The internet and technology have brought the world “closer” together, yet why do we still often feel so far apart - from each other? It turns out that only God has the real power to unite people across cultures, and we see it happening in big ways in the book of Acts!

This boundary-crossing, culture-clashing, line-blurring work of God's Spirit starts at Pentecost in the 2nd chapter and continues through Peter and Cornelius' story in Acts 10. And, this Sunday is "Pentecost Sunday" all around the world - a time where Church families everywhere consider the implications.

What does the Spirit of God want to stir up in us today? Where in your life is God inviting you to cross imaginary lines to love others and experience community in a fresh way? Or, maybe you’ve felt caught behind an imaginary line yourself, and God is welcoming you to step out in faith and courage.

Sunday 9 & 10:30am

Arcata Veterans Hall

MOTHER'S DAY...and Saul??? What does his miraculous encounter with Jesus in Acts 9 have to do with our thankfulness and appreciation for the care-givers in our lives? Could there be a connection in there somewhere? Do you think Saul's mom was praying for him all along?How about us - how do we trust God with the care and nurturing of our loved ones? What about the nurturing of our own lives, our health and well-being? What if we feel like we’ve failed in some ways or made mistakes? What do we do with “mom-guilt”? Can God lead our loved ones to the hope and grace found in an encounter with Jesus? Does He want to? Is He interested? Who directs traffic on the "Road to Redemption"?

The message today also features a faith-story from Els Woodke!

God reminds us, "I've never quit loving you and never will.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

God does the most impossible things. He changes lives in the most radical ways. Maybe this could be our day for redemption - another chance for us to open our hearts to the light, to the voice of love, grace, and purpose, for us!

Sundays - Arcata Veterans Hall - 9 & 10:30am

SO MANY STORIES

"God works in mysterious ways." He surprises us around every corner, and after spending time in Acts 1-8, its seems He's always been doing that!
The book of Acts invites us to not merely be spectators in the epic story of God, but to actually step in as participants in the grand mission of redemption.
This Sunday, we'll hear from three voices in our community (Ella Price, Ben Seay, and Ivy Gordon), as we reflect on what God has been stirring up, how He's been inviting us into the adventure. We can't wait to be together!

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET REAL

Where is God in suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people? These are some of the deepest questions of the human soul.
Pain shapes us. The ancient Greek poet Hesiod (c. 700 BC) wrote:...”But before the road of Excellence the immortal gods have placed sweat. And the way to it is long and steep and rough at first. But when one arrives at the summit, then it is easy, even though remaining difficult.” In 1577, a British poet said: “They must take pain that look for any gain." And today, of course, we say ”No pain, no gain.”
Rembrandt, and a host of other famous artists, have been captured by the image of the church's first great tragedy in Acts; the killing of Stephen. This event arrests us with its violence, and at the same time, it reminds us of what Jesus went through. Stephen's death brought great pain, yet catalyzed the first faith community toward a deeper communion with Jesus' suffering and on to a mission that would change the world.

When we feel judged by others, when we feel lonely and excluded from certain friend groups or at work, when we feel like “exiles” in our contemporary culture, we’re in good company with Jesus and Stephen... and Matthew, Mark, Luke, the other disciples, Paul, saints of the Church; Tyndale, Joan of Arc, Wycliffe, Jim Elliot, Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

These people would say losing their life was nothing compared to the gain of knowing Jesus deeply. The old hymn says, “Oh the wonderful cross, bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.”

Jesus invites us to die to our “old selves”, our “false selves” and find our true selves - in Him. How might God use suffering, hardship, and challenge to grow us?

** Also, a copy of what Justin read at the end, an excerpt from his forthcoming (maybe someday??) book, can be found at www.brancheshumboldt.org/invitation

Challenges must be faced in every hero's journey.

Nobody truly lives, truly grows, without trials, without opposition.

Have you faced some big challenges? Have you felt like giving up? You're not alone. The first faith community formed in Acts 2, starts off with a bang and has an (initially) positive, wide-ranging impact. But it's not a "Utopia" story; it's a real story.

