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On this Second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Ken continues our current worship series, "God With Us," by exploring the often-overlooked Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, we discover the unexpected way God chooses to show up — in the chaos and in a dream — along with the profound mercy Joseph shows Mary, his courageous obedience, and how Joseph can model for us a universal call to care for and nurture all children, even those who are not our own. Joseph's story is a challenge to choose obedience over argument and mercy over revenge, reminding us that Emmanuel is with us every step of the journey.

Sermon Reflections:

Pastor Ken describes Joseph as the "patron saint of people who have no idea." What unexpected, chaotic, or difficult circumstance in your life right now is God inviting you to navigate with faith?

Joseph was described as a "righteous man" because he chose to be merciful and dismiss Mary quietly, rather than pursuing public justice or revenge. In what area of your life is the Lord calling you to choose mercy over demanding what you feel you are owed?

The angel's message to Joseph began with "Do not be afraid." What fear is currently weighing on you, and how does the message of Emmanuel ("God with us") offer peace to that fear?

Joseph's act of naming the child Jesus was an act of adoption, connecting Jesus to the royal line of David. What does Joseph's silent, nurturing example teach you about the nature of true fatherhood, whether earthly or spiritual?

As followers of Christ, we are called to care for all children, not just their own. What is one specific, faithful step you can take in this Advent season to invest in the lives of children in your community or church?

Joseph obeyed God's command without hesitation. Reflect on the last time God presented a clear next step to you. What hindered your immediate obedience, and what can you learn from Joseph's willingness to act upon waking from his dream?

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On this First Sunday of Advent, Pastor Ken begins a new worship series, "God With Us," by exploring Jesus's genealogy as documented in the Gospel of Matthew. 

Why does this gospel begin with a boring list of names? Why is Jesus's family tree so important? While we often focus on the shepherds and angels from Luke's telling of Christ's birth, the first chapter of Matthew presents a different kind of miracle — a genealogy filled with imperfect people, outsiders, and "scoundrels" who God chose to be part of the Messiah's lineage. Pastor Ken helps us explore some of these people as we discover how God uses broken histories to write beautiful stories of redemption. 

Whether you're struggling with your own family history or feeling disqualified by your past, this message reminds us that God works through real people, not perfect ones.

Sermon Reflections:

• Pastor Ken admits that genealogies can seem boring at first glance. How did the sermon change your perspective on why Matthew chose to open his gospel with a list of names rather than a dramatic nativity scene?
  
• Jesus’s family tree includes liars, cheaters, and outsiders (like Jacob, Manasseh, and Rahab). How does knowing that Jesus came from a "messy" family affect the way you view the imperfections in your own family or background?
  
• Matthew breaks cultural norms by including four specific women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) in the genealogy. What common thread did the pastor identify among these women, and what does their inclusion tell us about God’s character?
  
• Pastor Ken used the metaphor of a bowl made of "spalted wood" — wood infected by fungus or disease — to illustrate how God works. In what ways have you seen God take something "diseased" or difficult in your life and turn it into something beautiful?
  
• Genealogy isn't just a record of the dead, but an ongoing story that we are invited into. How do you see your current life circumstances as a continuation of the story God began with Abraham?
  
• In Jesus’s family tree, barriers of gender, race, and moral failure disappear. Which of these barriers do you find hardest to believe God can overcome in your own life or in the lives of others?
  

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Is gratitude a "faded virtue" in our entitled world? In this final message of our "Faded Virtues" series, Pastor Ken Curtis challenges us to look beyond Thanksgiving as a single holiday and reclaim the transformative power of a grateful heart. Drawing on the biblical command to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), Pastor Ken explores the difference between mere thankfulness and a life-changing posture of gratitude. Together, we learn three key ways to reclaim our gratitude: by slowing down, remembering God's blessings, and practicing generosity.

Sermon Reflections:

• Moses warns the Israelites not to forget God when they are prosperous and satisfied (Deuteronomy 8:17). Where in your life are you most at risk of forgetting God's hand in your success and attributing it solely to your own strength?
  
• Pastor Ken contrasts an attitude of entitlement with the virtue of gratitude. Can you identify an area in your current life where a sense of entitlement (e.g., toward a job, a relationship, or even God) might be overshadowing your ability to be truly grateful?
  
• Is there a difficult or annoying circumstance in your life right now for which you can sincerely try to find one thing to be grateful for?
  
• Pastor Ken gives us three strategies for reclaiming gratitude: by slowing down, remembering God's faithfulness, and being generous. Which of these three is the most difficult for you to implement daily, and why?
  
• In the story of the 10 lepers, the nine were healed, but only the one who returned to give thanks was told his "faith has made [him] well." What is the spiritual difference between being merely healed by God's blessings and being made whole through a posture of gratitude?
  
• Pastor Ken challenges us to write down 1-3 things we are grateful for every day [53:22]. If you were to start this practice today, what would be your first entry, and how do you plan to hold yourself accountable for the next week?
  

