Kicking off a new series, "300," Pastor Josh encourages us as we transition into a new season of ministry with the story of Gideon in Judges 7, where we see God do an amazing work among His people. When God forces a reduction of Gideon's soldiers from 32,000 down to a faithful few of 300, all odds were against them. Yet, God delivered them by His mighty hand against the Midianites. God often uses small but faithful remnants to save; in order that He alone receives the credit and glory.

If you are like most people, you probably understand New Year's Day as a time for resolutions and fresh starts. As Christians, we celebrate the Hope we have in the renewal and revival of creation as God promises in Scripture. As we kick off this new year in anticipation of the journey towards renewal, revitalization, and rebirth as a congregation, Pastor Josh Blunt encourages us with the great promises found in Revelation 21.

From the star of Bethlehem to the lights on our trees and the candles in the advent wreath, one thing is certain: This holiday is about God's light breaking forth in darkness. Jesus came to shine His Truth, Love and Revelation into the sin-darkened corners of this broken world. It's all about Jesus, and Christmas LIGHT shines brightest when we welcome and obey Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King!

Love is complicated, largely because of how closely related it is to our emotions and feelings. Sometimes, our emotions and feelings can lead us into temptation or sin. Yet, even though our earthly love is imperfect and tainted by sin, we can catch glimpses of what perfect love is like - especially at Christmas. Christmas Love is this incomprehensible love revealed to us in the undeserved favor, protection, and provision from God to His people.

In week 3 of our advent series, "Christmas in Heidelberg," we explore Christmas Joy, which is fulfilled when this world gives way to the next and we fully enjoy the Lord unencumbered by sin.

The peace that we hope for when Jesus comes again is not a peace that is simply an absence of conflict. Instead, it's a peace that results from fully realizing, and living into, the will of God. We can start living in that peace now, but Jesus' words in Matthew 5:21-26 set a high bar of expectation for us concerning how we are to love our neighbors. He requires us to give up our grudges, hurts, and anger in seeking to forgive.

This week, we kicked off our advent sermon series, "Christmas In Heidelberg," where we'll feed our hunger for Christ by focusing on passages and themes that remind us of how much our world truly needs Him and what a gift His birth really is. This weeks theme is Hope, and we explored Titus and the text of Heidelberg Catechism (Lord's Day 1) to guide us in thinking about the kind of hope and comfort we have in Christ Jesus. He offers us a mighty comfort, indeed!

This week we finish "Gaining By Losing" sermon series by ending on a huge concept important for the life of our church: taking bold risks for God is right! We greatly fear failure, and many people avoid it at all costs. However, we cannot serve both God and comfort. God calls us to risk in order to be the kind of stewards He created us to be (Matthew 25:14-30). Moving forward, we must regularly remind one another that there is more than one way to fail - and failing to try is the most dangerous one!

One of the most important and exciting aspects of the Gospel of Jesus is the message of reconciliation. Reconciliation starts at the cross of Jesus, where the wall that separates us from God is demolished and we are accepted because of Him. The power and spirit of reconciliation music spread throughout the life and ministry of the Church.

There are many people - who we may call "missionaries" - called and scattered all over the globe to carry the Gospel of Jesus to the nations. Both globally, and locally, they show us what it means to embody the Gospel cross culturally. While there may be a difference of intensity and risk in the work, we are ALL called to the mission field!