This week, as we light the 3rd candle in our Advent wreath, we focus on Joy.

Joy is a word that often is tied to emotion, but as Christians, we should tie our joy to the word and work of Jesus Christ. When we can move to this type of joy, we are no longer dependent on situations to bring us joy, but instead joy becomes a lifestyle.

In this sermon, Mary experiences the dread of having to bear a child as an unwed teenaged mother in the ancient near east. This could have dire consequences on Mary. Unwed mothers in this time, at this place in the world, could be stoned to death to avenge what would have been dishonor to Mary's family name. 

As the angel tells Mary not to fear, how could she move out of that fear? The only way was to remember who was making the promise that she was "highly favored." 

Mary could trust God because, time after time in scripture, God proves that his word is faithful.

Join us today as we shift from fear to joy through the story of Mary's song. 

This week we focus on the passion of God to prepare his people for the coming of Jesus.

God spent hundreds of years preparing his people for the coming redemption through Jesus by giving us the Law, the Prophets, the scriptures, and then John the Baptist. 

This week we spend time talking about how God's passion for saving his people came into fulfillment when John the Baptist prepared his people for the coming savior by calling the Jewish people, and in turn still calls us today, into repentance. John's passionate message of heart cleansing was compared to a "refiner's fire" and a "launderer's soap." 

John's appearance would have been pretty shocking, but his message penetrated the peoples' hearts. He fulfilled prophecies that foretold of a messenger who would prepare then way for the Messiah. John recognized Jesus as the Messiah and pointed out that while John baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

The Christmas birth narrative would not be the same with the promise of John the Baptist being born to his parents Zechariah and Elizabeth. The intertwining of Christ's birth story with John's birth story is another beautiful way that God's passion for our salvation is made known to us.

Join us as we continue to focus in the Advent Season on the beautiful mystery of the coming before and coming again of Jesus.

This sermon by Pastor Matt Morgan is meant to inspire hope and anticipation throughout the Advent season as we prepare to remember the arrival of the Christ Child, and we continue to look forward to Christ making all things new in his return. Join us throughout the Advent Season as we focus on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. 

Discover how to find hope in a noisy world with Pastor Matt Morgan's insightful message. Learn the importance of listening to Jesus' teachings, even when they challenge us to step out of our comfort zones. Understand the significance of not being deceived by false prophets and staying steadfast in faith during trials and tribulations. Despite the chaos, Jesus remains our constant source of hope, providing strength and calm. As followers of Christ, we are called to be ambassadors of hope, living out His teachings and being a light to those around us. Keywords: finding hope, Jesus' teachings, false prophets, end times, trials and tribulations, source of hope, ambassadors of hope, spiritual growth, faith, encouragement.

In this insightful message, discover how faith in Jesus Christ should shape political engagement. Learn from Matthew 20:20-28 about the call to serve rather than rule, and understand the complex relationship between politics and faith. With references to John 18:36 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, the sermon emphasizes our primary allegiance to Christ's heavenly kingdom. Engage responsibly in earthly politics, seeking the welfare of your community as urged in Jeremiah 29:1-7. Follow the example of Jesus and historical figures like Miep Gies, and strive for unity and peace as instructed in Titus 3:1-2. Reflect on how your political actions can honor Christ and promote love, justice, and mercy.

Understanding Forgiveness: A Path to Healing and Wholeness explores the profound importance of forgiveness in Christian faith. Drawing from biblical teachings, such as the Lord's Prayer and the parable of the unmerciful servant, this message highlights how forgiveness is essential for spiritual and emotional freedom. Real-life examples, including Peter Holm's journey from grief to peace and Nelson Mandela's reconciliation efforts, demonstrate the healing power of forgiveness. Practical steps to practice forgiveness include acknowledging the hurt, deciding to forgive, seeking God's help, letting go of resentment, and moving forward. Keywords: forgiveness, Christian faith, Lord's Prayer, unmerciful servant, Peter Holm, Nelson Mandela, reconciliation, healing, spiritual growth, emotional well-being.

Explore the profound message of perseverance and faith in James 1:1-18. This passage teaches faith as an active journey requiring trust, perseverance, and wisdom. Trials are growth opportunities, refining our faith like a samurai sword forged through heat and hammering. Learn about the importance of perseverance for spiritual maturity and the role of wisdom in navigating life's challenges. Discover the fleeting nature of earthly wealth compared to enduring spiritual riches, and understand the source of temptation as our own desires. Embrace the refining process of faith, seeking God's wisdom and strength. Keywords: James 1:1-18, faith, perseverance, wisdom, trials, spiritual maturity, earthly wealth, temptation, God's goodness.

Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, is a central act of Christian worship that commemorates Jesus' sacrifice. Its roots trace back to the Old Testament Passover, which celebrated the Israelites' liberation from Egypt. Jesus redefined this meal during the Last Supper, establishing a new covenant through His body and blood. The early church continued this practice, emphasizing repentance and thanksgiving. Today, World Communion Sunday unites Christians globally, reminding us of our shared faith and the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

In today's message, we explored the profound sense of awe that should accompany our worship of God. Using Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:1-8 as a foundation, we examined what it means to be in awe of God and how this awe should lead us to humility and readiness to serve. Isaiah's response to God's presence is, 'Here I am. Send me!' serves as a powerful example of the attitude we should have when encountering God's majesty. We also reflected on the psalmist's marvel at God's creation in Psalm 8:1-9, recognizing that the vastness and intricacy of the universe should humble us. This same God who created the stars and mountains also created each of us with love and purpose. Our worship should be filled with awe and humility, inspiring us to live out our faith by serving others and sharing God's love. Worship is not just an event but an ongoing experience that transforms us and calls us to action in our daily lives.

Worship is more than just singing songs; it's a heartfelt expression of our love and adoration for God that involves our emotions, intellect, and spirit. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-36 illustrates how worship can transform our circumstances. Despite being imprisoned, they chose to worship God, leading to a miraculous intervention and the jailer's conversion. To fully experience the power of worship, we need to prepare our hearts and minds, setting aside distractions and focusing solely on God. Engaging fully in worship means actively participating with our whole heart, mind, and soul. This could involve raising our hands, closing our eyes, or journaling our thoughts and prayers. Worship also involves our intellect, as Romans 12:1-2 calls us to renew our minds and deepen our understanding of God. By making worship a daily practice, we can experience God's presence in profound ways and see His transformative power in our lives.