NewSong Church: Recent Episodes
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This week we will consider two questions:How did the Bible arise?How might we best approach the Bible?Despite appearing to be two separate questions, they are intimately connected within the reality of the God who seeks to meet us, challenge us, comfort us, teach and renew us.
The question of “Where does the Bible connect in our lives?” can be understood in two ways—where we think it applies versus where it actually meets us. We often expect Scripture to connect in obvious places: church, Bible studies, or times of worship. But the power of God’s Word is that it reaches us in the unexpected moments—when we’re struggling in a relationship, facing uncertainty at work, or wrestling with doubt in silence.Just as Jesus met people where they were—whether at a well, a stormy sea, or in the middle of their sin—Scripture meets us not just in sacred spaces but in our everyday lives, offering wisdom, correction, and comfort exactly where we need it most. But do we see the connection?
Last year we took a trip through the book of Ecclesiastes with our ever honest, sometimes cryptic guide, "The Teacher." Chapter 3 began with the words, "There is a time for everything..." This week our investigation of the Christian Scriptures leads us to ask the question, "When?"In earthly terms, the seconds, minutes, hours and days of our lives are a finite resource of unknown duration. How might scripture, and the message of Kingdom and Gospel that it brings us, inform and redeem our concept of time? Don't be late!
Over the past two weeks we have considered the questions, "What is the Bible?" and "Why Does God Give Us a Written Word?" This week we ask, like that great theologian *Pete Townsend, "Who Are You? Who, who, who, who?" Character development is a central feature in books. Characters carry the story, draw us into the story and perhaps even cause us to see ourselves reflected in the lives portrayed on the page. Who are/is the main character in the Bible, and what might that mean for our own stories as we engage with these texts? "Lord, open our eyes, that we might see wonderful things in your word."
Last week we started on an adventure of curiosity and investigation, into the book we call The Bible. After considering WHAT the Bible is, we now ask the question, "WHY?"Why did God give us a written word? Were we to ask this question of any other written work of communication we would be wise to ask the authors themselves. Let us therefore inquire of the Lord together, asking our questions. Confident that he is not playing games with us, but that he wants to form and deepen a relationship that is life-giving and profoundly meaningful.
Interrogating the Bible: Eight Essential QuestionsMost followers of Jesus understand that the book that we call The Holy Bible is an important and central feature of our faith. Jesus quoted from the Old Testament, the church throughout history has looked to the scriptures to guide its faith and practice, and many of us can testify to the power and wisdom of its contents. However, a great many of us find this book to be a bit of a mystery, and in a culture that is increasingly dismissive of these ancient texts, it is perhaps easier to leave the Word of God to the experts. Over the next eight weeks we will explore by means of a series of honest questions, this collection of letters, poetry, songs, history, gospel and apocalypse that is God’s revelation given to us to reveal his profound love for all that he has made.
New Year’s may be an arbitrary moment in time, but it’s a season when we often reflect on our lives and consider how to embrace the coming year with hope and wisdom. This Sunday, your pastors will reflect on the past year and prayerfully invite us to welcome the days God will give us in 2025.
This week, we conclude our 2024 Advent series. Over the past three weeks, we’ve explored the blues refrains, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “How Long Must I Wait,” and “I Woke Up This Morning.” Living in the tension of God’s Kingdom "now and not yet," what have we learned to help us celebrate Christ’s birth with its struggles and promises of lasting peace? As the carolers sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight,” we draw near to Emmanuel with all that we are.
Many blues songs often begin with the phrase, “I woke up this morning…”—a universal expression of life’s challenges and opportunities. This Sunday, we’ll explore the significance of mornings in scripture and in our lives, reflecting on how God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Much of life finds us waiting. For someone or something. It's never particularly pleasant, yet not all waiting is created equal. Some is rather inconsequential: At this time of year we find ourselves irresistibly waiting for Christmas Day. However for some, waiting is almost unbearable. When the wait seems endless and the minutes, hours and days drag on. Perhaps what we need this Christmas is a new perspective on waiting. Listen as the Blues tells of the "Two Stories of Advent," and tune your heart to God's Advent calendar!
Experience Christmas through the honesty of The Blues with our Advent series, A Blues Christmas: Songs of Struggle, Promises of Peace. Just as the Blues express deep human struggle and the hope for something better, Jesus was born into a world longing for light. Together, let’s sing the songs of Emmanuel—from the cries of God’s people for rescue, to the angel's message to Mary, to the day Hope was born for us.Week 1: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen...Christmas is a time for joy, but true joy never stands alone. Unlike the fleeting, commercial versions we often see, real joy shines through sorrow, like sunshine breaking through clouds. It’s the relief of a prisoner granted reprieve. True Christmas joy comes from the news that our sorrows are seen, our longing for peace will be fulfilled, and our brokenness will be healed—all because a child was born.
Unfortunately, we had a piece of gear go down and weren't able to record today's message. Sorry for the inconvenience!
