This week, Pastor Brian continues to explore the original songs of Christmas. The Angels are up next. Their declaration of good news for all people is bad news for those who miss it. However, for those who do hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus, there is peace. Do you have peace this Christmas season? Join us this week as we seek to find the peace that only comes through Jesus.

Our second song of the first Christmas is the song of Zechariah. Silent for the entirety of his wife's pregnancy, when God finally opened his mouth, he pointed to God's faithfulness and kindness. This week, Pastor Brian will challenge us to reflect on God's faithfulness as well.

This year, Pastor Brian will be considering the "songs of Christmas" during the Advent season. Today, we look at the theme of the first Christmas song - Mary's Song. A song of joy because it is a song of grace.

The church vs. the world...Acts now takes us on mission but like any mission behind enemy lines, there's bound to be trouble. Today, Pastor Brian asks us to consider some of the sources of opposition to the Great Commission.

In the Great Commission, Jesus told his disciples that he had been given all authority. He then sent out his church on a global mission to make disciples of all people. We sometimes forget the authority and power under which we function. Acts 12 is a powerful reminder of just how much power we find when we find ourselves on our knees before the Lord

The focal point of the Church has shifted. Jerusalem is still the birthplace of the church, but another large city has become the launchpad for the Great Commission work extending to the ends of the earth. Antioch became the home of the Christians.

Peter's journey away from Jerusalem was preparing his heart for the next dramatic move of the Gospel. As he encounters the centurion known as Cornelius, we are encouraged to look in the mirror to see how we respond to those who are different from us.

The focus of Acts' camera changes from Saul to Peter. However, we encounter a Peter who is about to have his view of the world transformed by the power of a Savior who loves the whole world, not just an isolated nation.

Join us this week as Our Worship Pastor, Foster Payne, preaches from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Peter’s ministry to the Gentiles was followed up by Paul’s, and both men’s example is one we should follow in dealing with others – engaging with the world in ways that are relevant to them, ways that capture their attention. Our message, the Gospel, will never change, but our methods of communicating the Gospel have to.

Saul’s conversion led to his preparation for ministry. In spite of his fame, his conversion wasn’t immediately paraded around the community. Instead, he spent a season of preparation in the desert. Instead of being celebrated, he was met with resistance. We are reminded that ministry is hard work. But it is God’s prerogative to use those difficulties for his glory and for the growth of his Kingdom.