This past Sunday Anna Walker-Roberts shared a teaching from the Book of James, weaving together her personal journey of faith, the call to embrace humility, and the challenge to live out faith through action. She shared how unexpected paths in her life led to deeper trust in Jesus, reminded us through James 4:10 that humility means relying on God and valuing others above ourselves, and urged us to be doers of the Word, actively putting our faith into practice with humility and purpose.

We were so inspired by the vibrant energy of our SENT Sunday service! Our speakers Rahonel Tejada, Chris Flores, and Austin Medley delivered powerful messages on the theme of youth empowerment and spiritual devotion.

God Works Through the Youth: Rahonel Tejada reminded us from 1 Timothy 4:12 that young people shouldn't let anyone look down on them because of their age, but instead set powerful examples in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Devotion and Impact: Chris Flores shared how being fully devoted to God's word transformed his life, demonstrating that devoted youth can inspire all through his personal story of finding Jesus and community at ccdelco.

Living Faith and Mission: Austin Medley concluded with a call to live out our faith actively. He encouraged us to embrace our roles as peacemakers and to execute the Lord's will by making disciples and spreading peace and righteousness.

In his sermon "The Book of James: Living Faith" Pastor Adler Roberts challenged us to embrace spiritual maturity by cultivating a living faith that reflects our growth in Christ, much like an adolescent developing into adulthood. Drawing from James 1:19-20, he emphasized the transformative power of being "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger," reminding us that our words carry immense power and that managing our emotions allows us to better reflect God's righteousness and His image. Adler also highlighted the importance of confessional living, encouraging us to embrace honesty and transparency in our spiritual journey, as confessing our sins and struggles opens the door to healing and deeper fellowship with both one another and with God.

This Sunday, we were treated to Bill Butterworth teaching part one of our "Living Faith" sermon series based on the book of James. Bill spoke about life’s transitions, his growing family, and how the early church, like all of us, went through a kind of “spiritual adolescence.” Just as teens need boundaries, space to grow, and grace, so do we in our walk with God. From James 1, he reminded us that trials aren’t just challenges—they’re God-given opportunities that grow our endurance, deepen our maturity, and strengthen our faith.

In Part 3 of his Reasons I Believe series, Pastor Bob shared how the moon, 9/11, and a red Schwinn bicycle point to the existence of God. He reflected on how creation, beginning with the moon, reveals God’s presence, creative design, and artistry. Through the events of 9/11, he addressed the reality of evil and God’s redemptive response through His Son. A story involving a South Korean pastor and a red Schwinn bicycle illustrated God’s personal response to prayer, as did the testimony of Carl Beech, who, despite early-onset Parkinson’s, received an unexpected answer to prayer with global implications. Pastor Bob noted that the statistical odds of these seven reasons aligning by chance are 16 million to one and growing as the series continues.

This past Sunday, Pastor Bob Guaglione shared some powerful insights in "Reasons I Believe Part 2," drawing from 1 Peter 3:15 about being ready to give reasons for our hope. He reminded us that as Christians, we should be prepared to articulate our faith and share our personal stories of how God has worked in our lives. What really stood out was his perspective on doubt, rather than seeing it as something to fear, Pastor Bob explained how questioning can actually purify and strengthen our faith, leading us to deeper understanding and conviction. He also touched on the fascinating relationship between science and spirituality, highlighting how our soul goes beyond just our physical brain and plays a crucial role in how we connect with and understand God. It was an encouraging reminder that having questions doesn't weaken our faith, but can actually make it more robust.

In Part 1 of the new series, Reasons I Believe, Pastor Bob Guaglione delivered a compelling message from 1 Peter 3:15, urging us always to be ready to share the hope we have in Christ with gentleness and respect. He emphasized that being born again is a deep, inner transformation that shapes how we live, love, and represent Jesus. Pastor Bob shared how he sees God's mastery through the honey bee and human tears, thereby providing him more reasons to believe. He also encouraged us to defend our faith humbly and to see others not just as they are, but as who they can become in Christ.

Pastor Austin Medley shared a moving message titled "Wisdom from a Suffering Father," reflecting on Job 42:1–6 and the story of Job’s faith through suffering. We were reminded that while we may not always understand God's purpose, we can trust it's for our good. Pastor Austin also touched on how suffering can blur our vision, making it harder to see God’s plan, and encouraged us to stay grounded in faith and community. Drawing a contrast with Solomon’s misplaced priorities, the message called us to focus not on answers, but on seeking God Himself, even in our pain.