This Sunday, we’ll explore the final fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul—one that seems to hold everything else together: Self-Control.How often do we find ourselves wrestling with self-control? Whether it’s resisting that extra screen time, holding back on indulgences, or simply getting up in the morning with purpose, self-control touches nearly every part of our lives. You are not alone in this tension.This is one area where the Theologians and the Psychologists agree; Self-Control is central to a healthy human life. Perhaps the key is in the phrase itself. Yes, "self." Come and taste, and see that the Lord is good and that neither despair nor white-knuckled desperation is the answer to gaining mastery of our impulsive lives.
As we approach the end of our journey exploring the Fruit of the Spirit, we meet the concept of Gentleness.Do you detect a providential irony in the timing of this word’s appearance at the close of what has been a fiercely contested election, with the usual rhetoric and behavior that we could confidently describe as anything but “gentle?”Might our association of this word with weakness be an issue when we consider this aspect of Fruitfulness? Is there something that we are missing? Probably!Come and consider the truth of Jesus, who is both Lion and Lamb, and perhaps together we can break the broken patterns of our world and walk together along the new paths of Christ’s Kingdom.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.
What does it mean to nurture faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit? Trust? Loyalty? In a world where commitment can waver, what does this look like in real time? Let’s look at how faithfulness shapes our character and strengthens our relationships with God and others.
The subtitle of our sermon series is “Taste and See That the Lord is Good.” For centuries, philosophers and theologians have debated what the word "good" really means. Today, this question is more relevant than ever, with a wide range of definitions and opinions. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to grow in spiritual fruitfulness that we can confidently call "good." We’ll consider how to live in a way that embodies true goodness in our world, empowered by Jesus’ power and grace.
When was the last time you experienced kindness? Take a moment to reflect. What made it stand out to you? Who showed it, and why do you think they did? How did it impact you?Kindness is something we admire and strive to practice, but it can also be distorted by the world around us and the impulses within us. This week, we’ll explore how this Fruit of the Spirit challenges, transforms, and sends us out into the world in Jesus’ name.
We may have all heard the famous lines..."patience is a virtue," "patience produces perseverance," "don't ask God for patience, He will give it to you!"Join us this Sunday as we take a look at this fruit of the Spirit and see that sometimes patience looks different, sounds different, acts different, and why, perhaps, proves to be the fruit most difficult to cultivate and grow.
Conflict currently rages all over the earth, both large-scale war that flashes on our screens on a daily basis, and the small-scale form between neighbors, family members, and co-workers. Jesus declared, “...blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9).How might we become increasingly fruitful in our growth as people of peace? Perhaps John Lennon was on to something more theological than he realized when he sang, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.” Come to NewSong this Sunday to hear the good news. "Peace in our Time!"
Perhaps you remember singing with confidence, and at the top of your voice, the old Sunday School song about the "joy of Jesus!"WHERE?"Down in my heart!"A simple song to learn and sing, but what about after we've moved from childhood into the complicated, painful seasons of adult life? Does that joy remain such that we could sing it out loud with all the hand motions and everything?This week we will consider JOY, a facet of the Fruit of God, the Spirit. We will seek together to discover a path towards our God given identity as a Rejoicing People.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.--Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. Galatians 5:22-23
Taste and See that the Lord is GoodThis may sound a bit unspiritual, but does Christianity have a branding problem? If we were called to market this particular faith and the God to whom we point, would we be at all successful in the marketplace of ideas? On Sunday we will begin an 11 week series exploring what is known as the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We’ll address some misunderstandings and seek to find our way towards a richer enjoyment of God’s person and our place in his creation.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.--Galatians 5:22-23
The conclusion of our sermon series leaves us with this question; "How do we live our lives in the midst of time, death, and vapor?"
This weekend we are diving into the final chapter of Ecclesiastes to explore what Qohelet's final words of wisdom are for us."Remember your creator..." he says as he concludes his journey, searching for meaning, and facing old age and the end of life. While often he has shouted "meaningless,"yet one thing still holds meaning..."Fear God and keep his commandments. For humankind, this is everything!" Ecclesiastes 12:13
As we near the end of our series through the book of Ecclesiastes, the author, Qohelet, offers some final wisdom about humility in the face of the uncertain and unknown. As well as his final advice to those who are young and vigorous, he also helps us consider the joys in life in light of the ups and downs of life.
This week we continue our journey through Ecclesiastes, seeking insight into life’s meaning and purpose. In Ecclesiastes 10, the author teaches us that living a life clothed in wisdom is one of the best ways to ensure that we don’t waste our days. Although ultimate meaning and purpose for our lives can’t be found by pursuing wisdom, wisdom is still a treasured gift from God that helps us order our lives. But how do we gain wisdom? Where can wisdom be found?
Ecclesiastes 9 states that life is full of disparities. On the other hand, Jesus came to bring light into a darkened world that often does not make sense. We choose to live in God’s hands where there is always Hope for Christ’ followers.
Join us for the eighth chapter of Ecclesiastes. This week we ponder the earthly power of kings, perhaps a stretch for us, living as we do in this kingless Republic! However, a person doesn't have to hold the title "King" for them to act like one, and the power of human beings is a constant challenge.
