This week we saw that in a time of spiritual desolation, Eli and his sons rejected the Word of the Lord and served themselves rather than God. Yet their unfaithfulness could not derail God’s plan. In 1 Samuel 2:11–3:21, we see the Lord judge those who reject His Word, call Samuel to hear and obey His voice, and raise up a faithful servant to carry His Word forward. Ultimately, Samuel points us to the faithful Son we desperately need—Jesus Christ.

In Chapter 2 of 1 Samuel, Hannah sings a song exulting in the Lord's gift and ultimately His salvation. Hannah seems to understand that the Lord is doing something much greater in the life of Israel than just granting her a son.

(The first 6 minutes of this recording were recorded at a later date due to technical difficulties.)

1 Samuel begins in a season of barrenness—not only for Hannah, but for Israel. Yet when circumstances seem hopeless and God seems silent, He is still at work. Hannah’s story reminds us that we can bring our distress to the Lord and trust the God who cares for His people and continues His good work.

We kicked off the semester tonight with a sermon out of Ephesians 3. Do people know how much you care for them by the consistency and content of your prayers for them? Would we appeal to the riches of God's glory for the sake of one another.

Tonight, we brought the book of Ecclesiastes to a close. What a great time together this semester in God's Word.

Life under the sun often feels strange, dangerous, and unpredictable. In Ecclesiastes 10, we learn that only God’s wisdom equips us to navigate this broken world. Foolishness leads to harm, exposes itself through careless words, and even topples kingdoms. But wisdom—God’s wisdom—steadies us and guides us.

Are we ok with living with godly wisdom as our navigation to life, even when it doesn't lead to recognition and reward? In a world that promotes strength, might, and material gain as the best things we can have, let us ask for Godly wisdom.

So much of Ecclesiastes is against the backdrop that death is certain. Living with this in view, in the midst of the uncertainty of life, helps us to enjoy and cultivate what God has graciously given us.

How do we balance submitting to leaders while also not standing in an evil cause? Chapter 8 addresses that, as well as the fear of the Lord and the acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God as the root of doing well in life.

Wednesday night, we rolled out our HERD groups. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul pours out his heart for the people he has led to Christ, demonstrating a desire to see them mature in Christ. In this weeks sermon, we look at five heart postures that are crucial for intentional and effective discipleship.