Evangelical Community Church (ecc)

Mark 9:2-13 recounts the events on the Mount of Transfiguration and highlights the uniqueness of God's one and only Son. The passage isn't difficult to understand, but how are we supposed to respond to it? Why did the Gospel writers, three of them at least, think these events needed to be included in the story of Jesus and his path to the cross?

According to the parables in Mt. 13:24-35, there are three things we know: 1) The kingdom of God is invincible; 2) the kingdom of God is often invisible; and 3) we are not always capable of identifying how God is establishing his kingdom. Let’s consider the beautiful mystery of the visible and invisible kingdom of God.

Pastor John Mangrum brings his wisdom and Scripture to the question of cohabitation before marriage.

In Mark’s gospel Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical, immediate, and abbreviated. Simply, come and follow. Such a call to discipleship could be terrifying, liberating, or both. How does it seem to you?

Josiah discusses the Christian perspective on being single.

Jesus knows death, both the grief of others and the experience of it himself. The ancient Jews had customs of walking through a period of mourning that involved the community. Jesus' sacrifice provides the ultimate comfort for our grief; his death has brought us eternal life both now and in the life to come.

The Gospel writer John shows us that God's love came first and is not dependent on our ability to earn it.

Christ Community Church (formerly ECC)

"Does God really understand me? We're so different – God is God and I am human." This is a legitimate question with a real life answer: God understands me because in the person of Jesus Christ he walked in my shoes. The reality of God experiencing our humanity is especially evident in Matthew 4:1-11. The temptation of Jesus has much to teach us about the nature of God and humanity.

This week's message focuses on the baptism of Jesus – the moment his earthly ministry began. Jesus’ baptism shows us His submission to the Father, the Father’s love for His Son, and the central role of the Spirit in empowering Him for ministry. Join us as we explore this story and consider its profound implications on how we can walk through life as followers of Christ today!

Josiah considers the story of Sampson and what it teaches us about God's faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness.

Connexion is meeting in a new space! Josiah brings a message from the story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan into the promised land, and Aaron Brown shares what steps of faith look like in real life.

In the legendary Bible story of Luke 2:41-52, the parents lost track of their son Jesus. When they found him in the Temple, they were just as exasperated as any parents would be. His response to their scolding was, “Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” Hmmm…how would you have responded if your child had said that? It must have been tough raising the son of God. And besides, what does it mean to be about your Father’s business?

When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple, those who were onlookers did not realize that they were witnessing a presentation of God in the flesh. The hymn writer put it best: “Veiled in flesh the God-head see; Hail incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.” Let’s consider how the visible/invisible deity might change our human reality.

We started the Spring semester off right this Sunday as we came together for worship and begin our new Epic Stories of the Old Testament series. Josiah preached this week on the story of Joseph. Listen to the amazing story of God's providence in Joseph's life and consider the lessons we can gain from it in living our own lives of faith.

John begins his story of Jesus in a way unlike the other gospel writers--not at Jesus' human birth but before time. As John tells us, the Word has no beginning and has no end–the Word is eternally God. The implications for this are massive. It sets the Christian religion apart from every other and has very practical consequences.

It's vital that we in the church continually remember the Good News as our basis for relationship with God and power for ministry. When we live in light of the grace that is in Christ Jesus, we become people who desire to take the Good News to wherever it is not known and work fervently towards that end.

Christ Community Church (formerly ECC)

Peace is difficult to maintain. It eludes us. So, let us remind ourselves of the foundations for our peace and consider strategies to fight for this peace.

The angels come to the shepherds and announce news of a birth that causes joy. Consider with us the reasons for that joy.