Last week we were reminded that each one of us has genuine power. Power to fill our limited days on earth, "under the sun." This week our Friend for the Journey shares some words of caution about how we might use our power: Power to speak, power to promise, power to live."God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”--Ecclesiastes 5:2
This week we will continue our quest to gain some understanding of human existence alongside our truthful, experienced, and ultimately, Godward friend for the journey, The Teacher, the writer of Ecclesiastes. Once again our friend is truthful in ways that we might wish he were not. He invites us to look carefully at the world as it is, not as we would like it to be. “Don’t look away!” Thankfully amidst the sad realities of life "under the sun" there is a glimmer of hope to be found in community. Yet, for anyone who is paying attention community is never a simple cure for the complex troubles that play out on the earth.
This week we continue our journey through Ecclesiastes, seeking insight into life’s meaning and purpose. In Ecclesiastes 3, the author observes that life has its seasons. Good times and difficult times come and go. Our life is short. Our time on Earth is ephemeral. It is vapor. And though God makes all things beautiful in their time, our brief existence serves as a harsh reminder that we shouldn’t waste our days. Yet, amid our transient existence, God has placed an unquenchable longing in our souls for something beyond our earthly existence. We crave hope, purpose, and destiny. No matter who you are, these desires cannot be squelched. These longings point us beyond the temporary things of this world. They offer us an important clue about where meaning and purpose can be found. A desire that can only be satisfied in the One who is eternal and everlasting.
Over the past couple of weeks we have explored what it might mean to be a FAMILY - Faith, Action, Mission, Invitation, Love, You. This week we will begin an eight week series that dives more deeply into what we mean by, The Essentials of the Christian Faith. The Apostles Creed is a good place to start. So we proclaim, "I believe," and find ourselves transformed by this faith, once delivered to all of God’s people.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40As we spoke about last week, we are FORMED by all the events of our lives...loss, pace, new changes; All of these things have left impressions on us. How do we look back AND look forward as we begin the New Year? A purposeful reflection is a good place to start.
This Sunday we will be hearing from our three pastors, Grant, Melody and Stephen. You are sure to find something to relate to as they consider what it means to look back at the year that has been, as well as forward at the year to come.
The expectation and anticipation of what this season holds, the gifts we give and receive... when we have lived more life, we get used to weary instead of wonder, we may even feel more heartache than hope. But the "Christmas Story" has not changed; we've changed. Come and sit together on Christmas Eve morning as we look at the indescribable gifts we have been given.
Have you heard of the concept of Regifting? The word means exactly what it sounds like: Regift: Verb - to give someone a gift that was previously received from someone else. For example, “I think I'll regift the lamp I received from my Aunt.” Surely ’tis the season for such a thing. The recipient may be overjoyed to receive the gift, and perhaps the original giver won’t ever find out! What has regifting got to do with the season of Advent and the birth of Christ?As we move towards our celebration of the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, we will reflect on the nature of all of God’s good gifts and the generosity that they should inspire in each one of us.
It's a term we might be familiar with around the Holidays. You either enjoy this familiar game, or you absolutely do not! Did you know, that this "game", was made to ruin someone you didn't like? What if a White Elephant gift was exactly what you needed?
This week, we enter into the season that we call Advent. The word points to the nature of the next four weeks as a time of both anticipation and preparation. In our culture, there are many reasons why people look forward to this season: gifts given and received, time off work, and all the joy of a significant holiday. What are you most looking forward to? Prior to the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, "God With Us," there were men and women who had been living in a state of anticipation and hope for many years. One such person was an elderly man called Simeon. This Sunday we will hear about his longings and the remarkable day when he met God’s Salvation.
When Hebrews was written, communication took a long time, and therefore once a letter had been sent, there was no chance for last minute thoughts or additions. No text, or emails, Zooms or phone-calls. Therefore, how the writer concludes this message is perhaps one of the most instructive parts of Hebrews. Come and hear the author's closing thoughts, which echo through time pointing each one of us each towards the peculiar and powerful Way of Jesus.
As we approach the end of Hebrews, the writer is gathering his thoughts to make sure that his readers (and us) understand the f fullness of Christ’s dominion, power and grace so that his friends might indeed press on. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…”
We lost power right before the Worship Gathering started, so we were unable to record the message.
Last week we were encouraged to run with perseverance along the track Christ has prepared for us, with confidence in our Good Father, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and doing so as part of our faith community. This week’s text starts out like some late-night infomercial for a fitness training program “...strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees!" (Rex Kwon Do anyone?). The author’s desire however is not so much as to cause us to feel inadequate in order to sell us something, but rather to encourage us on the path towards Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
After a brief introduction referring to the “faith of the ancients,” in last week’s text, we now get to hear the full list of men and women who trusted God through all sorts of circumstances and challenges.There are some common themes here through which we can understand the rhythms of our own lives of faith in God that further his good work in our place and time. By faith we can join the ranks of faithful men and women and receive God’s commendation and reward.
