Bible doesn't give us a script for every decision in life, what has God given us instead? A: Wisdom. He describes it as a gift from God and a learned skill that bridges the gap between God's commands and the everyday decisions and actions we have to make. Q: Why is wisdom better than just getting a yes-or-no answer from God for every choice? A: Because wisdom trains us to think scripturally and grows our ability to discern skillfully between right and wrong — it forms our character rather than just handing us an answer. He suggests our prayers should focus more on "grow me in my ability to discern" than "just tell me what to do." Q: Who is wisdom actually available to, according to Proverbs 8? A: Everyone — it's not based on age, education, or status. Wisdom calls out publicly on hilltops, at city gates, and along busy streets, especially inviting the "simple" (naive and easily misled) to learn prudence, and the "fool" (morally rejecting God) to gain sense. Q: Why is wisdom described as more valuable than silver, gold, and jewels? A: Because wealth can't tell you what to do with itself — it doesn't make life's struggles (illness, relational conflict, work difficulties) go away. Wisdom, on the other hand, knows how to navigate those situations regardless of how much or little you have. Q: How can we practically apply the value of wisdom in daily life? A: Two ways he highlights: (1) seek out wiser people and ask them questions rather than offering your own opinions, and (2) decide on the "straight path" in times of peace, before conflict or temptation arrives, so you're not making critical decisions under emotional pressure (illustrated with the playground/railroad-ties analogy about boundaries). Q: How does wisdom "prove itself," according to verses 12–16? A: By who it attracts and how it serves others. Wisdom brings with it good judgment, discernment, and knowledge of God, enabling people (like the kings and rulers mentioned in the text) to make just decisions that help others — while rejecting wisdom brings companionship with pride, arrogance, and destructive speech. Q: What's one final, practical way to examine whether we're pursuing wisdom? A: Look at who you surround yourself with and who is attracted to you, referencing Proverbs 13:20 ("He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm"). Character, he notes, is never neutral. #SeekWisdom #ProverbsStudy #WisdomEmployedLifeEnjoyed #FearOfTheLord #ChooseTheStraightPath #GodlyCounsel #OtterbeinChurch #WalkWithTheWise #BiblicalWisdom #FollowJesus

September 6, 2026 - Worship Service

September 6, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "Bold When It Doesn't Make Sense," part 3 in the BOLD FAITH series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Bold Faith - The Battle of Jericho Wrapping up the Bold Faith series, Pastor Mike moves from the story of the four friends and Daniel to Joshua and the battle of Jericho. He walks through God's unusual instructions — marching silently around the city for six days, then seven times on the seventh day before shouting — and pulls out four takeaways: God's plan doesn't need to make sense to be right; bold faith obeys today even without immediate results; it's God's power, not ours, that brings the breakthrough; and bold faith follows the whole plan, not just the convenient parts (illustrated by Achan's disobedience in Joshua 7). He closes by encouraging the congregation to seek God's plan through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, godly counsel, and open/closed doors — and to trust God's timing, even when "day seven" feels far off. Q&A Q: How do we know what God's plan is for our life, especially since most of us have never heard God's audible voice like Joshua did? A: He offers four ways: (1) Scripture — God's primary way of revealing His plan, which is why regular Bible reading matters; (2) the Holy Spirit — who reminds us of what we've read, brings conviction, and sometimes speaks through a quiet "whisper" thought; (3) godly counsel — trusted believers who can affirm or challenge what we sense God is saying; and (4) circumstances — open and closed doors, with the caution that not every open door is God's will and not every closed door means we're off track. Q: What does God's plan look like when it doesn't make sense to us? A: He points back to Joshua — no weapons, no strategy, just marching and silence for six days. Joshua never argued or questioned God's odd instructions. The takeaway: God's plan doesn't have to make logical sense to us for it to be right, and bold faith means obeying anyway. Q: Why doesn't God show up right away when we're following His plan? A: He explains that we often expect God to respond dramatically and immediately, but the Israelites saw zero results for six days — it wasn't until day seven that the walls fell. His point: God is more interested in the process happening in us than in delivering an instant outcome. "It just might not be your day seven yet... but day seven's coming." Q: Who really gets the credit when the walls of Jericho fall — the people's obedience, or God? A: He's clear that it was God who caused the walls to collapse, not the noise or effort of the people. Our obedience positions us for what God wants to do, but the result itself is always God's power, not ours. "God will not share the credit with anyone else." Q: Why did the Israelites suffer a defeat right after their big victory at Jericho (Joshua 7)? A: He answers this with Achan's story — Achan disobeyed God's specific instruction not to take any of the plunder, and his hidden sin brought consequences on the entire camp. The lesson: bold faith can't be selective. Following part of God's plan while ignoring the parts we don't like isn't really obedience at all. Q: What is God asking of you right now? A: He leaves this one open-ended for the congregation to sit with, encouraging people to dig into Scripture, be still before God, and listen for the Spirit — then follow the plan fully, "even if it doesn't make a lick of sense." #BoldFaith #BattleOfJericho #TrustGodsPlan #FaithOverFear #AllInForGod #WalkByFaith #GodsTimingIsPerfect #SundaySermon #ChurchFamily #DaySevenIsComing

