Read Through
Actors in a play read through the entire script in order to prepare. Similarly, the Christian calendar calls followers of Jesus to read through the entire script of the Good News as a way of preparing our hearts and minds for God-with-us, Emmanuel. Jesus calls his followers to “watch” and “stay awake” amidst the distress of the nations (Luke 21.25-36) near the end of his life. Our socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges are different today, but we find ourselves unquestionably in…
Failing into Boldness
Linda’s message is rooted in Peter’s bold message on Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter failed forward while in ministry with Jesus, but made a bold move on the other side of resurrection that changed the course of the Christian movement. What might your bold move look like?
The F-Word
The F-Word is at the heart of Christianity. Matt’s message is rooted in Peter’s experience of a dark night that began began apocalyptically and then got worse (Luke 22). Peter betrayed the very center of who he said he wanted to be. Peter f’ed. What might the f-word have to teach us about following Jesus today?
Breaking Down Failure
Joey’s message invites us to break down what we mean by “failure” and encourages us to learn alongside Peter who needed Jesus to re-frame his expectations of his ministry (Mark 8.27-33). What moments in your life where God might be calling you to adjust your understanding of failure? What lessons might we take from Peter’s failure that give space for us to see God in a new way? And, what beauty might you open yourself up to when breaking those…
No. No. No. No. No.
Linda’s message invites reflection on Peter’s call to follow Jesus (Luke 5.1-11). Our worship series, Failing Forward, holds our lives in conversation with the “Failure Resume” developed by Peter throughout the New Testament. Ultimately, Jesus would chose to build the church upon Peter. What might we learn from Peter’s story as we seek to follow Jesus today?
Rooted in Grace
Matt’s message invites us to see the restoring of sight to Bartimaeus son of Timaeus in Mark’s gospel (10.45-52) through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton.” History has its eye on us. As we gather to celebrate the baptism of 2 adults & 7 children in worship and share in offering our Deep Commitments to God and this community of faith, may the faith of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus be passed on to us all.
Growing in Faith
Linda’s message is rooted in Mark 10.35-45. How might Jesus turn your expectations regarding “greatness” upside down as you make a deep commitment to growing in faith?
Reaching in Love
Linda’s message is rooted in Mark 10.17-31. How might the encounter of Jesus with the “rich young ruler” challenge and inspire us to reach in love as we unearth our Deep Commitments for the coming year?
Generous Giving
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 10.2-16. A simple rejection of divorce on the surface, digging deeper we unearth a profound challenge in the Gospel: how will we talk more like a Christian should and walk more like Jesus would? How might you be called to Generous Giving in the coming year?
What do you do with the mad that you feel?
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 9.38-50. In the wake of a divisive US Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Thursday, Matt looks back on the moment Mister Rogers’ witness at a previous hearing became a tipping point. What do we do with the mad that we feel?
Make Christianity Great Again
Linda’s message is rooted in Mark 9.30-37. Jesus asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. What does greatness look like for followers of Jesus?
Are You Ready?
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 8.27-38. How might this tipping point in the Gospel of Mark call us to surrender our thin faith and find our way to costly discipleship?