Last week we heard strong words of warning from the author of Hebrews: Beware of apathy, the deceitfulness of sin, forgetfulness and false expectations. So, what is the alternative and antidote to drifting along or falling away? Faith - “…the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.” Hebrews 11:1 What is faith, and how might we cultivate, enjoy and inhabit its sphere?
Unfortunately, we had some issues with our audio system, so the sound quality isn't what it normally is. Sorry for the inconvenience!Do you have a junk drawer somewhere in your home? A place where you put those little household items that you think you might need some day? Or perhaps you have a jar of coins accumulated from your travels abroad. There they sit gathering dust because they are of no particular value here and now, but for someone, somewhere they just might make the difference for another day of life. Like a piece of junk or a discarded currency, the writer is concerned that his audience, his brothers and sisters, have forgotten the value, power and essential nature of all that Christ has done to the extent that they are in great danger. May we heed the call to persevere!
Jesus Loves Us!It's been a SUMMER of LOVE! We have looked at all the ways Jesus loves us. Let's reflect, remember, and celebrate together!
In the poor, in the brokenIn the crowded city streetsIn the towers, in the moneyIn the strong and in the weakIn the orphans and the widowsIn the churches and the barsYou are everywhereGod, You are everywhere-Matt Maher
You called my nameAnd I ran out of that graveOut of the darknessInto Your glorious day-Jason Ingram, Glorious Day
Scripture teaches us that God has made Himself known to us through that which He has made. Creation not only speaks of God’s existence, but His attributes—including His love. How does creation reveal God’s love? This week we will explore the aspects of creation that reveal God’s care and love for humanity: Creation’s existence and design.
When I survey the wondrous crosson which the Prince of glory died…Love so amazing, so divine,demands my soul, my life, my all.--Isaac Watts 1707
"...if I told you my story You would hear life, but it wasn't mine If I should speak, then let it be of the grace That is greater than all my sin Of when justice was served, and where mercy wins! Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me in Oh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him" -Jason Ingram / Mike Weaver, "My Story"
This week we are reflecting on human creativity as a clue to the God who loves his creation. The Bible tells us that King David danced and wrote poetry and songs, and that Jesus was a craftsman like his father, Joseph, as well as a storyteller and a singer. Some of the greatest works of art have been produced by men and women of faith. Every culture engages in artistic expression. What might this tell us about our human condition and how might we engage with creativity in order that we might encounter and proclaim the love of God?
Last week we considered how we might understand the reality and love of a creator God by means of our conscience, that voice in our head and heart that seems to deal with right and wrong. This week we are looking at a similar topic - How might the longings and desires, appetites and drives we recognize within ourselves point us to the God who offers us the bread of life and the water of refreshment? Bring your longings to the table, there is plenty of room for you.
For the past three weeks we have been exploring how we might experience the love of God by means of the Bible.
The Old Testament Scriptures may not appear to be the most likely place to discover the love of God, at least in the popular imagination. Laws are given, judgements are proclaimed and delivered and God often appears capricious and frightening. This week we will explore the ancient texts of God’s people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and discover that the love we find so evident in Jesus is actually on display throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.
This week we begin our exploration of reasons that night point to the reality of God’s love for us. We begin with the words of a song that many of us may have learned as children. In the first of this three part exploration, we will ask the question - What is scripture? - and perhaps more importantly how might we experience the fullness of God’s love by means of our interactions with the ancient texts that we know collectively as the Bible?
Since January we have been journeying through the amazing, challenging, beautiful New Testament book we call Hebrews. Like a skilled attorney the writer has been building their case, leaving no stone unturned, no history neglected to bring their brothers and sisters to as clear an understanding as possible about the unrepeatable and all encompassing work of Jesus, the Messiah. Now with an emphatic, “therefore,” the previous 9 chapters of exhortation are given the flesh and bone of practical action. Therefore… Let Us…
Christians believe our salvation comes through Christ’s death on the Cross. Hebrews 9:1-14 teaches us that our salvation isn’t something we earn or achieve by our efforts. It’s solely accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest. Join us, as we unpack this rich passage of Scripture and reflect on the uniqueness of salvation in Christianity and the transforming power that comes when we embrace and live out the Gospel.
This week’s section of Hebrews begins, "Now the main point of what we are saying is this...” After the complex journey of the last few weeks through the world of Old Testament priestly lines, this is a welcome phrase! Ok, let’s get to the point! Amen!
Again with the "order of Melchizedek?" Let's be honest; what was so important back then about a figure that is mentioned only a few times? And why is it important now? Can we just move on from hearing about this again? Seems like we should be able to.
Whom amongst your friends or family can you most depend upon to keep their promises? It’s a wonderful character trait to experience in another person. Have you experienced the pain and disappointment of broken promises and broken trust? It can make it very difficult to trust other people. Over the past 2 weeks, the writer of Hebrews has been encouraging his friends to engage in the effort needed to continue on their path towards maturity despite the challenging circumstances in which they find themselves. This week we will hear of the promise-keeping God whose word we can trust and the gifts of faith and patience.
