It's Better When You're Here!

‘Everything happens for a reason.’ It’s a phrase we hear often — offering comfort, hope, even a sense of security. And yet, you won’t find those exact words in Scripture. Why? Because that phrase can paint a picture of a God who controls every detail like a puppet master — rather than a God who loves, who cares, who draws near in our pain.

Today, we want to explore a better story. A truer story. One where God doesn’t stand at a distance pulling strings, but steps into the mess with us — with work boots on. A God who is present, not just in the triumphs, but in the tragedies. Not orchestrating every hardship, but walking with us through them.

In everything, God is near. And that changes everything.

Passage: Romans 8:18-25 CEB

Today, we come to a concept that feels especially intuitive to us as human beings: the idea of balance. We look at the world and naturally frame it as a cosmic scale—good on one side, bad on the other—and our actions seem to tip the balance one way or the other.

It’s no wonder the idea of karma is so appealing. It gives us the sense that we’re in control—that we can earn blessing or avoid hardship based on what we do. But is that how God really works? Is justice in God’s kingdom just another version of what goes around, comes around?

As we continue our theme of "Do No Ham," we’re asking a deeper question: What does true justice look like in a broken world?

And here’s the truth—whatever burden you’ve been carrying, whatever weight you’ve been trying to balance—it’s already been lifted. You don’t have to carry it anymore.

Passage: Matthew 5:43-48 CEB

Last week, we talked about having a daring faith — the kind that steps out boldly, even when the path isn’t clear. This week, we're shifting gears a bit, but staying in the same spirit. I want to talk about having a faith that endures. Not just a bold faith, but a strong one — strong like silk.

Silk might look delicate, but it's one of the strongest natural fibers on earth. In the same way, our faith doesn't have to be loud or flashy to be powerful. This life is hard, and trying to walk through it on your own will wear you down. But when your faith is rooted in Christ, you have a strength that can withstand the pressure — and even the pain.

So let's dive in today and talk about how to build that kind of faith — the kind that holds on, no matter what.

Passage: Romans 12:9-16 NIV

We want you to hear this clearly:

Passage: Mark 15:42-27 CEB

Join us as we welcome our guest preacher Lee Bradley.

Passage: John 4:1-42 CEB

Join us as we welcome our guest preacher Jason Sowell.

Passage: Psalm 23 NLT

Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as we finish our journey through the book of John.

This whole month, we’ve been exploring how the Gospel of John reads almost like a comic book—packed with powerful moments, miraculous signs, and bold characters that leap off the page. But more than just entertainment, John gives us a vivid, approachable picture of who Jesus is and what He came to do.

In week one, we talked about how Jesus showed up—how He enters into our world and meets us where we are.

And now, here we are—week four. And here's the big idea:

We’re not just spectators—we’re carriers of the power of life. So what does that actually look like?

Let’s dive in and talk about it.

Passage: John 11:23-27, 39, 44 CEB

Join guest preacher Brandon Juhasz as he brings us the word this week.

Passage: John 3:1-17 CEB

Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as he continues our series through John.

The Gospel of John tells the story of God in a way that’s truly worth telling. It’s poetic, bold, and deeply personal. Interestingly, the comic book—created in 1933—did something similar. It made larger-than-life stories and epic moments accessible to the masses. And in a way, so does the Gospel.

Last week, we talked about how we can share the message of Christ with others. This week, we're stepping into the moment when Jesus did something miraculous for the very first time. His first sign. His first wonder.

But here's the thing—if you take yourself too seriously, you might miss the miracle. So today, let’s take a breath, open our hearts, and step into the story. Because what Jesus did then still speaks volumes now.

Passage: John 2:1-11 CEB

Join Reverend Michael LeBlanc as we start out journey through the Book of John.

Today, we open our hearts to a story that has echoed through centuries—the story of Jesus. In this gospel, we’re reminded that the Good News was never meant to be kept quiet. It was meant to be shared, lived, and proclaimed.

As we read the gospel together, let's remember: this story isn’t just history—it’s our story. A story that demands to be told.

In today’s passage, we see what it truly means to tell the story of God—one with eternal weight and lasting impact.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The question is: how will we prepare the way?

Passage: John 1:14-18 MSG