This week a year ago, Hurricane Harvey devastated the city of Houston. In this message, Pastor Chris Seay leads us in reflecting on the many ways Ecclesia responded to love our city in the midst of its pain and trauma. Throughout the stories of our community, we are able to witness the local church be the hope of the world. Ecclesia, may you go out this week knowing you are rescued and beloved by our Father.

Ericka Graham shared with us a truth-telling story from her life about accepting the grace that comes with being part of the Kingdom of Heaven. Grace can often be humbling to accept because it means that we are accepted for who we are today by our Creator who chooses to have a relationship with us. We are received by grace not when we have things figured out, but today in our brokenness. Anne Lamott writes that, “Grace meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us.” Ericka reminded us that when we receive undeserved love, we are more likely to give it.

Pastor Chris shared reflections on one of his favorite films, Steven Spielberg's Amistad, and asked us to reconsider how we engage with scripture. Are we reading the Bible solely to learn "facts", or are we immersing ourselves in a rich and living library that is overflowing with story, poetry, and shared history? Through his word, God tells us who we are, and invites us to embrace our truest identity as beloved children, that we would faithfully live out our part of the story.

This weekend, Sean Palmer led us into a discussion of power and love through the lens of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Onesimus was a former slave of Philemon who had run away. Onesimus met Paul while he was in prison and becomes like a son to Paul. Paul appeals to Philemon to treat his former slave as a brother in Christ. Are we willing to change our worldview in order to see people how God sees them?

Our sisters from Spring Spirit shared their mission and vision and invited us as a community to participate in mutually transforming mentoring relationships. Learn more at their website. 

Our sister Stephanie Hruzek shared on the mission and vision of Family Point Resources and invited us as a community to participate through holy play, encouragement, and mentoring. Learn more at their website. 

Pastor Sean Palmer taught us on theological foundations about prayer and our relationship to God, as reflected in the film Bruce Almighty. In the Scriptures we find that we are called to relate to God as Divine Friend. Prayer is the means by which we honestly communicate with the Divine Friend, and line up our wishes ever more with God's wishes.

Pastor Titus Benton continues our conversation about loving our neighbors by directing our attention to the immigrant and refugee populations among us. He reminds us that throughout time, God has overseen the great migrations of His people. In a city where so many diverse groups of people being brought to the church's doorstep, how we will respond in a way that Christ calls us to?