The ground receives a blessing from God when it drinks up the rain that regularly comes and falls on it and yields a useful crop for those people for whom it is being farmed. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it’s useless and close to being cursed. It ends up being burned. So let’s press on to maturity…
You know that feeling...you're working on something and it's kind of going in circles, nothing is really actually getting done because you're unfocused? What do you do? You may go for a walk, splash some water on your face. But most people will stop for a snack.
Over thousands of years of what is known as Christianity, there have been all types of movements, ideologies and trends that have ebbed and flowed with the twists and turns of the human story; our politics, our culture and our technology. After all is said and done, what really matters? What has been and always will be the core confession of this particular faith? Our confession.
We are BACK in Hebrews this week! What a way to get back in to it: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.--"
After the darkness and fear of the days since Jesus gathered with his friends to celebrate the Passover, the dawn breaks on a new day, a day when everything changes. Once again we will be reminded that though we may think we know the story, there is so much more to it that we could ever imagine.
Schedule of the day for Paul and Silas: -Go somewhere to pray What they actually accomplished for the day: -Followed around by a young girl possessed by a demon -Cast out that demon -Get stripped of clothes and beaten -Get thrown in jail -12 midnight: Start singing hymns, take cover from an earthquake, stay in jail and save the guards life So much for the plan they had! What a day..
Perhaps you are familiar with this fishy tale of a reluctant prophet. Perhaps you know how the story ends - Jonah on dry land after his submarine journey in the great fish. You may, however, be surprised to learn that not everything is as it seems on the surface and the depth of God’s presence shows up in the most unlikely of places.
ike Esther and Moses, where God saved them from annihilation and death, God seems to be the one allowing TERRIBLE THINGS in Job's story. Why? How do we understand this story when God is right there, in the middle of it?
Crocodiles, rivers and seas, fire and murder. Unlike last week's sermon where God is nowhere mentioned, seen, or heard, God seems to be ALL OVER this story!
Oh, great. Esther. Again. We have heard this story...here we go..."...for such a time as this..."We know. We've heard it. #sotrueTalk about a SPOILER ALERT; we know how this ends. But, do we know how it begins?
This Ash Wednesday, some folks had the opportunity to come on campus and have a one-on-one time with the pastors and thoughtfully reflect on what the next 40 day journey to the cross means to them. We will walk through a variation of this as a church on Sunday. Come with an open heart to experience what God might have for all of us.
Matthew’s Gospel reports that Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). The writer of Hebrews wants his listeners (and us) to understand that the Jesus Way does "exactly what it says on the box.” Life in these times rarely provides opportunities for rest, and we all feel the consequences of that reality. Sadly, our modern church life often seems to compound this situation with all of our hectic activities! What does it mean to rest right here, right now and what does it mean for us now that God has promised a fuller rest to come.
Every human heart experiences a restlessness and a deep longing for a place called home. This week in our journey through Hebrews we are going to explore, “The House That God Built,” and seek to ensure and maintain our part of this great household of faith.
In 1995 American singer Joan Osborne released her hit song entitled, “One of Us.” If God had a name what would it be? And would you call it to his face?And would you call it to his faceIf you were faced with Him in all His gloryWhat would you ask if you had just one question?If God had a face what would it look like?And would you want to seeIf seeing meant that you would have to believeIn things like heaven and in Jesus and the SaintsAnd all the prophets?What if God was one of us?Just a slob like one of usJust a stranger on the busTryin' to make his way home?This week the writer of Hebrews invites us to explore that very question. What might it mean that Jesus was, is and ever shall be, “One of Us.”
Last week we considered the expansiveness and sufficient nature of all that Jesus was, is and always shall be and what that means for our human condition. How might we respond? This week we are invited to consider that question. Come and listen to the Word with active minds and hungry hearts and encounter the fullness of Jesus in this community.
Happy New Year! We are so excited to begin our time in the New Testament book of Hebrews. A neglected section of the Bible, because at first glance it may seem difficult to understand. One commentator in reply to the questions “...by whom, to whom, when, where, why,” honestly concludes, “...don’t know, don’t know, don’t know, don’t know, don’t know.” The lack of specificity about this writing does however open the door to our ability to find application for right here, and right now, now especially since one thing we do know is that those to whom Hebrews was written were struggling in their walk with Jesus, and tempted towards apathy or even walking away amidst the trials of life and questions of faith. Come and hear the word of God by which we may turn our eyes once again towards Jesus, and be challenged, comforted, strengthened and transformed.
Looking Back on 2022We are entering into a new year! With it comes new beginnings, fresh starts, and new opportunities. Before we look ahead to all the things that are possible in the year ahead, let’s spend some time remembering what God has done in2022. The Israelites would build monuments to remember moments that God was faithful throughout the Old Testament. So we we’ll look back on some of the ways that we have seen Gode's faithfulness to us and our church.
When Scrooge is visited by the Spirit of Christmas Present, he is given the opportunity to have a different perspective on the life he has been experiencing. Does a new perspective result in a change in who we are or who he was? We will consider how, because of Jesus, we have a different perspective and if or how that changes the way we live.
