Mars Hill

Matthew 2:1-12

Laurie Gordon Celebration of Life

Luke 2

Micah 5:2-5a

The Lord is a warrior and fights on behalf of his beloved people. God's is on the move and we look at how we can be on watch and participate this Advent. 

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Refining isn't always a comforting idea, but the prophet Malachi invites us to wonder, "Can we trust that the One doing the refining is good?"

Malachi 3:1-4

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?

One significant anticipatory image of the coming Messiah that captured the religious imaginations of God's people was the Branch that would sprout from the dead stump of Jesse's line. Jeremiah confidently proclaimed the promises of God that would be fulfilled, inspiring us to boldly believe in God's faithfulness and promise-keeping while we wait for life to come out of death. 

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Questions to consider—

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Wrapping up the Teaching series on the Sermon on the Mount, we focus on Jesus' call to love our enemies. This Teaching challenges us to recognize the Church's perceived enemies, understand our role in response, and pray faithfully for them with hearts aligned to Christ's love.

Matthew 5: 43-47

Questions to consider—

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

What might it look like to not seek to get even? Is it even possible to travel a third way? Jesus invites us to a different way of engaging with those who do us harm - moving past "an eye for an eye" and toward a posture that transforms the relationship.

Matthew 5:38-42

Questions to consider—

Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?

Wise Disciples resist the temptation to make God an object for their use but instead embrace the mystery of God, protect the reputation of God, and live lives with radical integrity. 

Matthew 5:33-37

Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?

Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?