StoneBridge Community Church

Why can some of the most religious people seem to be the least caring? We meet some of these folks in our story today. And, we find a practical step we can take to become more caring and more like Jesus.

What does it look like to bring people to Jesus without bringing them to church? This week, we learn the answer from Mark 2:1-5 and the example set by four devoted friends.

What does the greatest basketball coach of the 20th century have to do with Jesus invitation to follow him? John Wooden and Jesus have Influence in common. Both invited young men into their domain, Wooden to basketball, Jesus to the Kingdom of God. The people they invited thought the invitation was the chance of a lifetime. This week we discuss what it means to us that “The Kingdom of God has come near.

Whenever there are multiple versions of something of value, it’s important to compare them. This is true for coin collectors and it's also true for the four biblical gospels that serve as a record of Jesus’ life and work. In fact, this weekend in worship, Pastor Neal will show that a lot can be learned about Mark’s gospel by looking at the other three.

Have you ever been told about a movie, a restaurant, or something else and then, having experienced it yourself, become a raving fan? A young man named Mark heard a message being taught by followers of Jesus. Mark came to believe their second-hand message so significantly that it guided the course of his life. Eventually, he wrote down what he heard. What he wrote, we know know as the Gospel of Mark. This week we begin to study his second-hand message which empowers our own first-generation faith.

One of the foundational principles of Christianity is that God forgives us, yet it's so hard to forgive others. This week we learn two clear lessons from Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son recorded only in Luke 15.

Apologizing well seems to be a lost art but this skill has never been more important. The willingness and ability to say “I’m sorry” helps nurture healthy relationships. For Christians, apologizing is even more important because we are living representatives of God. That’s why Jesus tells us to prioritize making things right with other people even above making things right with God.

It’s easy for mothers to feel invisible as they raise their kids. As she studied the building of great cathedrals in Europe, one mom describes how she came to see herself as unseen but still very important . On this Mother’s Day weekend we look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, and how proud a mom she was. Mother Mary, who was unseen but not invisible.

Everyone yearns to be celebrated, especially children. In fact, according to Psychology Today, a child that's celebrated by parent(s) is more likely to be blessed with a positive self-esteem that will be beneficial in adulthood. As a child, Jesus was no exception. However, Joseph and Mary's parenting style may just surpass you! This weekend's message is based on Luke 2:41-50.

When we pick up a pencil to draw a picture, most of us draw at the same level we were at when we were in grade school. The same thing is true for prayer. Many of us haven’t learned how to pray as adults. This week's message teaches three styles of prayer that can enrich your prayer life exponentially.