Oh, just as Scrooge was visited by the Spirit of Christmas Past, we will also take a look at Christmas past, and do the stories connect? These stories that we might know very well, do they have anything to do with our past as well?
This Advent Season we are going to explore the world of Charles Dickens novel, "A Christmas Carol." Perhaps you’ve read the book or watched one of the many movies that have been produced, from Bill Murray’s “Scrooged," to the "Muppet Christmas Carol." Charles Dickens was a man who firmly believed that those who claimed to follow Jesus should take seriously the call to love God and neighbor, and much of his work was an attempt to point out the hypocrisy and cruelty of his own contemporary society and church. The story of Scrooge’s transformation from “...squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner,” to a man who promised, "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year…” has a lot to teach us during this time of Advent. Let’s listen to the story Dickens tells and discover how it points to the greatest story ever told, when “...the time came for the baby to be born…” --Luke 2:6
We have been 100% on Mission, looking at what it means to "FOLLOW Jesus, LOVE people, and DO good." This weekend, we look at the START of that mission, "To be TRANSFORMED by the Holy Spirit." But where and how does that all begin? Will we feel it? Will we see it? Will we show it? Will we be any different? Being 100% on Mission, will that make a tangible difference in our lives? Yes. And No.
How do we define “good?” What does it mean to "do good?” This may seem like an obvious question, but it has been the subject of heated debate for thousands of years, from Aristotle and Plato to modern philosophers and spiritual guides of all kinds. This week we continue our exploration of NewSong’s Mission Statement by asking these very questions. Doing good is a vital part of our life in Christ in the world. The Apostle Paul reminds us that, "God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.” (1 Cor. 4:20). Our good deeds are in many ways the specific places where the Kingdom of God touches down in our community in powerful and practical ways; where people will encounter the goodness of God, the source and definition of all that can be called “good."
How do we LOVE others?
It isn't just a religious obligation or a moral imperative. Loving others is core to who we are as Christ-followers. It's not a price for our faith; it is the very foundation. Join us as we walk through what this means for us individually and as a church.
This week we begin an exploration of NewSong’s 4 part mission statement: To Be Transformed by the Holy Spirit, Follow Jesus, Love People and Do Good. We start with what it means to Follow Jesus. There have been many programs and organizations that have sought to clarify what this looks like, from the Promise Keepers to W.W.J.D.* bracelets. Jesus’ first followers literally did just that: Followed Jesus! Does Jesus’ command, “Follow Me,” still have any practical relevance for today, and if so, how do we best respond to His calling in our time and place?
Promise Keepers - A National men's movement active throughout the nineties. *W.W.J.D. - What Would Jesus Do?
Check out this Connect Video to learn more about our community garden! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hCGTUKxpYzA or Watch on Facebook: https://fb.watch/7o8velHSA7/
We all have preferences: Mac or Android, cats or dogs, dark or milk chocolate. Rarely do these differences cause substantial relational damage, and it would seem ludicrous for me to judge a person’s intelligence, value or character according to their choice of vacation destination or the cocoa to oil ratio in their candy bar. There are, however, other polarizing choices that damage relationships, dehumamize other people made in God’s image and cause great harm to the body of Christ and its witness in the world that God so loves. In a culture that loudly insists on all channels that we must pick a side, can we declare that we are people who seek a new path. Can we ask with sincerity and openness to change, "whose side is Jesus on, and what might that mean for our lives right here right now?"
This week we ask ourselves the question "Why do we divide?” The first step to this is admitting that we are inherently divisive people. Once we acknowledge this, we can consider the ways in which we can address this issue. Scripture points us to the fact that God can use the things that would normally divide us for His glory.
Why Do We Collide? What is at the root of all of the conflict that we witness and experience in life? Why can’t we just all get along? This question reminds me of a bumper sticker - “Forget about world peace, try using your **** turn signal!” God’s word tells us that the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. The good news is that God is in the business of reclaiming and healing human hearts.
Why Do We Hide? Remember playing "Hide and Seek" as a kid? The mad dash to find a good spot, the excitement mixed with fear of being found? And what if you were the seeker? You probably looked in every nook and cranny as you sought out those you were playing with. What if life mirrored this game? We all carry something we hide from people, what would happen if you were found out?
Throughout the Summer, we have explored the ancient biblical writings that we call Psalms. From lament, to worship, to awe at the character and power of God that is revealed in creation, we have connected with the world of the Psalms and seen our own lives reflected there. This week, our pastors, Grant, Melody and Josh will help us to reflect upon the series by considering three words: Authenticity, Worship & Response.
This week we consider The Shema: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one". God is unique in who He is and how He interacts with us. God doesn't change but depending on what we are going through our response to him does. We will consider the tension between what we are experiencing and who God is
Ever see something at the store and say..."Yes! That's it!"
What if they said EXACTLY what is happening in our lives? What sign would you buy??
What do you do when you feel distant from God? When you cannot feel His presence? How do you respond when God is silent? When God is hidden from you?
