It is sometimes difficult to face the evils in this world. What do we do? Is there anything we can do? Fr. Chris suggests that there are two ways that we might face it on our own - isolation or retaliation. But as Christians, we know there is another, better way. Listen to Fr. Chris as he retells Paul's story in our reading this Sunday, Acts 13:44-52. A whole town wanted, needed to hear the word of the Lord. It sounds a lot like today. People need to hear and see what the resurrected life looks like. We all need love, forgiveness, peace, joy in our lives. Listen to find it, come on any Sunday morning to experience it.

A good story is one that can inspire, motivate, and encourage us, but ultimately it draws us into its narrative. A great story can do all of this and much, much more. It can transform us. The greatest story ever told in the history of mankind is about the deep and profound love God has for us. It is a story for everyone. As Fr. Chris points out in his sermon, God is passionate about you and He wants you to be part of His story. Fr. Chris illustrates this with a Jew named Saul. Listen to Fr. Chris as retells the story of Saul's conversion from one who wanted to persecute Christians, to one who wanted to convert them. Saul, who we know today as Paul, traveled some 150 miles to persecute Christians but after his encounter with Jesus, he would travel some 1500 miles to share the greatest story ever told to people who needed to hear it. Our hurts and troubles in the world still exist today, as they did then. Listen to Fr. Chris as he encourages us to remember we are loved and Jesus Christ, our Lord, wants to heal us. It is a story that compels to want to share it, so others can also experience the transformation.

This Sunday was Youth Sunday at CTR, which means contemporary Christian worship music and a special children's sermon. Listen to Fr. Mark as he explains to the children what community looks like and this is followed by a testimony by Holden Carroll. Holden is one of our seniors heading to Texas Tech next year. His testimony is funny and authentic. He lays it all out there with some of the not so wise acts of his youth, some wisdom and the how a caring church community has influenced him. It is a great story of a young man and how important our church is in the world we live in today.

This week's sermon is based on our Gospel reading, John 20:19-31. The scripture tells us that the disciples have locked themselves in a room. Why were they locked in a room? What were they hiding from? Then Jesus appears and stood among them and said "Peace be with you!" Fr. Chris explains that at this point in time, everything changes. Not all the disciples were there. Thomas was not with them, and therefore did not see Jesus. So, when the disciples told him, that they had seen Jesus, he did not believe them. Thomas as often be referred to as 'Doubting Thomas'. He is someone we can relate to, for it is hard to believe in something without evidence. But once Thomas experienced the evidence, he did believe and declared, "My Lord and my God!" Listen to Fr. Chris as he explains that this is what we are looking for today - a God to believe in.

According to the Merriam-Webster's dictionary, one of the definitions of the word, facts, is 'an actual occurrence.' How do we know that Jesus was actually crucified and then resurrected? We know by the actual occurrence of events that followed. What were those events? Were there any witnesses? Listen to Fr. Chris as he lays out the facts of the Christian faith.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. The service begins with the joy of Christ entering into Jerusalem, and ends in the sadness of his crucifixion. But for Christians, this is not the end of Holy Week but the beginning of our journey to the cross. Listen to Fr. Chris as he tells us that in Christ we are set free. In this freedom, we experience His power of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace and it is in this power that compels us to live the resurrected life. Not sure how to live the resurrected life? Fr. Chris and Fr. Mark in their upcoming Easter sermons will guide us how to experience it, live it and share it.

It is the first Sunday of the month and as it is the tradition at CTR, we first begin with a message to our children. Fr. Mark's message to them is based on our Gospel reading, Luke 20:9-19, The Parable of the Wicked Tenants. He using action figures to his illustrate and teach the lesson learned in this parable. You will need to listen to hear who Superman represents!

Fr. Mark's sermon, to the rest of the congregation, is based on our New Testament reading, Philippians 3:8:14. Today, we are faced with all sorts of questions of who were are and what is our purpose. In a world that is hurting and confusing, we as Christians, as Fr. Mark points out, can find our identity, and our purpose in God. Listen to Fr. Mark as explains how this is possible and that there is great inspiration and comfort that can be found in God's Word, scripture.

"Not Me" is a character from Family Circus by Bill Keene. Sometimes it is easy to blame 'Not Me' as Fr. Chris points out, then take responsibility. In our Gospel reading, Luke 13:1-9, Jesus is being questioned about who is to be blamed for two different types of death - one is murder and the other is accidental.

His answer, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo′am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

As Fr. Chris points out, repentance is what brings us back to God. Jesus went to the cross because of us and for us. So that with our repentance, we can be pulled back to God. Listen to Fr. Chris as he explains what the real issues we face today and how we can live a life in Him.

Fr. Mark's sermon is based on our Gospel reading, Luke 13:22-35. An unnamed man asks, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” Fr. Mark says this is an odd question to ask. Why does this man ask this question? Is there someone he is thinking of or hoping will be saved? So what is the answer? As Fr. Mark points out, Jesus doesn't answer with a number, instead he answers with, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." The key is strive. If it were not possible, his answer would be different. As Fr. Mark points out, God wants everyone to be saved. Listen to Fr. Mark as he explains how that is possible.

This Sunday, Fr. Crosthwait was our guest preacher. He is planting a church in Bryan/ College Station called The Church of the Incarnation. They have services on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, so he was able to join us.

Fr. Crosthwait's sermon is based on our Gospel reading, Luke 4:1-13. Jesus is being tempted and tested for 40 days by Satan, and he doesn't succumb to these trials. This is a game changer for all of us, and the implications of this (some 2,000 years later) has a huge impact on our lives today. Listen to Fr. Crosthwait as he explains how Jesus did it, and how we can too. We all have and will have trials and temptations throughout our lives, but we need to remember we are never alone in them.