Ekklesia

1/14/2024 Samuel, Eli, and "Deconstruction Influencers"

Whether we know it or not, our faith journeys have likely been impacted by what we've heard, read or watched from "deconstruction influencers." Join us as we explore this phenomenon through the lens of Samuel and Eli's story – discussing anger, correction, and the pursuit of healing.

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=NLknSTXAbJE&t=1644s

1/7/2024 The Baptism of the Lord

This weekend, we began the season of Epiphany. Saturday was Epiphany, and Sunday is the day we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord - a story that looks both forward and backward.

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=3_Pxgl0K1ls&t=1601s

12/24/2023 Beneath All that is Broken

On that Bethlehem night, Jesus was born into a world hell-bent on rejecting him. In this Christmas Eve homily, we reflect on one possible answer to the question: What kept Jesus going?

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=DIL6BnR7WRs&t=2711s

12/17/2023 Christmas Music and John the Baptist

John the Baptist is one of the central figures of Advent. In many ways he embodies the spirit of this season of faithful waiting. In this third Sunday of Advent, we ask what Christmas music can tell us about our current cultural moment and what John the Baptist calls us to in its midst.

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=8Q7YfnqPsx8&t=357s

12/10/2023 O Great and Terrible Day

In 2 Peter 3, Peter instructs us to earnestly desire the coming "day of the Lord" — a day when our lives and deeds will be exposed for what they are. Why on earth would we desire such a day? Peter also gives us advice on how to wait.

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=KcjJEE7lzFM&t=1470s

12/03/2023 An Unexpected Starting Point

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and we begin with a seemingly odd text for December (Mark 13). A text with cryptic statements about stars falling and keeping watch. It turns out a version of this text is our starting point every year for Advent, so what makes it so special and important?

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=FAM7edYozlc&t=1592s

11/26/2023 Hope for the Goats?

The parable of the Sheep and the Goats ends with the king dismissing the goats to "eternal punishment." Is it possible these words hold hope for the goats to be restored? What is the worst way to read this parable? What is a better way?

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=KlwP9L0kg68&t=2579s

11/19/2023 Thanksgiving & Stewardship

With the holiday season approaching, today we pause for prayer and reflection. Additionally, we discuss the parable of the talents (bags of gold). This story often makes us uncomfortable, but how can it remind us of our "first principles" as Christians?

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=MS3Cb4LVW_Y&t=1847s

11/12/2023 Some Things Cannot Be Borrowed

In one of the last parables Jesus tells his disciples before his arrest, he tells the story of ten bridesmaids awaiting the bridegroom's return. At the surface, the parable seems to contradict other teachings of Jesus, but when we dig just a little deeper, we learn this: some things cannot be borrowed.

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=gaVbMhIbUkY&t=1731s

11/05/2023 You Are Not to Call Yourself Rabbi

In Matthew 23 Jesus has a final conflict with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He critiques them not for their theology or biblical interpretation, but for hypocrisy. Given this teaching, how can we remain faithful in a culture where performance exceeds practice?

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=3VE4I1vipas&t=1410s