Sermons

From the Pastor's Desk / Sunday Sermons

Delighting in God’s Design

So much of the turmoil that we experience in life has a single root problem.   The hymnwriter Joseph Scriven wrote in famous hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” these words: “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!”  He is correct, but that still isn’t the root problem.  The root problem to so many of our issues is that we have a too-small view of God.  Many factors contribute to this; it may be ignorance, it may be disillusionment, it could be a …

Fun Stuff

Last Call

We have reached the end of the book. God’s Revelation to His church, His final recorded words to them, is complete.  These last words are critical to pay attention to.  They are an epilogue of all that has been shared and they remind the reader of the importance of the letter.  They include this two-part, urgent message: Christ is coming soon, be ready.   Are you ready?  Do you know what that means in light of the message of Revelation?  Do you believe in the veracity of this writing, and if so, what are you doing about?  It is those questions …

From the Pastor's Desk / Sunday Sermons

Communion Sunday

The observance of Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is one of two “ordinances” that God gave the church, the second being baptism.  Anyone with a Protestant or Catholic are familiar with both, though they are often looked at different ways.  In the message today, leading up to our observance, we are going to discuss a specific aspect of what is being pictured through this ordinance, the very one it get’s its name from. The word “Communion” is actually a synonym for fellowship.  It refers to sharing in or participating together in something.  In our study we will see that two …

Fun Stuff

Ballet Recital

Monday nights has been full of excitement and learning and on April 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM, the kids will be presenting a recital. Come out or you can watch the recital here. Thank you to Sarah Smith for leading this time in both dance and bible study. With Sarah we have Megan and Sarah who also have been key to the teaching and mentoring. 1. Come Praise and Glorify (GOLD) 2. Liszt – Totentanz 3. Viadolorosa (RED) 4. Come As You Are (WHITE) 5. Walts Of The Flowers (GREEN) 6. The Nutcracker Waltz Finale (PINK) For more information on …

Revelation / Sunday Sermons

The End of the Story

This week I was at a church building where I had performed a wedding for a young couple 15 years ago.  Tragedy hit that couple about 9 years after that wonderful, happy day, and I thought to myself, “We never know the end of a story, we never know how things turn out.” But then, I corrected myself.  You see, death, which is what we often refer to as the end of the story, is not really the end at all.  We call it the end, because those of us who say goodbye to friends or family when they die, …

Revelation / Sunday Sermons

The New Jerusalem

After all the judgment covered in Revelation 20 and the preceding chapters, we are enjoying a glimpse into heaven and the eternal state for followers of Jesus.  Here in Revelation 21 God reveals a taste of those eternal blessings for those who are followers of Jesus.  It is a trailer for the grand unveiling of the good things He has been preparing for us. This message will focus especially on the capitol city of heaven, the New Jerusalem.  While all our questions don’t get answered, God does give us some pretty amazing details, enough to cause awe and wonder.  Join …

From the Pastor's Desk / Sunday Sermons

He is Risen!

The lynchpin of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Join us as we walk through Luke 24 in God’s Word and look at the proofs and reactions to Christ’s resurrection on that very first Easter Sunday.  Consider together what it would be like to have the man you considered to be the savior of the world die.  Struggle together with the disciples to believe the good news of the resurrection, then reflect with them on some of the predictions regarding it that Christ gave throughout the Bible.  Process together with us how Christ’s resurrection not only provides …

Fun Stuff

Caring for the Children

Today we are excited to have with us Nicole from BCH.  Nicole was our trainer for our Trauma Informed Care training seminar and today she is going to tell us about the multi-faceted ministry of BCH Inc. Baptist Children’s Home was called into existence in 1955 by churches seeking assistance in caring for families and children. BCH, according to the biblical mandate in James 1:27 to “Care for the Fatherless”, answered this call and today cares for more than 800 children in the United States, India, Southeast Asia and Liberia. BCH brings hope to hurting and troubled children and families, …

Revelation / Sunday Sermons

He Makes All Things New

The final message on Revelation 20 was about judgment and the final purging of all evil from earth.  It was full of bad news for those who have rejected the Gospel, but it paved the way for something better for those who follow Jesus Christ. Here in Revelation 21 God reveals a taste of those eternal blessings for those who are followers of Jesus.  It is a trailer for the grand unveiling of the good things He has been preparing for us.  As you read it, you will catch a glimpse of the excitement He has, anticipating the day He …

Revelation / Sunday Sermons

First Resurrection or Second Death?

Revelation 20 is one of the hardest passages in all of Scripture. Not because it is difficult to understand, but because it is very clear regarding an final judgment that will condemn all those who have not chosen to follow Jesus.  In stark language, free from unnecessary modifiers and detail, the damnation of all unbelievers based on their works is clearly presented. I encourage you to listen to what might be the most important message you will hear, because what happens at the end of Revelation 20 doesn’t have to happen to you. God is showing a different way.  I …