So often we equate loving “the least of these” with doing something to or for them. However, the way Jesus interacts with “the least of these” in the Gospel shows that the most empowering way to love “the least of these” is to do life with them, helping them no longer see themselves as “least.” - Pastor Arek O'Connell

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Last week we saw that all of scripture testifies to the unique love, care, and relationship God has for “the least of these.” This week, we take a real, practical look at the passage and explore ways we can love “the least of these” here at Hillside and in our daily lives. - Pastor Arek O'Connell

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This week, we start a new 3-week series on what it means to love “the least of these” as Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 25. But before we do anything to or for “the least of these,” we need to understand that we’re called to love “the least” because God loves them and identifies with them. - Pastor Arek O'Connell

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How do we end our prayers? Do we just stop? Do we say “Talk to you later?”  Throughout the ages, the church has said that it is good to end our prayers by focusing on God and declaring that everything—the kingdom, the power and the glory—everything belongs to Him. - Pastor Ron Kool

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We can be so foolish.  We say we shouldn’t do something that’s wrong (Eat or drink too much, gossip, lie).  We really don't want to do that thing. Yet we keep doing it.  And one of the main reasons we do is because of what we call temptation—it looks SOOOOO good!  This morning, we’ll learn about asking God to help us resist temptation. - Pastor Ron Kool

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Sometimes we do things without really thinking about them.  We go through the motions, but we’re not really focused on what we’re doing.  For many of us, that can happen when it comes to confessing our sins.  We just say the words but don’t think about what we’re actually asking God to do.  This morning, we’ll think about what we’re doing when we confess our sins. - Pastor Ron Kool

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Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread in the Lord's Prayer, yet it’s not only bread we’re asking for. We’re asking for God to provide for our basic needs and our neighbors. We’re asking God to help us continue to live and to remember how dependent on God we and everyone else ultimately are. - Pastor Arek O'Connell

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One of the most radical, life-changing things Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer is “your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” It is radical and life-changing because the first thing we do when we offer this prayer is leave our plans at the door. When we offer this prayer, we are telling God to do His work and to have His way in our hearts and in the world. - Pastor Arek O'Connell

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Of all the things we say in the Lord’s Prayer, this might be the one that sound strangest to our ears.  We don’t talk that often about hallowing things today.  This morning, we’ll think about what it means to hallow God’s name and why it’s so important for us to do this. - Pastor Ron Kool

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Many of us struggle with prayer.  We’re not sure what to say, we stumble over our words, and sometimes we even forget to pray.  Jesus knew this would happen.  And that’s why He spent time teaching His followers how to pray.  This morning, we’ll start to look at what Jesus taught us about praying. - Pastor Ron Kool

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