Very Dry Bones

"Bones" Series

April 30th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Ezekiel 37:1-2, 11

How did the dry bones dry up?

How did they get in the valley? What is it that takes us from strong and healthy in our faith stories to dried up and lying in the valley? Did something happen to us or did we let something happen, or did we not do something we were supposed to do? If we don’t figure out how and why we got here we will never get out of the valley – and if we do, we will find ourselves back there before we know it. How did we get here?

The Worst Thing Is Never the Last Thing

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

April 16th, 2017 - Easter

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 20:1-18

Isn’t it strange that we call the day that Jesus was crucified “Good Friday?”  

From the perspective of someone who knows nothing about Jesus Christ there was nothing at all good about Good Friday.  It seemed to be a defeat for all those who follow Christ.  The difference is that those who believe in Jesus Christ see the world differently.  We see the world and all that it brings us through resurrection eyes.  Jesus gave us the ability to see past the cross of Good Friday and right on to the power of the empty tomb.  We are an empty tomb people.  The worst thing that could have happened was for Jesus to be crucified.  However, the worst thing is never the last thing.  The same is true for all those who follow Jesus.  No matter what your “worst” thing is, because of the empty tomb, it is never the last thing.  Don’t get stuck on Good Friday when Easter is waiting for you around the corner.

Love is not a feeling, but a way of acting

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

April 13th,2017 - Maundy Thursday

Reverend Dan is preaching
John 15:9-17

At the Last Supper, which many Christians refer to as Maundy Thursday, we see Jesus’ final commandment.  

Maundy means mandate.  Jesus tells us that we are to bear fruit in the world after he is gone.  It is supposed to be fruit that will last.  The fruit that we are to bear is LOVE.  Can you imagine living in a world where in every situation we asked ourselves one question, “What is the most loving thing to do?”  I am pretty sure the world would look a whole lot different than the world we live in now.  In order to know how to love we must first find ourselves living and moving and having our being in the one who was sent into the world to love all of us.  Jesus is our example of what love is supposed to look like when it bears fruit.  Jesus, help me to bear fruit that will last.

Don't Be Afraid

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

April 9th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 12:12-19, John 18:1-9

In John’s Gospel we have a whole different view of the Jesus coming into Jerusalem that day to celebration the Passover. 

We see a Jesus in complete control of the situation.  Jesus is crystal clear in John 10:14-18 that no one takes his life from him, but instead he gave his life of his own free will.  When we start to live a life in Christ we are living into that same power, authority, and peace that he tool to the cross.  Jesus told the people of Zion, “Don’t be afraid, your king is coming!”  That same king is the one who not only comes into Jerusalem but also comes to each one of us.

Mission Accomplished

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

April 2nd, 2017

Pastor Paul is preaching.
John 18:1-11

So in case you’re just tuning into this sermon series, John’s Gospel is DIFFERENT. 

And the portrait he provides us of Jesus in his final hours on earth stays true to this expectation.  While no less depictive of a loving and sacrificial Savior, John’s Jesus is a great deal closer to a roaring lion than a gentle lamb.  Through John, we see Jesus on a mission, fully composed and in perfect control every step along the way.  And if Jesus’ mission is to rescue humanity, then our role is simple.  We need to acknowledge our need for rescue and be ready and willing to receive it.  A simple task, one would think.  Or is it?

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Before I Go...

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

March 26, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 15:1-8

Jesus knows that the time has come for him to leave this earthly world.  

What is it that he must convey to these twelve men who have been with him for that last three years?  How can they carry on without him?  What is it that they are supposed to do when Jesus is gone?  How can they continue to be a disciple without a rabbi?  That answer is hidden, and yet as clear as a grape hanging from a branch. 

It's a Matter of Life and Death

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

March 19th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 6:28-35

Life is as simple as bread and water.  

Physically we as human beings are very aware of the two basic necessities for human survival.  If we boil existence down, we need food and water to survive.  In the text for today we hear Jesus tell people that he is the bread of life and that everyone who believes in him will never be hungry of thirsty again.  Eternal life just like our earthly life has some basic requirements.  Those are food and water.  Jesus knew that and that is why he called himself the BREAD of LIFE.  How are you feeding your eternal soul?  It could be the difference between inviting Christ into your life or you accepting the invitation to live into Christ’s life.  

Since the Beginning

"John: Gospel of Light and Life" Series

March 5th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
John 1:1-14

The Gospel of John is so different from the other three.  

John begins by telling us that Jesus always was since the beginning of time.  Everything has come into existence through him.  Jesus is the source of light and life.  In our world light is life.  The sun shines and the plants, trees, and shrubs come to life.  Christ came into the world to draw us from the darkness and into the light.  This is the way that God had made the world since the beginning.  This Lenten season is creating another opportunity for us to turn from the darkness and to live into the light by believing in him.

Who Knows?

March 1st, 2017 - Ash Wednesday

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

The natural state of our world is darkness. 

Darkness is everywhere until some kind of light arrives on the scene.  It could be the sun, the moon, a light bulb or a candle. It is always the light that pierces the darkness. My natural state is sinfulness, that is, until I make the choice to turn around and return to the light that is Jesus Christ. Who knows? If I turn around God may change his mind and instead shower me with his blessings. Who knows?

