Ekklesia

12/24/2022 – Earthbound Places

Jesus' birth wasn't announced to Kings or Priests, and it didn't take place in a palace or city. It was announced to shepherds, and it happened in a stable. If we are willing to hear it, perhaps these facts teach us something about how God likes to show up in our lives.

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=YHWAF-waEps&t=1700s

12/18/2022 – Finding Advent in Unexpected Places

Our lectionary texts for this Sunday give us some strange Advent texts, particularly one. Why would Romans 1 be an Advent text? Is it a quirk in the readings, or is there some thing about Romans that shows us the very heart of Christmas?

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=gshJTqJ8Fd0&t=1572s

12/11/2022 – Taking Offense at Jesus

Our gospel reading tells the story of John the Baptist in prison hearing about everything Jesus was doing, prompting him to ask "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" It seems John took offense at Jesus' methodology. Jesus frustrated John's expectations, and He frustrates our's as well.

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=1Dg8UoOWSgQ&t=1684s

12/04/2022 – Prince of Peace?

This Sunday's advent theme is peace. Jesus is called the Prince of peace, but what kind of peace does he offered us? The peace of escapism? Or the peace of resurrection?

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=xXIRZtxEI8g&t=1487s

11/27/2022 – The Recital Has Begun

With help from some young piano students playing Christmas recital songs, today we learn how Jesus — when he lived and walked on this earth — was kind of like a piano teacher playing a new song for his students. He was teaching us heaven's song; the sounds of God's Kingdom. Now that we know what it "sounds" like, what's next?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am.

11/20/2022 – Reign of Christ

Today is a big Sunday. It's the start of the World Cup. But it's a big Sunday for another reason as well. On the church calendar this is known as reign of Christ Sunday. What can we learn from both of these exciting and important occasions?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am.

11/13/2022 – Beautifully Odd

When Jesus predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would crumble, is seems this was only a metaphor for what ultimately needed to crumble. Not the outside of the temple, but the inside. Jesus was a beautifully odd, strange and alluring presence in the world. When those inside the temple lose their oddness, something needs to crumble. How might we become "beautifully odd" in the way of Jesus once more?

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=p6tIU4Huz2c&t=2145s

11/06/2022 – All Saints Day

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day. What can this day on the Christian calendar and the book of Daniel teach us about how we orient ourselves to time?

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=USL0mVH1DCA&t=1723s

10/23/2022 – All Religion is Small Religion

When Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in the temple, it is spoken to those "confident of their own righteousness." I used to see this as a story addressing only the arrogant faith of my youth. But now, the story has been turned on its head. This text no longer simply addresses me then. This text addresses me now.

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=nLNIi6_lwY4&t=1705s

10/16/2022 – Wrestling With God

A story of two estranged brothers. A story of wrestling and redemption. A story of limping into a new life. Is this CJs favorite movie or a text in the Bible? The answer is both.

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=SWK914fJDys&t=1608s