Mountainview CRC

Pastor Erick Schuringa presents the fifth message in our Summer Psalm Series. Focussing on Psalm 30 “All Over the Map”

I choose Psalm 30 because it highlights some things I think are core to belief in God. First, that we grow through challenging experiences. Second, that we can be open and honest with God. Finally, the above things only work if there is a deep trust in God and a desire to praise him.

Pastor Jolene Veenstra presents the 4th message in our Summer Psalm Series. Focused on various passages throughout the Psalms “Challenging Imagery in the Psalms”

We often quote inspirational lines from the psalms about looking to the mountains, finding God in the depths, and walking through still valleys. But our favourite psalms also contain lines about devastating our enemies and being punished or abandoned by God. What are we do to with imagery in the psalms that is difficult to connect with or that challenges our own conception of God?

Pastor Jolene Veenstra presents the 3rd message in our Summer Psalm Series. Focused on Psalm 131: “Interpreting the Psalms” One lovely thing about the Psalms is how accessible they are to us, even though they are thousands of years old and translated from an ancient language that used specific poetic structures. One challenging thing about the Psalms is that they appear self-evident, yet are thousands of years old and translated from an ancient language that used specific poetic structures. Let's do a quick interpretation lesson this morning to enhance our reading of the Psalms. We will then examine Psalm 131 together.

Pastor Erick Schuringa presents the second message in our Summer Psalm Series. Psalm 27 “A Psalm of Confidence.”

Psalms cover all kinds of topics. Psalm 27 is about being confident in your trust in God. But Psalms are also very honest and emotional and so in the midst of confidence there are questions and hopes and doubts to be expressed.

Pastor Erick Schuringa begins a summer series of Psalms. Starting with Psalm 25 “A Broken Psalm of Brokenness.”

We begin our Summer Psalm Series by looking at a messy psalm. Both the structure and the content are broken. Yet it clearly shows us the result of sin, the way to avoid sinning, and how sin is healed and forgiven.

Pastor Brady DeBoer will present a message entitled “Trusting God in Transition”, focused on the second book of Kings, Chapter 2 verses 7-15.

We’ll walk through the story of Elisha becoming the new prophet of Israel. His mentor, Elijah, is one of two men in the Bible to be taken up into heaven rather than dying. Elijah is widely considered to be the greatest prophet that Israel ever had. Will Elisha be able to fill shoes that big? Or will he crumble under the pressure?

Pastor Jolene Veenstra will present a message entitled “Learning from Two Church Fathers”, focused on the book of Job 6:21; 12:12; 21:18

Late in the Gospel of John, Jesus addresses a strong, energetic, and even reckless apostle, Peter, and tells him of a day in his old age when he will stretch out his hands, and others will lead him where he does not want to go. In Job, we read of a father who is far from old, but the tragedy of circumstances suddenly ages him as he finds himself sitting on the ground in pain and misery. Friends who bring comfort suddenly turn to Job with instructions, lectures, and even harsh accusations. What can we learn from these two church fathers in scripture about ourselves, God, and life together?

Pastor Erick Schuringa will present a message entitled “A Gift with a Goal”, focused on the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 1-14.

Pentecost includes the sound of violent wind and tongues of fire. Clearly, it was a surprising and powerful event. Then the apostles speak in all kinds of languages. Again amazing. But, as with all of God's miraculous interventions, there was a purpose to what was going on that goes beyond the event itself. That purpose carries on for us today.

Erick Schuringa presents a message entitled “Jesus Will Be Back”, focused on the book of Acts chapter 1, verses 1-11.

Jesus' disciples stared at the sky when he had ascended and disappeared. They are told that "he will be back". This anticipation shapes the way we live. For Ascension Sunday we will consider what it looks like to live looking forward.

Pastor Erick Schuringa presents a message entitled “The Wind Blows”, focused on the book of John, chapter 3 verses 1-8.

This week we are considering children participating in communion. Communion feeds the new life we have in Christ; how that works is part of the beautiful mystery of faith that includes being born anew and blown about by the Spirit.