In this Christmas Eve message, “Lavish Presents from the Heart,” Pastor Johann asks us to consider presents we have received and presents we have given. He reminds us about God’s lavish gift to us: the gift of Jesus – His salvation, His word, His blessings, His Promises, His peace, His Presence in our lives. God’s lavish gift will last for all eternity.

In this Sunday’s gospel, the angel Gabriel is sent to Mary to deliver the Good News – the Good News of Christmas. But as Pastor James points out in his message, the good news of Christmas rests not in the gifts, dinners, and Christmas cheer, but in the Christmas gospel news that Mary has found favor with God and will bear His Son – the Savior – Jesus. That’s the Good News of Christmas – that’s the news that needs to be sounded – today – tomorrow – forever.

As part of your Advent preparation, think about getting rid of the gizmos and gadgets that take up space in our minds – worry, fear, complexity, chaos – and get back to basics: our calling to proclaim what God has done for us. In this new Midweek Recharge, “Clear the Clutter,” Pastor Johann urges us to set aside distractions and frills and to focus on the foundation of our faith. At the end of devotion, the Sanctuary Choir provides music for you as you meditate on the message.

When the Jewish authorities asked John the Baptist “Who are you?” he told them who he was not and pointed them to someone greater: Jesus, the Messiah, the light of the world, the Savior. In this sermon, Pastor Johann reminds us that Christ-followers can also identify themselves in terms of someone else. Our lives and our identities are wrapped up in Jesus. Because of Him, we know who we are and where we are going. 

Praise Band Director Dan Lamaestra and Director of Christian Education (and Praise Band member) Andy Muich talk about “There Is a King.” The lyrics feature imagery from Revelation, and Andy shares other scriptural references in the song. Dan describes orchestrating for two string players when featured with the contemporary worship band ensemble sound. At the end of the podcast, our Praise Band performs the song. (Words and music by Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Tiffany Hammer. © 2019 CCLI #858354)

Mark 1:1-8

Is it really Good News that the manger is empty? In this message, Pastor James reminds us that John the Baptist cried out “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” more than 2,000 years ago, and those words ring just as true today. The manger is empty because God has been at work reconciling a sinful world with His son – Jesus Christ. So today in our own wilderness we need to listen to John’s words and prepare our hearts to fully embrace the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 25:4

Luke 10:38-42

Merriment, joy, busyness, stress … or quiet contemplation. The days leading up to Christmas can be any number of things. In this Midweek Recharge, Pastor Johann reminds us that Advent can be a time to remember the ways of the Lord, to quiet the hustle and bustle around us and center our hearts on the most important thing: the coming of the Christ Child and the return of Christ. At the close of this devotion, meditate on the message as pianist Laura Owens plays “Be Thou My Vision.”

Advent 1

Mark 13:24-37

Today we hear an admonition from Jesus: “Be alert. Keep awake.” During Advent, we look forward to Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ first appearance among us, as we also await His Second Coming. In this message, “Advent Reality Stories,” Pastor Johann urges us to embrace the practices of Advent – Be still. Be quiet. Listen. Wait. Watch. Pray. – as we wait with hope for what will be. The presence of Christ is the ultimate answer to every prayer, to every Advent of our life.

Luke 17:11-19

Pastor Gary James

Life is a lot like eating green beans and cherry pie. We enjoy the desserts in life – cherry pie – but we also go through “green bean” moments – things that we don’t much care for. In his Thanksgiving message, Pastor James reminds us that while God cares for us in good times and bad, what matters most to Him is what is in our hearts. When we have the Holy Spirit working in our hearts to strengthen our faith, we can praise and thank God for every moment in our lives.

Matthew 25:31-46

On Christ the King Sunday we consider the Second Coming of Jesus. The story of the separation of the sheep and the goats holds a number of important truths, boiled down to this: God’s people, the sheep of His flock, are known by the love that flows out of faith in Christ; the goats, by their lack of love. In this message, Pastor Johann reminds us that we can love others because Jesus first loved us. And when we are saved, God gives us a new heart that is drenched with love for those around us.