Some predict that many church buildings will be lost or reduced in size due to the pandemic. Yet, the longing continues for many of us. Pastor Mike McNichols contends that this longing should not be focused on what used to be, rather, this longing should be for God Himself (Psalm 84, Matthew 2:13-23).

From the earliest days of the church, we look forward to the coming of Jesus (Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Luke 2:22-40). From Jesus’ birth and infancy, people understood there was something incredibly special about Jesus. Though there is sorrowful pain, suffering, evil, sin, and death in the coming of Jesus, these things do not have the last word. God, in Jesus Christ, comes with a message of reconciliation and healing for the world!

Today, Pastor Mike McNichols speaks on a sensical contradiction: how the gospels offer a counter-narrative to the world’s logic (Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Luke 1:26-38). Within the stories that insist on power and might, we see a triumphant emergence of strength in weakness and vulnerability; specifically, a story that leads from a birth of weakness, living in poverty, suffering helplessly, and dying brutally. Yet, a King will rise and through Him, God will be reconciling the whole world to Himself!

Whether we're experiencing, recounting, or rehearsing our stories of faith, we release the aroma of God that fills us with joy (Psalm 126:1-6, Luke 1:46-55)! Pastor Mike McNichols delves into how we might be able to find large pockets of joy in worship and intentional remembrance, especially during this pandemic.

Pastor Mike shares about expectations and hope (Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8). What does it mean to have not a passive hope, but an active hope? It's hope in Jesus in whom we might remember both who we are and be the people of God's intentions. In the midst of this turmoil, we are to be a sign that points to Jesus and the reality of the Kingdom of God that is at hand.

As hope seems so far away, we are encouraged to look for the new season (1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37). God calls us to watch the present and be prepared for the future. Pastor Mike preaches that especially during a pandemic, we need not collapse into fear. We should be attentive to the moods and actions of our nation, but dare not replace the power and glory of God!

We are to be a people who are at the forefront of care for the needy, the sick, the imprisoned, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed (Zechariah 7:8-14, Matthew 25:31-46). We are to be a people leading the train of justice. Pastor Mike McNichols covers one important aspect of being a Christian. We are to stand with the suffering people of the world, meeting Jesus in "the least of these."

What will you do with your God given talents? Join us as Pastor Mike McNichols paints a picture of peace and security as we wait for Jesus. We do not have to fear nor be afraid of the unknown. As Jesus prepares his followers, He calls us to be faithful with what God has granted to us, and to participate in the work that is the reality of the Kingdom of God.

Watching for the One Who First Loved (Joshua 24:14-15, Matthew 25:1-13) Mike McNichols 2020-11-08 by The Vine Church OC

Pastor Mike McNichols covers not only the power of prayer, but the power of being weak and vulnerable in it (Romans 8:15-17, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 6:5-13). Praying while directly addressing God as Father, the blood of Jesus moves our prayers from a declaration to an intimate moment with God.