Feb 18: Growing in Faith

Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23–24

During the season of Lent, our focus is on spiritual growth, and the faith practices that lead to this development. This week our focus is “growing in faith.” Sometimes faith is equated with having the right beliefs about God, but can be better understood as developing trust in God. How can we grow our faith by trusting God more in our life? Join us Sunday as we begin the journey!

Feb 25: Growing in Prayer

He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” Mark 14:36

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays his most desperate prayer. His journey to the cross is nearly complete. He knows the pain and anguish he will face, and asks God to remove it. Prayer is powerful and leads to spiritual growth. Jesus models a faithful prayer life for us, displaying vulnerability and honesty, while also seeking God’s will in a difficult situation. Join us Sunday as we consider Jesus’ example and how we can all grow in prayer.

Mar 3: Growing in Service

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:16–19

Jesus’ ministry was focused on serving people’s needs. He healed, fed, and taught crowds of people wherever he went. His ministry of service included all people, but particularly those who were overlooked or excluded. When Jesus went to his hometown synagogue and was asked to read, he chose a passage from Isaiah that was a Messianic prophesy. This list reads like a job description of Jesus’ ministry. Through his public ministry, Jesus show us God’s heart through deeds of service to all people. Join us Sunday as we seek to grow in service to others and God.

Mar 10: Growing in Generosity

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

This Sunday we continue our Lenten focus on Spiritual Growth. Our focus this week is on generosity. We seek to grow in our giving of time, talent, and treasure becoming more generous while also impacting God’s kingdom work. In the gospel text, Jesus contrast the thief who steals life and the good shepherd who makes room for abundant life. Join us Sunday as we consider God’s invitation to abundant life!

Mar 17: Growing in Grace

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

On Sunday we will hear the story often called “the woman caught in adultery.” Not sure why the man is never mentioned, but the village elders ask Jesus whether she should be stoned to death as Moses commanded. Jesus turns their judgment around and asks them to look at themselves, he then extends the woman grace. Imagine a world where we refrain from judging others and give one another grace. This is what Jesus does for us and God’s invitation to live out each day.

Mar 24: Palm Sunday

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" Mark 11:7-9

The day we now call Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and all the people laid down leafy branches, was a day filled with joy. The people believed Jesus was fulfilling the promises of God (spoiler alert, he was) and through him the reign of King David would be restored. The timing of this event was perfect as many were gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Palm Sunday was Jesus’ day to shine. What he does with this attention reveals his mission. He doesn’t bask in the glow and adulation, rather he continues his journey to the cross for our sake. Join us Sunday as we begin the Holy Week journey to the cross and beyond.

Mar 31: Easter Promise

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” John 20:1–2

When Mary came to the tomb she wasn’t expecting it to be empty and her immediate thought wasn’t that Jesus had been raised. Even though Jesus had told the disciples he would be raised from the dead, the empty tomb created more questions than answers. Such is the mystery and power of Easter. Join us Sunday as we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, darkness, and all the powers of evil and gives us the promise of eternal life.

Apr 7: Easter Community

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. John 20:29–31

In the evening of the first Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to the disciples. He showed them his hands and side, still bearing the marks of the cross. The disciples saw and believed. For some reason, Thomas was not there and when he returned the disciples gleefully shared the good news. Thomas would not believe until he saw Jesus for himself. A week later, Jesus arrived for Thomas to see. The above words from Jesus are spoken to Thomas and are about us. We are an Easter Community that chooses to believe Christ was raised from the dead without seeing him for ourselves. Jesus calls us blessed for believing and we are! Join us Sunday!

Apr 14: Easter Power

And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. Acts 3:16

This Sunday our gospel text features another resurrection appearance of Jesus. We also will hear the story of Peter healing a man by invoking the name of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus conveys the power to bring healing and wholeness to the disciples and to the church. See you Sunday!

Apr 21: Easter Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Sunday’s gospel text features the familiar analogy of Jesus as the good shepherd who guides and protects the sheep. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd and follow. They learn his voice and don’t follow the voices of strangers. They shepherd protects the sheep and gives his life for theirs, knowing the dangers and travails they will face. This imagery beautifully captures the love Jesus has for us. Join us Sunday for more!

Apr 28: Easter Fruit

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. John 15:1–2

I am not a gardener by any stretch, but I do understand the concept of pruning. Cutting down the plant allows for new, vibrant growth to occur. If the plant is left unpruned, the health of the plant begins to decline. Spiritually, this suggests that our faith has natural ups and downs, with the low moments creating opportunities to grow. Most of us would not volunteer to be pruned, rather the pruning happens to us. In Christ, we know the power of resurrection, that death is not the end of our story and that God can always do something new in our lives.