August 30, 2026 - Worship Service

August 30, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, "Bold When It Cost You," part 2 in the BOLD FAITH series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Bold Faith: Daniel in the Lion's Den (Week 2) Synopsis In week two of the "Bold Faith" series, Pastor Mike continues exploring stories of people who lived out radical trust in God — and saw Him respond in ways beyond what they imagined. After recapping last week's story of the four friends who lowered a paralyzed man through a roof to reach Jesus, Pastor Mike turns to the story of Daniel. He traces Daniel's story from his youth in Babylonian captivity — refusing the king's food and wine, interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream — up through Daniel's old age and the famous account of the lion's den in Daniel 6. Pastor Mike unpacks five lessons from Daniel's example: refusing to compromise, turning to God in prayer, giving God the credit, staying consistently faithful over decades, and trusting God with the outcome rather than needing to know it in advance. He closes with an honest, pastoral note: bold faith doesn't guarantee the lions' mouths will always be shut, but God is still faithful even when the outcome is hard. Questions Pastor Mike Raises — and How He Answers Them Q: Who was Daniel, and why was he in Babylon in the first place? A: After Judah repeatedly turned from God, King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and took promising young men — including Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — to be indoctrinated into Babylonian culture. Q: How did Daniel first show bold faith as a young man? A: When ordered to eat the king's food and wine (which violated his convictions), Daniel proposed a 10-day test eating only vegetables and water. At the end, he and his friends were healthier than the others, and God honored his stand. Q: How did Daniel handle Nebuchadnezzar's dream crisis in chapter 2? A: Rather than panicking like the other wise men (who faced execution for failing to interpret the king's dream), Daniel prayed, God revealed the dream and its meaning to him, and Daniel made sure to give God — not himself — the credit. Q: What happened in the lion's den story (Daniel 6)? A: Jealous officials tricked King Darius into signing a law banning prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel kept praying openly anyway, was thrown to the lions, and survived unharmed because, as Daniel says, God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths. Q: What can we learn from Daniel never compromising? A: Pastor Mike says the lesson is that bold faith means doing what's right even under pressure and even without knowing the consequences — something he ties directly to modern pressures on Christians to soften their convictions. Q: Why did Daniel turn to prayer instead of panic? A: Prayer was a lifelong discipline for Daniel, not a last resort. Pastor Mike argues this is why Daniel could face the lions with visible calm — citing Philippians 4 on prayer replacing worry with peace. Q: Why did Daniel always give God the credit for his success? A: Pastor Mike says Daniel never took personal credit for interpreting dreams or surviving trials, and warns that failing to acknowledge God's role in our abilities and successes can cause us to lose out on His best in our lives. Q: How did Daniel sustain this kind of faith for 70 years? A: Pastor Mike explains that Daniel's boldness in the lion's den wasn't a one-time miracle of courage — it was built from a lifetime of small, consistent acts of faithfulness that compounded into deep trust. Q: Did Daniel know he would survive the lions? A: No — Pastor Mike stresses Daniel had no guarantee of the outcome; his faith wasn't contingent on knowing what would happen, but on trusting God regardless. Q: What about when God doesn't "shut the lions' mouths"? A: Pastor Mike closes with an honest caveat, referencing Hebrews 11's account of the faithful who were tortured, imprisoned, or killed and never saw the promise fulfilled in this life. He affirms that faithfulness is never wasted — God notices and will reward it, even if not in this lifetime. #BoldFaith #DanielAndTheLionsDen #BookOfDaniel #BibleStudy #FaithUnderPressure #TrustInGod #ChristianSermon #PrayerLife #OldTestament #GiveGodTheCredit #FaithfulnessInSmallThings #Hebrews11 #SundaySermon #ChristianLiving #StandFirmInFaith #FearNot #GodIsFaithful #BiblicalCourage #ChristianEncouragement #FaithOverFear

August 23, 2026 - Worship at the Park

August 23, 2026 • Mike Newman

What a beautiful day to Worship at the Park! We enjoyed great weather, but please understand the outdoor environment has affected our sound quality. We have cleaned it up to the best of our ability. Senior Pastor Mike Newman shared the message "Unashamed Boldness," the first message in the BOLD FAITH message series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team led worship. And eleven individuals went public with their faith through water baptism. What an amazing day of worship! Bold Faith | Mark 2 – The Paralyzed Man and His Four Friends Kicking off a new series called "Bold Faith," the Pastor Mike unpacks Mark chapter 2 — the story of four friends who carried a paralyzed man to Jesus and, when blocked by the crowd, tore open a roof to lower him down. From this bold act of friendship, the message explores why so many believers hesitate to speak up about their faith, and what it looks like to live with unashamed boldness for the sake of the people God has placed in our lives. The message closes with the church's baptism celebration, showing this same "bold faith" lived out in real testimonies. Questions Raised & Answered: Why do so many Christians struggle to be bold about their faith? Often it's not doubt but fear — fear of what others will think, of being seen as pushy, or damaging a relationship. What did the four friends do when they couldn't get through the crowd? Rather than giving up or waiting for a better day, they climbed onto the roof, dug through it, and lowered their friend directly in front of Jesus. Whose faith did Jesus respond to — the paralyzed man's or his friends'? Scripture says Jesus responded seeing their (the four friends') faith — showing that our faith can impact someone else's life and outcome, not just our own. Who has God placed in your life who needs an encounter with Jesus? A challenge to identify a specific person — family member, coworker, neighbor, or friend — and consider what's stopped you from reaching out to them. What obstacles keep people from acting boldly? Fear of rejection, worry about damaging relationships, and everyday busyness that pushes the opportunity to "tomorrow." Does it matter how the other person responds? No — the emphasis isn't on guaranteed results, but on faithfully doing our part and trusting God with the outcome. Did the four men need to be experts in theology to make a difference? No — they were ordinary people with incomplete understanding of who Jesus was, yet their willingness to act was what mattered. What was the ripple effect of their boldness? Beyond the paralyzed man's healing and forgiveness, everyone in the house witnessed it and praised God — showing how one bold act can impact far more people than intended. #BoldFaith #MarkChapter2 #ParalyzedMan #SundayMessage #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon #FaithInAction #UnashamedFaith #Baptism #ChurchMessage #NewSeries

