Overview

As we are continuing to move through this time of pastoral transition, we know that it is important for us to find ways to gather as a whole community of faith. One of the most meaningful ways we can connect during this time is through worshipping together. Our services will be led by our ministerial staff, contemporary praise band, and our sanctuary choir.

This summer, we will join together for worship at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. As we gather for worship each week and hear passages from the lectionary, we hope that we will grow close as a church family and come together, united in our worship of God, love of Christ, and trust in the Spirit.

July 10 | Luke 10:25-37| An Unlikely Hero | Dr. Jim White Preaching.

In today's sermon, Pastor Jim focuses on the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. While God appreciates our worship, God also needs our actions in the world in order to change the places that have hurt and need healing. We hope this sermon offers a different insight to this story and moves you to love your neighbor more fully.

July 17 | Luke 10:38-42 | At Home with the Stewards | Dr. Jim White

The story of Mary and Martha is one that usually has us frowning upod Martha's actions and praising Mary's. But maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge Martha. In this sermon, Pastor Jim upacks this passage further and offers a word of challenge and encouragement for us hearing this passage today.

July 24 | Matthew 5:43-48 | A New Approach to Enemies | Rev. Christy Foldenauer

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In her sermon, Christy breaks down what it actually means to love and pray for those who make it easier to hate them. As we consider this new approach to enemies, who is that you are called to love?

July 31 | Luke 12:13-21 | Is Enough, Enough?| Dr. Jim White

Jesus does not condemn this farmer for being prudent. Every farmer knows abundant years will be followed by lean years. Preparing for lean times is a sign of wisdom. Rather, Jesus condemns a kind of greed that creeps up on us. Without realizing it, we can become self-focused and think we are self-sufficient. Jesus says God called him a fool because he couldn't see beyond himself and enough was not enough.

August 7 | Genesis 15:1-6 | The World is a Scary Place | a sermon written by Dr. Jim White. read by Rev. Kristen Koger

In God's covenant with Abram in Genesis 15, God says to Abram, "Do not be afraid, I've got your back". As we focus on these four words of comfort, how can we find ways to let our fears and anxieties have less control over our lives, and to trust fully in these words? Like Abram, when we are facing the unknown, if we turn to God for comfort and guidance, we will find that our fear lessens and our trust increases. We hope this sermon brings your comfort as you listen to its message.

August 14 | Hebrews 11:29-12:2 | Faith of our Fathers…Mothers…Aunts…Cousins | Rev. Kristen Koger

The book of Hebrews was written as a reminder for Jewish Christians that even though they are following the teachings of Jesus, the faith of their Jewish ancestors still matters. Our passage for today is a reminder to this group to early Christians and to us that even though we face hardships and challenges, we come from a long line of faithful people who have kept the faith and run the race. Now, it is our turn to run this leg of the journey, carrying on the story of Jesus until we pass off the baton to the saints who will come after us.

August 21 | Luke 13:10-19 | A Healing that Cannot Wait | Rev. Kristen Koger

At a first read through, the story of the woman with a bad back in Luke 13 seems to be a story about making sure we are only doing things to bring honor to God on the Sabbath day. But for Jesus, freeing a woman from her physical captivity of eighteen years is exactly a way to honor God on the Sabbath. This passage is a reminder that as members of the kingdom of God, we shouldn’t wait a single day longer to set the oppressed free, bring release to those who are captives, or be the hands and feet of justice in this world.

August 28 | Jeremiah 2:4-13 | Who Would do Such a Thing? | Dr. Jim White

Like the ancient Hebrew prophet, Jeremiah, God's people today are also called to speak truth to our contemporaries despite our temptation to keep silent.