Second Chances – November 26, 2023

“Second Chances”Text: Ezekiel 34:11‐31As we mark the end of the church year with Christ the King Sunday, we testify to God’s primary place in our lives through Jesus Christ. This passage from Ezekiel emphasizes that our God desires to be known to His people and, like a good shepherd, is always seeking for us. God’s…

Giving Grace vs. Manipulating Magic – November 12, 2023

“Giving Grace vs. Manipulating Magic”Text: Acts 8:9-24This week, we review the story about Simon the Sorcerer, a trickster magician who tries to take advantage of the Gospel and the disciples to gain power for himself. In an unconventional message, Pastor Tim expresses a concern about the number of “Simon the Sorcerers” that exist in the…

Redemption Story: Surprised by Grace – October 29, 2023

“Redemption Story: Surprised by Grace”Text: Ruth 2:1-13We continue our series on the book of Ruth by studying chapter 2, where Ruth first meets Boaz. Hearing of Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi, Boaz extends grace to her in the grain fields. Like Boaz, we have the opportunity to lavish “hesed” — grace and loving kindness — to…

The Kingdom: Ready to Feast – October 15, 2023

“The Kingdom: Ready to Feast”Text: Matthew 22:1-14This week, we study the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. God invites all to His celebration by name, and when we respond faithfully to that invitation, we become His servants. As servants, we become those are called to go out and invite anyone else to come and share in…

A blue-green background with the logo for the sermon series/book study called "A People of Grace."

People of Grace: Surprised by Grace – August 20, 2023

“People of Grace: Surprised by Grace”Text: Matthew 15:21-28Pastor Tim introduces a new series called “A People of Grace,” which is designed to complement the church’s book study on Sam Barber’s book of the same name. In this first sermon, we examine what initially appears to be the least grace-filled passage in the Gospels. Jesus’ first…

Jesus’s Invitation: “Be the Grown-ups!” – August 6, 2023

“Jesus’s Invitation: ‘Be the Grown-ups!’”Text: Matthew 5:43-48We are pleased to welcome back former CECN pastor Rev. Dr. Jeff Barker as our guest preacher. He brings us a message from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’s call to perfection – “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” – comes after He describes how His…