August 16, 2026 - Worship Service

August 16, 2026 • Adam Sewell

Pastor Adam Sewell shares the message "Good Plans," during our SUMMER AT OTTERBEIN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Good Plans | John 4 – The Woman at the Well In this message, Pastor Adam walks through John 4 and the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, showing how one ordinary encounter reveals the extraordinary plans God has for our lives. Before diving into scripture, Pastor Adam shares recent church stories — from feeding teachers at local schools, to a powerful "full-circle" moment on a mission trip in Honduras, to a rebuild project in Boone, NC. He then unpacks three truths from John 4: Jesus meets you where you are, Jesus changes who you are, and Jesus gives you purpose beyond yourself. Questions Raised & Answered: Why did Jesus have to go through Samaria? Culturally, Jews avoided Samaria entirely. Pastor Adam explains Jesus went intentionally — He wasn't just passing through, He was pursuing this woman specifically. Why did Jews and Samaritans hate each other? Traced back to 722 BC, when Assyrians exiled the Jews and repopulated the region, leading to intermarriage and a centuries-long religious and cultural divide. "Why are you asking me for a drink?" Jesus disregards the cultural, gender, and religious barriers between them — showing that He meets people right where they are, without requiring them to "clean up" first. What is the "living water" Jesus offers? Unlike well water, it satisfies permanently — it's the new, transformed life found only in Him. Does Jesus overlook her past (five husbands, current relationship)? No — He names it honestly, but without shame, holding both truth and love together. Where should people worship — Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim? Neither location matters as much as worshiping "in spirit and truth." Is Jesus really the Messiah? He answers her directly: "I am the Messiah." What is the "food" Jesus says the disciples don't know about? Doing the will of God — a purpose that sustains and satisfies beyond physical needs. The message closes with a clip from The Chosen depicting this encounter, and a reminder that God still meets people, still transforms hearts, and still has good plans for every life. #GoodPlans #JohnChapter4 #WomanAtTheWell #SundayMessage #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon #FaithJourney #LivingWater #GodsPlan #ChurchMessage #Otterbein #PastorAdam #TheChosen

August 9, 2026 - Worship Service

August 9, 2026 • Xavier Schell

Pastor Xavier Schell shares the message "The Presence in the Quiet," during our SUMMER AT OTTERBEIN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. The Presence in the Quiet | Elijah's Journey with God | Pastor Xavier After calling down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah collapses into fear, exhaustion, and despair — fleeing into the wilderness and asking God to let him die. In this message, Pastor Xavier walks through 1 Kings 19 to explore how God meets Elijah not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a gentle whisper. We'll look at what it means to encounter God in the quiet — not to get everything we want, but to hear what we truly need. Along the way, we'll see how God cares for us before He calls us, speaks truth into our lowest moments, and equips us to keep moving forward, even when we're not fully "fixed." Whatever you're carrying this week, this message is a reminder: you're never as alone or as finished as you feel. In this message, we ask: What do we do when we've obeyed God and things still fall apart? Elijah just witnessed a miracle on Mount Carmel — and days later he's running for his life, praying to die. Pastor Xavier unpacks why victory doesn't always protect us from a crash. Why does God respond to Elijah's exhaustion with food and rest instead of a lecture? Before God teaches Elijah anything, He cares for him. We explore what it means that God meets our limits with compassion, not correction. Why does God ask Elijah "What are you doing here?" when He already knows the answer? It's not about information — it's relational. Xavier explains how God invites us to bring Him our hearts, not just our circumstances. Why does God speak in a whisper instead of the wind, earthquake, or fire? This is the heart of the message. God shows Elijah — and us — that He's not just the God of the loud and spectacular, but the God who is close and personal. Does meeting God in the quiet fix everything? Not right away. Elijah leaves the cave still an emotional wreck — but equipped with new purpose, a successor, and 7,000 people who never bowed to Baal. We look at what it means to be sent back out, unfinished but not alone. Where's your cave? A challenge to identify the place in your own life where you can slow down, unplug, and meet with God. Scripture: 1 Kings 19 #ThePresenceInTheQuiet #Elijah #1Kings19 #SundaySermon #FaithJourney #ChristianMessage #GodSpeaks #QuietTime #BibleTeaching #PastorXavier #ChristianYouTube #Sermon

