StoneBridge Community Church

New York is in lockdown and that includes Sesame Street. Luckily, “Elmo knows it can be hard to be away from your friends, so Elmo’s mommy and daddy are helping Elmo set up a video playdate.” As challenging as our current isolation is for adults, it can be far harder for children who don’t understand social distancing. They may think they've done something wrong and that they are being punished. Adults can feel the same way. This weekend in worship, Pastor Neal gives two reasons why that's not the case in a special message titled, Rest Assured.

On the first Easter, when three women arrived at the tomb to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial, a young man dressed in a white robe, greeted them there. He told them two things that changed them, changed the disciples and eventually, changed the world. What he told them may inspire your own, personal spiritual awakening...

Everyone fights an internal battle between fear and faith. Overcoming fear and emulating Jesus' faith can be intimidating, but not impossible. This weekend's message shares practical steps for strengthening faith, in spite of our fear.

We love a good surprise in movies and books. From the last few seconds of Planet of the Apes to every Agatha Christy novel, surprises can change everything we think about a story. This is also true for the book of Nehemiah. There are several surprises that change what we thought Nehemiah and these surprises help us see God at work in our lives, during the times we live in.

One of the most enduring symbols in our country after 9/11 was the American flag hanging from freeway overpasses. Unfortunately, the symbol of our current crisis seems to be shopping carts full of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. What does it mean to be part of a community when that community is separated or even divided. This weekend we look at Nehemiah 5 and learn how we are in this together.

Social isolation is a growing epidemic — one that’s increasingly recognized as having dire physical, mental and emotional consequences. Since the 1980s, the percentage of American adults who say they’re lonely has doubled from 20 percent to 40 percent. Does Biblical faith have anything to say about isolation? This weekend in worship, Nehemiah, Chapter 3 will highlight God’s love for individuals and encourage us to demonstrate that love in practical ways.

Have you heard these two phrases, “God is my co-pilot,” and “Jesus take the wheel.” Whether you relate more to the World War II fighter pilot who describes trusting God to be beside him as he fought in air battles over China or Carrie Underwood as she gives over complete control to God, most of us have times of trusting God in challenging times in our lives. In various ways, to a greater or lesser extent, we seek to partner with God. Nehemiah partnered with God on a very important project. What he did will help us in our own efforts.

The only thing tragedy gives us is the opportunity to rebuild. This week in worship, Pastor Neal begins a new series, Nehemiah - A Well Built, Rebuilt Life. Confronted by tragedy, Nehemiah needed to rebuild, not just Jerusalem’s wall but his own self-understanding and faith in God. We all face the challenge of rebuilding areas of our lives.

Since we all face the same challenge of rebuilding areas of our lives, let’s look for wisdom from Nehemiah whose own struggle for personal purpose and redefining his life has stood the test of time.