Good parenting starts first with a good vision. From good visions good plans ensue. Have you ever witnessed what happens to parents and churches when children start growing healthy and robust faith relationships? Every parent and every engaged member of that church will find healthier, more robust faith as well.

A Double-Vision Sunday!

When I was a kid x-ray vision was always on the list of superpowers we’d choose from. Extra vision is cool, but did it really belong among extra strength, invisibility, and mind-reading? In Sunday’s message with author and guest speaker Chap Clark, he painted a vision for children and youth faith centering on seeing our young people and starting at just learning to understand them. Chap retold the story of the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and then anointed them with perfume. When he got the point where Jesus responded to an angry Pharisee named Simon, Chap pointed out how Jesus turned to look at the woman, and then turned back to Simon and simply said, “DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN??”

The question is poignant. Simon, do you see who she is, what she’s been through, what led her into her current state? The point for us is to ask ourselves if we actually SEE our young people. Do we know what their worlds are like, where faith is most needed in their lives? How well do we see anyone in our lives? It turns out, none of us even needs x-ray vision to find the answer—just a little more time, care, and focus.

Taking Sunday Forward

A New Beginning

This first Sunday of 2022 shines the light of Epiphany as we celebrate 2021 and look toward the New Year. Our first series launches into the newness provided to us by the restarting of things and new approaches. Week one focuses in on starting the year with a new heart, letting our love be sincere, life-giving, and way-making.

The First-Light Sunday!

When I was young and played in the garden a lot, I’d dig holes I truly thought would reach China if they were deep enough. Ha! Little did I know… Nevertheless, without meaning to I’ve inadvertently shared this belief with my children, who are now telling they’re doing the same when they’re out digging (on warmer days). I just chuckle, but keep thinking, someday I’ve got to change that.

Our series “New Beginnings,” started us seeking New Hearts. In our pursuit of those hearts, I invited every Horizons person to pray Psalm 139:23-24 as a prayer for digging deep into their heart interiors this week. No, you’re not going to find “China,” but it’s in those deep, vulnerable dives we see ourselves most clearly, learn the most about how we can grow, and find Jesus gently standing at the ready to walk with us. And while the digging may be work and will get messy, it’s worth it.

Taking Sunday with Us Will you do the deep dig this week through this simple prayer? What will you find? How will Jesus grow you?

This Sunday the 26th, following Christmas Eve, Horizons celebrates the Savior and all our volunteers and staff with an ONLINE ONLY worship special. We’ll worship from our living room to yours with the final message of Worthy, focusing on what response we should have from Christmas. It’s honest, practical, and hopeful. See what it means for you!

Come join us for Christmas Eve at Horizons!

a WORTHY King, Children’s Program!

Our Horizons children will be sharing their version of the Christmas story this Sunday, 9:00 service, as we enter our final week of Advent. This Sunday, Jesus’ worthiness as Lord and King is exalted and raised up. But just as many were unsure then because Jesus didn’t meet their expectations for King, so do we tend to be a bit uncertain today. Jesus is the worthy Lord on His own terms, not ours, and they are good terms!

Horizons’ series “Worthy” focuses on the person, presence, and purpose of Jesus, as we near our Christmas season. Our focus will help us to see why He is worthy of our devotion, worship, and following. This Sunday, Jesus’ worthiness is most clearly seen in the nature of His invitation. Simply put, His kingdom was extended not to those who deserved it, but to those who desired it—and not just for their own benefit.

Horizons’ series “Worthy” focuses on the person, presence, and purpose of Jesus, as we near our Christmas season. Our focus will help us to see why He is worthy of our devotion, worship, and following. This Sunday, Jesus’ worthiness is attributed to the story written by all who came before Him to prepare His way. Jesus’ overlooked ancestral lineage tells an incredible story of the real people who helped make His arrival reality.

Horizons’ series “Worthy” focuses on the person, presence, and purpose of Jesus, as we near our Christmas season. Our focus will help us to see why He is worthy of our devotion, worship, and following. This Sunday, Jesus’ worthiness is attributed to his divine embrace of sacrifice. For Jesus, it was not a loss, but a way to life and greater things.

Horizons’ series “Worthy” focuses on the person, presence, and purpose of Jesus, as we near our Christmas season. Our focus will help us to see why He is worthy of our devotion, worship, and following. This Sunday, Jesus’ worthiness is attributed to his divine embrace of sacrifice. For Jesus, it was not a loss, but a way to life and greater things.

Horizons once again returns to the Gospel of Matthew for a final dive into our remaining passages in this testimony. “Worthy” focuses on the person, presence, and purpose of Jesus, especially as we approach our Christmas celebration. This first Sunday, worthiness is attributed to the things of heaven as opposed to the things of our human hearts. Jesus teaches this through two interactions with Peter.