In the Gospel of John 20:31 it reads, “These things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.”  In that short verse we see that in John’s Gospel we are called to see the LIGHT and LIFE of Jesus’ life in ours.  In our journey through Lent this year we will focus on the Gospel of John hoping that it will bring LIGHT to your heart, mind and soul.  Once those become illuminated in your life you will be open to believing that Jesus is who he always said he was; God’s one and only Son and the Savior of the world.  This Lent I pray that you experience the LIGHT of Christ so that he may bring you LIFE in your believing.

The Justice Conundrum

February 19 & 26, 2017

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Justice in Sin (February 19th)
2 Kings 2:23-24

The Law of Love (February 26th)
James 2:12-17

The term “justice” is tossed around pretty liberally in today’s society, and rarely does our use of the word properly reflect its true nature. 

As we engage the notion of justice in Scripture these next two weeks, we can be hopeful several things will happen.  One, we’ll no longer remain naïve to the use of such an invaluable word.  Secondly, the Old Testament, two-thirds of God’s written Word, will be released from the chains of irrelevance and confusion many of us hold it in.  And third, we will be sent out with an informed understanding of how to spread God’s law of love, justice for the New Testament world, to all we come in contact with.  We hope you’ll join us for this power-packed two week series.

Becoming Who God Meant You to Be.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

February 12th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Romans 8:26a, 28-30 (The Message)

As we come to the end of our Daniel Plan sermon series we come full circle back to Daniel himself.

We see that once Daniel chose to live his whole life for the Lord, even down to what he eats, Daniel became the person God created him to be. Many times we are the ones that get in the way of God as he is working to bring our lives to completion. In the text from Romans today we are reminded that God works all things together for good for those who live for God. We live for God as we follow his Son and make the choice to let God mold us and make us into his great plan for our lives. Have you made the choice to let that happen?

The God Factor: God’s Power in Your Life.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

February 5th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Ephesians 3:14-21

What is the difference between power and energy?

A rowing team all rowing in different directions and at different cadences may have a lot of energy but they will never go anywhere. A rowing team with all that energy rowing in the same direction and at the same cadence is now filled with POWER. That team will reach its destination in a hurry. This week is about being filled with the power of God and not just the energy of the world. Are you filled with energy or power?

The Group (COMMUNITY) Factor: Why We Need Each Other.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 29th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 5:17-26

I need you.

I know that I cannot live into a whole new way of life without others encouraging me and holding me accountable. We are designed to live in community with others. Jesus called the twelve disciples to come and live with him in community for three years. They encouraged, loved, forgave, pushed, cared for, and walked with each other. It is in community that we are at our strongest. Who and where is your community?

Goal-Setting: The Importance of Setting Goals in Faith.

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 22nd, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Ephesians 1:1-10
 

We have goals at work.

We have goals at school. We have goals for our kids. What about goals for yourself personally? This week, through scripture we learn that goal-setting is a spiritual discipline. Goals force me to focus. God-centered goals will stretch my faith and build my character. Goals give me hope. I want all of those things in my life right now. How about you?

Principles for Lasting Change: What It Takes to Really Change

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 15th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Romans 12:1-12
 

Change is not easy.

We must first make a choice and commitment to change. In Romans 12, Paul does a fantastic job formulating some key principles to help make that change possible and sustainable. In the Daniel Plan we are talking about a whole lifestyle change and not just a diet plan. How will you use these six principles to make a sustainable lifestyle change? Will you make the choice to change?

God’s Prescription for Health: What God Says about My Body

"The Daniel Plan" Series

January 8th, 2017

Reverend Dan is preaching.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20

When you really think about it, it’s not rocket science.

If I put bad food into my body, my body breaks down. In the scripture from 1 Corinthians today it is clear that that is not at all God’s plan for our physical well-being. God has not at all left out our physical well-being when we think about living our lives for Him. Yet so many of us work on our souls but let our bodies go. The problem is that for many Americans our bodies are in such bad shape that our bodies cannot keep up with the divine callings of the soul. Do you want to live your life more for Christ but your body just can’t keep up? This week is about God’s prescription for a healthy body.

What Christmas Is All About

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 25th, 2016

Pastor Paul is preaching.
John 1:1-14

Several of the Gospel writers include picturesque accounts of the nativity story: Joseph, Mary, shepherds and the like. 

John is not one of these.  Instead of recounting the birth of Christ, John chooses to spout metaphors about light and darkness, the Word and the world.  At first glance, it all seems to have little to say to inform our Christmas festivities.  But perhaps there’s more value in John’s account than we give it credit for.  For those willing to investigate, it may even contain the best yet depiction of what Christmas is really all about.

He Didn't Have To

"Redemption of Scrooge" Series

December 24th, 2016 - Christmas Eve

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 2:1-20
 

As we have just wrapped up the sermon series, “The Redemption of Scrooge” throughout the season of Advent I am reminded that God didn’t have to.  

In Dicken’s, “A Christmas Carol” Jacob Marley did not have to come back and visit Scrooge.  The Ghost of Christmas, Past, Present, and Future did not have to come and visit Scrooge showing him the way to a life-change and transformation.  They all chose to come to Ebenezer Scrooge.  WHY?  He was worth it, AND SO ARE YOU!