We recently received the Investigation Report, which is posted on our website. We are grieved by its findings. We will need some time to process the report and to invite the Lord to help us heal.
To that end, Sam’s sermon series will be focused on a Biblical response to abuse. Sam will be careful with his language, but this sermon series will deal with the sensitive topic of abuse.
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
In our sermon series this winter we study the life of Jacob found in Genesis 25-35. Known as the man who wrestled with God (Gen 32:22-32), his life is marked by striving and struggling. Born grasping his brother’s heel, he lies, cheats and steals to get what he wants. Less a model of virtue, Jacob first appears a tangled mess of passions and immaturity.
There are so many lessons to be learned from this complex man of God:
God’s promises—from the salvation of the world to the hope of a family—depend, ultimately, not on our performance but his power.
God is working in our lives at the very moments when he seems most absent.
Though sin is not without consequence, God not only forgives, but can bring good out of our failings.
God can reconcile people who formerly cheated and hated each other.
When we are emptied of ourselves and our resources—like Jacob, alone at night by the ford of the Jabbok (Gen 32:22-24)—then the battle is won and the Lord has gained his victory over our lives.
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
The Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
As we did in January 2023, we begin this new year by focusing on some Disciplines of Disciples – biblically-based, spiritually formative practices of the Christian faith. Last year, we focused on confessing, delighting, and waiting. (These sermons can be found below, along with this year’s sermons.)
This year, as we round the corner on our Philippians series, we’ll focus on three overarching spiritual disciplines that Paul calls us to in his letter—prayer (Jan 7th), scripture (Jan 14th), and service (Jan 21st). Join us as we begin the New Year by heeding Paul’s Spirit-inspired exhortation to “practice these things” (Phil. 4:9) with the promise that, if we do, we will experience “the peace of God that surpasses understanding” (Phil. 4:7).
the Rev. Dr. Michael Weeks
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is known as one of Paul’s “prison letters,” but, in reality, its themes are freedom, joy, communion, and completion in Christ. Writing from a Roman prison sometime around the year 60 AD, Paul writes some truly paradoxical things.
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Phil. 1:12).
“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
The fact that a Gospel advance and personal joy can come within the circumstances of captivity is counterintuitive. Being locked up, locked out, or otherwise constrained by the people or by the circumstances of life is rarely something we link to gospel progress, fearlessness, growth, and contentment. And yet, Paul tells us that many have become “confident in the Lord” because of his imprisonment, and they are speaking the gospel “much more boldly” and, indeed, even “fearlessly” (Phil 1:14).
How is it that the gospel can go forward and bear much fruit even in a dire context? How is it that we can find inner joy and contentment when external circumstances are so bleak? Let’s find out this fall as we study the book of Philippians together.
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
the Rev. Dr. Michael Weeks
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
Atheist philosopher Frederick Nietzsche was right, “If you know your why, you can handle almost any how.” But if we’re blips between the Big Bang and sun’s burnout, it’s hard to see real purpose beneath our strivings. In the end, life’s meaningless. So live your best life now. Do you. Atheism cannot give us a why.
Jesus, however, can. At the close of his earthly ministry, he tells his followers, “As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). To be a Christian, then, is to be sent—by Jesus into God’s Mission in this world. Nothing’s accidental. No person’s unintended. No life’s meaningless.
In our sermon series, Sent: Ambassadors of Christ on Mission for God, we’ll discover our why by learning what Jesus sends us to do. He has specific tasks for us—as individuals and as a church—, tasks involving profound new realities: New Life, a New People, and a New Kingdom.
New Life: John 3:1-18
Jesus taught that people must be “born again” (Jn 3:3), therefore our mission involves offering life.
Missional Method: Evangelism
New People: John 15:1-17
Jesus taught that people will see him when they see us (Jn 13:35), therefore our mission involves a quality of life that points to Jesus.
Missional Method: Holiness
New Kingdom: John 18:33-38
Jesus said he came as a king, but his kingdom is not of this world (Jn 18:33-37), therefore in our callings and vocations we’re ambassadors for God’s kingdom, more so than for the kingdoms of this world.
Missional Method: Kingdom Presence
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
On Sunday, September 3, we began a new sermon series entitled “Pillars.” We pray and work that our Church be marked by four features and qualities. These are pillars that, when happening together, help us live into the calling to be a biblical and God-honoring local church.
Worship: we glorify God. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (Psalm 96:8). The final end of all we do, in word or deed, is to bring honor and praise to God.
Community: we gather in the name of Christ. “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:5). The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone, but in joyful and committed fellowship with other believers.
Discipleship: we grow more like Christ. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). The Christian life is not stagnant, but a process of transformation, as the Spirit and the community of believers help us become more like Jesus.
