This year, Easter looked very different for everyone, but thankfully we know and serve a God who doesn't change. And what better way to celebrate this fact than by joining Guest Pastor Joe Amaral as he shows the context, significance, and unchanging power of the resurrect of Jesus Christ. No matter where we find ourselves, this truth is what sets us free and gives us hope beyond all hopes.

Being stuck in isolation so easily leads to frustration. And if you thought the Bible had nothing to offer you, just turn to the Psalms. In many, David is writing these from a cave. After being on the run from someone who wants to kill him. And the best estimates we have are he was stuck there for months. Sound familiar? So listen to how David pours his heart out to God. He vents his full frustration and anguish, but by the end it turns to worship. That's a pattern we can definitely be following right now...

The Bible says, in Romans 5, that Christians are called to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Which means, contrary to how it's been presented by some, Christianity is NOT easy street. In fact, following Christ is the hardest path you can walk. But those who do, discover a hope they couldn't find any other way...

We've all heard the story of Jesus calling Peter out of the boat and walking on water. And when Peter doubted, he started to sink. The question is, what was he doubting and, more importantly, who? Was he doubting Jesus... or himself? One thing we really need to understand as Christians is that, if Jesus calls us to do something He will equip us to do it. And in these trying times, that's a truth we need to cling to.

As we enter a very unusual season of being forced apart and left wondering what the future holds, Pastor Josh addresses the fears we are likely facing. But he also reminds and encourages us that, by faith in Christ, we don't have to live under fear or be controlled by it. Rather, by surrendering that fear to Jesus and allowing Him to renew our minds by the truth of His Word to place our trust in Him, we can start operating as the church body that our communities need right now.

In Romans 6, Paul writes that we should "count ourselves as dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." That "sin shall no longer be our master" because we have been "brought from death to life." This is strong language and unequivocal in its meaning. But are we each living this way? How often do we find ourselves still stuck as slaves to lifestyles, thought patterns and behaviours that are far less than (or the total opposite of) what Jesus paid for? Pastor Josh examines this and exhorts us to live out those amazing words that Paul wrote...

What does it mean to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling"? Does it mean we're to be terrified all the time? It doesn't make much sense, especially given how many times we're commanded to not be afraid. But both commands are in scripture, so how do we reconcile them? Pastor Josh examines this and shows that the distinction is on what we are to be afraid of and how that should motivate us to act... especially when no one is looking.

We have a very special guest this week as our youth retreat breaks from the norm and concludes as part of our Sunday service. Guest Pastor Scott Murray shares a powerful message that we all know to be true, but need reminding of often: God has given all of us a great commission. He's mapped out specific plans and tasks for each of us. And He's allotted us a window of time to do it. Each of us doesn't have the exact same window, but each one is equally vital.

The incarnation of Christ is perhaps the greatest mystery of all time. God the Son became human. Perfect, undying, inexhaustible deity became flesh and blood. Vulnerable to death. And yes... even tired. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, there is the story of Jesus asleep in the boat as a great storm arose and threatened to sink them all. This story shows the humanity of Jesus - he was exhausted and needed to sleep – and the deity of Jesus – he spoke to nature and commanded it. Something that had never been done before...

Even people who've never read a word of the Bible have likely heard the verse "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." But if you read just two verses later, Paul says "For if, when we were enemies of God..." We get that we were sinners, but did you ever think about yourself as an enemy of God? Pastor Josh looks deeper into this and shows that when in Matthew, Jesus commanded us to "love our enemies", he was using the exact same word.