Advent

Sunday December 28: “Kingdom Come” Matthew 3:1-12 & 11:28-30

Sunday December 28: “Kingdom Come” Matthew 3:1-12 & 11:28-30

Dec 29, 2025 |

The Kingdom of God/heaven has come near: is among us, in our midst! And as The Message translation says, “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” God has come to his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68). As Bill preached on the song about John the Baptist in his first message this Advent, now we hear from John himself…The stage has been set; the work complete; heaven has come to earth; His Kingdom come, His will done, on earth as it is in heaven. The Kingdom of God imparted among us here and now! In whom? Jesus! Us as wearied people, and the weary world can come to Jesus and learn how to live and serve like Him (Matthew 11:28-30). This is the thrilling hope for the wearied world!

Sunday December 21: A Thrill of Hope “God’s love Manifested To All” Romans 5:1-11

Sunday December 21: A Thrill of Hope “God’s love Manifested To All” Romans 5:1-11

Dec 15, 2025 |

It’s one thing to say you believe in something or value something. It’s another thing altogether to show it, do it, and embody it. Jesus’ life was not grounded in a list of moral teachings that he talked about, but in a life that he invites us to be part of in the Kingdom of God in the here and now. This Kingdom lifestyle was shocking because God’s love extended to all, and didn’t hinge on the goodness of us, but the goodness of God.

Tuesday December 24: “What Child is This? Good News of Great Joy” Luke 2:8-20

Tuesday December 24: “What Child is This? Good News of Great Joy” Luke 2:8-20

Dec 23, 2024 |

Tonight on Christmas Eve, we lean into the power of a simple question: why? Jesus became human, embodied and fulfilled countless prophecies and scriptures, and did it all in a way and place that few people expected. But why? The story of Christmas gives us a picture of joy and hope that can and does exist in all circumstances and against all odds.

Sunday December 22: “What Child is This? King of Kings” Isaiah 9:2-7

Sunday December 22: “What Child is This? King of Kings” Isaiah 9:2-7

Dec 16, 2024 |

Our world has an awkward relationship with power and position. Most of us have experienced abuses of power and position being leveraged for less than Christ-like reasons. We often think of power as an over-and-against move, but scripture paints another picture of leader, power, and king. Jesus was to come and be the king of all kings, above and more powerful than all the
previous kings. Yet, he came with humility, seeking justice, and living a selfless life.

Sunday December 15: “What Child is This? Savior of the World” Isaiah 53:1-7

Sunday December 15: “What Child is This? Savior of the World” Isaiah 53:1-7

Dec 9, 2024 | ,

Since I was young, I have heard Christians talk about Jesus being our Lord and Savior. This implies we are being saved from something or someone. Too often, our answers are anemic or at best incomplete. Jesus saves us from going to hell, and one day when we die, we go to heaven with God. Which is all true. AND. Jesus promises that his saving changes our today as well. That he saves us from the narratives of our world that leave us longing for more. That he saves us from a life driven solely by what you can produce or make or earn. Jesus comes to save us not just for one day in the future, but to transform how we live today also.

Sunday December 8: “What Child is This? Light of the World” Isaiah 60:1-5

Sunday December 8: “What Child is This? Light of the World” Isaiah 60:1-5

Dec 2, 2024 |

It is always the darkest just before dawn. The prophet Isaiah wrote to people who felt like the world they had known their whole lives was gone, and that it was gone because God left them. God went quiet, or at best, where was God? Isaiah then speaks of a light that will come and shine into the darkness. Not to remove all of the darkness, but to bring hope, to remind us all that God is still up to something, that God is at work even in the challenges.

Sunday December 1: “What Child is This? Emmanuel God With Us” John 1:1-14

Sunday December 1: “What Child is This? Emmanuel God With Us” John 1:1-14

Nov 25, 2024 | ,

The Old Testament names that one day there will be a child born of a virgin, and his name will be Emmanuel, which means God with Us. That’s such a churchy phrase, God is with us. As the prophet Isaiah spoke those words, it was a game changer. God would be involved in our day-to-day life, God would become a human like us in a grand act of love to save humanity from ourselves. God would step into our story in a concrete way, and still walk with us in the highs and lows of everyday life.

Sunday December 31: “The Church In Acts” Acts 2:42-47

Sunday December 31: “The Church In Acts” Acts 2:42-47

Dec 27, 2023 | , ,

Luke’s description of the Church in Acts is 2,000 years old. That said, the model for a Christian community Luke lays out in this short passage is just as relevant today as it was so long ago. If the Church wants to live out the call as a community of believers, then it ought to examine Luke’s words in Acts 2:42-47.

Sunday December 17: What does it mean for the people of that day that Jesus Became Human? Isaiah 9:2-7 & Isaiah 42:1-4

Sunday December 17: What does it mean for the people of that day that Jesus Became Human? Isaiah 9:2-7 & Isaiah 42:1-4

Dec 14, 2023 | , ,

For many years the people of Israel prayed for a savior who would draw them back towards God, and restore their nation.  They studied prophecy about this coming savior so that they would be able to know when he comes, and celebrate his arrival.  And yet, Jesus comes into the world without notice, leads three years of ministry, mostly without notice from the very people studying so they would not miss him.