Mission: we go for Christ. “As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). Christ sends us into the world to continue God’s mission, centering upon making Jesus known as the life of the world, the bread of life, the living water, to a world longing for true satisfaction.
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
On July 30th, we turn to the book of Haggai - in the busyness of day to day life, it is tempting to prioritize the temporal over the eternal. We often think, “I need to get my own house in order, and then everything else will fall into place.” This view was as alive in the fifth century BC as it is today. In 536 BC, two years after God’s people had returned from exile, social and political pressures caused them to pause work on the reconstruction of the temple, leaving it unfinished for sixteen years; a mere foundation collecting dust as God’s people tried to satisfy themselves with the things of the dust, rather than the things of God.
Indeed, the people were continually saying “the time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built” (Hag. 1:2). Into this situation, the LORD addressed his people through his prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Hag. 1:4). God’s people put God’s house on hiatus while they tried to get their own houses in order; but God had different plans. “Build the house” (1:8), declared the LORD, and “I will fill this house with glory” (Hag. 2:7).
In this five-week sermon series we will explore the essential elements of Haggai’s prophecy from the LORD, that although it may often look unimpressive and surely be filled with imperfect people, nevertheless “the glory of the present house”—the Church—will be “greater than the glory of the former house” (Hag. 2:9).
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Steve Cannizzaro
Brian Gurney
the Rev. John Frederick
Graedon Zorzi
On Sunday, May 7, we turned to the book of James - a summons to Christian wholeness, a call to be not only hearers but doers of the Word. As such, it’s very practical, urging Christians to produce good fruit that ought to grow from a healthy tree: steadfastness, care for the disadvantaged, a bridled tongue, wise actions in the face of life’s complexities, persevering prayer.
For a Christian—or the curious—James tells us that true living is never an overly-spiritual escape. It’s about dealing with life with our whole selves—head, heart, and hands. However—and this is James’s driving point—when you follow Jesus, you deal with life differently. Studying this book together this May, June, and July will challenge us to examine how we deal with life and the nature of true biblical faith.
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Isaiah Brooms
the Rev. Dr. James Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
The Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
On Sunday, January 29th, we return to the book of Genesis for our new sermon series, The Life of Abraham: Genesis 12-22. Last winter we considered our beginnings in Genesis 1-11, finding that though life originates in glory, things descend swiftly into sin and chaos. This winter we turn to God’s mission to reclaim his corrupted creation. It’s a project that takes form through the family of a man from Mesopotamia, Abraham.
Themes of calling, mission, and faith emerge in Abraham’s life and become the fabric of the rest of Scripture. In Abraham’s calling, we can hear God’s call to us. By Abraham’s example, we meet the way of faith. Most importantly, through Abraham we are pointed to Jesus. Abraham’s seed, through whom God’s blessings pour forth to all the world, is Jesus Christ (Gal 3:16; Rom 4:17). Therefore, through Abraham God begins applying the balm of salvation to a wicked and weary world: by faith, not perfection, we can be reconciled to God.
Calling, mission, faith—and promises that come true only in Jesus— these are the themes of Abraham’s life. And they must become the fabric of ours.
January 29, 2023: Abraham and The Call of God
February 5, 2023: Abraham and The Mission of God
February 12, 2023: Abraham and The Steps of Faith
February 26, 2023: Abraham and The Reassurance of Faith
March 5, 2023: A Good and Hard Covenant
March 12, 2023: The Cost of Compromise
March 19, 2023: God Gets the Last Laugh
March 26, 2023: God Tests Abraham to Prove He Provides
February 19, 2023: Giving Up Ourselves for Lent
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
At a deep level the Gospel of Mark is all about seeing—seeing who we are, seeing who Jesus is, seeing what God’s kingdom is really like. This persistent theme of seeing but not perceiving highlights a daunting fact about our human condition: spiritual blindness.
To the spiritually blind, Mark seems to be suggesting the following posture to his readers, which I commend to you:
First, learn from Blind Bartimaeus. To Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you,” he replies, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight” (10:51). Not insignificantly, this is the last miracle Jesus performs in Mark. It screams to the reader, “Pray that you too may recover your sight!”
Second, note well the theme of childlikeness in the middle of Mark: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (10:15; 9:36-37; 42; 10:13-16). With the wide and innocent eyes of a child, look to Jesus with humility.
Finally, there is the crucial lesson from the centurion at the cross. “Seeing that in this way Jesus breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (15:39). Other than the opening line of Mark, this is the only time a human uses this divine title for Jesus. It’s no accident. You cannot truly see Jesus unless you are looking at him from the foot of the cross. The Cross of Christ brings all things into proper focus.
