Sing It! The Songs of Advent in Luke’s Gospel

This season we will examine the Advent songs in Luke’s gospel which speaks of God’s faithfulness.

Dec 1: Mary’s Song – Jesus came to fulfill a promise. Luke 1:46-56.  Mary’s song praises God for His mercy & faithfulness. We will take a look at her story, and see how the words of her worshipful song reveal the glory of what God accomplished through Jesus.

Dec 8: Zechariah’s Song – Jesus came to save humanity. Luke 1:67-80.  Zechariah’s song praises God for keeping His promises. Let’s find out who Zechariah was, and examine the truths that are revealed through his words about God’s Messiah.

Dec 15: The Angels’ Song – Jesus came to bring peace. Luke 2:14.  The angels sing of glory to God & praise Him for bringing peace on earth. We’ll look at the story of the Shepherds and focus on the significance of why the angels sang proclamations of glory and peace.

Dec 22: Simeon’s Song – Jesus came to reveal God’s truth to everyone. Luke 2:29-32.  Simeon’s words aren’t technically referred to as a “song.” We’re talking a little poetic license here. His words were an outburst of praise to God upon seeing the baby Jesus. (That qualifies as a song.)  Simeon praised God for fulfilling His covenant with Abraham to bless all people through Israel. Tell the story of Simeon and Anna, and focus on the significance of Simeon’s words of praise.

Dec 24:  Christmas Eve in Candlelight

Dec 29: Always Levelling Up : God’s Work In Us Never Ends.  2 Corinthians 3:7-18.  This stand-alone lesson on 2 Corinthians 3:18, focuses on the idea of “Ever increasing glory.” God’s transformational work in our lives is constant and never-ending. We never arrive, but continually grow closer to God. As we do so, we continually experience newer and greater levels of spiritual growth and faith in Jesus.

Summer Series and Serving

With only two weeks left in the school year, summer planning is in full swing!

Summer Cinema is the theme for this summer. We’ll look at the lessons and Biblical truth that can be gleaned from some carefully selected movies. No, we won’t be watching the whole thing on a Sunday morning, but various speakers will be showing clips and helping us look for the truth behind the tinsel.

We will have supervised time for kids aged 3 through third grade in our KidsChurch area. Our regular team of amazing volunteers gets a well-deserved break over the summer, so we are looking for a few individuals who would like to help out upstairs. By filling out THIS FORM, you can let us know when you’re available. Background checks are mandatory.

Our Youth will be hanging out here and there throughout the summer. That schedule will be posted shortly!

See you at the movies!

SUMMER SERVE INVITATION FORM LINK

 

Sermon Series 2024

 

EXPLORING THE BOOK OF JUDGES

January 7th           The Book of Judges (Judges 1:1 – 3:6)

January 14th       The gospel in Judges 

January 21st         Othiel & Ehud (Judges 3-7-30)

January 28th       Deborah, Barak & Jael (Judges 4:1-5:31)

February 4th      Gideon (Judges 6:1- 8:35)

February 11th      Jephthah & Samson  (Judges 11:1 – 13:1)

Ordinary people who God can redeem, restore, and use for His glory.

 

 

Advent 2023

Our sermon series for the month of December is called: The Jesus Family Tree. Each week we will be looking at different women in the Bible. We will consider the lives of Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Mary and Anna. We will be reflecting on the following themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Anticipation.

Lani Wiens, our Kids and Youth Ministry Director, explained it well:

“From the very beginning, God was creating a family. He was building relationships with a people that He called out to be His own. Unfortunately, those children disappointed, wandered and rejected Him over and over; yet He never gave up on them.

His beautiful plan of redemption spans the arc of history.

Throughout the weeks of December, we will hear God`s story unfolding. Even though it looked like the main tree was cut off, the promised delayed; life and hope were still deeply rooted in God`s heart.

 Isaiah 11:1 says, “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.”

The passage goes on to prophecy about the Messiah and what glorious blessing will come through the new  shoot.”

On the last Sunday of 2023 (December 31) we will take a closer look at Anna, Lady in Waiting (Luke 2:36 -38).

*Remember to collect your interactive advent preparation guide at church this Sunday.

 

Fall in the Psalms

Our new sermon series for October and November, Fall in the Psalms, will take a deeper look at some themes in the Psalms.

 

I love the book of Psalms because it is raw and honest. As followers of Christ, we can identify with the  songs, poems and prayers of the writers. Throughout the ages, it has helped believers through times of hardship, heartache and discouragement. On a personal level, the Psalms have inspired my own prayer life and journey with Jesus. He truly is the Good Shepherd.

 

October 1                       Praise in the Psalms (Psalm 113:3)        

October 8                      Thanksgiving (Psalm 95:1-3)

October 15                     Psalms of Confidence (Psalm 23 & 131)

October 22                    My Soul Longs for You (Psalm 42:1)

October 29                    Fear Not (Psalm 63:1 & 27)

 

November 5                  He Rescued Them  (Psalm 107:6)

November 12                Psalms of Disorientation (Psalm 13 & 69)

November 19                The LORD Who… (Psalm 146)

November 26                I Sought the LORD  (Psalm 34:4)

 

When talking about the Psalms, Jason Soroski says “…we are given testimonies of praise, lament, repentance, and worship. We are given a preview of who the Messiah will be, and how his salvation will reach throughout the world.”

 

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.  Psalm 67:1-3