June 23, 2024
Series: A Top-Down Faith, Sundays after Pentecost
Speaker: Pastor Ron Raddatz
A powerful tornado rolls through your neighborhood. A massive hurricane heads straight for your city. A bolt of lightning sends 300 million volts to earth. The raw power and unpredictability of storms can inspire both awe and terror. We cannot stop storms from coming. We can only hope to survive them. However, we know the Almighty God can stop storms. He can calm literal storms. He could remove metaphorical storms, other types of troubles and trials. So, if He can, why doesn’t He?
Well, would you rather have a God who was distant from you but removed all the storms of life? Or would you rather have a God who allowed some storms to come but promised to be right there by your side within them, holding you close? May God give us the top-down faith that sees that the latter is by far the better option. God promises to be with us through all the storms of life. Sometimes He removes them. But when He doesn’t, it’s only because He has plans to use even storms for our eternal good.
March 29, 2024
Series: God on Trial, Good Friday, Tenebrae, Triduum
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
“Prove it!” was the refrain of the onlookers, Jewish leaders, soldiers, and criminals. People today demand evidence too. And isn’t there a part of us that wonders as well—especially when facing this sinful world? If Jesus is the Son of God, why does He ______, or why doesn’t He _____? Maybe they’re right. But Jesus’ gracious words and actions turn our doubts to trust, as they did with one of the criminals (and later the centurion). Jesus asked “Why?” so that we could be sure. God even provided a little resurrection proof that Friday—a preview.
The word Tenebrae means “darkness” and refers to a worship service in which the progressive extinguishing of candles represents the approaching death of Christ. The Tenebrae service is one of prolonged meditation of the suffering of Christ. The service is divided into seven chief parts. At the end of each part the sanctuary will become darker. At the end of the service, the church will be very dark. No offering will be taken during the service. As you leave in silence you may place your offering in the basket in the back of the church.
The Triduum (TRID-oo-um, “three days”) refers to the time from worship on Maundy Thursday until the final worship of Easter Day. The “Three Holy Days” of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire church year. It is over these days – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter – that we celebrate God’s redeeming love in the dying and rising of His Son, Jesus, and still see that love today. The Triduum is a single celebration. Once we have begun the Triduum on Maundy Thursday, we do not “leave” it until Easter Sunday. It is one continuous celebration of dying and rising, with Christ.
March 13, 2024
Series: God on Trial, Lenten Midweek
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
Whether Pilate’s tone was sincere or sneering or something else, he expressed what may be the most important question in our day: What is truth? Pilate clearly was not on the side of truth, at least not Jesus’ truth. We can be tempted to question God’s truth, especially with the seeming uncertainty of everything going on around us. However, God has given us truth in a person: His only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus stood before Pilate as a real flesh and blood person. He gave His real life as a payment for sin, and His empty tomb is proof of God’s truth that life overcomes death!
March 6, 2024
Series: God on Trial, Lenten Midweek
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
Topic: Accusations, Christian, Herod, Innocent, Jesus, King, Messiah, Misconceptions, Misleading, Misunderstanding, Perfection, Pilate, Preconceived, Sacrifice, Savior, Spiritual, Substitute, Truth
Misconceptions. Lord, keep us safe in the refuge of your anointed Son, so that when the nations rage against Him, we are not terrified. You have begotten Him from eternity and have seated Him on your throne in heaven. Let us see Him as He truly is, the One who lives and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
February 28, 2024
Series: God on Trial, Lenten Midweek
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
Lord, your Word is my delight. When I was lost in the darkness of sin, you penetrated my heart with the light of your Word. Let it enlighten my path each day that I may serve you in holiness. Let your Word shine through all I say and do that others may see you and praise your saving name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
February 11, 2024
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
Topic: Care, Death, Everlasting, forgiveness, Glorified, Holding, Jesus, Love, Peace, Reconciled, Rejoice, Savior, Word of God
This Epiphany journey with Jesus started from the shores of the Jordan at his Baptism. Before we begin the season of Lent and the journey to the cross, we will get a taste of His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Our lives are filled with blessings and challenges, mountains and valley. But clinging to Christ and what He has done for us, in His ministry, in His substitution for us and in His death and rising, we can truly rejoice. Join us in praising God for the many reasons we can Rejoice!
December 25, 2023
Series: Christmas, Nativity of Our Lord
Speaker: Pastor James Enderle
Good News of Great Joy! God Became Man! Christmas Day fills us with wonder–that the Creator God could become flesh and dwell among us. This shows His great love for us. This is the Savior we need! Where we have failed, Jesus was perfect. His sacrifice means the forgiveness of sins! Let us marvel at this good news of great joy!
December 24, 2023
Series: Children's Christmas Program, Christmas
Topic: Birth, forgiveness, Gospel, Life-Changing, Light, Opinion, Savior, True
This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven. No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness. When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights. You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous. Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard. We need help. We need the Light. We need the truth. That’s what Christ is.
As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?” Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven. Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is.
December 24, 2023
Series: Children's Christmas Program, Christmas
Topic: Birth, forgiveness, Gospel, Life-Changing, Light, Opinion, Savior, True
This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven. No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness. When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights. You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous. Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard. We need help. We need the Light. We need the truth. That’s what Christ is.
As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?” Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven. Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is.