Epiclesis

Jesus says that He’s not come to do away with the Scriptures-- to abolish the law or the prophets. But what God started with in the Old Testament, the first covenant, is going to be fully accomplished by Jesus in the New Covenant. Jesus is fulFILLING things. What might that mean? Along the way we looked at a very helpful (and practical) quote from one of the most prolific of the Church Fathers. Join us!

There are times in the Old Testament when the word says that God’s glory departed the Temple.  And then there's the time when God's glory returned.... But it might not have looked like the way we-- or most people at the time-- would have imagined it. Join Pastor Chris for a breathtaking look at the remarkable, prophecy-fulfilling episode of Simeon and the baby Jesus. It's a very important story: There was an act of purification and presentation-- and in it, we see OUR purification and our presentation to the Father through Jesus.

On this particular Sunday, one of our members Gerald Ward brought his insights into The Beatitudes with a look at what they might show and tell us about the person and work of Jesus Himself. Join us for an Epiphany look at an important part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Throughout salvation history, God’s holy house— literally and figuratively— had been divided and destroyed over and over again. But we’re not waiting on some miraculous future restoration of the house of David. The divided and dilapidated house, even all of creation, has been restored IN Christ. One of the important places it started was in Capernaum, just as the prophecy foretold.

Join Pastor Chris as he looks at the wonderful ways Jesus restores and remakes all things.

John had baptized Jesus the day before there at the Jordan River. But the next day, John saw Jesus again and said some curious things. How does John describe Him? Pastor Chris looks at three things that John says about Jesus and shows us what we can learn about our King and Servant. Along the way we looked at Passover and Isaiah's "Suffering Servant." Join us!

Paul talks about our being united with Christ in His death and in His resurrection. It happens in baptism, so surely baptism does matter. But do we take it seriously enough? And what in the world does covenant and circumcision have to do with any of this? Join Pastor Chris for a close look at why baptism matters.

Some very, very wise men saw some remarkable things in the sky and risked a long journey to worship the Christ Child. What can we learn from their observations and example? And one more thing: How much do you know about the actual celestial wonders they saw? Join Pastor Chris for an encouraging and challenging lesson on things we can learn from some very, very wise men.

On this final Sunday of Advent, where peace is the focus, Pastor Rick Asche remembers a scene from childhood that brought him peace. What is peace? And how might your definition of it be challenged when you know that the word in Greek includes the idea "to join"?  Along the way we also listened to an audio portion of "The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel" by Walter Wangerin: A look at Joseph and his words and actions around the birth of the Christ Child helped paint a beautiful picture of peace. Join us!

It's the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday-- the Sunday of joy. Why are we rejoicing? And what in the world is there to be joyful about? In this sermon, Pastor Chris sets out to "boil down" joy. Want a short description for how to have it? Join us! Along the way we listened to J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, too a brief look at Psalm 16, and finally landed on the Magnificat of Mary.

What is love? On this Sunday, we explore Romans 15 and pay special attention to God’s gifts of patience and encouragement. Join us as we continue our journey through the season of Advent.