Hark - Christmas Series
Shepherds (Christmas Eve)
December 24, 2021 • Connor Kraus • Luke
Connor Kraus concludes our HARK Christmas series with a Christmas Eve message about a silent night about 2000 years ago when an angel appeared to some shepherds and shared news that would change them and would the world – including us. The gift of Jesus is for everyone. We just have to open it to receive it. And our lives won't look the same after we accept that gift of salvation through Christ.
Joseph
December 19, 2021 • Connor Kraus • Luke
Connor Kraus continues our Christmas series with a look at the many encounters Joseph had with angels – more than anyone else in the Bible! An angel gave him the news that his betrothed would give birth to the son of God. An angel warned Joseph to escape to Egypt to protect Mary her baby. An angel directed Joseph to return to Israel so Jesus could live out God's plan for him. Joseph showed grace, mercy, obedience, and faithfulness at every turn. He led his family in a way that was honoring to the Lord. It wasn't easy, it wasn't comfortable. But it's what God asks of us.
Mary
December 12, 2021 • Connor Kraus • Luke
As Connor Kraus continues our "Hark" Christmas series with Luke 1:26-38. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would give birth to God's son and name him Jesus. It's a piece of Scripture that has led to divergent opinions about Mary's role in history and how we should consider her as the mother of Jesus. Connor spars with some of these beliefs, pointing to the Bible at every turn. But the most important takeaway might be that Mary's response, "Behold I am the servant of the Lord," should always be our response to God. It's a worshipful act of submission, and it's the whole purpose of our lives. We may not worship Mary as some do, but we agree that she's someone whose faith is to be admired and emulated.
Zechariah
December 5, 2021 • Connor Kraus • Luke
Lead Pastor Connor Kraus began our "Hark" Christmas message series with the story of the angel Gabriel visiting someone and surprising them with the news that they would soon become a parent. It's not the Christmas story you might have expected, though. This time, Gabriel was appearing to the elderly Zechariah to tell him that he and his wife, Elizabeth, who were childless, would soon become parents. Their son would grow up to become the man we know as John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus. Connor illustrates a beautiful story of how God used angels to not only send a message, but to remind us that he is faithful, he keeps his promises, and we can trust in him.