On our Old Time Religion Sunday, we enjoyed the bright and bouncing rhythms of old time Appalachian bluegrass traditions. Woven into the music of the banjo, dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, bass (and even accordion), our homily today (a little shorter version of the sermon since our pastor is playing in the band!) wrestles with discipleship. How do we best fulfill our callings in life? As we hear the interactions Jesus has with Mary and Martha in this passage, legitimate questions arise. Join us as we learn together about what following Jesus entails, and how we can be better disciples by hearing carefully the dual lessons from Jesus’ teaching.

Enjoying Fruit (of the Spirit)

Galatians 5

Summer is the time for fresh fruit. It’s also the perfect time to probe a bit more deeply into what the Bible calls The Fruit of the Spirit. We have so many parallels to the value of fruit for us physically and the value of these biblical spiritual fruits. We will also explore the bright contrast between these very positive attributes and states of being, and another very negative list. Join us for this great learning opportunity that will also inspire you for your week ahead to enjoy your fruit!

Psalm 42

We all have them; those inevitable times in our lives when we feel alone, abandoned, afraid, angry … The Bible is very honest about how hard life can be. Psalm 42 is a perfect example. As with many of the Psalms that are considered laments, or cries of sadness, loss and questions, Psalm 42 provides a powerful template for hard times.

Whatever your state right now, hear with us a four part offering of hope Psalm 42 provides. When you feel the way the Psalmist describes, you are not alone. You also have a recipe for hope. Join us in our worship to find out more. And may your coming days be blessed as a result.

John 21:15-19

Failure, competition, inadequacy … Do those words feel like they might fit your experience with the world on occasion? Each of these very human dynamics is at work in our passage for today’s sermon. See how Jesus meets Peter. Listen carefully to their fascinating dialogue. And join us as we learn how Jesus meets us where we are.

John 21:1-14

It’s a fascinating scene: seven guys in a boat for an entire night. Three of them were professional fishermen, and yet they catch nothing. From the shore the next morning, a voice through the mist tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. It’s a very small change, a short distance from one side of the boat to the other. Yet the haul they make from this slight shift in the direction of their cast creates a huge, new opportunity. Clearly, something else is going on here we need to pay attention to. Join us as we explore this creative, rich and vital passage for our own discipleship and the ramifications for a growing faith. It will be well worth your time!

John 20:1-16

Who doesn’t love a good garden? But these were not just any gardens. The story is very clear; the implications from both the first and the second gardens we hear about for this Easter message hold the keys to how our lives are to proceed. Join us for this potent reminder of what resurrection really means for truly living everyday.

Luke 15

This is a foundational chapter for learning what Jesus stands for. Martin Luther once called Luke 15 “the gospel within the gospel.” It contains three stories within a broader story. Join us for an amazing journey through the heart of the gospel as told by Jesus. Confronted by some very religious people, listen to Jesus’ response and what the resulting good news means for you and me today, and every day.