Jan 27, 2020
Jesus Got Baptized? (Baptism of Jesus)
The Greek word epiphany literally means "to shine into," bringing to mind how the special star lead  the wise men to worship the baby Jesus.  But the Greek word is normally used in the sense of "appearance." For 18 centuries, Christians have set aside the early part of the new year to talk about how God reveals Jesus' identity as true God, Messiah, the Christ - the anointed Savior.  Epiphany also stresses that when one has seen Jesus with eyes of faith, they are never the same. 
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  • Jan 27, 2020Jesus Got Baptized? (Baptism of Jesus)
    Jan 27, 2020
    Jesus Got Baptized? (Baptism of Jesus)
    The Greek word epiphany literally means "to shine into," bringing to mind how the special star lead  the wise men to worship the baby Jesus.  But the Greek word is normally used in the sense of "appearance." For 18 centuries, Christians have set aside the early part of the new year to talk about how God reveals Jesus' identity as true God, Messiah, the Christ - the anointed Savior.  Epiphany also stresses that when one has seen Jesus with eyes of faith, they are never the same. 
  • Jan 26, 2020Week 4: Many Parts, One Body
    Jan 26, 2020
    Week 4: Many Parts, One Body
    If you were compiling a list of the most important parts of your body, it might be hard to come up with a clear answer. So many parts play such important roles for you to stay alive and function; so many parts are dependent on each other's work to function properly! As God tells us in his Word, the same is true of the body of Christ. Many parts play different roles, but all for the same purpose. And you, every single one of you, are part of Christ's body. So what part are you? What role or function do you play? And what's most important? We'll look to God's Word to turn on the lightbulb for us as we celebrate "Body of Christ" Sunday.
     
    Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
  • Jan 5, 2020Week 1: Why the Wise Men?
    Jan 5, 2020
    Week 1: Why the Wise Men?
    Today we celebrate Epiphany, which means "shine into." This season begins by commemorating the first time the Son of God in the flesh was worshiped by someone from another part of the world than Israel. Magi from the East (Persia) followed a special star, created by God to mark the presence of his Son. These wise Men worshiped Jesus and brought him gifts. But, who exactly are these unknown men? What purpose do they serve, that we celebrate their coming to see Jesus with a special church service? This is a lightbulb moment. Who are these Wise Men? What do they mean for us? We look to God's Word to "turn on the light" and help us understand the value and importance of The Wise Men this Epiphany. 
     
    Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12
  • Dec 29, 2019Week 4: When God Calls an Audible
    Dec 29, 2019
    Week 4: When God Calls an Audible
    On Christmas Eve, we talked about how God displayed the greatest love when he GAVE his one and only Son, born to be both true God and true man, so that he might be our Savior. But after the joyful peach of Christmas, things weren't always so peaceful for the holy family. As we'll see in our service today, God also displayed his great love for us sinners, in that he SAVED his one and only Son from a dangerous threat. And in doing so, God made it possible for us to be saved!
  • Dec 24, 2019The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
    Dec 24, 2019
    The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
    Christmas is not about a sentimental, warm, and fuzzy kind of love - although these ways that we show love to each other, especially in families, are certainly important. But the heart of Christmas is about God's redeeming love - God's rescue plan for a humanity alienated from him despite all claims of reform, goodness, or morality. The human condition of sin separates us from God, and only his action could have solved that problem. The life, death, and resurrection of his Son has solved the problem. By trusting what Jesus has done for us, heaven awaits us and we live life this side of heaven in loyal thanks for rescue. What great love God has lavished on us, by sending us the greatest gift we've ever received - the child born in Bethlehem's stable. Immanuel, "God with us," our Savior!
  • Dec 15, 2019Week 3: Focusing on Jesus in the Storm
    Dec 15, 2019
    Week 3: Focusing on Jesus in the Storm
  • Dec 8, 2019Week 2: Repent!
    Dec 8, 2019
    Week 2: Repent!
    Your friend is coming over for coffee, so you straighten up the kitchen and buy some fresh coffee beans. Your state senator is coming over to talk to you about some policy. The preparation is more intense, more meticulous, right? The more important the guest, the more preparation must be made. When it comes to meeting Jesus, whether during his first coming at Christmas or his second coming on Judgment Day, important preparation must be made. It is so important to prepare to meet Jesus that God raised up a special messenger, John the Baptist, whose only job was to help people prepare to meet their God in the flesh. If you want to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, if you want to stand on the Last Day, you need to be prepared too. And as John the Baptist preached to those who gathered to hear his message, part of preparing our hearts for Jesus' coming requires us to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!
  • Dec 1, 2019Week 1: Keep Watch!
    Dec 1, 2019
    Week 1: Keep Watch!
    We know when Christmas will be. Maybe part of your family’s tradition includes an Advent calendar, or other countdown system used to track how many days are left until Christmas. But when it comes to Jesus’ coming again at Judgment Day, there’s no calendar; no countdown that we can look to to know exactly when Jesus will come again! So, because we don’t know the exact day or hour, we need to prepare our hearts as we keep watch for his coming again. Just as in the days of the flood, Noah didn’t know when the rains would begin, so we don’t know when Judgment Day will come. But just as God kept Noah safe in the ark, so also will God keep us safe on Judgment Day, through faith in the one we prepare our hearts for--both for his coming at Christmas, and his coming again!
  • Nov 27, 2019The Thanksgiving Mindset
    Nov 27, 2019
    The Thanksgiving Mindset
    Sermon Text: Luke 17:11-19
  • Nov 24, 2019The King We Need
    Nov 24, 2019
    The King We Need
    Series: Welcome Home
    Windsor. Bernadotte. Bourbon-Anjou. Orange-Nassau. Glucksburg. Liechtenstein. Do you know what those have in common? They are all names of royal families.  A member of each of those families serves as a monarch.  The extended members of those families enjoy fabulous privileges, even if the monarch serves largely as a figurehead.  For the past month, we have seen that Christ has welcomed us into his home and made us part of this family.  Today, we see that this is a royal family.  For our brother Jesus is Kin.  He does more than serve as a figurehead.  Christ rules over all Creation for the benefit of his family.  He promises us that one day we will sit with him on his throne (Revelation 3:21).  Today-Christ the King Sunday-the Church Year comes to an end.  We praise Christ for his glorious reign.  We thank him for making us part of his royal family. giving us a claim to the Kingdom.