Light of the World

In our last series we talked about taking the next step of faith to keep pressing toward God so that we will become faithful to God’s greater story of redemption and transformation for the world. Through Jesus, God became a living light of hope, help, and salvation for all people. As followers of Jesus, we want to share the light of Christ that has touched and transformed our own lives in order to support the ongoing ministry of Mountain Park UMC. Together, we offer ourselves in service to Christ to let that living light shine brighter and further than ever before – here and now.

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares that when we press toward God’s light, God will shine throughout all of our life.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:14-16 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: When we press toward God’s light, God will shine throughout all of our life.

Faithful in God’s Greater Story

What does it mean to take the next step of faith as we all learn to trust and respond to God more in our lives? What does that look like? Where does it lead us? Join us as we follow the story of Joshua and Caleb as they transition from the wilderness into the promised land. Together, we will learn how calling, thresholds, and God’s greater story are all connected and how they relate to your every day life as a follower of Jesus! 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how God is calling us every day to be faithful with our part in God’s greater story.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Numbers 14:17-24 (NIV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God is calling us every day to be faithful with our part in God’s greater story.

No Turning Back

What does it mean to take the next step of faith as we all learn to trust and respond to God more in our lives? What does that look like? Where does it lead us? Join us as we follow the story of Joshua and Caleb as they transition from the wilderness into the promised land. Together, we will learn how calling, thresholds, and God’s greater story are all connected and how they relate to your every day life as a follower of Jesus! 

This week, guest preacher, Ed Birt, shares how walking through the threshold means recognizing the work that God continues to do on our behalf.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Joshua 5:10-15 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Walking through the threshold means recognizing the work that God continues to do on our behalf.

Answering the Call

What does it mean to take the next step of faith as we all learn to trust and respond to God more in our lives? What does that look like? Where does it lead us? Join us as we follow the story of Joshua and Caleb as they transition from the wilderness into the promised land. Together, we will learn how calling, thresholds, and God’s greater story are all connected and how they relate to your every day life as a follower of Jesus! 

This week, Pastor Tyler shares how each step of faith is answering God’s call day by day.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Joshua 14:7-11 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Each step of faith is answering God’s call day by day.

What Have We Learned?

Our new series, “Great Expectations: Finding God in the Wilderness” follows much of the journey of the Israelites transitioning from one major experience into another. We take a look at the lessons we can learn as we hear stories about the Israelites successfully fleeing Egypt; how the Israelites wrestle with their new found freedom and following God; and the small works that God does daily to build hope in the lives of the Israelites for what is yet to come. We, too, want to take a look back to see where God has done big things in both our lives and in the life of our church over the last year as well as pay attention to what God is doing now in our midst. We look forward to how all of these lessons will build excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and – of course - great expectations for what God will do! 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how we should have Great Expectations to find God wherever we are and for God to help us take our next step in faith.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Joshua 1:6-9 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: We should have Great Expectations to find God wherever we are and for God to help us take our next step in faith.

Celebration of Life Service - Rev. Charles W. Barnes

You do not need a Facebook account to view this service. Click on the “play button” overlaid on the image above to start watching the service. Know that here is no audio with the service countdown and slideshow when the video starts. Please skip ahead 15 minutes to the start of the service. Lastly, make sure your volume is on - both on your viewing device AND on the video itself (bottom right hand corner of the live video above).

What's Next?

Our new series, “Great Expectations: Finding God in the Wilderness” follows much of the journey of the Israelites transitioning from one major experience into another. We take a look at the lessons we can learn as we hear stories about the Israelites successfully fleeing Egypt; how the Israelites wrestle with their new found freedom and following God; and the small works that God does daily to build hope in the lives of the Israelites for what is yet to come. We, too, want to take a look back to see where God has done big things in both our lives and in the life of our church over the last year as well as pay attention to what God is doing now in our midst. We look forward to how all of these lessons will build excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and – of course - great expectations for what God will do! 

This week, Pastor Tyler shares how Great Expectations means coming before God to be sent by God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Exodus 34:1-8, 29-32 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Great Expectations means coming before God to be sent by God.

What Are We Doing?

