At The Dwelling Place

During this season, we will take a tour of the Hebrew Prophets and what they have to say. The first prophet we will meet is Amos. Amos is really more shepherd/farmer than prophet, but he received a word from God nonetheless. Amos reminds us that social justice and human rights are a divine concern. Worship is never an end in and of itself. Worship and justice walk hand in hand, so that we might be shaped and formed into a just people. Plan to be with us this week as we explore this particular Hebrew prophet in a study called: The Great Worship Scam.

It is that time of year (the Sunday before Lent) where we remember the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This is a climactic moment in the gospel story where the old gives way to the new. The law and the prophets find their goal and fulfillment in the person of Jesus. In this narrative account we are called, by the Father, as Christians to “listen to Him" (Jesus). Plan to be with us as we explore this mystical moment in the journey of Jesus.

During the season of Epiphany we have been looking at the teachings of Jesus. This week we want to ask this question: Who has the final authority -- the Bible or Jesus? How do we read the whole counsel of God as centered in Jesus? Sometimes people have a flat reading of Scripture where the Old Covenant command to not eat shellfish is on par with Jesus’ New Covenant command of enemy love. This doesn’t seem right. Even the Bible has to be re-thought in the light of Jesus. Paul reminds us that “all the promises of God find their ‘Yes’ in Christ.” Our study this week is called: Reading the Bible Backwards.

Living in an economic and military Superpower like the US, many Christians have lost the way of Jesus. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount call us back to the way. Our posture in the world will either be as people immersed in the spirit of the age or as ones who are baptized in the spirit of Christ. The very spirit of the beatitudes is in fact the Holy Spirit at work in us. Jesus’ teaching is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of this age, and beatitude-shaped people will be profoundly counter-culture. Plan to be with us as we continue to explore the teachings of Christ in a study called -- The Blessed.

This is the season of Epiphany, and we are exploring Jesus’ kingdom teaching. At the beginning of Jesus’ most famous sermon (the Sermon on the Mount) we encounter this  eight-tiered announcement about who will be most blessed at the arrival of God’s coming kingdom. These pronouncements of blessing are not simple platitudes, but rather they are shocking paradoxes that unfold the counter-intuitive wisdom of God. Plan to be with us as we take a fresh look at the beatitudes.

We are in the season of Epiphany in the life of the church, and we will explore Jesus' teaching ministry. What causes lifelong fishermen to drop their nets and follow this makeshift Rabbi from Galilee? There must be something about this Jesus! Even to this day following Jesus means leaving certain things behind. Jesus went around the towns and villages and preached the gospel of the kingdom. Is the kingdom of God just a spiritual kind of thing, or is it a real political entity that bids us to rearrange our lives and society? Plan to to be with us as we examine Mark 1:14-20 and the central message of Jesus.

The First Sunday in Epiphany is where we remember the baptism of Jesus. Why does Christ wade into the waters of repentance? He didn’t need baptism, but baptism needed Him. Jesus is immersed into the river with us, so that He might sanctify the waters (make them holy) and receive the Spirit for us. The account of Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan is full of rich symbolism. Plan to be with us in this second Sunday of the New Year as we consider Jesus as the New Adam giving us a new start. Our study is called: River of no Return.

It is still the Christmas season, so we will be celebrating with liturgy and songs and more thoughts on the incarnation of Christ.  Plan to be with us as we look at the year ahead and celebrate all that has been given to us in Jesus Christ!

Advent Week 4

Once again, we will explore one of Isaiah’s ancient oracles. Join us for an evening of celebrating the Incarnation! The sermon is called: a new way to be human.

Advent Week 3

Just as Mary was expectant with the holy being borne in her, we are to be pregnant with the incarnate one. What is being formed and birthed in you? Where is God inviting you to move beyond despair into hope? Your journey, your voice matters. Come, and let's craft this message together.