Series Angels and Songs

Message A Savior is Born (Angel’s Song)

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Luke 2:8-20

Joy to the world! A Savior is born! The angels sing their own song in declaring the mystery and wonder of God’s faithfulness as Jesus is born in Bethlehem. Continuing with the underlying theme of God’s self-revelation to the most unexpected people, the angels sing their song to a group of shepherds keeping watch over sheep in the fields, while Jesus, God’s own Son and the Savior of the world, is born in a stable. The questions then come to us, the most unlikely of people generations later: Will we go and see this Savior who has been born? And having seen him, will we go away rejoicing, spreading this good news wherever we go?

Series Angels and Songs

Message A Light Has Come (Zechariah’s Song)

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Luke 1:57-80

Zechariah rejoices as the miracle of God’s faithfulness unfolds through the birth of John the Baptist. Elizabeth proclaims her son’s name to be “John.” When the people doubt her, Zechariah writes “His name is John,” a declaration that brings him freedom from his silence. That naming, as with the naming of prophets’ children in the Old Testament, conveys a glimpse of who God is and what God is about to do among His people.

Series Angels and Songs

Message Singing with Mary Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Luke 1:39-56

Mary’s song expresses a deep delight in God’s faithfulness as God extends His mercy from generation to generation, wrapping the poor and downtrodden within the story of His grace. We light the advent candle today in joy that God is faithful to His promises and extends grace to the

discouraged. This is good news for those who have been overlooked and forgotten for so long. Composer and mother Mary invites us to sing her song with her.

Series Angels and Songs

Message Overshadowing (Mary’s Angel) Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Luke 1:26-38

After 500 years of Gabriel not showing up on earth, he makes his second appearance in a few month’s time. It was Daniel whom he appeared to 500 years earlier in Daniel 9 in answer to Daniel’s prayer for redemption from captivity. Gabriel promised that and more. Israel would be released to their homeland, but an even greater redemption was on the horizon for God’s people. Now in Luke Gabriel shows up to announce fulfillment of what was promised in Daniel 9. First he tells Zechariah about a coming son John in answer to Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s prayers. Verses later he appears to a young Jewish girl from a no name town in a forgotten region. She’s going to have a baby through the miraculous impregnation by the Holy Spirit. Today we consider Gabriel’s announcement and young Mary’s response through five words: humility, privilege, mystery, sovereignty, and submission.

Series: Angels and Songs

Message: “Intruding on the Mundane” (Zechariah’s Angel)

Luke 1: 5-25

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Series blurb: This advent series we will sing with Zechariah, Mary, and angels. And we will receive correspondence from heavenly messengers. It’s angels and songs for advent.

Today’s message is “Intruding on the Mundane” (Zechariah’s Angel)

After 400 years of “silence” from God, suddenly God sends an angel to announce God’s good news: The Savior is on His way! This good news intrudes into the mundane and ordinary rhythms of God’s people, and changes everything. Have you been in a pattern of the mundane and monotonous? Let the angel’s message restore your hope and rekindle your fire for what God is doing.

Series Filled to the Brim: Contentment in a World of Consumption

Message The Invitation

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Proverbs 30:7-9, Deuteronomy 8:10-14 and 17-18, Revelation 3:14-21

Today we are coming in for a landing. Buckle your seat belts. Jesus is sitting next to you and asks, “Shall we get supper after we land? I’d like to spend some time with you. I don’t want anything to get in between us.”

Series Filled to the Brim: Contentment in

a World of Consumption

Message The Generous Heart

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture I Kings 17:1-16

Today we learn about a spiritual cycle that propels generous living. When we are content, full of faith and hope, generous living flows.

Series Filled to the Brim: Contentment in

a World of Consumption

Message Affluence Challenge

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture I Timothy 6:17-19, Psalm 104:13-15

Today we study what a Christian's relationship should be to material possessions. In the Word, the heavenly Father says "enjoy." I Timothy 6 also gives us a two-part antidote to inflating the value of our possessions.

Series Filled to the Brim:

Contentment in a World of Consumption

Message Identity

Pastor Joel Zuidema

Scripture Ephesians 1:4-8, 13

Our identity is not anchored in what we own, but whom we belong to. When we apprehend our identity in Christ and our great worth in His sight, our possessions will not define us, and contentment will grow easily.

SERMON INFORMATION

Guest Pastor Joseph Brinks

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10; Text 2:8-10

Sermon: Reformation Then and Now--Sinners Saved to Serve

Synopsis: (Overview) The sermon begins by calling our attention to the fact that the week ahead has three holidays, Halloween, Reformation Day, and All Saints’ Day. Then we narrow our attention to Reformation Day and the Protestant Reformation. A fitting Reformation Scripture is Ephesians 2:8-10. This Scripture is explained and applied. The main point of the sermon in one short statement is this: By God’s grace though our faith, we are sinners saved to serve.