Scripture ensures us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. And Psalm 19 teaches us that God continually makes Himself known to us in two ways: through the world He made and through Scripture He inspired.
Let’s reflect upon Psalm 19 and discover how we can experience God Revealed though the beauty of the world that He made.
This week, through a prayer of David, we will work through the tension of being in a relationship with the all-knowing and all-powerful God. This beautiful/terrifying reality is foundational to how we view God and our faith journey.
We have been studying the “Song Book” of the Bible for the last few weeks. Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth”. Psalm 98:1 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song”. This week we're studying Psalm 100 which links our singing with our worship of our God. “EVERYBODY SING”!
We are separated from the world of the Psalms by a span of time that gets longer with every passing day. Human beings, however, haven’t changed all that much when it comes to the issues that plague us both outside and inside of ourselves. Thankfully God also remains the same throughout all time. This Sunday, come, just as you are, and gather with your community to hear, again, about the God who alone is your Rest, Rock, Redeemer and Refuge. (Psalm 62)
This week we begin an eight-week exploration of "Stuff Christians Do". We begin with a fundamental question for any community: "Why do we gather?" There are many reasons for people to get together. Is there anything distinct or unique about the purpose, power or potential that exists when people gather in the name of Jesus? Let’s find out… together!
After a year journeying together through the Gospel of Mark, what have we learned? We titled this series: This is Jesus. How have we grown in our understanding of the one who gives us all His life, hope and purpose? What will we carry with us in life as a result of our encounters with God’s Word?
Finally...it has arrived. This day of joy! This celebration of Christ’s resurrection! And so, we cry out together. “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” Yet, on Monday morning, if not later on this very same day, we find ourselves still merely human with all of the implications of that reality. We lose those we love, we hurt and are hurt, we experience stress, anxiety and depression. What Good News does Mark have for us at this the final chapter of his Gospel? Well, despite attempts to put a beautiful bow on a happy ending, our friend Mark ends his presentation of Jesus reminding us that we are fully human, but announcing to us that we are also fully His!
Despite our best intentions, we have to admit that our best efforts cannot attain to God’s perfect holiness. Good news! It is the unending grace of God in Christ Jesus that calls us to honesty rather than bravado, courage rather than fear and steady confidence in the One who both knows and loves us perfectly just as we are, not as we should be.
Just as the disciples prepared for the Passover meal, we prepare our hearts for Holy Week. We get the opportunity to be in lockstep with Jesus as He makes ready His disciples for what is to come.
As Jesus moves closer towards the night of his betrayal, a simple act of hospitality points us to the true heart of worship, and the power of simple deeds performed with great love.
We might fall into two extremes, obsessing over knowing future or not paying attention to much about the future. Jesus tells us exactly what we should be doing. And it’s neither of these.
This week’s text is the second section of the longest continuous record of Jesus’ teaching in Mark’s Gospel. As was the case last week, there seems to be little of the promised “Good News” in his words. Desolation and Abomination! May have sought in this monologue a timeline for "End Times” events, only to have been proven wrong with the passing of time. Once again Mark reminds us of Jesus’ consistent call towards hope, not by our own power, but in Christ, whose return is certain if not calendared, and in light of which we can live right here right now, with confidence and joy.
As we witness the horrors of human conflict, not only in Ukraine, but across the globe, many will tell us that the end is indeed near. Jesus’ disciples seem to wonder the very same thing as Mark records their questions to Jesus; “When will this happen?” “what are the signs?” Jesus doesn’t give them the details they seek. Instead, he points them towards the one kingdom that will never pass away and urges them towards Watchfulness, Confidence, Patience and Steadfastness.
End of year reflections and hope for the new year from all of our pastors...Melody Anderson, Josh Coya, and Grant Myles-Era!
To a world that often equates comfort with success and pain with failure, the Way of Jesus speaks a convicting, challenging and surprising word. At the same time, it offers a strong welcome to the weary ones who long for rest, for refreshment, for a new perspective and a better story. Let us draw in close together and listen to Peter’s words to his friends, and find ourselves renewed to face whatever comes our way.
This is the final message in our series about the words we use and more importantly, the words we use to talk about our understandings of God, or human spirituality and in particular, Christianity. What does it mean for the church when so much of what has been constant and familiar has been drastically altered? Does what we mean when we say, "church," have particular meaning for these moments? Let's consider these questions together for the glory of God and the benefit of our communities.
The concept of Hell has been heavily influenced by all sorts of cultural images and ideas both secular and religious. At the end of the day is this something that anyone should even take seriously any more? Some Christians lament the rarity of “good old fashioned hell-fire and damnation” sermons and point to Jesus as the example of this type of evangelism. What might be a faithful and perhaps "Mere Christian" understanding of this concept, and how might it fit into the big picture of God’s redemption of all of creation? Join us this weekend to explore this challenging subject.
Grace is such a common word in our lives and faith that we can take it for granted. What is grace? How much is too much grace? Doesn’t grace cheapen our faith? In scripture, grace is tied closely to our salvation so these questions can create problems not only with our understanding of the word but with our relationship with God. This week we'll see what it means for our lives when God functions in grace.
