9:00 am - Sanctuary

A Kingdom Torn

Blessed and Blessing In Babylon?!?

Jeremiah 29:1-14

If God has plans to “prosper me,” then why am I in these circumstances? Uprooted, powerless, and pressured, the “Chosen-People-Exiles” find themselves planted in hostile circumstances: the city of Babylon. It is only natural to ask questions like “What good are God’s promises there?” or “What does it mean to live “faithfully” when you have neither freedom nor power?” Meet Daniel, aka Belteshazzar, as the model for living out the promises of Jeremiah 29.

10:30 am - Great Room

A Kingdom Torn

Living in Exile

Jeremiah 29: 4-14

This week we continue our journey through the narrative of scripture using "the Story" and wrap up the "Kingdom Torn in Two" mini-series. This Sunday we focus on life in the Babylonian Exile through the perspective of Daniel and the prophet Jeremiah. We will consider the letter Jeremiah sent to the exiles (ch. 29) and the faithful examples of Daniel and his three friends to help us consider how we are to live in changing world.

9:45 am - Anchor Gym

A Kingdom Torn

Daniel in Exile

Daniel 1

The book of Daniel gives us a picture of what faithfulness looks like in a foreign land. How will this exiled people live when faced with pressures to be different than who they are as God’s kingdom people?

9:45 am - Anchor Gym

A Kingdom Torn

The Kingdoms’ Fall

Book of Lamentations

As this week’s title alludes to, both the kingdom of Israel and Judah have fallen to surrounding nations. Things are at an incredible low…there is suffering. In the book of Lamentations the prophet Jeremiah shows us that it’s ok to honestly lament in the hardships, but that we do so anchored deeply in the hope and promises of God.

9:00 am - Sanctuary

A Kingdom Torn

Prayer That Rises From The Rubble

Lamentations 1:1-3, 2:17, 3:21-26, 5:1, 5:15-16, 5:19-21

How could this happen?!? What does this mean?!? The prophet Jeremiah surely had these questions swirling through his heart, even as the smoke of Jerusalem’s demise clouded his vision. “And yet.” There is a prayer – and a lesson about prayer for us – that rises from the rubble of his reality. Where do you go with your suffering?

10:30 am - Great Room

A Kingdom Torn

Prayers of Lament

Lamentations 3: 17-33

This week we continue our journey through the narrative of scripture using "the Story" and wrap up the "Kingdom Torn in Two" mini-series. This Sunday we focus in on the Fall of Judah told in 2 Kings 24-25 but through the perspective of Lamentations. We will listen to the prayers of the people in the hopes of learning how to pray when we find it hard to find the words.

9:00 am - Sanctuary

A Kingdom Torn

Finding Hope In The Tumult

II Kings 19:14-20, 32-36

Hezekiah was one of the eight – out of 39! – kings during the Divided Kingdom that are recorded as “good.” Still, his circumstances were marked by tumult, threat, and danger. Only by finding his hope in the LORD – as opposed to his own “goodness” – could he navigate life.

10:30 am - Great Room

A Kingdom Torn

Facing Opposition

2 Kings 18: 1-7

This week we continue our journey through the narrative of scripture using "The Story." We continue our mini-series we are calling "A Kingdom Torn in Two" which covers the time of the divided Kingdom of Israel that eventually leads to exile. This Sunday we consider 2 Kings 9 - 20 when the northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria. We will focus on the story of one of Judah's faithful Kings, Hezekiah with the hopes of learning from how he responds to opposition from the Assyrian Army. How might that inspire our response when the world seems stacked against us?

9:45 am - Anchor Gym

A Kingdom Torn

The Beginning of the End

2 Kings 18:1-8

The northern kingdom of Israel has been carried away by the world power Assyria due to 200 years of constant idolatry and injustice. Assyria is now knocking on Judah’s door threatening to take them over. What will King Hezekiah of Judah do? Will he rely on his own power, neighboring nations, and other resources at his disposal, or will he lead the way for the people in trusting God?

9:00 am - Sanctuary

A Kingdom Torn

The Prophets: Messengers of the LORD

I Kings 18:1-2, 17-22

King Ahab of Israel has a problem, but it is not Elijah and the voting block that he represents. There is “more going here than meets the eye!” Don’t miss that bigger issue, the “hidden person,” or the encouraging hope in this account.