December 4, 2023

Advent - Hope

Amidst uncertainty and darkness, the Advent season beckons us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival and ignite a beacon of HOPE that can overpower even the deepest shadows.

December 1, 2023

Speaking of Life 3005 | The Twist Ending

Do we recognize Jesus as the twist ending in the story of our lives? He completes not only your story, and mine, but the grand narrative of all of humanity. Jesus picks up our broken pieces and puts them all together and makes us whole again!

November 26, 2023

Speaking of Life 5053│The Why of Praise

Again and again, God reveals to us how much he cares about us. Jesus’ sacrifice and devotion to the marginalized people, should inspire us to give praise and make a joyful noise. When we praise and give thanks, we celebrate God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.

November 26, 2023

Christ the King

Text: John 18:33-38a
Pastor Gary Schwitz
The sermon, "Christ the King," highlights the final Sunday of the liturgical (worship) calendar. After His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus has established His Kingdom, which is not yet in its final fulfillment. But He promised and we wait in faith and hope for the promise to take place.
November 19, 2023

Speaking of Life 5052 | The Heart of the Father

Through the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells us that God wants to bless us by using our gifts to help others. Not only do we come into harmony with God’s heart, but by reflecting God’s love, we give others the opportunity to encounter Christ.

November 19, 2023

How to Be a Peculiar Person

Text: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Pastor Lee Berger
"How to Be a Peculiar Person?" Have you ever wanted to be a peculiar person? Sounds odd, but God calls us to be peculiar for His glory. How do we do that?
November 12, 2023

Speaking of Life 5051 | You Don’t Have to Be a Girl Scout

Similar to the Girl Scouts’ motto “Be Prepared,” Christians are reminded to be prepared for Christ’s return. In a story about ten bridesmaids, five were wise and had enough oil, while five were called foolish for not having enough. When we fix our gaze upon Jesus, even when our path is dark, Jesus invites us to find wholeness in him.

November 12, 2023

Basic Truth Always Confronts Us

Text: 1 John 5:13-21
Pastor Gary Schwitz
In the final sermon in the series in 1 John, the apostle/author builds our stability and depth of belief in the Gospel message by giving a solid foundation of basic truth tenets.
November 5, 2023

Speaking of Life 5050 | Expect the Unexpected

Life is full of surprises, some good and some bad, but the psalmist shows us that God’s surprises are always filled with blessings. As Advent approaches, may we find hope in the unexpected ways God moves in our lives, just like how no one expected Jesus to come into our world the way he did.

November 5, 2023

Being a Living Sacrifice

Text: Romans 12
Garth Daniels
The Old Testament had its bloody animal sacrifices that were repeated over and over. But Jesus established a New Covenant in which we as believers offer our lives as daily living sacrifices to reflect and grow in the goodness of God.
October 29, 2023

Speaking of Life 5049│CliffsNotes About Love

CliffsNotes are helpful study guides summarizing complex subjects. In a similar way, Jesus collected the essence of the law as loving God and others above all else. As we experience love from God and share it with others, may we grow in understanding and deepen our relationships with both God and people.

October 29, 2023

1 John Part 8: Abiding In God

Text: 1 John 4:7-21
Pastor Gary Schwitz
1 John tells us to abide in God (and He abides in us). What is this "abiding" and why is it so important? What is the tangible result of God's abiding?
October 22, 2023

Speaking of Life 5048 | No Exception to the Rule

The Main Ingredient was a band with a popular song called “Everybody Plays the Fool.” It’s a song about how everyone can feel foolish sometimes. But Jesus Christ is different. He was wise when people tried to trick him. Jesus shows us that we can choose to follow tricky things in the world or follow God. This story reminds us that even when we feel fooled, we can trust in Jesus to make things better and true.

October 22, 2023

To Be Determined

Text: I Corinthians 13:9-12
Pastor Lee Berger
Any student of the Bible has questions that are unanswered in their mind. It is not that there are not good answers; it is just that some things are yet "to be determined." We see only in part now, but one day (in God's timing) we'll see all things more clearly. In the meantime, let's be assured that we now know the most important things we need to know.
October 15, 2023

Speaking of Life 5047 | Acknowledging God’s Faithfulness

Cara adopted two golden retriever puppies who warmly greet her when she’s home but become anxious when she’s away. This is compared to the Israelites’ impatience with God, highlighting the importance of trusting in God’s faithfulness during uncertain times.

October 15, 2023

False and Sound Doctrine: Historic Characteristics

Text: 1 John 4:1-6
Pastor Gary Schwitz
Pastor Gary continues his series through the book of 1 John. Today's sermon is based on 1 John 4:1-6, focusing on keys to separating false beliefs from sound doctrine.
October 8, 2023

Speaking of Life 5046 | Trash and Treasure

In Matthew 21, Jesus shares a story about a landowner and some tenants, representing God’s relationship with Israel. The tenants harmed those sent by the owner. Jesus cautions that the kingdom of God belongs to believers, highlighting that God treasures them, inviting them to help spread love and Jesus’ message.

October 8, 2023

Communion For All

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Pastor Lee Berger
Regarding the Lord's Supper of the bread and wine, some churches offer "open" Communion and some have limits for a "closed" Communion service. Biblically, within the heart of God, should there be limitations placed on who can participate in this special connection with the sacrificial life of Jesus? [Communion will be offered at the conclusion of this service. Feel free to have some bread/cracker and some juice/wine to participate].
October 1, 2023

Speaking of Life 5045 │ Undercover Jesus

Like an undercover boss on a TV show, Jesus surprised everyone by coming in a way people didn’t expect. Some leaders even tried to figure out his secret. But Jesus showed that God’s ways are different from what we think, and sometimes we need to let go of our ideas to find happiness and peace in God’s plan.

October 1, 2023

Antichrist Has Already Appeared

Text: 1 John 2:15-24
Pastor Gary Schwitz
Pastor Gary continues his sermon series of the book of 1 John. The term "antichrist" (mentioned only four times in the Bible) is used in a variety of ways by Christian speakers and writers. What does 1 John tell us?
September 24, 2023

Speaking of Life 5044 | God’s Generosity

In the parable of the landowner and the laborers, Jesus reveals the generous and all-encompassing nature of God. The story challenges the concept of human fairness and highlights God’s boundless love for all his servants, emphasizing that his grace and love are offered equally to all, regardless of the amount of work done.

September 24, 2023

Eyes for the Unseen

Text: Romans 1:19-21
Pastor Lee Berger
"There is none so blind as he who will not see." Is there a real God who is the Creator of all? How can we see Him? How can we know He exists? Look around . . . and believe!
September 17, 2023

Speaking of Life 5043│Too Good to Be True

This story of the merciful king and the unforgiving slave, shared by Jesus, illustrates the nature of God’s forgiveness. It shows that despite our human doubts and fears, we can trust in the reality of God’s grace and love, which Jesus came to reveal to humanity. This revelation empowers us to extend forgiveness and love to others, just as we have received it from God, without doubting that such goodness is too good to be true.

September 17, 2023

Another Signpost of Peace

Text: Matthew 18:21-22
Pastor Gary Schwitz
One key aspect of having the peace of God living in us is to practice forgiveness. But to forgive may be the hardest task for a person to do. Here are three keys that help us "let go and let God."
September 10, 2023

The Three C's of Peace

Text: John 14:23-27
Pastor Lee Berger
Besides being connected in Spirit with Jesus Christ, what are some actions we can take to help bring about a true sense of inner Peace in our lives? Here are "Three C's to Peace."