Church News
Sermon Note: Living the Future Now
Introduction Loving our enemies may be one of the most difficult commands Jesus gives. It’s not a suggestion or a nice ideal—it’s a radical way of living that goes against our natural instincts. When someone wrongs us, our first instinct may be revenge, resentment, retribution—to fight back, shut them out, or let bitterness take root. But Jesus calls us to something deeper: a love that breaks cycles of hatred, resists the pull of vengeance, and chooses mercy over malice. This…
Sermon Note: Rejoice in the Vision
Introduction This week, we continue our sermon series, Foundations & Futures, where we explore how God’s presence shapes us now and calls us into the future. So far, we’ve looked at how faith is formed through habits, challenges, and trust. Now, we turn to Jesus’ words in Luke 6, where he describes blessings and woes in ways that challenge conventional thinking. The world often defines success in terms of wealth, comfort, and status, but Jesus offers a different perspective—one that…
Rummage Sale Postponed
Rummage Sale Postponed It is with much consideration and with heavy hearts that because of medical issues we have decided to postpone the March 8 rummage sale. We will keep you posted and will let you know when we have a new date. Many thanks to all of you who were ready and willing to make this wonderful event a reality. Except for having had to close our doors to COVID, the rummage sale has, the second Saturday in March,…
Sermon Note: Beyond Our Comfort Zone
Introduction As we continue our Epiphany series on Foundations & Futures, we return to Jesus in the synagogue, picking up right where we left off last week. After reading from Isaiah, Jesus boldly declares that God’s promises are fulfilled—but then takes it a step further. At first, the crowd marvels at his words, but as Jesus expands God’s vision beyond Israel, their excitement turns to outrage. The people of Nazareth, once proud to claim Jesus as one of their own,…
Sermon Note: Holy Habits
Introduction As we continue our Epiphany series on Foundations & Futures, we focus this week on how Jesus grounded his ministry in “holy habits” like worship and community. When Jesus stood in the synagogue to read from Isaiah, he reminded us that spiritual growth is built through steady rhythms of worship, prayer, and study. This week, we reflect on how these practices not only shape our faith but also empower us to live out God’s mission. Illustration Video Please note:…
Sermon Note: Expectations & Affirmations
Introduction As we look ahead to Sunday’s worship, we consider what it means to step into our identity and purpose. At times, we find ourselves caught between expectations—our own, those of others, or even what we think God expects of us—and affirmations of who we already are and who we are becoming. These tensions are nothing new. Even as we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we see moments of expectation and affirmation intertwining, setting the stage for…
Sermon Note: Accepting Christ’s Invitation
Introduction As we conclude our Advent series, The Redemption of Scrooge, we celebrate the transformation that comes from accepting Christ’s invitation. The text this week reminds us that life in the Spirit offers freedom from fear and adoption into a new family—a church family that shares in the joy and purpose of following Christ. This week, we witness Ebenezer Scrooge’s exuberance as he wakes up on Christmas morning, overjoyed by the chance to live a new life. His transformation from…
Sermon Note: The Greatest Gift
Introduction As we continue our Advent series, The Redemption of Scrooge, we journey with the Ghost of Christmas Present to consider the theme of abundance. This week’s scripture recounts the story of the shepherds, ordinary people who are the first to hear of Christ’s birth. Their awe and joy in response to God’s gift remind us that true abundance isn’t measured by wealth but by recognizing God’s presence among us. Similarly, Ebenezer Scrooge is taken to witness the Cratchit family,…
Sermon Note: Jesus, the Redeemer of our Past
Introduction As we continue our Advent series, The Redemption of Scrooge, we explore how Christ redeems even the most painful parts of our lives. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge is forced to confront his past, we, too, are invited to examine the moments that have shaped us. In this week’s text, we see Jesus calling his first disciples—ordinary fishermen with imperfect pasts. He invites them not because they are perfect, but because he sees their potential. In the same way, Christ…
2024 Alternative Christmas Giving
The Missions and Concerns Committee is providing an Alternative Christmas Giving opportunity again this year. By donating to these organizations, you can give an “alternative” Christmas gift to someone or you may just give because you want to support that effort. Your gifts will support some great causes that are a part of the mission of our church. Give Online You can contribute online using the button below. Use the Mission Projects section to indicate your donation(s). Give by Mail You may also…
Sermon Note: Living in God’s Economy
Introduction Welcome to our Advent series, based on Matt Rawle’s book The Redemption of Scrooge, where we explore how God’s grace transforms even the most unlikely among us. As we prepare for Christmas, this series will take us on a journey through themes of redemption, hope, and love. We begin with “Living in God’s Economy.” In our text for this week, Jesus shares the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, a story that challenges our assumptions about fairness and…
Sermon Note: To Testify to the Truth
Introduction This week, we conclude our Truth-Telling series on Christ the King Sunday. This day marks the end of the liturgical year and invites us to think about the kind of reign Jesus models as our king. In this week’s scripture, Jesus stands before Pilate, the Roman governor, in a moment that contrasts worldly authority with the heavenly kingdom Jesus proclaims. Pilate’s interrogation leads us to a crucial question: “What is truth?” The truth Jesus testifies to is not a…