This Sunday we welcome Pastor Cedric Lundy to the pulpit. Cedric is a StreetLeader Director at UrbanPromise Charlotte, and a Teaching Pastor at Watershed Church. Previously, he has served Charlotte churches in roles such as Pastor of Mission and Justice, and Pastor of Middle School Ministry. Cedric’s faith is characterized by his passion for justice, his heart for young … Continue reading "Nehemiah: Rebuild & Restore // Facing Resistance // Cedric Lundy"

We are spending this month learning about rebuilding and renewal from the book of Nehemiah, an ancient autobiography that sits right in the center of scripture.  Last week we met Nehemiah and learned that he rebuilt the city of Jerusalem, but not because he had superior engineering skills, relevant experience, or exceptional spiritual gifting.  It’s really much simpler … Continue reading "Nehemiah: Rebuild & Restore // A Shared Calling // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we begin a new worship series on the book of Nehemiah.  Buried in the middle of the Old Testament, it is a record of the struggle to rebuild the city of Jerusalem after a long period of forced absence.  For more than a generation, tragedy separated God’s people from their sacred city.  For more than … Continue reading "Nehemiah: Rebuild & Restore // An Opportune Time // Kate Murphy"

We are made in the image of God–and our God is a creator. So we were made to create.When we think of God creating, our thoughts spring to galaxies and mountains, ecosystems, and cellular systems.But that kind of creation was complete after the 6th day (and God said it was good).    After that, God’s creative force took … Continue reading "Practices: The Things We Do to Grow Our Faith // Co-Creating Communities // Kate Murphy"

When Jesus gathered for the last supper with his friends he gave them–and us–a new commandment.  After washing their feet, he told them to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ So…that looks good on a coffee mug but—how do we DO that? How do you love someone like Jesus loved you when they are … Continue reading "Practices: The Things We Do to Grow Our Faith // Holding Healthy Boundaries // Kate Murphy"

Christ is Risen!  Now what?   The days after Easter can be filled with glory and…disappointment.  That’s certainly what Thomas felt.  All of his friends were together in the upper room when Jesus appeared in his resurrection body, filled them with his Spirit and released them for a new era of ministry.   And Thomas missed it.  … Continue reading "Practices: The Things We Do to Grow Our Faith // Trusting God to Show Up // Kate Murphy"

We are formed by our stories; the stories we tell ourselves about the world; the stories the world tells us about ourselves.  We become the stories we believe. This week is full of our most sacred stories.  The story of the Holy and Innocent one–betrayed, abandoned, denied, falsely accused, unjustly convicted, tortured, sentenced to death, … Continue reading "Easter // A Story That Defines Us // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday we begin Holy Week–our second during this pandemic.  Things are beginning to shift and change (more on our timeline to return to on-campus worship below), but still–it will be another Holy Week without some of our most cherished traditions.  Instead of gathering around one long table in a beautiful room to live out … Continue reading "Grudge // Forgiveness Has a Fragrance // Kate Murphy"

On Monday afternoon a Christian man drove around the city of Atlanta hunting down and murdering Asian women. On Sunday we will gather to worship our Lord and Savior and continue to recommit our lives to the way of Jesus, which is the way of forgiveness and grace.  And honestly, I thought about canceling–not worship, … Continue reading "Grudge // Forgiveness Is the Only Way // Kate Murphy"

Do you want to be made well? That’s the question that Jesus asked a man who had been laying by a pool waiting to be healed in it’s holy water for 38 years. For 38 years the man had been lying there sick, unable to get himself to the water. For 38 years, no one helped him take his … Continue reading "Grudge // Forgiveness Is A Choice // Kate Murphy"