Mountainview CRC

For this first Sunday after Christmas, Pastor Erick Schuringa will reflect on “Seeing Simeon and Accessing Anna.” He will be looking at the story as told in the book of Luke, chapter 2, verses 25-26.

The story of Simeon and Anna is made for the week after Christmas because that is when it took place. It is also a grand story because this captured moment in the temple is part of their long life journey of waiting on a promise of hope.

On Christmas Day, join with us as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus. Gather with us at 10 am in person or online as Pastor Erick Schuringa shows us how Christmas is the coming together of all of our stories in Jesus.  He came to bring meaning to the great big story of the whole world.

All are welcome as we rejoice together in the peace, love, joy and hope of Christmas.

Pastor Erick Schuringa will present the last message in our Advent series, considering the “Mysterious Magi”, looking at Matthew chapter 2, verses 1-12.

For this fourth Sunday of Advent, we will consider the story of the Magi. We know they came, followed a star and brought three gifts. But what was their backstory? What had they experienced before this, and what did the people of Jerusalem make of them?

Pastor Jolene Veenstra will present the third message in our Advent series entitled “Listening for God-given Joy”, looking at Luke chapter 2 verses 8-20.

The Christmas story is full of people listening to angels. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds watching over their flocks all listened to angels and received incredible news. We think of Advent as a time of waiting, and it is. But it's also a time for listening. Listening for the joy that comes when our creator gives us the gift of who we are.

Pastor Erick Schuringa will present the second message in our Advent series entitled “Called into Trusting Obedience”, looking at Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 1:26-38.

Mary and Joseph are given a great gift, but it comes with a tough road. They both are told by an Angel that the Holy Spirit is on the move. How would you respond to such stretching news? During the service we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

Pastor Erick Schuringa will conclude the Sermon on the Mount series with a message entitled “Practice Makes Holy,” focusing on Matthew 7:24-28.

For the last message in the Sermon on the Mount series, we’ll consider what it means to do what Jesus says.

Pastoral Intern Brady DeBoer will bring a message focused on Psalm 130 entitled “A Course of Confession.”

We will walk through Psalm 130, which sets out a beautiful and profound guideline for turning to God in confession..

Pastor Erick Schuringa continues the Sermon on the Mount series with a message entitled “Choosing a Path.” He will be looking at Matthew 7:13-23. Jesus is calling us to action. He wants us to move forward. We are called to choose a path, and the path is determined by who our leader is, by who we follow. Jesus is inviting us to a difficult but life-giving journey of following him

Pastor Erick Schuringa continues the Sermon on the Mount series with a message entitled “The Way Forward.” He will be looking at Matthew chapter 7, verses 1-12.

At this point in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a clear way to assess how much we have learned so far. Are we condemning others' faults, pushing our good stuff on them, or are we asking God to work the needed change in us as well as them?

Pastor Jolene Veenstra presents a message entitled “Jesus Stories.” She will be looking at Mark chapter 3 verses 31-34.

Mark 3:31-34 has always sat uncomfortably with me. It sounds like in this passage, Jesus is insulting the family who loved him and raised him, and preferring the presence of strangers. My discomfort with this verse stems from a deeper discomfort about my place in the world and in God’s family. And so I have struggled with a question that has unmade and remade how I see the world. Who are Jesus’ mothers and brothers? And if I’m part of Jesus’ family, who are mine?