Take Heart Text: I Peter 3:13-17; 4:12-19; John 16:33 As we hear stories of religious persecution around the world, we are reminded of some of the “famous last words” of Jesus – “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Pastor Jon shares some modern stories of martyrs,…

The Good Life – May 18, 2014 Text: I Peter 2:11-12, 20-25 What does the good life mean? The good life means that we are safe, that we are living into our salvation, that while we may be strangers and aliens in the world around us, we are confident of our citizenship in a greater…

“Taste and See” Text: I Peter 2:1-10 We continue our journey through the Easter Season with a closer look at I Peter 2:2-3. What does it mean to “taste and see that the Lord is good”? We crave pure spiritual milk. We grow up into our salvation. We help others discover where to find the…

Strange Holiness – May 4, 2014 Text: I Peter 1:13-25 Resurrection people are called to be holy as God is holy. But what does this holiness look like? Shaped by the Image of God, informed by the incarnation, and participating in the Mission of God, we hear the call to be obedient children, living as…

Living Hope I Peter 1:3-9 Journey with us through the Easter season with a study on the book of First Peter. This letter helps us understand how the resurrection shapes the ways we live and interact with the world today. Today we explore what it means to have a “Living Hope,” and how this hope…

Transitions 7: From Denial to Forgiveness John 21:1-19 Having journeyed with Peter on Thursday night, we are now invited to join him as he finds reconciliation and restoration. Confronted with our own fears, failures, disappointments, doubts, and even denials, we understand the dread that Peter may be experiencing. And yet, we discover that Jesus values…

Transitions 6: “From Certainty to Doubt” Text: Matthew 21:1-11 Pastor Jon invites us to journey past the Triumphal Entry and to consider the ways in which the week unfolds. As we enter into the narrative, we are confronted with the ways in which our own certainty gives way to doubt. Instead of suggesting that we…

Transitions 5: From Death to Life Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-7, 38-44; Romans 8:6-11 Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones helps us to understand the power of God’s Spirit. We are reminded that there are no situations that are beyond all hope, and Christians are invited to see the potential of God’s work…

Transitions 4: From Darkness to Light Text: Ephesians 5:8-14 Chaplain Mike Griggs (USCG) offered this morning’s message about the ways in which we are to be shaped by God’s light in our lives. Punctuated by the words of ʺLet the Lower Lights be Burning,ʺ he looked at three key points: destiny, direction, determination. As we…

Transitions 3: From Despair to Hope Text: Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:1-24; Romans 5:1-11 Water is an essential component of human life… and Living Water is an essential component of our spiritual lives. Pastor Jon looks at two familiar scripture lessons about water, exploring the transition from despair to hope. As God’s love is poured into…