When you reflect on your experiences with church and Christian community, what memories come to mind? Scripture never says church is easy, but it teaches that Christian community is essential for growing in Christ, that it’s fruitful to help transform our lives, and that it’s beautiful when we get the right perspective on it. This message explores practical ways to dig into church without minimizing the hard parts.

What’s powering you these days? Where do you go for refreshed strength? In Ephesians 6 Paul pleads with us to “put on” the armour of God, and to be strong in God’s mighty power. God’s strength is necessary and available, but will we put it on and use it for its intended purpose?

Every disciple of Jesus has been enrolled in the “school of Jesus” and called to learn from him. It is important for each one of us as students of Jesus to pay attention to what we’re learning, who we’re learning it from, and what we’re doing with what we’re learning.

No matter WHO you are or WHERE you've been -- Christ's invitation is Fresh...for YOU!! When you truly take that first step of Faith AND Trust His Word --LOOK OUT!! You, too, will change -- forever!!

Change is the beginning of transformation but transformation is so much deeper than change. You can spend so much time trying to change that you never experience transformation. Transformation is what God is wanting for your life.

Some people go through life bearing the burden of stigmas that define how they are viewed by others—and all too often even by themselves. Many times, this leaves individuals feeling excluded and forgotten. This week’s passage tells the story of one woman who carried a burden of suffering and shame for twelve years. However, we see Jesus transforming her story. This message conveys hope to those who presently are suffering in silence and highlights how Jesus sees those who our society tends to stigmatize. It calls the church to be a community of care that reflects the heart of Jesus.

A look at Jesus' healing of the blind man in John 9. We'll see how an encounter with Jesus can completely change everything you thought you knew about yourself and your future. We'll also be challenged to serve as a witness to others of Christ's power in our lives.

We can experience transformation when we embrace the ordinary and when we trust in God. Just like how Jesus changed water into wine and took something ordinary and made it extraordinary, He wants to do the same in our ordinary lives.

The good news of God’s saving grace is that your life is not the sum total of your past. The Bible teaches us that God extended his amazing grace to us through Jesus, and that this grace holds incredible promise, hope, and peace. We all have a past. We have made mistakes. We have messed up. We have had to deal with the consequences of our decisions. We have hurt and been hurt. We have felt the sting of disappointment. The unsettledness of frustration. The pain of brokenness. Still. The promise of the gospel is that your future does not have to follow the path of your past. You do not need to continue in the direction you have been going. Your next step can change everything.

Transformation is the act or process of changing completely. As Christians, we have already experienced a supernatural transformation by accepting Jesus. However, as we look at the life of Peter, we see how God continued a transformative work in his life transforming him from a humble fisherman to the leader of the early church. Like Peter, God sees the potential in each one of us and through the power of the Holy Spirit works to transform us to bring glory to his kingdom.