Reachway Church

The Third Word - (John 19:26, 27)

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Speaker - Josh Lee

Josh grew up in Elgin, IL, a suburb of Chicago. While attending Garrett Theological Seminary for his Masters of Divinity in May 2019 — he served at Kingswood United Methodist. Prior to this, he attended Moody Bible Institute for his Bachelors in Pastoral Ministry in May 2013. Both of these experiences have exposed him to a wide spectrum of theological and social thought.

Since joining the staff at Imago Dei church in January 2019, Josh's primary role is the Sunday morning service, teaching and communications. He also provides pastoral care, oversight of building and grounds and implementing ways to communicate our mission and vision in the community and partnering with other organizations.

The Second Word - (Luke 23:43)

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Speaker - Debra Avery

Rev. Debra Avery serves as pastor and head of staff at the United Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She has served as a second career pastor in four Presbyterian congregations in New York, Arizona, California, and Illinois. She has a skill set for vision and strategy work, and a passion for missional and justice endeavors. She previously served as the moderator of her presbytery in the San Francisco area.

The First Word - Luke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Speaker - Seth Major

Seth Major serves as the Lead Pastor of Reachway Church in Peoria, overseeing the church's mission, direction, and health. He and his wife, Tai, moved into the North Valley neighborhood to plant Reachway as a church that served the community in which they lived. Seth also serves as the CARES Director of the Dream Center, guiding their outreach efforts in the community.

We consider the quarreling and testing the nation of Israel did when they became thirsty in the desert and discuss how we are to faithfully engage with moments of wilderness ourselves. The scripture passages we pull from are Psalm 95 and Exodus 17:1-7.

For the second Sunday of Lent we look at John chapter 3’s dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus - who has a few questions. Having questions [for God] is natural and healthy. The season of Lent positions us to be able to receive the answers / feedback with grace and resilience. We also consider John chapter 2 as we wonder what it could mean to be ‘born from above of the Spirit.’

On the first Sunday of Lent we look at Matthew chapter 4, where the ‘attempt to tempt’ Jesus is made in the wilderness, and compared that to the events of the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3. In light of these stories we learn that we are to trust God with both pace AND process as we journey throughout life.

In this final week of Epiphany we consider The Transfiguration of Jesus, accounted for in Matthew chapter 17. We ask the question, ‘When we want to grow, where do we go?’ and conclude that in our moments of doubt, assurance, and everything in between, we are to seek out the presence of God as we journey along.

The words of Deuteronomy chapter 30 frame our discussion on the often ‘hard-hitting’ teachings of the Sermon On The Mount. These ancient words in Deuteronomy encourage us in that A) We are able to choose [in general] B) The Word is near to us, and C) We can choose life. Teachings of Sermon On The Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) give us a picture of what it looks like to ‘choose life.’

For Epiphany week 5 we consider the theme of righteousness that Jesus addresses in Matthew chapter 5, and, by walking through Isaiah chapter 58, consider the differences between a righteousness that is motivated by law and one that is motivated by love.

As we consider the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) we ask the question, “What is the world telling me, and, in light of that, what is God telling me?” We explore the tensions of these profound differences.