Ekklesia

5/21/2023 – The Ever-Expanding Gospel

In Acts 1:8, Jesus calls his disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. But what if this call extends to us today? Perhaps the “ends of the earth” is an invitation for each of us to continually expand who we include in our circles.

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8IGyyRiVY&t=1805s

5/14/2023 – Rethinking Evangelism

The word "evangelism" and the idea of sharing our faith currently carries with it a LOT of baggage. How might the story of the Apostle Paul speaking at the Areopagus give us a new perspective and help us let go of some of that baggage?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WJIPSFn0BU&t=1643s

5/7/2023 – Suffering Well

This Sunday we read the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. What can his story teach us about the life of discipleship (and human life in general)?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL7zMDkY6JM&t=1703s

4/30/2023 – 5th Sunday Worship with Bryana Clover

Jesus' encounter at the well with a Samaritan woman is a model for racial healing today.

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8tLCGwcFlI&t=1551s

4/23/2023 – Jesus in a Different Form

On the road back home to Emmaus, Jesus appears to two disciples, but "in a different form." Why? It seems we ALL need to see Jesus "in a different form" from time to time in order that we see him more fully. What does this mean for us today?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-147Iq56gIo&t=1922s

4/16/2023 – Doubting Thomas

On this first Sunday after Easter, the lectionary gives us the text of doubting Thomas. Often in the church we downplay or hide from doubt. But what if doubt is actually a gift that can lead to greater insight and wisdom?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyKdp4wA6FM&t=2091s

4/9/2023 – Easter 2023 – Do Not Hold On to Me

When Mary sees Jesus in the garden outside the empty tomb, she fell to the ground, "clasped his feet and worshiped him." In that moment, Jesus says to her "Do not hold on to me." Today on Easter Sunday, we explore the meaning of Jesus' seemingly cryptic words. What did they mean to Mary? What do they mean for us?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57lqYyENxqI&t=2063s

4/2/2023 – Liturgy of the Passion

On Palm Sunday, the lectionary gives us two choices for worship: the liturgy of the palms, or the liturgy of the passion. Though we might prefer the singing and excitement of the triumphal entry, this Sunday we will look forward to the darkness of the cross.

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. To watch the archived live-streamed version of this message, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFXzcP954iA&t=2259s

3/26/2023 – Dry Bones

According to a recent study from the Pew Research Center, the category of non-religious/unaffiliated has become increasingly "sticky" (gaining a lot more people than it is shedding). Christianity is experiencing the opposite. In the most well-known passage from Ezekiel, he has a vision of a "valley of dry bones." How might this scripture relate to the church today?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. To watch the archived live-streamed version of this message, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVQWtIMIlgI&t=2026s

3/19/2023 – Mud, Blindness, and the Pool of Siloam

Our Gospel lectionary text on this fourth Sunday of Lent is the story of Jesus healing a man born blind and sending him to the pool of Siloam. This is a powerful act with resonance beyond what we often realize. And it poses the challenging question: what does it mean to be truly blind?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. To watch the archived live-streamed version of this message, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSRWnoXBRz0&t=1852s