Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

Luke 24:13–16

According to the Bible, Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection.

Each of the stories is unique and offers insight into the nature of faith and eternal life.

The walk to Emmaus is particularly interesting because the two disciples are accompanied by Jesus and “their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

I have always wondered about how this happened.

Did Jesus prevent them from seeing?

Were they unable to see Jesus because of their grief?

Was Jesus’ appearance altered?

The promise of the resurrection is that through Christ we have eternal life.

We also proclaim Jesus’ presence with us on our journey.

Join us Sunday as we ponder this familiar story anew.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

We continue to celebrate the power and promise of the resurrection.

On Sunday, our story will focus on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in John 20.

Message delivered by Pastor LaVinnia Pierson.

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.

Come, see the place where he lay.”

Matthew 28:5–6

The first Easter was filled with grief, questions, and doubt.

After Jesus’ death, the faithful women come to the grave to honor Jesus and anoint his body for final burial.

What they find is an empty tomb and an angelic message.

It is hard to imagine how overwhelming the first Easter message must have been.

And yet, these faithful women tell the story of Jesus being raised and the church exists today because of it.

The promise of Easter is eternal life as a gift from God.

Join us Sunday in celebration!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:8–9

The day we have to come to know as Palm Sunday was a day of jubilation in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ public ministry had gathered significant notoriety and many followers who began to understand that God’s promise of a Messiah had come true in Jesus.

So they cheered as Jesus rode into town and were filled with expectations and hopes.

We too share the belief that Jesus is God’s promised Messiah.

We, however, have the hindsight to understand the full story of Holy Week.

Join us Sunday as we begin this journey!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

John 11:25–26

This passage summarizes the essence and power of the Gospel.

Through Christ, we have the promise of the resurrection and eternal life.

Through Christ, we have the assurance that our life with God will live beyond our physical demise.

I have shared this powerful promise countless times at funeral and memorial services over the years and I have always found it moving and reassuring.

This passage taken in its context, also demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and love for those who have lost a loved one.

Jesus’ compassion and presence can be just as important for us to remember as the promise of eternal life.

Join us Sunday as we recount the story of Lazarus and the promise of resurrection.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.

His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

John 9:1–2

The Bible is filled with blessings and curses.

Frequently, Biblical writers and characters attribute their life circumstances to whether they are blessed or cursed in God’s eyes.

Those who spoke with Jesus about the blind man in John 9, presume someone’s sin was responsible for the man’s blindness.

Jesus challenges this assumption and not only brings sight to the man, but allows us all to see a different way God interacts with the world.

Join us Sunday for an eye opening experience!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him,

and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:10

When Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, they have a life changing conversation.

Jesus shares with her the good news of what God is doing through the life and ministry of Jesus.

He came so that a world thirsting for meaning, purpose, and salvation would find an endless wellspring of living water.

Jesus abundantly provides for our basic and eternal needs, from which the supply is endless.

Join us Sunday as we consider our own hunger and thirst than can be fully satisfied by Jesus.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.

He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God;

for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”

Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

John 3:1–3

Jesus’ teachings and ministry were confounding for most people.

Even the disciples often misunderstood Jesus,

so it is no surprise that Nicodemus struggles to understand what Jesus meant by “being born from above.”

Jesus was the Messiah, the full revelation of God, the Word made flesh that lived among us.

Sometimes we struggle in our faith because we want to understand God,

Sunday’s gospel reminds us that is more important for God to understand us and the world,

“For God so loved the world he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes…”

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. Matthew 4:1-2

Matthew 4:1–2

The first Sunday of Lent always features the story of Jesus’ temptation.

For 40 days, Jesus is tempted, or tested, by Satan who seeks to entice him with the offer of human power.

What is interesting is the Jesus was led by the Spirit into this time of testing.

He needed this time in the wilderness to grow in his capacity to withstand the testings of Satan.

In so doing, Jesus emerges spiritually powerful and confident to carry out his mission and ministry.

Join us Sunday as we continue our journey of Lent and consider the spiritual tests in our lives.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.