The Gathering

Saving and stewarding our money wisely allows us to respond to God’s ultimate purpose for money – to make an impact in the lives of others and God’s kingdom work. Scripture reminds us that God blesses us, material and otherwise, to be a blessing. Jesus shares a parable meant to get us thinking about the difference we make with what we have. Ultimately, wise money management allows us to be faith to God’s call to generosity and making an impact with our resources. We do this by practicing giving while we are here, and ensuring our money continues to make a difference when we are gone.

Once we start accumulating money, Jesus urges us to consider how we use it. He warns his followers about spending foolishly on things that don’t matter (things consumed by rust and moth) and encourages them to be intentional with resources. Scripture elsewhere talks about the wisdom of saving, creating margin with our finances, and planning for our future. In this sermon, we will talk about how to wise choices on how much to save and what to spend our money on.

Before we talk about what we do with our money, we must have some! In today’s world that is no easy feat. We live in a world that makes overspending easy and debt seem like a given. For a lot of people debt can seem like an unavoidable reality, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make choices that lead us away from debt. In part 1 we will talk about what scripture says about debt – being cautious of it, what to do when we are in it, and how to move beyond it.

In the new year God offers us a fresh start, a second chance, a new beginning. But what we do with this opportunity is up to us. Lasting change requires the willingness and courage to let go of old ways of living and adopt new habits that will move us forward. But where do we start? Scripture actually has a lot to teach us about where change begins, and how to sustain it over time.

In the new year God offers us a fresh start, a second chance, a new beginning. But what we do with this opportunity is up to us. Lasting change requires the willingness and courage to let go of old ways of living and adopt new habits that will move us forward. But where do we start? Scripture actually has a lot to teach us about where change begins, and how to sustain it over time.

In the new year God offers us a fresh start, a second chance, a new beginning. But what we do with this opportunity is up to us. Lasting change requires the willingness and courage to let go of old ways of living and adopt new habits that will move us forward. But where do we start? Scripture actually has a lot to teach us about where change begins, and how to sustain it over time.

In the new year God offers us a fresh start, a second chance, a new beginning. But what we do with this opportunity is up to us. Lasting change requires the willingness and courage to let go of old ways of living and adopt new habits that will move us forward. But where do we start? Scripture actually has a lot to teach us about where change begins, and how to sustain it over time.

Do you ever imagine such a spectacular Christmas Day that it can never live up to expectations? We can get so caught up in the season, we miss the many moments of beauty God offers us every day. Luckily, we don't have to wait for Christmas to encounter God in the small things this Christmas.

The vision we have for Christmas Day is often something so spectacular that it can never live up to expectations.

We can get so swept up in the season, it’s easy to miss the many moments of beauty God offers us every day during Advent.

Christmas isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. While we are waiting for the birth of our Savior, we don’t have to wait until Christmas to find him in all the little things.

Maybe it’s a cozy Christmas movie on the couch, lighting the Advent wreath with your family, wrapping presents, impromptu hot chocolate with friends. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that show us the spirit of Christmas.

Today, Pastor Tim, our McCausland Site Pastor, reminds us that God loves to reveal themselves through moments of grace.

The vision we have for Christmas Day is often something so spectacular that it can never live up to expectations.

We can get so swept up in the season, it’s easy to miss the many moments of beauty God offers us every day during Advent.

Christmas isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. While we are waiting for the birth of our Savior, we don’t have to wait until Christmas to find him in all the little things.

Maybe it’s a cozy Christmas movie on the couch, lighting the Advent wreath with your family, wrapping presents, impromptu hot chocolate with friends. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that show us the spirit of Christmas.

Today, Pastor Matt reminds us that God often shows up through life's interruptions.