August 2, 2026 - Worship Service

August 2, 2026 • John Hoffman

Pastor John Hoffman shares the message "The Wonder of It All" during our SUMMER AT OTTERBEIN series. Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Drawing inspiration from George Beverly Shea's hymn "The Wonder of It All," Pastor John reflects on a simple but staggering truth: God knows us, loves us, and Jesus is praying for us right now. Walking through John 17, he reminds the church that this world is not our home — and challenges believers not to get too settled into a life of busyness, noise, and accumulation when eternity is waiting. Using Peter's story of failure, denial, and restoration, Pastor John shows that failure is never final with the Father, and that God isn't finished with any of us yet. SYNOPSIS: This message centers on the wonder that Jesus personally prays for His followers (John 17:20) and that God knows and loves us intimately despite our sin. Pastor John challenges believers to stop filling their lives with constant motion, noise, and stuff, and instead rest in the reality that heaven — not this world — is our true home. He then walks through the life of Peter, showing how someone who boldly confessed Jesus as Messiah could also deny Him three times, yet still be restored and used mightily by God. The takeaway: don't let past failure keep you down, and let your life reflect Jesus to those around you. Questions Raised & How Pastor John Answers Them: What does it mean that Jesus is "praying for us"? Pastor John points to John 17:20, where Jesus prays not only for His disciples but for all who would ever believe through their message — meaning every believer today is included in that prayer. Why do we stay so busy and cluttered instead of resting in God? He points to our culture's addiction to activity, noise, and accumulation (storage units, unused clothes, constant news) as evidence we've forgotten this world isn't our permanent home. What do we actually need vs. what do we want? Citing 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Ephesians 1, Pastor John distinguishes between God generously providing our needs and the excess we often chase, noting most Americans already have more than enough. What happens when we fail God? Using Peter's denial of Christ (Mark 8, John 21) as the central example, Pastor John shows that failure isn't final — Peter denied Jesus three times yet was restored and told to "feed my sheep." How should we respond after failure or sin? Through genuine repentance and confession (1 John 1), not staying stuck in guilt or letting Satan use past sins to condemn us — get back up and keep serving Christ. Do people see Jesus in me? Pastor John challenges listeners to examine whether their daily conduct — even things like temper or attitude — actually reflect Christ to the people around them. Bottom line: Jesus loves you, He's praying for you, and He's not finished with you yet. Don't quit. #TheWonderOfItAll #John17 #SundaySermon #ChristianLiving #JesusPraysForUs #FaithOverFear #PeterRestored #BiblicalPreaching #SermonNotes #ChristianCommunity #GraceAndRedemption #FaithJourney #HeavenIsHome #GospelMessage #ChurchFamily

July 26, 2026 - Worship Service

July 26, 2026 • Adam Sewell

Pastor Adam Sewell shares the message "Marks of a Missionary" during our SUMMER AT OTTERBEIN series. Adam Sewell and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Marks of a Missionary | Romans 12 We're halfway through 2026, Pastor Adam takes a few minutes to recap everything God has been doing through Otterbein this year — local outreach at New Hope shelter, the Good Friday food giveaway, a church plant partnership in Calvin, PA, trips to Honduras, Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh, and support for church planters in Ukraine and Indonesia. Then he moves into Romans 12, unpacking what it really means to live as a missionary — not overseas, but right where you are. Synopsis: You don't have to move to Indonesia to be a missionary — you already are one, wherever God has placed you. Using Romans 12, Pastor Adam breaks down three marks of a Christ follower: authentic love, a compassionate heart, and unified action. He challenges the church to love without hypocrisy, to value others the way God values them, to endure hardship with patience and prayer, and to live in harmony — even when it's hard — because in the end, it's not about us. It's about Jesus. Questions Raised & How Pastor Adam Answers Them: What does it mean to "let love be genuine"? He points to 1 Corinthians 13 — patient, kind, not envious or rude, not self-seeking. Genuine love grows the closer we walk with Jesus. How do we show people they matter? Small, active things — a text, a call, a moment of honor — remind people of their value, especially when we don't know what they're carrying. How do we stay grounded through hardship? By rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and staying constant in prayer — leaning on Jesus rather than trying to endure alone. Why do we need community instead of going it alone? Because the Christian life was never meant to be isolated — we're called to contribute to others' needs, show hospitality, and be present with people in both joy and grief. How do we live in harmony without being identical? Like a guitar chord made of different notes, unity doesn't mean sameness. Living in harmony takes humility, hard conversations, and choosing grace over pride. What does it look like to be "unified in action"? Letting go of the need to be right, picking battles wisely, and remembering it's not about us — it's about pointing to Jesus. Bottom line: Love God. Love people. Do something about it. #MarksOfAMissionary https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/romans12 https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sundaysermon https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianliving https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinaction https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/churchmission https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lovegodlovepeople https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bibleteaching https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sermonnotes https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christiancommunity https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/discipleship https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/gospellife https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/churchfamily https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/missions https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithjourney

