Faith in the Story
It is a miracle that Mary would have such faith as to believe that God's plan could be accomplished through her. But the miracle of faith is not just Mary's. There are miracles of faith all over the Christmas story. Joseph believed the word of angels. The shepherds talked to angels, too, and believed what they were told. Elizabeth (Mary's aunt) was filled with the Holy Spirit and believed that God was working out his plan through her also. And what the Story of Christmas asked of those faith-stretched people, it asks of us too. And every time faith happens, it is a miracle. What is the story of Christmas asking you believe about God? What is it asking you to believe of the world around you? What new level of faith is it calling you toward?
Hypostatic Union
Last week, we talked about the 5% and the 95% and were challenged by Mary's story to live in the 95% realm of believing in a supernatural God who does supernatural things. This week, we will explore one of the most powerful proofs of his miracle-working power — the union of God and man in the life of Jesus. Brothers and sisters, this is good theology! He who was fully God became fully human — two distinct natures in one Person. He had both the power of his divinity and the experience of his humanity, and only Jesus was able to reconcile those two natures inside one personality. The nature of Jesus is a miracle and THE great mystery of his existence. He IS God, and yet he has lived my life and yours. Why does that matter, and why does it give such hope? Come on Sunday and let's dive in.
Topics: Divine/Human, Faith, Jesus
The 5 and The 95
The miracles are there from the very beginning, from the moment in which the angel Gabriel announced the conception and birth of Jesus to the humble virgin of Nazareth, whose name was Mary. Miracles are not, by definition, an everyday occurrence. Nor are they non-existent in our world. I suspect they happen much more often than we recognize. How would your faith be renewed and your hope restored by watching for where God is at work this holiday season, so you can join him?
Jonah Chapter 4
You know, it's one thing to cancel or ghost the people in your life. But its another thing altogether to cancel God. Can you even imagine having the nerve to tell God you think he got it wrong? Well ... of course, you can! We all do it, in big and subtle ways, when we either ignore God's call to action or fuss at him for not doing as we've asked. And we disagree with God all the time when it comes to people we don't much like or agree with. Sometimes God's mercy doesn't line up with our preferences. This is the big lesson of Jonah, and this week we wrap up the story with a conversation about how choosing God's mercy is very much a choice for life over death. I'm excited to be in the room with you and the great "whale tail" one more time!
Jonah Chapter 3
Oh my, what Jonah is teaching us this month! We are learning from his mistakes how to pray more deeply, live more compassionately, serve the world with more grace. Jonah challenges us not to write off anyone God has not yet written off (spoiler alert: God doesn't write off anybody). What if the people you think are the most lost are actually much closer than you think to spiritual awakening? If that's true, then how would that change the way you pray for them? Let's keep after all that Jonah's story teaches us about God, the world, and ourselves.
Jonah Chapter 2
There is so much in Jonah's story that sounds familiar. He is stubborn and opinionated and sure that God is on his side. I want to say that he sounds a lot like us (or at least me), but I don't want to admit that I can be all those things. Yet, Jonah invites me (and maybe you, too) to come sit in the belly of the whale with him and consider the life we live from the vantage point of God's goodness. And his promise, if we'll join him, is that on the other side of it that we will emerge with "shouts of joyful praise!" That sounds like a fair trade, so I'll see you this Sunday and let's get after it!
Topics: God's People, God's View, God's Will
Jonah Chapter 1
This Sunday, we also begin a study of Jonah. In a world that prefers black-and-white thinking, with clear lines between the "good guys" and the "bad guys," the Book of Jonah challenges us to consider what it means to be God’s people in a polarized cutlure. Do I struggle to hear the call to love people I don’t like? Do I think I know what is best for others while failing to experience God’s heart for them? Do I allow the spirit of offense toward the enemies of God to make me an enemy of God, too? These are the kinds of questions Jonah both raises and this is a great time to be asking them ... as we live into our call to love like Jesus in this world as it is.
Mission & Vision Celebration
Sunday will be a beautiful celebration of our vision as a missional community. We will gather for prayer over our mission partners at 9:30a, with one worship service at 10:30a and a potluck lunch to follow. Sign up and let us know what dish you'll be bringing.
Childcare is available for ages 6 and under during the 9:30a prayer service. Kids pre-k through 5th grades will worship together during 10:30a worship!
Topics: Celebration, Community, Global, Missions
The Simplicity of Call
I sensed a stirring in the air last Sunday ... did you? Its as if we were all being drawn into God's heart in a fresh way, both in worship and in mission. What a gift it was to encounter God in that way! This Sunday, we'll be drawn even closer to the mission of God as we talk about that intersection where your passion meets the world's need. We'll watch how it worked for Paul and learn from his example how it can happen for us, too. How has God uniquely gifted you? What's your spark?
