“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) In Jesus’ view, mourning is not something to be avoided, but embraced and even cherished as it invites God’s blessing. How is this the case? What are we to be mourning? Where is the comfort to be found? We hope you can join us on Sunday to explore this next Beatitude – a fitting one for many of us who have reasons to feel heavy-hearted.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) So begins Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, an extended treatment highlighting the values in His Kingdom. If we call Jesus our King, then quite simply we need to adopt his value system and shed the world’s – or perhaps even or our own. What is poverty of spirit, and how could it possibly be considered a blessing? In what way does such a state lead to possessing the kingdom of heaven? That’s what we will explore together Sunday, and hopefully all of us will leave encouraged and challenged.

We are beginning a new series covering the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. If you have a red-letter Bible, you will note that it is the longest extended message Jesus gives in the Gospels, and we find him painting a picture of what life in God’s Kingdom is all about – its motives, intentions, and actions, which stand in stark contrast to the values of those who live independent of God. With that in mind, for those us who claim to follow Christ, it will be an opportunity to ask: how are we doing?! For those not yet committed, hopefully the vision will be inspiring and captivating.

This week, Dave Dupee joins us to preach! Dave was born in Cincinnati and grew up in Clifton. He came to faith in high school and is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and Gordon-Conwell Seminary (M.Div.). He and Meg were married in 1976 and worked in college ministry together for four years at Thiel College in W. Pennsylvania with the CCO. After seminary (1980-83) they moved back to Cincinnati for Dave to work in the family staffing business (Olsten) where he served as CEO until it was sold in 2000. From 2005-2007, he served as the first director of Whiz Kids, a reading based mentoring ministry for at risk kids through City Gospel Mission. He and Meg were part of the initial core launch team for New City Church, and Dave continues to serve as an elder there. They have two adult children, David (Alison), and Sarah, and three grandchildren who live in Milwaukee.

This week, we reflect on the first few verses from Genesis. The English title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew (3rd cent. B.C.) and means "origin, birth or generation." The Hebrew title is taken from the opening word translated "in the beginning." The book of Genesis sets the stage for the redemptive storyline of the Bible. The story opens with God confronting chaos and disorder to bring order and beauty in creation. Humans are formed and appointed to participate in God's divine rule of the universe. As his representatives, we can choose to trust God for wisdom to rule, resulting in blessing for the entire world.

Today, Pastor DeLayno Robinson is preaching from 2 Timothy 4:17-18: "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Today, Ashish Pushkaran is preaching from Hebrews 12: 1&2a: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

We come to an end of our series on the book of Joshua with Part 2 of "Final Words from a Faithful Servant." In Joshua's parting speech, he reminds them of all that has happened to lead them to this point, emphasizing God's activity on their behalf and their right response of faithfulness and service to him. This fidelity is not easy - it is exclusive, and it takes hard work - but it is right and it is good.

We are nearing the end of Joshua, and the final two chapters are essentially a farewell from this man of faith who has led Israel, under God’s direction, to a long-awaited place of rest. This Sunday we will look at chapter 23, “Final Words from a Faithful Servant, Part 1.” Let’s listen closely to the wisdom of someone who finished well – which, in and of itself, is no small task!

We are accelerating quickly through Joshua now, skipping over the land allotments of chapters 11-19 and settling down again in the text of chapter 20, where we find a list of “cities of refuge.” These are strategically placed locations where individuals who accidentally took the life of another could find protection from being avenged. The practice served both as a form of refuge but also of exile, underscoring the value of the life that was taken. They are geographic – and graphic – depictions of the seriousness with which God expects his people to practice both justice and mercy, and as such are visual demonstrations of the Gospel itself.