July 19, 2026 - Worship Service

July 19, 2026 • Mike Newman

Senior Pastor Mike Newman shares the message "God's Surprising Choice." Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. God's Surprising Choice — Rahab Synopsis: Pastor Mike takes us back to the book of Joshua to tell the story of Rahab — a prostitute in Jericho who hid two Israelite spies and, in doing so, saved her own life and the lives of her entire family. Though she seemed like the least likely person to play a role in God's plan, Rahab's story becomes one of the Bible's clearest examples of how God works through unexpected people. From there, Pastor Mike traces her legacy all the way to the genealogy of Jesus, showing that a small act of faith can ripple through generations in ways we could never predict. Questions Raised & How Pastor Mike Answers Them: Why would God use someone like Rahab? Pastor Mike points out that we're often quick to write people off based on appearance, lifestyle, or reputation — but scripture shows God repeatedly choosing "unlikely" people (David, Zacchaeus, Rahab) because He looks at the heart, not outward status. Does my past disqualify me from being used by God? No. Mike is direct about this — Rahab's past was genuinely sinful, not a minor issue, yet it didn't stop God from redeeming her story. He warns that believing your past disqualifies you from significance in God's plan is "believing a lie." Do I need deep, mature faith for God to use me? Not according to Rahab's example. Her faith was new and untrained — what mattered was that she acted on what little she knew. Mike contrasts this with modern ideas that equate faith with emotional expression or biblical knowledge, arguing that faith is proven through action, not sentiment. How do I know if my faith is real? Pastor Mike points to James 2 — faith without action is dead. He challenges listeners to examine whether their daily choices (how they treat others, forgive, trust God) reflect the faith they claim to have. Call to Action: Don't write off the people in your life — or yourself. If God can use Rahab, He can use you, regardless of your past or how "ready" your faith feels. The invitation is simple: believe in Jesus, confess and repent, and surrender your life to Him — then let your faith show up in how you live. Hashtags: #Rahab #BookOfJoshua #GodsSurprisingChoice #FaithInAction #BibleStudy #SundaySermon #SecondChances #NeverWrittenOff #FaithNotFeelings #ChristianFaith #GraceStory #JesusLineage #SermonSeries #ChurchOnline #PastorMike

July 12, 2026 - Worship Service

July 12, 2026 • Mike Newman

Passing the Baton - "In This House" series | Part 7- Series Finale Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. In this final message of the "In This House" series, Pastor Mike closes out weeks of conversation on parenting, marriage, and family with a message about legacy — passing the baton of faith to the next generation. Using the imagery of a relay race, he challenges listeners of every age to think intentionally about how they influence their children, grandchildren, and the generations that follow, while also addressing the tension between staying involved in adult children's lives and learning to let go. QUESTIONS RAISED & HOW PASTOR MIKE ANSWERS THEM: Does God actually expect us to pass on a spiritual legacy? Yes — Pastor Mike points to Psalm 78 and Psalm 145, showing that Scripture describes an unbroken expectation: each generation is meant to tell the next about God's faithfulness, and dropping that "baton" creates gaps that hurt future generations. Does retirement mean I'm off the hook for influencing others? No. Drawing on Psalm 71:18 (likely written by an aging King David) and Titus 2, Pastor Mike argues that while God is fine with retiring from work, he never calls us to retire from responsibility — especially the responsibility to keep influencing younger generations. How should my role change once my kids are grown and married? Referencing Genesis 2:24, Pastor Mike explains that marriage creates a new household with a new authority structure — parents are called to shift from being an authority over their children to being an influence alongside them, releasing rather than controlling. What happens when parents can't let go of adult children? Using the story of Laban and Jacob (Genesis 31) and Isaac and Rebekah's favoritism (Genesis 27), he shows how control, pressure, and manipulation — even when well-intentioned — tend to fracture families rather than strengthen them. How do adult children lovingly address parents or in-laws who are overstepping? Pastor Mike advises having an honest conversation (with spouses aligned beforehand), letting the "bloodline" relative do the talking, and expecting the conversation to feel uncomfortable at first — but often leading to a stronger relationship over time, as he illustrates with a personal story about his mother-in-law. Practically, how can older generations stay meaningfully connected without smothering? He offers several concrete habits: use teachable moments instead of lecturing, balance correction with encouragement, ask questions instead of giving answers, wait to be invited rather than inserting yourself, and be a "safe place" where grandkids and adult children can be themselves. What do we do about the things we can't control in our children's or grandchildren's lives? Rather than trying to force outcomes, Pastor Mike calls listeners to trust God in prayer — echoing Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," as a model for the kind of legacy-minded faith to pass on. The message closes with the congregation singing "As for Me and My Home" as a personal commitment to this legacy. #InThisHouse #PassingTheBaton #ChristianParenting #FaithLegacy #FamilyDevotional #SundaySermon #BibleTeaching #ChristianFamily #AdultChildren #GrandparentingWithPurpose #EmptyNesters #FaithAndFamily #ChristianLiving #GodlyLegacy #AsForMeAndMyHouse #ChurchMessage #PastorMike #ParentingAdultChildren #FaithBasedLiving #FamilyDiscipleship

July 5, 2026 - Outdoor Worship Service

July 5, 2026 • Mike Newman

Worship at the Park | Outdoor Worship Service- July 5, 2026 Pastor Mike Newman shares the message, Freedom.