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Associate Pastor Jesse Enniss continues our lessons in our current series, "Faded Virtues." What does it truly mean to have a faith that is loyal, not passive? Associate Pastor Jesse Enniss continues our series on "Faded Virtues" by challenging us to embrace the radical courage required to follow Christ. Diving into Luke 21:5-19, Pastor Jesse helps us distinguish between misinterpretations of "end-times" prophecy and Jesus's call to endurance during real-word persecution. We find inspiration in the powerful testimony of early Christian martyrs Perpetuate and Felicity and the 20th century example of Rev. James Reeb. Together, we learn that Christian courage today is not expressed through online aggression, but through our willingness to sacrifice our own comfort for the good of others, advocating for those without a voice, and confronting harmful beliefs in a loving, relationship way.

Sermon Reflections:

• Pastor Jesses shares the stories of Christian martyrs to show that true courage involves joy in suffering. How does their attitude challenge your current perspective on the "small" discomforts or social risks you face when practicing your faith?
  
• A passive faith stands in contrast to a courageous loyalty. In what specific area of your life (e.g., family, workplace, online) is Christ currently calling you to move from being a "bystander" to taking courageous action?
• As believers, we should advocate for victims of abuse and discrimination. What is one specific, actionable step you can take this week to "show up for others" in a marginalized group, following Christ’s example?
  
• Jesus's words in Luke 21:18 state, "Not a hair of your head will perish." How do you reconcile this promise of ultimate salvation with the reality of persecution, discomfort, or loss that you may face in this life?
  
• The idea of confronting harmful beliefs is presented as a courageous act done "in a loving and relational way." Think of one difficult conversation you need to have: how can you prepare to approach it with relational love, rather than just trying to be "right"?
  

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Senior Pastor Ken Curtis kicks off a new worship series on "Faded Virtues" by exploring the decline of loyalty in today's fast-paced, instant-gratification world. Drawing from the story of Peter's denial (Matthew 26:33-35), we're challenged to recognize that "loyalty is proven, not proclaimed." We examine real-life examples like baseball player Pee Wee Reese's act of support for Jackie Robinson. Even when our loyalty fades and we stumble, Jesus' faithfulness remains — like when Jesus forgave Peter's three denials. Together we learn that our failures don't disqualify us, because our story and our chance to prove our loyalty isn't over.

Sermon Reflections:

In what specific area of your life — friendships, job, or faith — might your loyalty be currently fading without you fully realizing it?

How does the example of Peter's denial and subsequent restoration challenge you to move from merely proclaiming your faith or values to actively proving them through concrete actions?

Pastor Ken listed several traits of a disloyal friend or church member: gossip, consumerism, a refusal to forgive. Which of these temptations are you most susceptible to and what is one practice you can adopt to counter it?

Ittai the Gittite volunteered to join King David in exile and battle, saying, "wherever my lord the king shall be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be." What would a commitment this costly look like in your life today?

Jesus forgave Peter three times. How does this act of intentional restoration impact your understanding of God's grace when you feel you have failed him?

What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate unfailing loyalty and love to God, a friend, or your community?

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In this message for All Saints Sunday, Rev. Bailey Brislin explores Jesus' Sermon on the Plain from Luke 6 to illustrate God's call for solidarity and a leveling out of the social order. Drawing on the metaphor of preparing land for a farm, she challenges us to consider what it means to truly see our neighbors — the poor, the hungry, the weeping. We're reminded that our call to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus Christ involves comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. We learn how the saints in our lives loved us into being and we can continue their legacy by actively creating a path toward blessing and flourishing for all creation.

The guest preacher for this message was Rev. Bailey Brislin, a member at St. Stephen who works as works as Palliative Care Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator at UNC Hospitals.

Sermon Reflections:

• Bailey uses the metaphor of "leveling the land" in farming to describe the social order Jesus calls us toward. What is one specific, un-leveled area (injustice, inequality, or need) in your local community that you are being called to address?
  
• Jesus’ message is described as comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. In which of these two groups do you most often find yourself, and what is one concrete way you can respond to Jesus's call from that position?
  
• Bailey asks, "What blessing do I have to offer?" What is a unique gift, resource, or piece of knowledge you possess that you can use to "dirty your hands in the work of leveling a path toward blessing and flourishing for all"?
  
• Mr. Rogers frequently asked, "Who are the people in your life who loved you into being?" As you remember the saints, what is the most important legacy of love or forgiveness you want to embody and pass on?
  
• Reflect on the contrast between the "blessings" and "woes" in the Scripture reading (Luke 6:20-31). What is the main value system Jesus is trying to subvert or establish for his disciples?
  
• Bailey suggests that our discipleship journey, like farming, requires "ongoing care and attention." What is one spiritual practice or act of service you can commit to for a sustained period to continue the work of Christ's solidarity?
  

