How do we learn to be called by the spirit to spread the love and the good news while we cannot gather together in a single space? How do we focus on being the church while not being within the church? How can finding God in our solace and isolation be more meaningful than depending on a space to worship in?
Ascension Sunday
May 24, 2020 • Brian Erickson
It's hard to know what to do with this story of Jesus's ascension into heaven. His sticking around the disciples in the Easter season, it was never meant to be permanent. When we understand that God's grace and mercy is with us, it gives us a certain clarity to deal with life without the physical presence of Jesus on Earth. Jesus's ascension gives us joy as to what is to come because we know he is in control.
The Great Commission
May 17, 2020 • Brian Erickson
What do we do when Jesus isn't in a visible, physical state beside us? When he raises from the dead and ascends into heaven, how do we continue on with what we have seen, learned, and marveled at? How do we conduct ourselves?
Paul's Gospel To The Corinthians
May 10, 2020 • Brian Erickson
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he speaks about all of the faults and issues he has with the way they are dealing with faith. Most importantly, he is most concerned about the way they have watered down the gospel he has preached to them. Paul wants to hand on the good news of what we have received. It's so inconceivable, that we need to be reminded of it every time we gather because it's almost too good to be true. It is an eternal hope. What you believe matters.
Fishers of Fish?
May 3, 2020 • Brian Erickson
Why does Peter suddenly want to go fishing again? Why aren't the disciples doing Easter things? Are they stuck? Do they not know who to be on this side of Easter? Were they searching for the closest thing to "normal" that they knew? Why do we crave our return to the old, outdated, and simply bad for us "normal" in this time of quarantine?
The Road to Emmaus
April 26, 2020 • Brian Erickson
Why is it so hard to recognize Jesus when he shows up? Why was it that the people who were so familiar to Jesus and his life couldn't recognize him on that first Easter between Emmaus and Jerusalem. When we have lost our hope, our vision of what the future may be like, how may we see clearly what is in front of us, beside us, walking out of the valley alongside each and every one of us? So with patience in mind, where have we seen him in the midst of the times we are in?
In The Midst Of Change...
April 19, 2020 • Brian Erickson
Who are we in the midst of transition? How can we remain people of great faith? What does it mean for us in the here and now, as Easter People, to face the future unafraid? Join us in this discussion with Matt Miofsky of "The Gathering" Church.
The Pain of Disappointment
March 29, 2020 • Brian Erickson
Disappointment is a form of grief. It's the feeling that our personal contract with the universe has been broken. Our realities aren't lined up with each other. Among this time dealing with the impacts of things like this virus, how do we deal with what has been taken away from us? How do we deal with moving forward and living with our new reality? We might not be able to control all that we want to, but will we let our disappointment get the last word? No.
Taking The Path of Courage
April 5, 2020 • Brian Erickson
During these scary times, it is hard to know where to go and what to do. Our sense of normalcy has been thrown out the window and we have been sent down a new and unknown path. We are tried and tested every day, but let us not forget that we have a pathfinder in the woods. We have a light in the darkness. Let us not fret, but follow God despite our worries about what might be down the line. He has been there for us always and he will not waiver with our trust still in him.
Easter Sunday
April 12, 2020 • Brian Erickson
While Easter looks different for us all this year, we now know how Mary must have felt, isolated and alone. While celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ today, let us also remember to take the situation we are in and be still. Let us humble ourselves as we progress through the wilderness, giving thanks to our God for everything we still have and for all of the things that we now realize we have taken for granted. Hallelujah, He Is Risen!
Staying at Home...
March 22, 2020 • Brian Erickson
Well here we are stuck in quarantine, what should we do? Can we make the most of it? Where is God in all of this?
God Sends Snakes
March 15, 2020 • Brian Erickson
In the midst of this chaotic pandemic season, what does God call us to do? Pastor Brian compares our current struggles to the story of Moses and the Israelites, who were stepping out into an unknown wilderness.
TWH - Fight or Flight or...
March 8, 2020
Traditional - Neck Deep
March 8, 2020 • Brian Erickson
What is the relationship between Faith and Fear? This week, Pastor Brian tells us that the two are linked, and that sometimes it takes us almost drowning to act on our faith.
Traditional - The Power of the Wilderness
March 1, 2020 • Brian Erickson
As we begin a new sermon series entitled "Step Into the Wilderness," Pastor Brian asks us what stepping out into the unknown means in our own lives. We look at the story of Moses and his reluctance to do what he is called to do, in hopes that we can learn from his story.