As you read the following passages from Mark’s Gospel and follow along in this series, do so from beneath the cross. Lay your expectations, assumptions and ambitions at the Lord’s feet. Humbly acknowledge that you need a Savior whose way is different and deeper than your own—a King whose rule over your life begins with service, even laying down his life for yours (10:45).
We hope you’ll use the guide alongside a friend, with your family, or in your small group, to grow as a disciple of Jesus this fall—or perhaps to answer His call for the first time!
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Steve Cannizzaro
the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. John Frederick
Rev. Isaiah Brooms
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Rev. Sam Ferguson
John Frederick
John Frederick
Isaiah Brooms
Graedon Zorzi
John Frederick
From the grandeur of our creation to the tragedy of our fall, Genesis 1-11 reveals our beginnings for the sake of explaining our present—who we are, why we exist, why life is the way it is—, not merely to satisfy curiosity, but to awaken us to the voice of our Maker, who from time immemorial calls us His own. The events of the garden, Cain’s slaying of Abel, the flood, and Babel’s tower, are true in the deepest sense. They not only happened, but are patterns that reply every day and in every heart; God’s people take rather than trust, turn inward rather than upward. Mercifully, these early chapters of the Bible also introduce us to the antidote to our sin, which is the grace of God. As he relied on God for his beginning, so too does man rely on God for his redeeming—Genesis 1-11, therefore, ultimately points us to the Last Adam, Jesus Christ.
We’ve designed a guidebook to help us go deeper during the series. It follows the sermon each week and includes questions, guides for prayer, ways to respond, and resources to go deeper. Hardcopies of the guidebook will be available at all of our services beginning on Sunday, 1/30, so be sure to pick one up while supplies last.
We hope you’ll use the guide alongside a friend, with your family, or in your small group, to grow as a disciple of Jesus this fall—or perhaps to answer His call for the first time!
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 11:1-9
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 6:1-8:22
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 4:8-16
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 4:1-7
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 3:8-24
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:25-3:8
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:1-3, 7-9
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:18-25
The Rev. Sam Fegurson | Genesis 1:26-28; 2:4-17
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Gen 1:1-31
Dec. 26th - Christmas Sunday Service
Dec. 24th - 10pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24th - 8pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24th - 6pm Chrismtas Eve Service
Dec. 24th - 4pm Christmas Eve Family Service
Dec. 19th - 11am Lessons & Carols
Dec. 19th - 9am Lessons and Carols
Dec. 12th - The Peaceful Presence of God Soothes the Anxieties of Man
Dec. 5th - The Lord is Coming. Are you Getting Ready?
Dec. 5th - 9am Service (Handel’s Messiah)
Dec. 5th - Messiah Meditation
What are the marks of a disciple of Jesus? This fall we’ll consider ten marks essential to discipleship in our sermon series, The Everyday Disciple: Following Jesus One Step at a Time. By studying Jesus’ first followers, a vision of discipleship emerges that is both alluring and daunting. But our goal isn’t overnight perfection. Rather, we’ll encourage each other to take just one more step each day towards the call of our Lord, “Follow me.”
We’ve designed a guidebook to help us go deeper during the series. It follows the sermon each week and includes questions, guides for prayer, ways to respond, and resources to go deeper. Hardcopies of the guidebook will be available at all of our services beginning on Sunday, 9/12, so be sure to pick one up while supplies last.
You may also download a printable PDF of the guidebook here.
We hope you’ll use the guide alongside a friend, with your family, or in your small group, to grow as a disciple of Jesus this fall—or perhaps to answer His call for the first time!
Three-Part Mini Sermon Series: July 11-25
Our walk through 1 Peter arrives at the topic of men and women in 1 Peter 3:1-7. The Apostle’s teaching there is built upon God’s Word not just about marriage, but also God’s deep and eternal design for sexuality, human fulfillment, and gender. Church leadership feels these topics are so important that we’ll pause our current sermon series for a three part mini-series this July, Mere Sexuality: God’s Design for Marriage, Fulfillment, & Gender, devoting sermons to the biblical view of marriage (7/11), sex and human fulfillment (7/18), and gender (7/25). These messages touch on the sensitive topics of same sex attraction, gay marriage, singleness, transgenderism and gender dysphoria. We want parishioners to be aware of this as some material may be sensitive for younger children or friends you may invite to church. As always, we aim on Sunday mornings to open the Word of God in faithfulness. And we also follow our Lord’s example, desiring not only clarity in truth, but a spirit of compassion in how we love.
CLICK HERE for the audio message “The Glory of Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings.”
CLICK HERE for the audio message “Shepherding God’s Flock.”
CLICK HERE for the audio message “The City of God in Exile.”
CLICK HERE for the audio message “Keeping the End in Mind.”
Reading: John 12:12-15
Pastor: The Rev. Graedon Zorzi
9 a.m. Traditional Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Service