Our new series, “Great Expectations: Finding God in the Wilderness” follows much of the journey of the Israelites transitioning from one major experience into another. We take a look at the lessons we can learn as we hear stories about the Israelites successfully fleeing Egypt; how the Israelites wrestle with their new found freedom and following God; and the small works that God does daily to build hope in the lives of the Israelites for what is yet to come. We, too, want to take a look back to see where God has done big things in both our lives and in the life of our church over the last year as well as pay attention to what God is doing now in our midst. We look forward to how all of these lessons will build excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and – of course - great expectations for what God will do! 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how Great Expectations requires us to have a foundation in God’s faithfulness

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Exodus 17:1-7 and Exodus 32:1, 7-9 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Great Expectations requires us to have a foundation in God’s faithfulness

Where Are We?

Our new series, “Great Expectations: Finding God in the Wilderness” follows much of the journey of the Israelites transitioning from one major experience into another. We take a look at the lessons we can learn as we hear stories about the Israelites successfully fleeing Egypt; how the Israelites wrestle with their new found freedom and following God; and the small works that God does daily to build hope in the lives of the Israelites for what is yet to come. We, too, want to take a look back to see where God has done big things in both our lives and in the life of our church over the last year as well as pay attention to what God is doing now in our midst. We look forward to how all of these lessons will build excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and – of course - great expectations for what God will do! 

This week, Pastor Tyler shares how Great expectations also means recognizing God in the small things

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Exodus 16:2-7a, 11-14 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Great expectations also means recognizing God in the small things.

Celebration

Our new series, “Great Expectations: Finding God in the Wilderness” follows much of the journey of the Israelites transitioning from one major experience into another. We take a look at the lessons we can learn as we hear stories about the Israelites successfully fleeing Egypt; how the Israelites wrestle with their new found freedom and following God; and the small works that God does daily to build hope in the lives of the Israelites for what is yet to come. We, too, want to take a look back to see where God has done big things in both our lives and in the life of our church over the last year as well as pay attention to what God is doing now in our midst. We look forward to how all of these lessons will build excitement, enthusiasm, hope, and – of course - great expectations for what God will do! 

This week, Pastor Ellynda shares how our great expectations for the future start with remembering and celebrating the big things God has done and will continue to do!

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Exodus 14:5, 19-31; 151-18 (NRSV)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Great expectations start with remembering and celebrating the big things God has done and will continue to do.

Back to School Sunday - "Staying Strong in the Lord"

We’re so excited to offer a Sunday morning of worship celebrating our students, families, and teachers. We offered words of love, encouragement, and blessings to each as they begin a new school year together!

On this Sunday, Amy Stephens and Rachel Hockman offer a skit showing and sharing how important it is to stay strong in the Lord!

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Ephesians 6:10 (NRSV) (GNT)

"Building the Kingdom of God"

Often, we talk about and use the terms “heaven” or “the Kingdom of God” in abstract ways, but the Gospel clearly points to the Kingdom of God being a present reality among us, here and now. As followers of Jesus, our goal is to move past living only for ourselves and to begin living for all those whom God loves. We are called to have a deep personal relationship with God and with each other to build God’s Kingdom together.

On this Sunday, Pastor Tyler shares that when we live beyond ourselves in partnership with God, amazing things happen!

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: When we live beyond ourselves in partnership with God, amazing things happen!

"Building Our Relationships with Others"

Often, we talk about and use the terms “heaven” or “the Kingdom of God” in abstract ways, but the Gospel clearly points to the Kingdom of God being a present reality among us, here and now. As followers of Jesus, our goal is to move past living only for ourselves and to begin living for all those whom God loves. We are called to have a deep personal relationship with God and with each other to build God’s Kingdom together.

On this Sunday, Pastor Ellynda shares how living beyond ourselves means receiving what God has given us to share the good news with those who are far and near to build the Kingdom of God.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Ephesians 2:17-22 (CEB) and John 13:35 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Living beyond ourselves means receiving what God has given us to share the good news with those who are far and near to build the Kingdom of God.

"Building Our Relationship with God"

Often, we talk about and use the terms “heaven” or “the Kingdom of God” in abstract ways, but the Gospel clearly points to the Kingdom of God being a present reality among us, here and now. As followers of Jesus, our goal is to move past living only for ourselves and to begin living for all those whom God loves. We are called to have a deep personal relationship with God and with each other to build God’s Kingdom together.

On this Sunday, Pastor Tyler shares how living beyond ourselves begins as we align our hearts with God’s heart in prayer.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Matthew 6:1-15 (MSG)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: Living beyond ourselves begins as we align our hearts with God’s heart in prayer.

