"Unexpected Light"

The Bible is full of stories that build one long narrative about humanity’s relationship with God. And, throughout those stories, God’s presence and action often come in unexpected ways. The Advent season is about anticipating God’s presence coming into the world through Jesus to dwell among us and to bring us all hope and salvation. Jesus is a beacon of light, bursting with God’s goodness and love in a dark, broken world. 

We know that this year, our lives have been full of hardship, difficulty, and darkness and yet God meets us there to bring us light, hope, and salvation. In this Advent season, we watch for the Light that has been promised to come and, when it comes, we follow the Light and reflect the Light in the world around us.

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares about God’s unexpected light promised through Jesus.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God has and will always turn our darkness into light.

"Rejoicing in God’s Faithfulness"

This year our lives have been full of hardship and difficulty and yet God’s great love and compassion never fails. God has been and continues to be faithful throughout our lives. Gratitude helps us point to the good that we’ve seen God accomplish during these trying times. Let us be thankful and encourage each other to never give up doing good for God’s glory!

This week, Pastor Ellynda and Pastor Tyler share how God’s faithfulness motivates us to do more good.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Lamentations 3: 21-23 (NIV); Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Rejoicing in God’s faithfulness helps us respond with gratitude and motivates us to offer love and good deeds.

"The Effect"

Every word and action we make has an effect. They can be used to do good or they can be used to do harm. As followers of Jesus, we should see our lives connected to God, who is the source of all things good, holy, and pleasing. As a result, we should strive to deepen and grow that connection so that we are filled with and we produce more and more good in our world. In other words, God’s goodness should radiate outward through our lives – like a ripple effect – positively impacting and transforming our lives and the lives of those around us for the better. In this series, we want you to take a look at your life and see how every aspect has the opportunity to radiate God and bless others. 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how we can make the most of every opportunity to share God’s goodness.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:10 (NIV); 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: We are created to abundantly sow God’s goodness.

"The Impact"

Every word and action we make has an effect. They can be used to do good or they can be used to do harm. As followers of Jesus, we should see our lives connected to God, who is the source of all things good, holy, and pleasing. As a result, we should strive to deepen and grow that connection so that we are filled with and we produce more and more good in our world. In other words, God’s goodness should radiate outward through our lives – like a ripple effect – positively impacting and transforming our lives and the lives of those around us for the better. In this series, we want you to take a look at your life and see how every aspect has the opportunity to radiate God and bless others. 

This week, Pastor Tyler shares how we can draw on God in every aspect of our lives in order to have a positive impact on the world around us.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 John 4: 7-18 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: We draw from the Source to share God’s complete, life-giving love

"The Source"

Every word and action we make has an effect. They can be used to do good or they can be used to do harm. As followers of Jesus, we should see our lives connected to God, who is the source of all things good, holy, and pleasing. As a result, we should strive to deepen and grow that connection so that we are filled with and we produce more and more good in our world. In other words, God’s goodness should radiate outward through our lives – like a ripple effect – positively impacting and transforming our lives and the lives of those around us for the better. In this series, we want you to take a look at your life and see how every aspect has the opportunity to radiate God and bless others. 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how God is the source of our goodness.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 8:6
(NLT); Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God was, is, and always be the source of our life.

"How Do We Share Peace?"

When our nation, neighbors, and, yes, even our churches feel more divided than ever, how do we find “peace?” In this series, “The Path to Peace,” we are exploring the topic of finding, receiving, and sharing God’s Peace. God’s Peace doesn’t just happen automatically. It can happen, though, when those who are willing to follow the way of Jesus intentionally move toward the hard, messy, and uncomfortable conversations, issues, and challenges that exist in our broken lives and world. Jesus followers do this in order to foster God’s redemption and, ultimately, bring God’s peace. We hope you’ll join us over the next three weeks as we ask the questions: 1. “Where do we get peace?” 2. “Who needs peace?“ and 3. “How do we share peace?”

This week, Pastor Tyler discusses the hard work of building the path to peace.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1-5 (CEB); Ephesians 4:12-16 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Sharing Biblical Peace begins with humility in order to listen, learn, and grow with each other

"Who Needs Peace?"

