Love Chapel Hill

Pentecost 2019 --- Acts 2:1-4

Today we welcome Andre Franklin, pastor and planter of Vinea Church in East Durham (https://www.vineachurch.org)! We're celebrating the event of Pentecost when the often under-discussed Holy Spirit descends on the apostles of the brand new church. From that moment on, the distance between the Divine and the Believers was gone. We are called, gathered, and unified as one Body by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Andre draws on scripture from the Old and New Testament to take a deep dive into the implications of this turning point for our relationship with God.

Ascension Sunday 2019 --- Acts 1:1-11

The book of Acts begins where its first volume, the Gospel of Luke, ends. Traditionally Jesus ascends to Heaven 40 days after his Resurrection and we celebrate that today. This is not the end of the life of Jesus, though. It is the beginning of his reign as King. Not as the conquerer of Rome, but in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. His call to us is clear. We serve a Savior and King and belong to him completely and our mission is to tell the world how this has transformed us.

Worship at the Well 2019 --- John 21:1-14

If there is one Gospel writer that is intentional with every word put on paper, it's John. John found the pattern in Jesus' divinity, and his account is full the echoes of repeated themes throughout Christ's life. This is especially true here in the last chapter of John when Jesus encounters his disciples following the Resurrection. What better place to begin Peter's redemption than by returning to where he started? A boat, a lake, a net... And a lot of fish.

Worship at the Well 2019 --- John 20:24-29

It's our pleasure to kick off Worship at the Well (even though the rain put us back in the Varsity this week, admittedly) by welcoming back Anthony Smith of Mission House in Salisbury, NC! (missionhousenc.com) As we continue the church-wide Easter celebration, we are reminded of the incident that would unfortunately define most of what we remember about the apostle Thomas. But Anthony dissects Jesus' appearance to the "Doubter" and see the intimacy of the Lord's invitation to touch the wounds that no longer had power over him.

Imagine God --- John 11:25-26; 20:1-18

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Throughout this season of Lent, we have been discovering who Jesus really is based on what he claimed about himself. And today, we remember his most important claim: "I am the resurrection and the life." Do you believe that? After all, we don't worship Christ as a martyred man; He is the resurrected God!

Imagine God --- John 10:10-18, 12:12-19

It's the beginning of Holy Week! Today, we celebrate Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem to a cheering crowd. This crowd would not be getting a powerful king who would topple Roman rule, however. Jesus instead describes himself as the "Good Shepherd." The shepherd and his sheep is one of the most recurring themes in the Bible particularly when God describes our relationship to the Divine. Using the example of one of the culture's most humble professions, Jesus is proclaiming himself the guide, voice, defender, and rescuer of the world.

Imagine God --- John 14:1-7

There is a room being prepared for you in the Father's house. What kind of imagery does that bring to mind? More importantly, though, is how do you get there? Here Jesus answers with his most famous "I Am" statements. Jesus himself is the Way. Few statements are more important to how we understand ourselves as Christians. And few are as convicting to those who proclaim to be.

Imagine God --- John 15:1-11

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting St. Joseph CME church in at the Varsity for CommUNITY Worship! Reverend Cradle begins with a stirring invocation before we welcome Justin back to the stage to continue our series on the I Am statements of Jesus. This week, we have a question: Where does your strength come from? Jesus lays out or relationship to God using the imagery of the Vine. God prunes and cultivates us, stripping much of what we think we need away. We abide with our Vinedresser. That's the only way growth happens and the fruits of the spirit emerge.

Imagine God --- John 6:25-35

Bread. Something that seems so innocuous reappears constantly throughout Scripture. But as far back as the Exodus in the manna from heaven, bread has been a symbol for God's boundless provision. Jesus had just finished a new miracle when over five thousand were fed from what began as five loaves. But Jesus has to remind his disciples and a grumbling crowd that he represents something so much bigger than food. The grace of his sacrifice is, to our souls, a kind of Bread that will never let us hunger again.

Imagine God --- John 9:1-11

NOTE: The beginning got cut off here. Matt is talking about St. Patrick during the first few minutes.

Imagine seeing light for the first time after a lifetime of darkness. Jesus gives that gift to a man in a very much literal manner. The story of the healing of the blind man would be a beautiful sign of Christ's redemption if it ended there, but it takes a surprising turn. Suddenly, the man is interrogated by the religious authorities. A miracle is used as a tool of condemnation aimed at Jesus. And we find those proud scholars that could look right at the Light of the World could still be blind to it. Who are you here? Remember that those who were so sure at what they saw ended up seeing none of it.