In John 4, Jesus has an amazing encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. Jesus revealed amazing truth to her about life, about God, and about the thirst inside her. With the exchange of a few words, He helped her see beyond restrictions of her religious upbringing and gain a new perspective on worship, so that she (and we) would never thirst again.

This was the first of a new 3-week mini-series, "Encounters with Jesus." Over the next three weeks we will meet three people who had a personal encounter with Jesus in Scripture. These encounters transformed their lives.

This week was the story of a man who discovered what it meant to be born again.

The first 18 verses of John's Gospel reveal the essential TRUTH about Jesus. Then John begins to give his account of what Jesus did on earth. Just as John shared his encounter of Jesus, we must share our encounter with Him. It is far too important, far to life changing, to keep this truth to ourselves.

Jesus is the revelation of God on earth. John makes it unmistakably clear who Jesus is, referencing His eternal nature, and calling Him The Word. In these first 18 verses, the foundation is set for John's entire Gospel. What follows are not just stories of a man or a rabbi. These are stories of how The Word "became flesh and dwelt among us."

The Gospel of John was written by Jesus’ most trusted disciple and closest friend. Throughout this book, John gives us a personal and powerful look at who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. John writes all of this hoping, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” [John 20:31 ESV].

This Mother's Day we looked at Scripture to discover some of the characteristics of great mothers. We hope this message will encourage and bless you by the example of New Testament women, who even though they were not perfect, they submitted to God's will, kept the faith, and never relinquished the title of great mother.

God is all powerful (omnipotent). God is all knowing (omniscient). God is everywhere (omnipresent). God loves us; He knows our needs; He is with us; He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. So, if God loves me, knows what I need, and can deliver whatever I need even before I open my mouth, then why do I have to pray? This week we discover the biblical answer to our need for prayer.

In week 2 of our table talk series, we have another important conversation about the things that matter: our Christian witness. Our text this week is Matthew's Gospel and the parable about salt and light. There is so much in this little parable, but the main thrust is distinctiveness. Discover God's specific plan for how Christians have both opportunity and responsibility to change the very essence of the world we live in.

Over the next few weeks, we're sitting around the proverbial table to talk about some of the most important parts of our faith. This week, we're talking about the Bible.

God has important things to say to us through His Word. It is important to know the history behind the Bible, and how it came to be, if we are to have faith in what it is saying. We also need to know how to use it and apply it to our lives today. The Bible is not just an ancient book, it is the Living Word of God for His people!

Even though the resurrection of Jesus happened 2,000 years ago, it still affects all of us in the twenty-first century. But how? As we celebrate the fact that Jesus is alive, we can do so filled with HOPE that one day, we will be changed when we meet Him face to face.