This summer we’re going to walk through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase by phrase, considering both the nature of love, and how to embody it. It’ll be ugly at times, because none of us are touching the way of life in this chapter. But it will be hopeful, because we can see real growth in love, individually and as a community.
Keep ReadingHere's what you need to know and remember about coming back to the building for worship as we reopen.
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For our Signs sermon series we had several artists from New City represent the sign in their artwork. Sadly we had to cease meeting together in the midst of the series but here are the pieces and brief descriptions from the sermons shared in the series either in person or via our house church liturgies. Thanks to all the artists who encouraged us by using their gifts to create these delightful works!
Keep ReadingMay 12
2011
We'll begin this week by calling each to worship using the words of Revelation 4:11 and singing Come and Welcome ("love's redeeming work is done / come and welcome, sinner come"). God has made peace with us through Jesus Christ. We'll focus on that as we pass the peace (greet one another) and sing Death to Life and Nothing But the Blood.
May 5
2011
We're starting a new teaching series this week called "Origins." We'll be walking through the first eleven chapters of Genesis, using this as a framework for understanding who we are, who God is, what's wrong with the world, and how it can be fixed. Josh will be giving a bird's eye look at the series this week, and then honing in on Genesis 1:1-3.
Apr 29
2011
We will call ourselves (and each other) to worship by singing In Your Name - a gospel-centered song that reminds us that we worship and do mission because God has sought us in Jesus Christ (listen to the song at the bottom of this post). We'll confess our sins together in prayer and by singing Out of the Depths. We'll go then to the cross to look for pardon as we reflect and sing In the Cross of Christ. With our sin confessed and our hope in Jesus, this frees us up to sing with joy Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts.
Apr 21
2011
The highlight of the Christian calendar is Easter Sunday, where we fix our eyes on Jesus and celebrate his resurrection. Our worship gathering will be bookended with songs pointing you to Jesus (Come See the Son and In Christ Alone). We'll hone in on Jesus' resurrection in our responsive readings and the song He's Alive. We'll also sing about the effects of the resurrection: Jesus can really save us (Hosanna), he has defeated death (Death In His Grave), and he has the power to redeem and restore the world (All Things New).
Apr 15
2011
The first Sunday of holy week is commonly called "Palm Sunday" or "Passion Sunday." In our worship gathering this week, we'll focus on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming king of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11:9-10). To prepare for worship, read Zechariah 9:9-12 and Matthew 11:1-11. Ask yourself what it means to receive Jesus as King, and to long for the coming of his kingdom?
Apr 8
2011
This is the last Sunday in our "Rooted" series. We take up the phrase in the Apostles' Creed "I believe...in the life everlasting." The teaching will be based on Revelation 21:1-8, 21:22 - 22:5. To prepare, read this passage and meditate on what you learn about the new heavens and the new earth. Also keep in mind that there is no mere academic theology in the Bible. John writes these chapters in Revelation to comfort a group of people enduring severe persecution. Consider how this passage would have affected John's first readers. How can it make a difference in your perspective on the troubles you face in your own life?
Mar 31
2011
We're almost to the end of our "Rooted" series, concluding with messages this week and next. The teaching this week is based on 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. This is a complex passage about the resurrection of the body. To prepare for worship this week, read the passage and think about the ways this passage differs from pop-culture notions of heaven. Is there anything in this passage that challenges your beliefs about heaven? If you were to believe the truths of this passage, how would it change the way you live?
Mar 24
2011
We take a break this week from our "Rooted" series to welcome a guest speaker, Chad Grindstaff. Chad will be teaching from Colossians 2:8-10. To prepare for Sunday, read this passage, and reflect on what you learn about Jesus from the passage.
We continue this week on our journey through the Apostles' Creed, focusing on the phrase "I believe in the forgiveness of sins." The teaching will be based on Matthew 26:26-29. To prepare, read the text and consider what you learn about the work of Jesus from his words at the Last Supper. Typically we celebrate the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of the month. However, this text just begs for us to come to communion after we meditate upon it, so we will celebrate communion this week as well.
We continue this week in our series "Rooted." We've been using the Apostles' Creed as a springboard for talking about the key doctrines of the Christian faith. This week's message is "How to Wreck a Church" based on Ephesians 4:1-6. Read this text to prepare for Sunday, and think about how a text like this informs your view of the importance of the church.
