Jesus calls us to new life. When we are filled with his Spirit, we become totally new creations. And it is grace that gives us the power to live the way the Lord calls us to—the beautiful way. We become new, but the beautiful way is not new. It’s the same way God was teaching Adam and … Continue reading "The Beautiful Way // Do Justice // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we begin a new worship series called “The Beautiful Way,” a four-part exploration of the way Jesus calls us to live. And the whole month is going to center on just ONE verse from the book of the prophet Micah: What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with … Continue reading "The Beautiful Way // What Does the Lord Require // Kate Murphy"

What do you do when the whole world turns against you? How do you choose between your body and your soul? This Sunday, we wrap up our “Holy Uncomfortable” worship series with the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three extraordinary young men who kept their faith in God while living in a foreign land. Yet, in spite of … Continue reading "Holy Uncomfortable // Faithfulness Doesn’t Always End Well // Kate Murphy"

This week in our worship series “Holy Uncomfortable,” we turn to the book of Judges. And it doesn’t have such a great reputation. People who complain that the “Old Testament” God is violent and angry usually turn to Judges as exhibit A. At first glance, it’s stories of war, rebellion, vengeance, power struggle, and violence seem the antithesis of our … Continue reading "Holy Uncomfortable // Leadership When No One’s in Charge // Kate Murphy"

We’re wrestling with the unsettling truth that proximity to God is both holy and uncomfortable. Our scripture lesson is one of many perfect examples—the story of the apostle Philip’s encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch. Fair warning: this means we are going to have to have our own uncomfortable conversation about the e-word—that once wide-spread practice that most of us now … Continue reading "Holy Uncomfortable // Evangelism Asks Us to Reach Further // Kate Murphy"

We come to church and we come to God because we want to feel good. We seek help, hope, forgiveness, peace, love, and joy. The good news is that Jesus has all of these things for us in limitless abundance. But, that is not all he has for us. Our savior has even more good gifts for us—growth, new life, holiness, wisdom, repentance, and … Continue reading "Holy Uncomfortable // Community Can Get Messy // Kate Murphy"

We are sheep.  That’s not an insult, it’s really good news. The morning radio show I listen to has a recurring segment these days where they ask different people to answer the question, ‘what is keeping you up at night?’  There is a heartbreaking divide among the answers, the only common ground is–everybody has one. … Continue reading "Being Human // What’s Keeping Us Up at Night // Kate Murphy"

Who do you hate? If you answered the question at all, you probably said, “No one.” What else do you say in response to a question from a pastor? We’re not supposed to hate anyone, right? So, therefore, we don’t hate anyone, right? Wrong. Psalm 137 is a hauntingly beautiful psalm of lament. The writer has survived horrific … Continue reading "Being Human // When Pain Turns to Hate // Kate Murphy"

When I was a kid, I had more trouble falling asleep before the first night of school than I did on Christmas Eve. Even though it’s been many years since I walked into a new classroom, I still love this time of year. This change of season gives all of us a chance for a fresh start. Usually. … Continue reading "Being Human // The Good In Being Smaller than God // Kate Murphy"

This Sunday, we open our hearts and hands to welcome Rev. Ray McKinnon, a dear brother in Christ who will bring a word on our worship series, Being Human. A graduate of John Wesley University, Ray resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife, four boys, cat, dog, and pet gecko. He is a member of the Charlotte Housing Authority Board of Commissioners … Continue reading "Being Human // The Human Condition Up to My Neck // Ray McKinnon"