Worship Services – Page 26

Matthew 2:1-12 ~ The Star Over And of Bethlehem

January 2, 2020/in Gospel According to Matthew /by Greg

Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Title: The Star Over and of Bethlehem
Preacher: Rev. Rick VanderWall

We have just celebrated the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Sometimes the business of the holiday season can take away from the true joy we find in this very significant event. Back when Jesus was born, the times probably were not too much different. But there were some who took the time to stop and see this newborn child. The shepherds and the wise men came and paid a visit to see this “One born king of the Jews.” After reading about the shepherds encounter with the angels we can understand why they would check it out but what prompted the wise men? And what is the significance of their visit? Matthew chapter two may give us some clues as we continue our journey through this book of the Bible.

Matthew 1:18-25 ~ When Advent Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas

December 23, 2019/in When Advent Doesn't Feel Like Christmas /by Greg

Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Title: Moving Next Door
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all around the world.” At some point during the upcoming holiday season we will almost certainly hear those familiar lyrics on the radio, on a TV special, or at the mall. For many, Christmas means thousands of shimmering lights gracing trees, bushes, front porches, and sometimes entire houses, transforming the familiar landscape of our neighborhood into a cozy fantasy kingdom. Christmas means scented red candles, the shining eyes and flushed faces of children as they come alive to the wonder of the season, and mustering an attitude of “good cheer” as we all strive to create an aura of serenity, stillness, and peace on earth. But what do we do when Advent doesn’t feel like Christmas? When life is not all warm and aglow with the joy of the season? This week, we encounter the God who moves into the neighborhood and loves us amidst all the messiness of our lives.

2019 Sunday School Christmas Program

December 16, 2019/in Uncategorized, Worship Services /by Greg

In our Sunday School Christmas program this year, our students will present a play in which a teacher sends students to different rooms to look at stories of exile: Adam and Eve being sent out of the Garden of Eden, the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, and the Babylonian exile. As they discuss these stories they realize that the Christmas story is the beginning of the great restoration that Adam and Eve looked forward to. In Jesus, God is once again in close relationship to his people. With Christmas he really is “”God with us.”” Join us for a great morning of worship led by our Sunday school students.

Matthew 3:1-12 ~ When Advent Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas: Prepare the Way

December 8, 2019/in When Advent Doesn't Feel Like Christmas /by Greg

Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Title: Prepare the Way
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all around the world.” At some point during the upcoming holiday season we will almost certainly hear those familiar lyrics on the radio, on a TV special, or at the mall. For many, Christmas means thousands of shimmering lights gracing trees, bushes, front porches, and sometimes entire houses, transforming the familiar landscape of our neighborhood into a cozy fantasy kingdom. Christmas means scented red candles, the shining eyes and flushed faces of children as they come alive to the wonder of the season, and mustering an attitude of “good cheer” as we all strive to create an aura of serenity, stillness, and peace on earth. But what do we do when Advent doesn’t feel like Christmas? When life is not all warm and aglow with the joy of the season? This week, we hear the voice of John the Baptist preparing the way for God to come and be with us.

Matthew 24:36-44 ~ When Advent Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas: Are You Ready?

December 2, 2019/in When Advent Doesn't Feel Like Christmas /by Greg

Text: Matthew 24:36-44
Title: Are You Ready?
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all around the world.” At some point during the upcoming holiday season we will almost certainly hear those familiar lyrics on the radio, on a TV special, or at the mall. For many, Christmas means thousands of shimmering lights gracing trees, bushes, front porches, and sometimes entire houses, transforming the familiar landscape of our neighborhood into a cozy fantasy kingdom. Christmas means scented red candles, the shining eyes and flushed faces of children as they come alive to the wonder of the season, and mustering an attitude of “good cheer” as we all strive to create an aura of serenity, stillness, and peace on earth. But what do we do when Advent doesn’t feel like Christmas? When life is not all warm and aglow with the joy of the season? This week, we remember Advent is not primarily about Christmas parties, but preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-20 ~ Jesus is King

November 25, 2019/in Worship Services /by Greg

Text: Colossians 1:9-20
Title: Jesus is King
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

On this last Sunday of the church liturgical year, we celebrate both communion and Christ the King Sunday. We fix our eyes on the glory of Christ and the kingdom he began to inaugurate in his earthly ministry and has entrusted to the church to seek in its ministry. A world of both justice and mercy. A world where the hungry are fed, the blind can see, the lame can walk, and those far from God are brought near. As we celebrate his reign today we cannot help but also long for his kingdom to come fully when Christ returns.

Acts 16:6-10 ~ Jesus Never Said: You’ve Missed My Will for Your Life

November 17, 2019/in Jesus Never Said /by Greg

Text: Acts 16:6-10
Title: Jesus Never Said: You’ve Missed My Will for Your Life
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think. While we can worry we have missed God’s plan at times, Jesus continually invites back to the ways of God.

John 8:2-11 ~ You’ll Get What You Deserve

November 10, 2019/in Jesus Never Said /by Greg

Text: John 8:2-11
Title: Jesus Never Said: You’ll Get What You Deserve
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think. While the world tells us people get what is coming to them, Jesus offers both mercy and grace to those who seek him.

Romans 8:18-29 ~ I will Never Give You More than You can Handle

November 3, 2019/in Jesus Never Said /by Greg

Text: Romans 8:18-29
Title: Jesus Never Said: I Will Never More Than You Can Handle
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think. While some have taught God never gives us more than we can handle, scripture reminds us God is with us in the midst of our suffering.

Matthew 28:16-20 ~ Spend All Your Time in Church

October 29, 2019/in Jesus Never Said /by Greg

Text: Matthew 28:16-20
Title: Jesus Never Said: Spend All Your Time in Church
Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think. Today we consider where Jesus wants us to spend our time.