June 28, 2026 - Worship Service

June 28, 2026 • Mike Newman

When Families Break - "In This House" series | Part 6 Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. When Families Feel Broken | In This House Series | Pastor Mike Newman Every family faces seasons of struggle — moments when home doesn't feel like the peaceful place we hoped it would be. In this message, Pastor Mike Newman tackles one of the most relatable and difficult topics in the "In This House" series: what do we do when families break? Drawing from Romans 12, Matthew 6, Matthew 7, and the words of Jesus, Pastor Mike walks through 8 practical, biblical principles to help bring healing and restoration to hurting homes. QUESTIONS PASTOR MIKE ADDRESSES: 1. Do I have to practice biblical love even when I'm being treated unfairly? Yes — biblical love is not optional based on how others treat us. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies, and responding in kind to hurtful behavior only adds fuel to the dysfunction. 2. Does forgiving someone mean pretending it never happened? No. Forgiveness is a choice and an action, but it doesn't always mean the removal of consequences. Rebuilding trust takes time, and holding someone accountable is not the same as withholding forgiveness. 3. Is it okay to retaliate when someone wrongs us in our family? Scripture is clear — revenge belongs to God, not us. Pastor Mike challenges us to resist the natural urge to retaliate and instead trust God with the outcome. 4. What if I'm not the one causing the problem? Before pointing out anyone else's faults, we are called to examine our own hearts first. Our response to someone else's sin can either help begin restoration — or make things significantly worse. 5. How do I confront a family member who is making destructive choices? Speak the truth gently and lovingly — and then let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. Constantly repeating corrections often destroys relationships and removes your future influence entirely. 6. Should I be praying about this? Absolutely. Pastor Mike encourages praying for wisdom, personal strength, and specifically that God gives your loved one a distaste for their own sin — and warns against bailing them out of the consequences that come. 7. When should I seek outside help? While not every problem requires a counselor, there are seasons where a third, objective voice is invaluable — especially in marriages. You don't have to wait for the other person to be willing before seeking help yourself. 8. What do I do when it all feels too heavy to carry? Run to God. Jesus invites the weary and burdened to find rest in Him. You were never meant to fix everything on your own. The phrase Pastor Mike returns to: "I can't — but God can." Whether your family is in crisis or just feeling the strain of everyday life, this message offers honest, grace-filled, and deeply practical guidance rooted in Scripture. #ChristianSermon #FamilyHealing #BrokenFamily #BiblicalCounseling #ForgivenessBible #MarriageAndFamily #ChurchSermon #FaithAndFamily #ParentingAdvice #BiblicalLove #HealingRelationships #InThisHouseSeries #PastorMikeNewman #Romans12 #ChristianLiving #SundaySermon #ChurchOnline #FamilyRestoration #ScriptureBasedLiving #HopeForFamilies

June 21, 2026 - Worship Service

June 21, 2026 • Mike Newman

Better Marriages — "In This House" series | Part 5 Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. What Makes a Marriage Last? 5 Biblical Principles for a Strong Marriage In this message from our In This House series, Pastor Mike dives into what the Bible actually says about marriage — cutting through cultural noise and getting back to the core principles that make marriages not just survive, but truly thrive. Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, this message has something for you. SYNOPSIS Pastor Mike opens by acknowledging how much the cultural attitude toward marriage has shifted over the past few decades — with divorce more accepted, cohabitation normalized, and marriage itself redefined. But rather than accepting that drift, he asks the question: does God's original design for marriage still work? His answer is a clear yes — and he walks through five foundational biblical principles to prove it. QUESTIONS RAISED — and ANSWERED 1. Is marriage just a promise between two people? No. Pastor Mike explains that marriage is a covenant — a binding vow made not only to a spouse, but to God himself. Drawing from Malachi 2, he shows that God takes those vows seriously and holds us accountable to them. The takeaway: entering marriage with an exit strategy undermines the entire foundation. 2. What do you do when the feelings of love fade? This is one of the most practical questions of the message. The pastor's answer: act in loving ways even when the feelings aren't there. Using 1 Corinthians 13 and Jesus' command to love even our enemies, he argues that love is first and foremost an action — and that feelings of love tend to follow those actions, not precede them. 3. How do you handle it when your spouse keeps messing up? Forgiveness is addressed head-on. Pastor Mike distinguishes between overlooking minor offenses (which love naturally does) and the more intentional act of forgiveness for serious wrongs. The key insight: we forgive not because the other person deserves it, but because God has forgiven us. And biblically, forgiveness isn't a feeling — it's a choice not to retaliate, not to gossip, and not to bring it up again. 4. What does the Bible say about roles in marriage? Drawing from Ephesians 5, Pastor Mike tackles one of the most misunderstood passages in Scripture. He clarifies that wives submitting to husbands is not about hierarchy or control — it's about mutual self-giving modeled after Christ and the church. Husbands are called to lead by sacrificial love, not by dominance. When both spouses fulfill their role, the marriage functions the way God designed it. 5. What if we've just drifted apart over the years? The "slow fade" is real — careers, kids, exhaustion, and routine can quietly erode a marriage without either spouse even noticing. Using Jesus' words to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, the pastor outlines three steps to reverse the fade: acknowledge how far you've drifted, refocus your attention on your spouse, and start doing the things that built your love in the first place. BOTTOM LINE A great marriage isn't built on flowers and gestures — it's built on covenant commitment, consistent loving actions, real forgiveness, clearly understood roles, and the intentional effort to keep pursuing one another. And underneath all of it: your relationship with God matters more than you might think. Next week: When Families Break — a grace-filled message on divorce, remarriage, and adult children making hard choices. Invite someone who needs to hear it. #Marriage #ChristianMarriage #BiblicalMarriage #MarriageAdvice #MarriageTips #HealthyMarriage #ChurchSermon #ChristianRelationships #FaithAndFamily #BiblicalRelationships #Ephesians5 #CovenantMarriage #MarriageGoals #FamilySermon #ChristianFaith #Forgiveness #LoveAndMarriage #InThisHouse #SundaySermon #PastorMike #ChurchOnline #RelationshipAdvice #GodAndMarriage #MarriedLife #FaithBasedMarriage #MarriageHelp #ChristianLiving #FamilyFirst #SermonNotes #BiblicalPrinciples