This Sunday, Letitia Yund (our Campus Pastor through Intervarsity at Cal Poly Humboldt) shares as we look at the next few chapters in Acts. We see these first Jesus followers begin to come under pressure, face criticism, endure misunderstandings, and experience opposition. How will they react? How do they handle it?

What can help us face our own challenges? How can we respond with grace and boldness?

Have you noticed that there are moments when "heaven" seems to break into our earthly reality - when we get a glimpse of the divine in our every-day? These might be often brief for us; like the beauty of nature or the innocent smile of a child, but this was the kind of experience (in a more dramatic, supernatural way) that God used to catapult the early Church into a world-changing movement.

As recorded in Acts, Chapter 2, The Spirit of God decided to break in and ignite a community into action and mission 2,000 years ago, and nothing has been the same since.

This Sunday, as we continue in our series; "Origin Story", we take a look at this formative event and the aftermath of its effect. What happened as a result? How were the people changed and what did they do in response? How about for you; where do you see God breaking into your life? What journey of growth and change might God be inviting you into?

How about for us; is the Church's mission still on course, or have we gotten side-tracked along the way? How did God intend real community to function? What's His big dream for the Church, and for us at Branches?

Let's find out together!

9 & 11AM - Arcata Veterans Hall

So, RESURRECTION! But then what?

Our story, the Church’s origin-story, began around a table...Have you ever had some good, life-changing conversations over a meal, around a table? Sometimes it’s not even what’s said exactly - it’s almost more like a feeling, a rich, colorful memory.

In the days after Jesus rose from the grave, He had many conversations with His followers, imparting last words of advice and encouragement. He instructed them to wait for the Spirit of God to "fill them" and empower them for their mission, and there's so much we can learn and practice as we follow their example.

This Sunday, we begin a new series in the book of Acts. We take a look at the first days, months, and years of the Church and experience their victories, adventures, heartbreak, and steps of faith. And it all begins around a table, the intimacy of family, a shared connection. We hope you'll join us at 9 or 11am as we learn what it means now, for us, to be a family of faith - together!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION:

Did your family have meals together? What was that like?

What’s your most memorable meal you’ve ever had? With who? How was it special?

What’s the most difficult thing about “waiting” for you?

What’s the longest you’ve ever waited for something to happen?

Why do you think Jesus chose a conversation around a meal to share His last words of advice and instruction?

What do you think it was like for His first followers to be told to “wait”? How would you have felt if you were there?

How might you develop your relationships around meals?

What do you learn about God through this passage of Scripture?

What’s something you’re learning or noticing about yourself after reflecting on this?

Where in your life are you sense God telling you to “wait”?

How might you practice waiting and trusting in God right now?

Have you ever had that feeling of just wanting to get out of town? To just hit the road and start over? It's that feeling of promise, of hope, that something ahead could somehow be better than what's behind.

And this is the message of God's grace during Easter.

Paul says this in Romans 6:3 (MS) “We’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!"

That’s why Easter is such a big deal. This desire for a new land, a new life, is woven into every human heart. Join us as we celebrate the fresh start Jesus offers!

Sundays - 9 & 11am - Arcata Veterans Hall

In the steps of Jesus...

This "Palm Sunday', we follow the steps of Jesus as He begins to make His mission clear. Miguel Montiel takes time to consider His actions with us as Jesus expresses His passion for others in Matthew 21.

His steps begin to take Him toward the cross - the moment He gives His life, making a way for us to be forgiven friends of God. We had our own "palm branches" to wave as we thanked Jesus for His love, His grace, and His sacrifice.

In the steps of St. Patrick...
This Sunday, Saint Patricks Day, we take time in our gatherings to consider what being "on mission" really means.
We'll see and hear from an outreach team on mission in Niger and also get to know a local outreach team right here at Cal Poly!

Sundays - Arcata Veterans Hall - 9 & 11 AM