When our nation, neighbors, and, yes, even our churches feel more divided than ever, how do we find “peace?” In this series, “The Path to Peace,” we are exploring the topic of finding, receiving, and sharing God’s Peace. God’s Peace doesn’t just happen automatically. It can happen, though, when those who are willing to follow the way of Jesus intentionally move toward the hard, messy, and uncomfortable conversations, issues, and challenges that exist in our broken lives and world. Jesus followers do this in order to foster God’s redemption and, ultimately, bring God’s peace. We hope you’ll join us over the next three weeks as we ask the questions: 1. “Where do we get peace?” 2. “Who needs peace?“ and 3. “How do we share peace?”

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares that Christ didn’t come to save a few but to save everyone and bring peace.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: All of humanity is in need of the Peace only God can give.

"Where Do We Get Peace?"

When our nation, neighbors, and, yes, even our churches feel more divided than ever, how do we find “peace?” In this series, “The Path to Peace,” we are exploring the topic of finding, receiving, and sharing God’s Peace. God’s Peace doesn’t just happen automatically. It can happen, though, when those who are willing to follow the way of Jesus intentionally move toward the hard, messy, and uncomfortable conversations, issues, and challenges that exist in our broken lives and world. Jesus followers do this in order to foster God’s redemption and, ultimately, bring God’s peace. We hope you’ll join us over the next three weeks as we ask the questions: 1. “Where do we get peace?” 2. “Who needs peace?“ and 3. “How do we share peace?”

This week, Pastor Tyler defines biblical peace and how we can begin to navigate peace in our lives and between others.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:12-22 (NIV); John 16:33 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: We get Biblical peace only from the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ

"Strength in All Things"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how God has already gone through the greatest struggle - death on a cross - so that we can have strength through anything that we face.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Philippians 4:12-13 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: We are given strength to endure all things through Christ’s sacrificial love.

"Strength in Waiting"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Tyler discusses how the assurance of God’s faithful promises produces patience in our lives.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Romans 15:4b-5 (NLT); Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Knowing God always has our best interest in mind helps to us be patient and find strength in our waiting. 

"Strength in Weariness"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how God never grows tired caring for us and therefore helps us in our weariness.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Isaiah 40:28-31 (CEV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Relying on God’s unending wisdom and power gives us relief from our weariness.

"Strength in Weakness"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Tyler discusses how our weakness becomes God’s strength.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Acknowledging our weaknesses allow us to rely more fully on God and rest in Christ’s power.

"Strength in Lament"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how the act of lament is the beginning of our healing and growth.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Psalm 13 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Lament invites God to work through our struggles..

"Strength in the Struggle"

During this pandemic we have all been stretched in different ways, whether it’s been spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, or all of the above! During this series we want to encourage you that no matter our struggle, God will give us strength. In fact, because of who God is and God’s presence in our lives, we can even begin to see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth. We hope this series will help you see how God can redeem these hard times and turn them into something good.

This week, Pastor Tyler discusses how we can find strength in our struggles.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God redeems our times of struggle and give us strength and hope to persevere.

Approaching God with a Heart of Worship

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, we present a special worship service filled with songs, Scriptures, and prayers as a way of embodying the lessons we’ve learned throughout this series.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 Chronicles 16:23-34 (NIV)

"A Life of Worship"

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how worship shapes our lives to live for God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Acts 17:24-28 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: A life of worship helps us and others learn who God is, know the Father’s heart, and live it out.

"Rest"

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how worship can help us overcome our anxiety and weariness and rest with God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Worship allows us to truly rest in the gentleness and stillness of God.

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"Refocus"

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how daily worship can help us further glorify God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Colossians 3:14-17 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Worship helps us to refocus everything we do to glorify God.

"Renew"

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how worship leads to transformation.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Worship renews and transforms our thinking to align with God’s heart.

"Reset"

Our life of faith is often greatly energized during our Sunday morning worship experiences. It’s a time to receive as well as a time to give as we encounter God’s presence. And yet, as wonderful as those experiences can be, God desires for our whole lives to give glory to God. It’s always been true that Sunday is just one way we encounter God’s power and presence. Of course, COVID-19 has presented its own challenges to our preferred ways to worship but it has also presented new opportunities. This series will fully equip you to seek God beyond Sunday so that you can experience God anytime, anywhere, anyway. We pray that this series will encourage you to further integrate God’s power and presence into every aspect of your life.

This week, Pastor Ellynda discusses how worship shapes our lives with who we are as beloved children of God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Worship has the power to reprioritize our lives so that we live in the way that God created us to be.