Grace Church, Springfield Mo

In week three of our Advent series on Christmas carols, we enjoyed "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and Pastor Tim showed us how the carol writer used much of the scriptures to remind us of Jesus' birth and the reconciliation available for all mankind through Him.

In week two of our Advent series on Christmas carols, Pastor Tim reminds us through the carol "Angels from the Realms of Glory," that worship of the Lord God is the first, and best, response to any situation we are presented with.

In the first week of our Advent series on Christmas carols, Pastor Tim looks first at, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and reminds us that "longing" for the Lord is something that we must never lose sight us during the Christmas season.

In this final session of Psalm 107, Pastor Tim reminds us of the HOPE that we find in Jesus Christ will always remain, no matter what storm we went through, what storm we are in, or what storm is on the horizon.

Pastor Jeff shares with us session two of Psalm 107 reminding us that gratitude and kindness are at the very heart of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jack shares with us the first portion of Psalm 107 reminding us to not only give thanks during this time of the year, but to always remember the "why."

As Pastor Tim concludes his the series, he reminds us that standing in the middle requires us to be active and NEVER allow the destructive quality of "passivity" to invite our hearts or minds.

As Pastor Tim looks at both the progressive viewpoint (pro), and the conservative viewpoint (con) he shares three "cautions" to consider when engaging with and through technology in our world today.

Many things in our current culture get people amped up -- and politics is certainly one of those. But do politics and political ideas work with those who are kingdom minded? This Sunday, Pastor Tim tackles that question, along with many other thoughts on how followers of Christ can stand in the middle when it comes to the topic of politics.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try my and know my thoughts and see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24, ESVTo Stand in the Middle, between truth and love, with regard to racial tensions, we must look to the Lord balance us. Not leaning fully to one side or the other, but always recognizing differences and celebrating, rather than stereotyping. And always remembering, that it starts with each one of us.

Racial tensions have existed for a long time, and one of the most prominent racial divides in history is that between Jews (Hebrews) and Gentiles. But, as Paul writes in Ephesians, Jesus "put to death" that dividing line through his sacrifice on the cross and it is His desire that we live united.

In part two, Pastor Tim details out ways we can respond like Christ either individually, or broadly, within appropriate public settings. No matter where we are, or who we are speaking to, we always have to remember that the person we engage with is loved by Jesus. And we must stand in the middle with deep humility and genuine compassion.

In this session, Pastor Tim calls out, by name, the sexual chaos that this world has come to accept over the last 100 years. Even though the this list sounds egregious, many of these activities have become accepted by Christians in our world today. And as a result, we need to repent of these sins and live out the truth of scripture as an example to the culture around us, showing them the real Jesus living through us.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim reminds us that truth is everything. It has to be the start to our conversations and the end. We can't just grab the parts that "work to our favor" or accommodate our lives in the way we want. It's indivisible and is there to equip us to do the Father's will.

In this new series, Pastor Tim seeks to explore the challenges that Christians face daily to remain faithful to God's truth and yet show the love and compassion of Jesus.In this first session, Pastor Tim explains how we are all under the wrath of God -- but through faith in Jesus Christ, we all live our lives under grace so that we may return to Him.

Pastor JT Patton visits us from Freshwater Church in the Tom Watkin's Neighborhood in North Springfield. As ministry partners, Freshwater and Grace Church desire to bring the love of Jesus to the local elementary school and a neighborhood of 2,200 people. Pastor JT shares of the impact WE can have whenever we take the love and message of Jesus wherever we go.

This week we get to hear from missionaries who share a new approach to sharing the Word of God where books aren't often able to go.

God can call you at the most unexpected time and into the most unexpected places. But following his call should never be an option...it's love and obedience to what he has for us!This Sunday, we hear from Pastor Jeff & Lisa Fischer about following the call to start a ministry reaching the abundance of college students that come to Springfield each year -- some who've never heard about the love of Jesus, some who were hurt by the church, and some who hold opposite, worldly views.

For week one, we welcomed Matt & Abby Edwards, missionaries to Linz, Austria to join us and share an update on the Ukraine conflict and the impact it has had to their church in Austria and how general life as a missionary has changed their perspective on sharing the love of Jesus.Additionally, Pastor Carey Higgins shared a word with us setting the stage for our Month of Mission.

All throughout the series we have learned that Barnabas was behind the scenes, following God's call on his life. In this final session, Pastor Tim shares how Barnabas continued to provide encouragement and advocate for those called to share the good news of Jesus Christ.