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In this fourth and final installment of our annual stewardship series, Unburdened, we explore what it means to shift our focus from instant gratification to eternal impact. Are we living for today, or planning for tomorrow? Drawing from passages in Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Matthew, we discover why where we put our treasure, there, too, our heart will be also. 

Sermon Reflections:

• We know that we live in an age of instant gratification. In what areas of your life —outside of your finances — do you notice an urge for immediate results or gratification, and how might this be distracting you from the principle that tomorrow matters?
  
• The passage in Proverbs refers to the slugard who spends whatever they get. How does the concept of "less is more" apply to your current lifestyle, and what is one tangible item or subscription you could "let go" of to unburden yourself?
  
• What is a small "seed" of generosity or time you can plant this week, believing God will use it to make a long-term difference?
  
• The Greek proverb states that society grows great when old folks plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. What is the "tree" you are planting right now — a habit, a lesson, a cause — that you hope a future generation will benefit from?
  
• Gail Noble was remembered for her "aggressive kindness," not her brilliant career. In your daily interactions, are you more focused on achieving professional success or on planting seeds of kindness, love, and patience in the lives of those around you?
  
• We are reminded that God has blessed us so that we might be a blessing to others. What is one burden or worry you can intentionally release this week to create a free hand to serve, care for, and help others?
  

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In this second installment of our annual stewardship series, Unburdened, we explore the topic of financial stress. Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by the constant pressure of modern life, especially when it comes to money? We explore the various financial burdens that keep us from experiencing true tranquility and spiritual freedom, embracing the concept "Less is More." 

We also discover three essential prayers that will help us recenter our lives and move toward being financially and spiritually unburdened:

1. God, Give Me Self Control — Learning to say no now so you can say yes later.
   
2. God, Give Me Understanding — Gaining the knowledge to see how interest and compound growth truly work, both for and against you.
   
3. God, Give Me a Plan — Recognizing that you can wander into debt, but you must plan your way out of it, inviting God into that process.
   

Sermon Reflections

• What is one thing you're currently holding onto that is causing you more toil and stress than peace?
• We all have that two-year-old kid inside of us who screams, "I want it now!" What is one small thing you can say no to this week?
• What is one financial concept you lack knowledge about, and what step can you take to gain that knowledge this week?
• Church member Chris shared his journey with financial stress, highlighting the need for a plan. In what areas of your life do you tend to wander, and how can you inteiontally create a place to Move Forward?
• How doe financial planning and self-control connect your faith journey and ability to honor God?

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We kick off a new worship series, Unburdened, as we begin this year's stewardship campaign. In this first sermon, Pastor Ken guides us through what it means to embrace "Less is More." We explore the Parable of the Rich Fool and the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes and together discover how redefining our priorities leads to genuine commitment and why our lives should be spent pursuing what matters, not what's on our credit card statement.

Sermon Reflections

• What we often insist matters most (our family, our faith) is often not reflected in how we spend our time. What is one way your time allocation needs to be adjusted this week to align with your truest priorities?
  
• Ecclesiastes tells it is better to have "one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." In what area of your life (your career, possessions, commitments) are you currently grasping at "two handfuls with toil" or "chasing after the wind"?
  
• Pastor Ken teaches us that when we embrace "less is more", we get a "free hand" to help others. What specific opportunity for service or connection are you currently missing because your "hands are full"?
  
• This sermon challenges us to cut back or give away things we don't use. What is one material possession or commitment you can "unburden" yourself of this week to create more freedom?
• The communion table is described as a "less is more" moment because through a little bit, God gives us everything. How does your spiritual life reflect the principle of "less is more" (e.g., focusing on quality over quantity in prayer or service)?
  

This Sunday, we conclude our back-to-school worship series, Big Questions Kids Ask. Ever wish God would just send you a text message with clear direction? In this sermon, we explore one of the most common questions from both kids and adults: "How can I hear God?" While we might not encounter burning bushes like Moses, God is still speaking today. Discover three primary ways God communicates with us and learn practical tips for recognizing God's voice in your daily life.

Sometimes we don't hear God because we're not listening. What are the biggest distractions that prevent you from truly listening for God's voice in your daily life?

How regularly do you engage with God's Word, and when has a particular Bible passage felt like God speaking directly to your situation? What could you do to create more consistent time for Scripture reading?

Can you recall a time when God used another person to speak into your life, even if you didn't recognize it as God's voice at the time? How can you become more attentive to God's voice through the people around you?

How do you currently discern between your own thoughts, outside influences, and God's actual voice? What criteria do you use?

Like Elijah hearing God in the "sheer silence" rather than the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, when have you experienced God's presence or guidance in quiet moments rather than dramatic circumstances?

Pastor Ken tells us about "holy nudges" and how the Holy Spirit often prompts us with a gentle "recalculating" rather than harsh correction. What "holy nudges" might you have been ignoring recently, and how can you become more responsive to the Spirit's gentle guidance?