North Way Christian Community

2020 was a lot like an escape room, everyone's goal is just to "get out". Let's be honest, almost all of us just wanted it to be over. The bible has a really unique word for what we've been through… life. The words of Jesus about tribulation in the world are as true today as they were 2000 years ago. Is there a way for us to find our way out? To make sure 2021 doesn't look like 2020? The short answer is: no. We still live in a fallen world. But, if you're familiar with the scriptures, you know that it's not about escapism, it's about learning how to navigate through the highs, lows and everything in between. Speaker: Pastor John Reilly

In the bible, the scriptures that refer to Jesus' early years are often referred to as the "infancy narratives." They're very familiar to almost everyone as the Christmas story. Today, Pastor Scott Stevens will be digging into one of the narratives that is not typically preached about. In fact, this is the first time he will be preaching on this text. You're invited to join with us as we turn a bit from Christmas and start looking toward the new year and explore these three movements: 1) Are there issues in your life where you possibly need to open up your mind to change your mind? 2) Is there something that God has been tugging at your hear to explore? But you keep putting it off? 3) What MUST you do in 2021? It's time to do it. Pastor Scott Stevens

You probably have a lot of Christmas Traditions! One of those traditions may be driving around and looking at Christmas lights. This year, lights were hard to find at the store - many were sold out. It seems as though everyone went over the top to light up the darkness. Despite the incredible lights all over the place, there are many homes decorated with just a single candle in each window. What is the meaning behind this way of decorating? There is more than we see on the surface. Historically, the candle light in the window is a signaling that people are welcome in your home, it's a sign of trust. The same is true in Luke 2:1-21, there is much more than we see on the surface. Luke records that Mary paused and pondered everything that was happening to her. We should take courage in knowing, like Mary, we do not know or understand everything that is going on and that is OK. We should be expectant, in time, to see what God is up to. In that moment she had no way of knowing everything that was to come through her son Jesus. The details of Jesus' birth serve as a preview of God's Kingdom. Merry Christmas. Speaker: Pastor Dave D'Angelo

Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t want, anticipate, or expect? It may have been the opposite of what you hoped for. We then become disappointed. Expectations are unmet. We start to doubt the plan WE had for our lives. But what if, instead of being disappointed in the plan we had for our lives, we found a fresh perspective in the plan that God has for our lives? If we stay in a place of disappointment, we might end up dis-appointing ourselves, and removing ourselves, form the very plans God has had for us all along. Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, found himself in a moment of disappointment during the very first Christmas. But he chose to trust the Lord and the plan for his life - aiding Mary in the birth of our Savior. We never truly know the direction the Lord wants to take us, but we might just find pieces of it, or even the whole story, if we trust Him instead of ourselves. Just because you may be in a season surrounded by conflict, doesn’t mean you can experience His peace this Christmas. Speaker: Pastor Billy Bob White

Everywhere we turn, people are promising us so much. From stores selling us stuff, to weight loss apps, to the government, but how do we know who and what to believe? What about God? What is your sign from God that when “this” happens, you can believe He will come through for you? When we believe God’s promises we’re transformed. But that is much easier said than done. God’s promises transform the way you see your circumstances. You can look at your circumstances through His promises or God’s promises through your circumstances. Christmas is the ultimate reminder that God joins us in our suffering and is with us every moment of every day. Jesus’ birth on earth is a promise from God. We have a faithful God who keeps His promises. This week we discuss the evidence of God keeping his promises through the scripture of Christ’s arrival on earth. Speaker: Amanda Beggs

We need Christmas more than ever, because when Jesus was born - he brought light into the darkness. When we’re focused on something we want, we miss what is present. Do you do this with the Christmas story? After doing it over and over and over again, is it possible you are no longer open to something fresh and new: seeing what God is trying to show you? If you dig into Matthew’s text, you’ll notice the surprises that God gives us about Jesus and the Gospel. They’re similar to the “Easter Eggs” that Disney likes to add to their movies. Join us for week #1 of our Christmas series “‘Twas the Night” as we explore the text we all know so well with an eye toward seeing it in a way we’ve never seen it before. Jesus is the light of the world! Speaker: Pastor Dave D’Angelo

Forgiveness is a difficult topic for most of us. At any given moment, you may find yourself standing between two opposing forces and you feel the pressure to pick a side. These forces can come from the inside, when we're torn emotionally or from the outside in our relationships. The most challenging ground is oftentimes the place in the middle: the radical gap. It is the place where Jesus lived. Walking in the radical gap is what He did. Navigating between tension and vulnerability. How do you live in this place? There are two areas that often hold Christ followers back from becoming fully who God wants them to be: 1) Money 2) Unforgiving Heart. Today we're focusing on the unforgiving heart, which may make you uncomfortable. You know that in some areas of your heart, you may be carrying unforgiveness and bitterness from a past hurt or experience. It's crushing you. We're going to get a few handles on this pain and difficulty and help you live out your life the way God made you to do. It's time to find and experience that freedom. Speaker: Pastor Paul Hunter

God is looking for someone to stand in the radical gap. For most people that gap is between where we stand spiritually and where we ought to be. How do these gaps develop? We often look to money, sex, drugs, and other vices. But they always fall short, leaving us feeling disappointment. When we do not turn to God to fill the gap, we will always be left helpless. How do you fill that gap? How do you find hope? This week, our guest speaker dives into this enigmatic question. Speaker: Matt Geppert

This week we hear from Will Ford and Matt Lockett, two men living in this place. One the descendent of a former slave owner, the other a descendent of one of the slave owner's slaves. Will Ford is the Director of the Marketplace Leadership Major at Christ For The Nations Institute and is the co-founder of 818 The Sign. Matt Lockett is the Executive Director of Justice House of Prayer DC. Together, Matt & Will have authored: The Dream King Is the dream of equality Dr. King envisioned still alive today? Can our historic national hurts still be healed? How can we rise above the racial tension threatening the nation? There is hope to heal the racial divide. The Dream King is the astonishing true story of two men whose lives are woven together by history and the hidden hand of God. It reveals an inspiring narrative that exposes systemic injustice and delivers new keys for understanding the nation's past, present, and future. Speakers: Will Ford & Matt Lockett

Maybe your candidate won? Or lost? Or is contesting? This election is just another way 2020 has brought uncertainty into your life. The gamut of emotions we are all experiencing is vast. We’re all wondering, what’s going to happen next? Whether your candidate won or lost, we can’t believe this is actually happening. We’re feeling fear, frustration, fatigued… or, perhaps, full of hope. At this point, most of us don’t even know what to say. All of us are looking for a word of inspiration or hope! You’re asking, now what? We’re not the only ones in history who have had “now what” moments. It’s actually happened again and again in scripture. When you’re out of words, that is an invitation to pray..”now what“ moments are invitations to pray. Though things are out of your hands, they’re never out of His hands. What does prayer do? It demonstrates that it is: In God We Trust. Speaker: Pastor Dave D’Angelo