First Love Church

While still practicing love for neighbor and staying at home- we gather in the name of Jesus and remember the Passion week beginning with Palm Sunday.

Matthew 27:11-54


Jesus begins His journey to the cross- and we stand with those who say Hosanna blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

 Beloveds we are the church who gather for corporate worship and scatter for service in the spheres of influence God affords us. Like ancient Israel shifting to synagogues when the Temple was destroyed, our worship of God is not limited to a building or space. Like the first disciples of Christ shifting their gatherings to secret places, the people of God continue to worship in Spirit though the venue may change. This time of physical distancing is an act of caring for our neighbor as we continue to acknowledge our dependence on the Creator of the Universe.

In this sermon on the resurrection of Lazarus Pastors Dennis and Heather discuss how even when everything about Lazarus’ death makes it impossible for his sisters and the gathered friends to imagine he could walk out of the tomb, when Jesus calls to him, he comes. Resurrection is God’s realm. 

Neither Lazarus nor anyone else present is said to believe in Jesus’ power. Just the opposite is the case. The crowd does not expect the dead man to emerge when the stone is rolled away. The people assume that death is final, irrevocable, and there is no remedy for it.

Yet, the story shows us that the crowd did not have to believe in order to make Lazarus’ appearance possible. Human belief is not the source of the rising. Jesus’ oneness with the Father is the source of the rising. Jesus sees beyond death to God’s infinitely greater power. He demonstrates with thanksgiving and authority that his vision is true.

Through just such powerful events, the veracity of Jesus’ vision is given to us. We cannot come to them with ready-made belief. Instead, Jesus creates the ability to believe by causing death again and again to turn to life. Those who watch and help to unbind Lazarus are given the vision they need.

We invite you to join with us in this discussion.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

The First Sunday in our living room- COVID-19 says shelter in place- so we are.

We are also gathering in the name of Jesus, while staying in our homes.  We meet Jesus who is healing a blind man, the people around him ask, "who is to blame?", "who sinned?", "who can we accuse for this suffering?".  Jesus does not respond to their questions in the way they expected and calls the healed man into further relationship.  

#blindman
#firstlovechurch
#churchathome
#help
#healingisfromJesus

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Romans 5:1-11
“Therefore,” the opening word in Romans 5:1, and here is where we are reminding of the  message of God’s plan for reconciling humanity with God’s self and with one another.

In the midst of our suffering and human alienation, the church at every age is called upon to count on God’s love, the love that was shown before we’re even forgiven of our sins, and now we have come to experience that love. The call to ministry has been emphasized, but the call to love has suffered and is urgently needed in these unusual circumstances.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Romans 5:1-11

“Therefore,” the opening word in Romans 5:1, and here is where we are reminding of the  message of God’s plan for reconciling humanity with God’s self and with one another.

In the midst of our suffering and human alienation, the church at every age is called upon to count on God’s love, the love that was shown before we’re even forgiven of our sins, and now we have come to experience that love. The call to ministry has been emphasized, but the call to love has suffered and is urgently needed in these unusual circumstances.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

When Nicodemus has the questions he comes at night, and Jesus welcomes his questions  and spends time offering relationship. 

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

When Nicodemus comes at night- Jesus welcomes his questions- and offers him relationship.  Jesus doesn't shy away from the difficult discussions and speaks of thing of the Spirit.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Matthew 4:1-11 

Jesus is led into the wilderness, after baptism and heaven opening and declaring "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

Though the satan comes and tempts Jesus - Jesus does not compromise and thwarts the enemies plan by declaring the word of God.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus after baptism is led to the wilderness, He is tempted but does not compromise, by speaking God's word he thwarts the enemies plan.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

We look at the text to remind us of the transfiguration of Jesus and his call to follow him in transformation.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake