The Garden Church – Sunday Teachings

Teacher: Yucan Chiu 

Text: Luke 2:22-40 

On this last Sunday of Advent, guest preacher Yucan Chiu looks at the story of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Yucan reminds us that through the work of the Holy Spirit change is available and is in fact already happening, because of God's coming to earth in Jesus. In Simeon's song we find that Jesus is our comfort, our salvation, and our revelation. 

Teacher: Mandi Paszek

Text: Luke 2:8-14

The angelic proclamation to the shepherds is a declaration of joy, both personal and universal. Jesus’ birth is good news for all people, breaking through the darkness with the light of salvation. Advent teaches us that joy is not circumstantial but rooted in the reality of God’s presence and work in our lives. This joy compels us to worship and share the good news.

Teacher: Josh Wilson 

Text: Luke 1:46-55 NIV 

In this sermon, Pastor Josh reflects on Mary's Song (the Magnificat), highlighting how God's choice to reveal Himself through a humble, young woman like Mary challenges our expectations of power and privilege. He reminds us that God's kingdom often upends worldly norms, invites us to see God's work in unexpected places, and ultimately challenges us to respond as Mary did – with faith, humility, and a willingness to participate in God’s revolutionary mission.

Teacher: Josh Wilson 

Text: Luke 1:67-79 NIV 

We begin the season of Advent reflecting on the beauty and challenge of hope through the poetic words of Zechariah in Luke 1:67-79. Despite Zechariah’s doubt, God was faithful to fulfill His promises, reminding us that even in our darkest seasons of uncertainty, God is there. Pastor Josh invites us to return to hope even (or especially) when it feels vulnerable and scary, putting our trust in the God who is always working for our good.

Teacher: Mandi Paszek 

Text: Genesis 32:22-32 NIV 

In the final sermon of our series on the life of Jacob, Mandi Paszek explores how Jacob’s life of striving and manipulation finally reaches a turning point when he wrestles with God in Genesis 32. Through this unexpected encounter, Jacob's struggle becomes a path to redemption; God redefines his identity, gives him a new name, and leaves him marked by the transformation. It’s a profound reminder that wrestling with God–bringing our raw emotions and deep desires to Him–can lead to healing, new life, and a deeper trust in God’s promises.

Teacher: Josh Wilson 

Text: Genesis 27:41-44; 28:10-15 

Pastor Josh continues our reflections on the story of Jacob, showcasing how God allowed Jacob to face the consequences of his actions, not as punishment, but as a means of growth and transformation. Through Jacob’s journey, we see God as the loving parent who shows his care for us through both grace and discipline.

Teacher: Josh Wilson 

Text: Genesis 27:19–33 NIV 

What if we took each moment of anxiety as a prompt for prayer? Pastor Josh reflects on the story of Jacob in Genesis 27 to explore our own human temptation to act out of manipulation or deceit when under stress. Like Jacob, we too often try to rely on ourselves rather than putting our trust in God; we tend to “power up” or “shut down” in the face of anxiety. Instead, Josh invites us to follow Jesus’ example and entrust our worries to God.

Teacher: Josh Wilson

Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-10 Pastor Josh wraps up our series in 1 Corinthians with a reflection on mutuality and interdependence in Christian community. He highlights how self-sufficiency can undermine true community and invites us instead to practice solidarity, care, and generosity as tangible ways to live out the values of God's kingdom. 

Teacher: Josh Wilson 

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 

The church at Corinth created chaos in worship by focusing on the self-expression of their spiritual gifts over building up the body of Christ. In this sermon, Pastor Josh invites us to reflect on how we use our own gifts—to seek personal validation or to contribute to the common good of our community? He calls for a balance between under-functioning and over-functioning, urging us to humbly steward our gifts to foster peace and unity. 

Teacher: Mandi Paszek 

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a 

Mandi Paszek explores the biblical definition of love and its central role in Christian community as written by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. She contrasts our culture’s many varying definitions of love with Paul’s timeless teaching that true love is patient, kind, and rooted in God’s character. She invites us to embody this active, self-giving love in our relationships while acknowledging the resilience it takes to keep learning to love as Christ loves us.