Ekklesia

3/12/2023 – We Are Not Nowhen

In the beautiful and compelling story of Jesus encounter with the woman at the well, we realize that God does not just meet us where we are, he meets us *when* we are. What does this mean? What gift might this create for us and for the world?

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=_2cOQ88fRe4&t=1999s

3/05/2023 – Cell Phones and the Spirit

Today is our annual meeting. We'll spend a few minutes talking about how much things have changed over the last 12 years of our life together as a church. And we'll also discuss the famous passage when Jesus tells Nicodemus you must be born again.

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=53eeH9GHCMA&t=1603s

2/26/2023 – Make it Easy. Make it Spectacular.

The gospel reading for this first Sunday of Lent is the story of Jesus in the wilderness where the devil tempts him to turn stones into bread, and to jump from the highest point of the temple and be caught by angels. What do these strange temptations mean? And are we still tempted today in the same way?

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=joQH_mxDxzI&t=1735s

2/19/2023 – Transfiguration Sunday

This Sunday is transfiguration Sunday. What does this unique story tell us about the world we live in? And how does it relate to movies and video games?

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=XMDcMjSU9Ik&t=1670s

2/12/2023 – Jesus' Sermon on the Margins

Today's gospel reading from the sermon on the mount is well-known to most Christians. But being so removed from Jesus' context — living under Roman occupation with the loss of status, freedom and autonomy — how well do we actually understand it? What might help us understand this sermon better?

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=2zy6NHyktII&t=2048s

2/5/2023 – Intellectual Wisdom or Incarnational Wisdom

At our Youth Winter ski retreat, I was reminded that there are two kinds of knowledge: intellectual knowledge, and incarnational knowledge. As followers of Jesus, we are called to incarnational knowledge. How does this awareness change our understanding of evangelism and faith in general?

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=36iDpZFdtlU&t=1665s

1/29/2023 – Micah 6:8 and Alexa Reminders

What does the Lord require of you? Throughout much of early Jewish history, Israel thought the answer to this question was "sacrifices." Throughout my faith journey, I've embraced several different answers to this question. How does Micah answer this question?

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=_WJY526pMAU&t=1748s

1/22/2023 – Labels and the Lake

Today, as we look at the story of the calling of the first disciples, and Paul's call to the church in Corinth to have no divisions among themselves, we turn our attention to two deep wells of wisdom: Darth Vader and sports rivalries!

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=-g8VvzY5yV8&t=1634s

1/15/2023 – A Shift in Perspective & An Unusual Wedding

When reading through the book of Isaiah, it's not hard to see a shift take place from beginning to end. Isaiah (and Israel's) understanding of God's hopes expands. With insights from an unusual wedding ceremony, we explore this shift and learn what it could 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. To watch the archived live-streamed version of this message, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgjc4h7PaQQ&t=1750s

1/8/2023 – Failed Utopia Blues

After Christmas I always feel a case of the blues. Might this be because of the way we've come to celebrate Christmas in our culture? The historic liturgical view of Christmas is very different from cultural Christmas. What can this view teach us as we prepare to embark on a new year?

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=xwdyC8KnTVw&t=2256s