Into The River

12/24/16. Fifth Saturday of Advent, aka Christmas Eve, as the Renew family gathered under dim lights to celebrate the moment and occasion of Christ's Birth. We returned again on Sunday, Christmas Day, as well, with a related yet distinct emphases in our worship.

Songs: Noel; Silent Night; O Holy Night; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; God With Us

// Kari Patterson speaking on "LIGHT" from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 on Christmas Eve #RenewAdvent

12/18/16. Fourth Sunday of Advent. There's something about Mary. She was the first Christian, and her process of belief — from hearing and submitting to the Gospel message, to later visiting her cousin Elizabeth and in community finding the joy of her heart to rejoice and celebrate the goodness of God.

God the Father's love is magnified in the life and beautiful response of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

We finished the morning with the Renew Kids Christmas program.

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Luke 1:26-56 #RenewAdvent

12/11/16. Third Sunday of Advent. What's so significant about some shepherds out in the field near Bethlehem, and why would God's messengers visit them, making them His messengers as well? (And why doesn't God simply send an angel to visit all of us?)

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Luke 2:8-19 #RenewAdvent

12/4/16. Second Sunday of Advent. The famous passage in Micah 5 foretells the coming of the Messiah, a Savior who will right all the wrongs and set history at rights. What does it mean that this ruler, this King, is one "whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days"? What does it say about this King? About the needs of the world? About us?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Micah 5:1-6 #RenewAdvent

11/27/16. A story shared on the First Sunday of Advent. John Wesley was converted as somebody was reading to him Martin Luther’s commentary on the Galatians. There's a sentence where Luther says,

“Have we nothing then to do? No, nothing … but be found in him who of God has made unto us our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption,”

When John Wesley heard those words, it dawned on him, and he was converted. (Note: this wasn’t his beginning of “Christian” things.)

// Jeff Patterson sharing during Benediction #RenewAdvent

11/27/16. First Sunday of Advent. Jesus Christ came at Christmas, but He didn’t just come. He was given. What does it mean that Jesus is the Gift of God? What does His "giftness" tell us about the triune God? What does it tell us about our needs? And the world?

// Jeff Patterson preaching Isaiah 9:1-7 #RenewAdvent

11/20/16. Week 12 in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus went with His disciples on a trek across the Sea of Galilee, summarily feel asleep in the boat, and when a storm arose the sum of all the disciples' fears came to the surface. What happens before the wind and the waves obey Him? Why is this story lived and told here and in this way?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 4:35-41; Psalm 36 & Jonah 2 #GospelofMark

11/13/16. Week 11 in the Gospel of Mark. These scene of Jesus teaching encapsulates what Mark’s Gospel is all about: big power from small beginnings. (The smallest seed becomes the largest plant.) Do you see the contrast, the vibrant images of the God's Kingdom and its growth? (What do they mean?)

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 4:21-34 #GospelofMark

11/6/16. Week 10 in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus spoke in parables as a filter for His true followers to grasp the truths of the Kingdom of God. In this parable King Jesus teaches the hidden power at work in His followers who plant our hopes in the good soil of the Gospel.

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 4:1-20 #GospelofMark

10/30/16. Week 9 in the Gospel of Mark. Continuing with the same passage as last Sunday, we consider the words about Jesus, and the reasonable options available to us:

Is He insane?

Is He a liar?

Is He a good teacher of peace and love?

Or is He the Lord of all?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 3:20-35 #GospelofMark