Dear Church, If I asked everyone reading this letter to complete the sentence ‘Jesus is ________,’ we’d all probably fill in that blank differently:   Lord, Savior, Son of God, Friend, Brother, Shepherd, King, Way-maker, miracle worker, promise-keeper, light in the darkness, God-with-us, Name above all names, Wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Merciful, … Continue reading "Servant Life-Week 1 // Holiness of a Servant // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Whether you join us masked-up in the sanctuary or from the livestream–we’ll rejoice in the house of the Lord, bound together by shared worship.  Worship is our gift to God–but as we give it away, we nourish and strengthen our spirits. And in the House of the Lord we find wisdom for these days.  Jesus spoke words … Continue reading "Remember Your Spirit-Week 4 // How is Your Soul? // Nicole Thompson"

Son of man, can these bones live? In the 37th chapter of the book of Ezekiel, God takes the prophet to a valley covered in mounds of dry bones.  He takes Ezekiel by the hand ‘back and forth among them,’ so he can see the magnitude of the death and decay up close, over and … Continue reading "Remember Your Spirit-Week 3 // Can These Bones Live? // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture:  2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (NIV) In the midst of life, we are in death… That’s the first line of an ancient Gregorian chant believers used to sing each week in worship.  It’s a song modern hearts refuse to sing.  It may be a true statement, but most of us would prefer not to be reminded … Continue reading "Remember Your Spirit-Week 2 // What is Unseen is Eternal // Pastor Kate Murphy"

The Bible talks a lot about faint-heartedness and that used to seem like an antiquated phrase–but now, I understand.  And I know I’m not the only one.  There is nothing cute or inspiring about resilience anymore.   Covid, Haiti, Afghanistan, the storms, the fires–we are drenched in death and despair; we can no longer power through. And … Continue reading "Remember Your Spirit-Week 1 // Empathy // Pastor Kate Murphy"

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 (NIV) – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector What if a lot of what you’ve learned about God isn’t right?What if the gap between what scripture says and what we’ve been told it means is bigger than we imagined?What if what Jesus said doesn’t mean what we tell ourselves … Continue reading "Mind of Christ-Week 5 // The Repentant Sinner // Pastor Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we are excited to welcome our friend Pastor Cedric Lundy into the pulpit to share the next installment of our worship series on the ‘Mind of Christ.’  Cedric is a native of Ann Arbor, MI, who moved to Charlotte, NC, after completing his ministry degree to begin a career in pastoral ministry. He has … Continue reading "Mind of Christ – Week 4 // Prayer, Persistence, Justice // Pastor Cedric Lundy"

This Sunday is a big deal in the life of our congregation.  Our friend and sister Shardae Henry will be preaching her first sermon from our pulpit.  During her time at the Grove, the Lord has called Shardae to ordained ministry and she begins her formal seminary studies this fall at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte.  … Continue reading "Mind of Christ-Week 3 // The Vine & The Branches // Shardae Henry"

I visited my family in Kentucky last week and took long walks every morning.  Since I grew up here, they’ve laid a sidewalk that runs parallel to the main road.  The project was funded by selling bronze plaques now inlaid with the concrete.  It’s beautiful.  As you walk along you see messages of what neighbors … Continue reading "Mind of Christ – Week 2 // Lost, Hidden & Small // Pastor Kate Murphy"

When he walked this earth, there was one group of people who failed to see the goodness of God in Jesus.  One group of people who not only didn’t recognize Jesus as God’s son–but believed they were honoring God when they persecuted him. It wasn’t the sinners or the sick or the poor or the gentiles … Continue reading "Mind of Christ – Week 1 // Parables & Stories // Pastor Kate Murphy"