June 14, 2026 - Worship Service

June 14, 2026 • Mike Newman

All About Sex — "In This House" series | Part 4 Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. What Does the Bible Really Say About Sex? In week four of our In This House series, Pastor Mike tackles one of the most relevant — and often avoided — topics in the church: what God actually says about sex. This isn't a lecture full of "don'ts." It's a biblically grounded, honest conversation about God's real design for sexual intimacy and why it matters for your marriage, your kids, and your walk with God. SYNOPSIS Pastor Mike opens by acknowledging that we live in a hyper-sexualized culture — one where children are being exposed to sexual content earlier than ever, and where the church has too often gone silent on the subject. His conviction: when the church backs away from this topic, it cedes the conversation to voices that distort God's design. Drawing from Genesis, Proverbs, Song of Songs, and multiple New Testament letters, he walks through four key biblical truths about sex — what it is, what it's for, what falls outside God's design, and why the consequences of sexual sin are uniquely serious. QUESTIONS RAISED — and ANSWERED 1. Is God against sex? Not at all. Pastor Mike begins here intentionally, pushing back against the idea that Christianity is anti-sex. God created sex — he designed the human body for both procreation and pleasure. Scripture from Proverbs 5, Song of Songs, and 1 Corinthians 7 all affirm that God wants married couples to enjoy a healthy, fulfilling sex life. The problem isn't sex. It's sex outside of God's design. 2. Is sex just about physical pleasure? This is where the message gets deeper. Pastor Mike argues that reducing sex to recreation — like "going out for a good meal" — misses God's primary purpose entirely. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6 and the science of oxytocin (the "attachment hormone"), he makes the case that sex was designed to bond two people together at a deep level. That's why "casual sex is never just casual." For married couples, he offers a practical reframe: stop thinking about what you get out of sex and start focusing on what you give your spouse. That shift, he says, is the key to a genuinely great sex life. 3. What does the Bible define as sexual sin? The pastor doesn't soften this section. Pulling from 1 Corinthians 6, Romans 13, Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, and 1 Thessalonians 4, he walks through what Scripture clearly identifies as sexual immorality — including adultery, sex before marriage, pornography, lustful thinking, and homosexuality. He also directly addresses the common misconception among young people that oral sex "doesn't count," calling it a semantic workaround that doesn't hold up biblically. 4. Why does sexual sin carry uniquely serious consequences? Pastor Mike argues that while all sin matters, sexual sin is distinct because of the "oneness factor" — the deep bonding that sex creates means that misusing it causes uniquely deep damage. He backs this with data: STD statistics from the CDC, research linking teen sexual activity to higher rates of depression and suicide, and a Common Sense Media study showing 73% of teens ages 13–17 have already seen pornography online — with 80% of them using it as their primary source of sex education. He addresses pornography at length, calling it a root cause of sexual deviance, trust breakdown in marriages, and a dangerous teacher that trains people to believe sex is purely self-focused. BOTTOM LINE God designed sex to be good — deeply pleasurable, profoundly bonding, and reserved for marriage between a husband and wife. When we follow his design, sex strengthens a marriage. When we step outside it, the consequences are real and serious. But for those carrying guilt over past sexual sin, the message is clear: God's grace covers this too. Confess it, receive forgiveness, and move forward. Practical challenges from this message: Parents: have the sex talk with your kids early — before pornography does it for you Couples living together: stop delaying marriage and start building on God's foundation Anyone struggling with pornography: get accountability, seek help, and don't face it alone Part of the In This House series on family, marriage, and parenting. #BiblicalSex #WhatTheBibleSaysAboutSex #ChristianMarriage #SexAndFaith #PornographyAndFaith #ChristianRelationships #SexBeforeMarriage #BiblicalIntimacy #MarriageAndSex #ChurchSermon #InThisHouse #SundaySermon #PastorMike #ChristianLiving #FaithAndFamily #SexualPurity #BiblicalPurity #ChristianParenting #TalkToYourKids #HealthyMarriage #MarriageAdvice #FaithBasedRelationships #Pornography #SexualSin #GodAndSex #Forgiveness #ChurchOnline #SermonNotes #BiblicalPrinciples #RelationshipAdvice

