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?
You Can’t Be In Two Places At The Same Time
Last Sunday was a great start to our GIC season (can it get any better than GIC Jeopardy? I think not!). This week, we continue the conversation about our GIC core values: "Go. Pray. Give." We will learn from Jesus what it means to be a non-anxious giver in a self-conscious world. We'll also watch a video from Venezuela Now and hear more about the Kids' Mission Workshop. This truly is a season to call our community beyond our walls and back into the world.
Topics: Core Values, Giving
GIC 2023: Get Lit. Stay Stoked.
I'M SO EXCITED! After seven years away, we get to come home to what makes us "Mosaic." Our Global Impact Celebration (October 20-22) is a weekend designed to help us "get lit" for Great Commission work -- locally, regionally, and globally. And this Sunday, we'll start stoking the fires for missions and outreach by exploring how the first followers of Jesus began to spark passion for the Good News in their own communities. I can't wait to introduce you -- or re-introduce you -- to the joys of a good GIC. So ... what's your spark? What lights you up? Think on it, and I'll see you Sunday!
Topics: Global, Gret Commission, Missions
Spiritual Healing
We have learned a lot this month about what healing prayer means in real-life terms. Hearing the stories of Heather and Ardis, practicing prayer together during and after worship, examining the healing life of Jesus ... I hope this focus has helped you become more open to the idea that Jesus does still heal people. And his healing has a unique look in our community. It is both intimate and community-oriented, stunning and subtle, real and effective. Thank you for leaning in to these ideas and beginning to make them your own. Together, in a broken world, we can help people become whole through Jesus. And this Sunday, we'll search the Word one more time for all that scripture can teach us about how to live out that mission well.
Topics: Community, Healing Prayer, Spiritual Healing
Emotional Healing
Somewhere, someone shared this thought with me -- some people heal in leaps, but others heal in layers. Listening to Heather's amazing story last week (if you haven't listened, I hope you'll take time to do so), we are beginning to build a case for just that. Some people heal in leaps, but others heal in layers. This Sunday, we'll hear another story of God's amazing grace poured out over a life and over time. And then we'll listen together to a "healing in layers" story from the life of Jesus. I hope you'll find comfort and confidence in discovering that even Jesus took time in healing others. I'll see you Sunday as we continue the journey toward learning how to be a healing community! ~ Carolyn
Topics: Emotional Healing, healing, Spiritual Healing
The Stuff of Miracles
I have a story to tell! It's a story about how Jesus shows up in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, and does unexpected things ... It's a story about how Jesus leveled my expectations of him as I watched him work in my body, and in all the folks around me. He taught me how to ground all I know of healing solidly in truth. My story is one of healing, cellular and soulular, beautifully in process and full of hope. Friends, Jesus still works miracles. Jesus heals, and he is my healer. I can't wait to share with you what's he's been doing in my life lately. I sure hope I see you Sunday! ~ Heather
Topics: Physical Healing, Spiritual Healing, Trust
The Jesus Stuff
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
~ Luke 4:18-19
What Luke (and Isaiah) said? That's exactly what Jesus did. That was his mission statement. Jesus healed blind people, and raised dead people, and set free those who were oppressed by demons. He met people right where they were and called down healing over them ... over and over again (at least 40 times in the gospels). In scene after scene, we see Jesus touching people and loving them and proclaiming healing over them. Friends, healing is the stuff Jesus did! And as followers of Jesus, we also are called to be healers and to do "the Jesus stuff." Let's talk about that. Let's get inspired by the healing stories among us to step into the healing life of a Jesus-loving, hand-laying, prayer-proclaiming, trust-and-obeying believer! See you Sunday!
Freedom to be the Church
I have a confession to make. For at least half of my life, I really didn’t understand why we “went to church.” I had no vision for anything other than simply trying to please God. Consequently, church for me was … boring. Church struck me as a place where my family was obligated to act happier and holier than we actually were. Can you relate?
What I wish I had understood earlier in my life is that the Christian call to be part of a church community is actually an invitation into a powerfully meaningful life. We all know community is essential. But do we know why? The simple truth is that the Church is God’s plan "A" for bringing healing and restoration to our lives and to our world. So join us Sunday as we dive into what it means to be "Free to be the Church!"
Topics: Freedom, The Church, Unity
