Christmas Invitation (Questions for Reflection)
Questions for reflection based on Isaiah 55:1-13...
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New Sermon Series: The Greatest of These is LOVE
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....
The Big 5 | What to do when coming back to the building for worship
Here's what you need to know and remember about coming back to the building for worship as we reopen. ...
Signs Artwork
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! ...
Preparing for Worship (11/28/10)
The season of Advent begins this Sunday. Advent is a time that focuses our attention on Christ’s first coming as well as his Second coming when he will return to redeem all of creation and rule with all power and authority....
Keep ReadingAdvent Resources
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season. If you want to read more about the Advent season, check out this blog post from last year. Below are some resources to help you celebrate the Advent season....
Keep ReadingPreparing for Worship (11/21/10)
When Israel was preparing for a new life in the promised land, God gave them the instruction, "You shall keep the Feast of the Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field" (Exodus 23:16). Thanksgiving celebrations were an important part of the people's worship before God. Throughout history, Christians have set aside certain times and days as ...
Keep ReadingAround the web (11-18-10)
New exhibit at Red Tree, Joseph Beth files chp 11, dangers for young men, and Makoto Fujimura illustrates the Gospels...
Keep ReadingPreparing for Worship (11/14/10)
This Sunday we conclude our series in the Gospel of Mark. We'll be focusing on the resurrection of Jesus from Mark 16:1-8. To prepare for worship, read this passage and ask: What difference does the resurrection make? How is my life different because Jesus rose from the dead?...
Keep ReadingPreparing for Worship (11/07/10)
Early on in our worship service we'll confess our sins. We'll do this individually and silently before God, then in a corporate prayer together, and lastly in song as we sing Kyrie Eleison (which means "Lord have mercy"). Just like in any relationship, confessing sins then clears the way for joyful fellowship. And so it is with God. We move forward in worship with joy ...
Keep ReadingTwo levels in Mark 13
Last Sunday we talked about a very confusing passage - Mark 13. I think it's confusing because Jesus is talking to the disciples about two events - the destruction of the temple (which came to pass in 70 AD), and the final end of the world. My interpretation can be called a "two level" reading of the passage. Some verses refer to the destruction of the temple (a mini-en...
Keep ReadingPreparing for Worship (10/31/10)
Sunday is Halloween. And even more importantly, it's Reformation Day. Historically, Protestant churches have used this day to reflect on the events of October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Cathedral. ...
Keep ReadingBrief Thoughts On The "Last Days"
On Sunday we looked at Mark 13, which is often called "The Olivet Discourse." It's one of the hardest passages in Mark to understand, and I'm pretty sure you won't find a passage in Mark with a greater variety of interpretations. Commentators disagree about the meaning of this chapter, even when they agree about almost everything else....
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