June 7, 2026 - Worship Service

June 7, 2026 • Mike Newman

Parenting Danger Zone — "In This House" series | Part 3 Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. What Every Parent Needs to Know Right Now — Screen Time, Sexting, Sextortion & AI | This isn't a typical sermon — and it might be the most important message for parents and grandparents you'll watch all year. Pastor Mike is joined by children's ministry director Amanda Myers, Pastor Dwight, and Pastor Xavier for an eye-opening, honest conversation about what kids and teenagers are actually being exposed to today. From screen time and pornography to AI companionship and sextortion, this message is designed to equip you with what you need to know — and what you need to do. QUESTIONS THIS MESSAGE INTRODUCES: How much screen time is too much — and what is it actually doing to our kids? How are kids being exposed to pornography even on school-issued devices? What is sextortion and could it happen to my child? Is AI really a danger to teenagers, or is that an overreaction? What practical steps can parents and grandparents take right now? ANSWERS & KEY TAKEAWAYS: Screen time is a much bigger problem than most parents realize. Kids ages 11–14 average 9 hours of screen time per day — roughly the same as a full-time job. It is directly impacting children's emotional, mental, and spiritual health, rewiring how young brains process social interaction and contributing to rising anxiety when devices are taken away. Pornography exposure is happening earlier than you think. The average age of first exposure is 12 years old. 54% of teens have seen it by age 13, and shockingly, 44% first accessed it on a school-issued device. This is not a "someday" problem — it is happening now. Sextortion is real and it's targeting kids as young as 7. Predators use AI-generated images and social engineering to blackmail children into sending money or gift cards. Amanda shares a firsthand account of this happening to her own son at age 15 — and what they did right. If it ever happens to your child, never pass on images, block the number, and report it immediately to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. AI companionship is quietly replacing human relationships for many teens. 72% of teens have used an AI companion, and about 50% engage with AI regularly for advice, friendship, and emotional support. These tools learn personal details, rarely challenge harmful thinking, and are increasingly designed to feel like genuine relationships — making it harder for teens to navigate the messiness of real human connection. 9 practical steps for parents and grandparents: Know every app on your child's device — approve them yourself Charge devices outside the bedroom at night Have the "if this ever happens to you" conversation before something does Talk to your kids about what was discussed today — ask questions, not just rules Use parental controls without apology Model healthy screen habits yourself Grandparents and parents must be on the same page Don't let shame keep you from seeking help — almost every family is dealing with something Pray hard and consistently for your kids' protection and wisdom Scripture Referenced: 1 Chronicles 12:32 • James 1:5 Resources Mentioned: Live Like Levi Foundation: http://livelikelevi.org National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: http://missingkids.org #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #ScreenTime #Sextortion #OnlineSafety #ChildrensMinistry #InThisHouse #ChristianParenting #DigitalParenting #AIAndTeens #TeenMentalHealth #ProtectYourKids #SextingAwareness #CyberBullying #OnlineDangers #ParentingHelp #GrandparentingToday #FaithAndFamily #ChurchOnline #SundaySermon #LiveLikeLevi

May 31, 2026 - Worship Service

May 31, 2026 • Mike Newman

Growing Great Kids — "In This House" series | Part 2 Rachel Weaver and the Otterbein Worship Team lead worship. Parenting is one of the most important — and most challenging — callings you'll ever have. In this message, Senior Pastor Mike Newman continues the "In This House" series with a powerful look at what God's Word actually says about raising children who grow up to become the people God created them to be. Whether you're a new parent, a grandparent, or someone who simply wants to be equipped to encourage the families around you, this message is packed with practical, biblical wisdom you can start using today. ANSWERS & KEY TAKEAWAYS: Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127), not an inconvenience — and how you see them will shape how you treat them, and how you treat them will shape who they become. Parents are called to be the primary teachers and influencers in their children's lives — not coaches, teachers, or the church alone. God gives that responsibility directly to you (Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 6:4). Think process, not event. Raising great kids is an 18-year journey of consistent, age-appropriate teaching — not a single conversation. Discipline is essential and biblical. It's not about punishment for its own sake — it's about shaping character and teaching that choices have consequences (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 19:18, Hebrews 12). More is caught than taught. Be the person you want your children to become. Pray without ceasing. You're not always with your kids — but God always is. Pray hard, do your part, and trust God with the rest. Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 1–2 • Matthew 19 • Matthew 22 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • James 1:22-25 • Joshua 24:14-15 #InThisHouse #ChristianFamily #BiblicalMarriage #FaithAndFamily #AsForMeAndMyHouse #Joshua2415 #SermonSeries #ChurchOnline #FamilyFirst #GodDesignedMarriage #ChristianHome #SundaySermon #MarriageGoals #FaithAtHome #ChristianLiving #LoveGodLovePeople #BiblicalFoundation #FamilyChallenges #JesuFirst #HomeLife