Rise Up: "Feed the Sheep"

John 21: 1-19

This text is often referred to as the "reinstatement of Peter". Just as Peter denied Jesus three times, so Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" And though Peter says "yes" three times, Jesus still asks for proof of his love. He says, "feed my sheep". How we love Jesus can often be measured by how willing we are to feed his sheep.

Change

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21

There are two "C" words most people do not like, Change and Challenge. A matter of fact if you were smiling before you read this you more than likely stopped. We like the way things are or have been. The familiar is good and the unknown is bad. This Sunday, we will look at some different ways that we can change our perspective and challenge our outlook to see that it can be a time of excitement to question and react to what is going on around us each day.

April 24                     (Second Sunday of Easter)

Text:                           John 20:19-22

Title:                           “Pursue Forgiveness”

Theme:                      Jesus had every reason to be angry with the disciples after his crucifixion. They were his most trusted friends, his disciples, and yet they abandoned him. But his first word to them was not an accusatory word, but a word of forgiveness, “peace”.

Rise Up: "While It's Still Dark"

John 20: 1-18

There is something about this version of the resurrection that is not found in any of the other accounts. John has Mary arriving at the tomb, "while it was still dark". This means that God did his best work in raising Jesus, not by the light of Easter morning, but while it was dark. We don't wait for some glorious moment in the future to rise up and be the church, but we rise up while it's still dark, so we can bring the light.

Leaving Our Comfort Zones: "Things Are As They Appear Part 1"

John 20: 1-18

Then Jesus appeared to Mary she was not prepared to see Jesus. She did not recognize him when she turned around. It was not until she heard her name spoken by him did she know it was him. Have we heard Jesus call to us? If we have then why are we not answering him? Are we giving into fear of rejection? Join us this Sunday as we see Mary step outside her comfort zone for Christ.

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"He Gives Us a New Family"

John 19: 17-18, 25-27

Jesus said many controversial things about family in the gospels. Things that were hard for the people back then, and even Christians today to understand. But then family must have been important for Jesus because even as he was dying on a cross, he was creating a new family. And he still is.

Leaving Our Comfort Zones: The Anointing"

John 12: 1-8

Why does some of the best things that are done met with such opposition? When we do things as Christians we are to do them for the glory of the Lord. But some see what we do and diminish it because of their own held beliefs on how things should be done. This Sunday, we look at how something as simple as a pint of nard causes such an uproar and a lesson to be learned.

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"He Doesn't Always Make Sense"

John 3: 1-17

There are many things that Jesus taught that didn't seem to make a lot of sense. Not because Jesus was irrational, but because Jesus was teaching about heavenly things. If we spend our life always trying to make sense of things, it can sometimes keep us from discovering spiritual truths.

Leaving Our Comfort Zones:

"Communion"

Luke 22: 14-23

What better place to start a series about comfort zones than one that looks at the scripture on communion. In the life of the church I have noticed that communion Sunday is one that is not as attended as others. This I think Has something to do with the power of the service of communion and the meaning behind it. I encourage you though to look at the rest of this passage with me as there is not just the sharing of the bread and wine but also another part we tend to look over as the comfort zone of the disciples was tested.

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"His Arms Are Open"

Luke 15: 11-32

The parable of the Prodigal son is very familiar to many. In fact, some of us will see ourselves in the Prodigal. And though that was part of Jesus' intention, he also intended that we see the Father as God, and that we recognize that his arms were always open to his son's return.