"What Is the Kingdom of God?"

Often, we talk about and use the terms “heaven” or “the Kingdom of God” in abstract ways, but the Gospel clearly points to the Kingdom of God being a present reality among us, here and now. As followers of Jesus, our goal is to move past living only for ourselves and to begin living for all those whom God loves. We are called to have a deep personal relationship with God and with each other to build God’s Kingdom together.

On this Sunday, Pastor Ellynda shares how the Kingdom of God is heaven on earth here and now, which requires us to live beyond ourselves.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Revelation 21:1-4 (MSG); Matthew 6:30-34 (MSG)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: The Kingdom of God is heaven on earth here and now, which requires us to live beyond ourselves.

"Equips"

After the Easter season, we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled God’s people. The Holy Spirit is still leading and guiding us through the wildernesses of our lives just as the Spirit led the people of Israel in the wilderness. A fresh new wind of the Spirit blew upon the Church on the day of Pentecost just as it was prophesied in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. The Church received power on that day to become Jesus’ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit builds up the body of Christ by filling us with the characteristics of God for the work of ministry. We will explore some of these Holy Spirit given characteristics in our Sermon Series entitled “Spirit Filled”!

On this Sunday, Pastor Tyler shares how God fills us with His Spirit to equip and empower us to build God’s Kingdom.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Acts 1:8 (NLT), 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (CEB), Galatians 5:22-25 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God fills us with His Spirit to equip and empower us to build God’s Kingdom

"Unity"

After the Easter season, we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled God’s people. The Holy Spirit is still leading and guiding us through the wildernesses of our lives just as the Spirit led the people of Israel in the wilderness. A fresh new wind of the Spirit blew upon the Church on the day of Pentecost just as it was prophesied in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. The Church received power on that day to become Jesus’ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit builds up the body of Christ by filling us with the characteristics of God for the work of ministry. We will explore some of these Holy Spirit given characteristics in our Sermon Series entitled “Spirit Filled”!

On this Sunday, Pastor Ellynda shares how God fills us with His Spirit to unite us as a caring body to support and serve others.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 12:13 (CEB), Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God fills us with His Spirit to unite us as a caring body to support and serve others.

"Freedom"

After the Easter season, we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled God’s people. The Holy Spirit is still leading and guiding us through the wildernesses of our lives just as the Spirit led the people of Israel in the wilderness. A fresh new wind of the Spirit blew upon the Church on the day of Pentecost just as it was prophesied in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. The Church received power on that day to become Jesus’ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit builds up the body of Christ by filling us with the characteristics of God for the work of ministry. We will explore some of these Holy Spirit given characteristics in our Sermon Series entitled “Spirit Filled”!

On this Sunday, Pastor Tyler shares how God fills us with His Spirit to free us for abundant living.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Romans 8:1-16 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God fills us with His Spirit to free us for abundant living.

"Restores & Revives"

After the Easter season, we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled God’s people. The Holy Spirit is still leading and guiding us through the wildernesses of our lives just as the Spirit led the people of Israel in the wilderness. A fresh new wind of the Spirit blew upon the Church on the day of Pentecost just as it was prophesied in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. The Church received power on that day to become Jesus’ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit builds up the body of Christ by filling us with the characteristics of God for the work of ministry. We will explore some of these Holy Spirit given characteristics in our Sermon Series entitled “Spirit Filled”!

On this Sunday, Pastor Ellynda shares how God fills us with his Spirit to restore us and remind of us all he has done.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: John 14:26 (CEB)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God fills us with His Spirit to restore, revive, and remind us all He has done.

"Comforts"

After the Easter season, we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled God’s people. The Holy Spirit is still leading and guiding us through the wildernesses of our lives just as the Spirit led the people of Israel in the wilderness. A fresh new wind of the Spirit blew upon the Church on the day of Pentecost just as it was prophesied in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. The Church received power on that day to become Jesus’ “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit builds up the body of Christ by filling us with the characteristics of God for the work of ministry. We will explore some of these Holy Spirit given characteristics in our Sermon Series entitled “Spirit Filled”!

On this Sunday, Pastor Tyler shares how God fills us with his Spirit to comfort us and others.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Romans 8:22-27 (CEB), John 14:16-17 (NLT)

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA: God fills us with his Spirit to comfort us and others