The story of the work of God in the time since Jesus’ earthly ministry ended, is the story of the Holy Spirit. Let us together, as friends, consider who He is and how we might engage purposefully with His presence and power in our lives and thus be witnesses to the Good News of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.
“I pray.” “I don’t pray.” “I have so much to say.” “I don’t know what to say.” “I know God hears me.” “I don’t know if anyone hears me.” “I know my prayers make a difference.” “Do my prayers make a difference?”
What is justice? Like most of the words we have been exploring this Summer, it is in many ways in the eye of the beholder. Our experiences of justice and injustice determine our understanding and use of this word, and there are many voices telling us what it should look like. One of the most popular texts from Bible during these times is found in Micah 6:8, “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” It calls God’s people to action, but doesn’t provide clear instructions as to how we might actually obey the command. Let’s begin a conversation in our community about how we might seek God’s direction in this vital area of Christian discipleship.
There are not many things that our culture has more to say about than LOVE. And it shows itself in a lot of different ways.
In scripture, we see multiple examples of LOVE. Our main focus will be that which God attributes to himself. Love is not just something that we are called to do but a way of life - we are called to embody LOVE.
We'll examine what culture says about LOVE. We'll examine what scripture says about LOVE. And, we'll wrestle with our response to both.
Over the past 10 weeks we have explored what it means to be human beings experiencing life's challenges. This week as we wrap up, join Josh, Melody and Grant as we take one last look at the concepts of Orientation, Disorientation and Reorientation and consider for ourselves what it means to live as a human being in a world where God is present and active in all circumstances.
In times of strife and confusion the Christian church has always been a voice of hope that insists that the God who created the world will one day recreate it. If this Great REOrientation is truly coming, how then should we live in the meantime?
This week we will look at the life of Paul as he looks to lead the early Church in their pursuit of Jesus. The early Church faces immense cultural, social, and religious turmoil but there was a core value that directed Paul, reconciliation. It feels hard to know how to respond to all that is happening, what is ok to do or say, and the answers are not clear but if we allow a heart of reconciliation to direct our actions we will be able to step into these hard conversations and reveal God in the process.
Many people have commented in ways both humorous and serious that perhaps the year 2020 is a bust, and we should just consign it to the dumpster of history and move on. Others have suggested that perhaps this time of unrest and confusion might be, if we embrace it, a catalyst for change on not only a cultural level, but also on a personal one. In light of their being made in the image of God, people of all faiths and none readily identify the broken parts of human living. For Christians, however Jesus alone is our sole means of repair. Are we willing to undergo the difficult heart work that is necessary to find ourselves truly changed, and to be the people that our world needs in this time of chaos.
What a victory!! Moses has led his people across the Red Sea, through the bottom of the ocean floor!
And now...40 years of this? What kind of new-orientation is this??? BUT THEN...
God said, “go!” And Jonah said, “no!”
Before we are too quick to judge the reluctant prophet, perhaps we should take a look at ourselves, reflected in his life, and hear God’s call towards [RE]Orientation.
During this global crisis, many writers, journalists and commentators, have pointed out some unexpected positive benefits resulting from this time of societal lockdown: clear skies above Los Angeles due to decreased traffic; animals returning to previously abandoned polluted habitats; the simple generosity, compassion and charity of everyday people; the efforts of medical personnel and essential workers of all kinds. It seems that this current painful time has brought to us moments and experiences of beauty and transformation even though it still hurts. In our own daily experiences might we find unexpected beauty emerging within ourselves amidst the challenges of these days? The Psalms point us to the presence and purposes of God in all human circumstances. They challenge us to engage fully with every aspect of life, expecting to find God there, and in doing so, to be changed.
With every 24 hour period that passes we are witnessing rapid changes in our circumstances that have very real consequences for our lives and those of people all around the world. During this unparalleled season, we have also journeyed through the 40 days of Lent and now, during this Holy Week we will experience the last days of Jesus' earthly life. And so, we wait. We wait for the news that we can resume normal life again. We wait for Jesus to arise from the tomb, bringing with him life and peace. Many of us find ourselves often in such times of waiting, and some of those seasons seem to last for longer than we can bear. What does the Resurrection of Jesus have to teach us as we wait?
Palm Sunday is the day that Christians all over the world remember Jesus' very public entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey. A bold move that would set off the dark and painful events of Holy Week. Despite the fate that awaits Him in that city of complex politics and human struggle, Jesus continues steadfastly on His mission to visit His people as their King of Peace. What might any of this have to do with us, separated as we are from these events by two thousand years and all of our ingenuity, discovery and progress? The truth is, that we too need the peace that He still offers and then calls us to offer to others.
Before Jesus walked His own path to the cross, he confronted death, disappointment and despair in one family. He changed them forever and gave them a taste of the hope that He was going to soon bring to the rest of the world.
AUDIO USERS: This week is a little different because the audio file is of the entire service. Here are some key times: - Welcome: 5:04 - Sermon: 13:44 - Closing/Pastoral Prayer: 55:31
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