Faith First

Full worship service from Memorial Day Weekend, May 24, 2020.

In the sermon today, Pastor Craig Brown reminds us that God saves us all- even if we feel like a bent, rusty nail. God has a plan for each of us.

Sermon begins at 11:40

Complete Sunday Worship Service from May 17, 2020

Preaching Intern Kirsten Wee "When Things Don't Go as Planned"
Intern Kirsten has a special message for our graduating High School Seniors, for whom their senior year and all the related festivities and goodbyes has not gone as planned. As a High School student in New Orleans, hurricane Katrina had a similar, major impact on intern Kirsten's life; so she can relate to our seniors and God's promise found in the Gospel.

Sermon Begins at 11:11

Full Worship Service from May 10, 2020
Sermon begins at 11:13

After the crucifixion, Jesus' followers were feeling worn and dismayed, not sure what would come next; and not unlike we feel in this pandemic.
But, for two of those disciples, Jesus appeared to them as the walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and cared for their souls. Jesus can still come into our lives and care for our souls in much the same way today.

1 Peter 2:22-25; John 10:1-10

Jesus said he is the gatekeeper to the father. This pandemic has acted like a funneling through a gate to our lives; narrowing our focus to what matters most.
In these challenging times, may are questioning faith. Is there a higher power, and if so where?  He's on the other side of the gate. a shepherd calling to us, his followers.
And, Jesus, the Good Shepherd is right with us through everything calling on us to "come on in".

Jesus, through the raising of Lazarus from the dead is calling us to new life with him. Jesus is calling us to let our bad habits that bring us away from him to die so that we may be able to live a new life that is in deeper relationship with God.

Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14 ; John 11:1-45

Theme: God’s Life is for All
1st Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-7. Gospel: John 20:19-31
God’s life is for all. Thomas, one of the disciples, misses out on the Easter resurrection, because he was absent from the disciples.  Thomas then expresses doubt at the possibility of new life. The next week Jesus returns, and Thomas finds himself in the embrace of resurrection life. God’s offer of abundant life breaks through our barriers of doubt, wonder, and estrangement.

God’s restoring work happens through this paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine.

Theme: God’s Life is for All
1st Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-7. Gospel: John 20:19-31
God’s life is for all. Thomas, one of the disciples, misses out on the Easter resurrection, because he was absent from the disciples.  Thomas then expresses doubt at the possibility of new life. The next week Jesus returns, and Thomas finds himself in the embrace of resurrection life. God’s offer of abundant life breaks through our barriers of doubt, wonder, and estrangement.

This was our first week of Live streaming and not having a congregation in the church for worship.
Just a note to say our apologies on the audio quality issues; we accidentally sent two signals into the recorder with a slight delay.