Vergennes Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Vergennes Church
Messages from the worship services at Vergennes Church, a United Methodist Church in Vergennes Township in Lowell, MI. www.vergenneschurch.com
Our first ever live-stream worship service through Zoom!
We had some technical difficulties with the microphone Tom was using partway through, before switching to a different audio source.
Pastor Bob Arbogast of Celebration Fellowship, a church that meets in two prisons in Ionia County, shares a message as part of our "Grateful" message series, and then Tom sits down with Pastor Bob to learn more about his life and ministry
In the very last book of the Old Testament, God brings a case against the people...not because he wants to tear them down, but because he wants to bring the best out of them. The question the prophet Malachi asks the people is the question we're considering in this message: Are we giving God our best?
They're called the "Minor" prophets, but God gave them some pretty Major messages to share with the people! The last 12 books of the Old Testament, the Minor Prophets are only called minor because they are smaller books than the "Major" prophets (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel). We don't hear about the minor prophets all too often, which is really a shame, because there are some really good things in them...including some are-you-sure-this-is-the-bible parts!
God comes to the prophet Hosea and says, "I want you to marry a prostitute." I'm sorry...WHAT?!? God wanted to use Hosea to help the people understand his love for the Israelite people who often strayed. Even when we've been unfaithful, God continues to pursue us with his love, drawing us back to him. There is always a road to come back to God. Hosea is a story of repentance and redemption; it is, in a word, the Gospel.
Here a link to the scene from Les Miserables that I used in the middle of the message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF3FX43F-7Y
TOUGH LOVE...but perhaps not how you're thinking. The love we are called to give to others, even when it's tough on us. How do we continue to give love to the people in the relationships where the other person seems to take more than they give? How do we continue to give love when we're tired of giving?
Happy Easter!
Have you ever found that you can't find the things that are right in front of your nose? Hear a story about how two followers of Jesus walked down the road with the resurrected Jesus, and didn't even realize it. We often miss what Jesus is up to, right in front of us. When we do finally notice him, we often hear him saying the same words he shared with the disciples as he appeared to them in the upper room: "Peace be with you."
For the pictures/videos used in the message:
Picture
Video
John and Luke have two different accounts of Jesus' final words before he died. And yet, we hold onto both of them in our bibles, because they both have something to teach us. In John, Jesus proclaims, "It is finished", reminding us that the work from the cross is enough to remove any separation between God and us. In Luke, we see Jesus' prayer of surrender, "Into your hands I commit my spirit," where Jesus shows us what full and complete surrender looks like. When his life was required of him, Jesus was ready. None of us know when our lives will come to an end, but we can be ready, no matter what.
Some of the most hauntingly beautiful (or perhaps beautifully haunting) words that Jesus said from the cross were the words he quoted from Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Many of us have felt abandoned by God at different times of our lives. Even while hanging from the cross, Jesus was still a teacher, showing us how to pray in the midst of our darkest moments of doubt. And yet, the deeper we look at these words, the more we find a deep, rich, abiding faith that sustained Jesus, and can sustain you and me.
As Jesus was hanging on the cross, he saw his mother, Mary, and his disciple, John, and he said to them, "Behold, your son...Behold, your mother." This was truly a touching moment between these three; however, these words challenge us today in how we think about what it means to be a church family, what it means to stand for Jesus, and how we are to care for our own families. These three verses in John 19 are rich with meaning for us today!
While hanging from the cross, Jesus turns to one of the men also being crucified with him and tells him, "Today, you will be with me in paradise." What a powerful statement! But what did he mean when he said it? What does it mean for us, for our understanding of eternal life? Perhaps more importantly...what do we make of the fact that Jesus said this statement to a common criminal?
Jesus, the friend of sinners...even to the end.
Among Jesus' last words from the cross was the perplexing yet powerful prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." When Jesus prayed this, whom did he have in mind? What can we learn from this prayer of Jesus? How might we learn to forgive like Jesus forgives? If we're honest with ourselves...do we want to?
If Jesus prayed for us to be one even with all of our diversity, how do we stay together when we're all so different in so many ways? Could we learn how to disagree in a way that doesn't dance around tough issues, but doesn't lead to separation?
Jesus calls us to be one. But what does that mean? What does unity mean for Christians? More importantly...what does it not mean?
Before Jesus was handed over to be crucified he, prayed for his disciples, "that they may all be one." Why is unity important for Christians today?
"The gospel is less about how to get into the Kingdom of Heaven after you die, and more about how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven before you die." - Dallas Willard
This message began with a conversation among the gathered members of the 11:00 service about this very quote. The podcast begins right as the message truly begins, coming out of that conversation.
We are all called by God to serve others, as Jesus served. How we serve will look different for each of us, because each of us is unique. Our gifts, passions, experiences, skills, and personality all affect how God will use us. When all of these come together in one opportunity to serve others, it is a beautiful thing.
This message includes an excerpt from The Liturgists Podcast, on their episode titled "Suffering (Part 1)", which came out on November 1st, 2016. You can learn more about this podcast at www.theliturgists.com
Scripture tells us that God will transform us by changing the way we think. Jesus came not to be served but to serve others, and we are called to be like Jesus by serving others. In this message, we explore the mindset shifts that help us to be transformed to be more like Jesus, to serve others in radically loving ways.
We begin 2019 with a new series titled "Full Service". As many of us are setting New Year's Resolutions to better ourselves, we remember that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and we are invited to follow him in a life of servanthood that is about lessening ourselves, rather than making ourselves greater.
A note to the listener:
Throughout the message, Tom refers to the incurvatus in se term that he describes early in the message by curving his spine to look at his naval (hence, "naval-gazing"), showing the posture of sin, vs. holding an upright posture, turned out toward others. Later in the message, he would embody the two contrasting postures without referring to the term. This worked great in person, but admittedly it's harder to follow when one is merely listening to the podcast. We're sorry if there are moment where the message isn't clear!
God wanted to get the word out that Jesus was born, so he sent his angels to call upon...the shepherds? Yes, the Shepherds. God called the ones the world often overlooked to be his messengers of the good news. When he was older, Jesus did the same thing; he showed love to the ones the world found unlovable.
The final, Unexpected Gift that the angels brought, this time to the Shepherds: Love.
Can you imagine being told that you had to be the earthly father of the Son of God?? Talk about pressure! Yet, when the angel visited Joseph with the news of Mary's pregnancy, we received the Unexpected Gift of Peace.
On Christ the King Sunday, we explore what it means to call Jesus our King, how Jesus is different from any other ruler our world has ever known, and how that leads us to true worship. He is the Alpha and Omega, and from Age to Age he is worthy of our praise!
Can we be honest about depression in church?
God is the source of our joy. However, If we're honest, there are times where we don't feel very joyful. Whether it is because of a recent life circumstance, or because of a more chronic mental health struggle, many of us will struggle with depression at some point. When that happens, we can't just say to ourselves or to others, "Be Happy!", or "Rejoice in the Lord!" Cheap and easy solutions just don't work.
When we are depressed, how do we pray? How is God our deliverer and our hope, even when it doesn't feel that way? And how can we avoid cheap, easy solutions that don't adequately honor that life is very hard sometimes?
In this message, we walk through Psalm 77 to find a way to pray while we're "in the middle".
___
Find Frederic & Ronza, the band who wrote the song "In the Middle" mentioned during the message, at https://www.fredericandronza.com. You can find their newest album, "Heart & Soul", on Apple Music at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heart-soul/1440554226.
Sometimes we get it right; sometimes we do dumb, foolish, and sinful things. If we think we are defined by these things, we can begin to wonder if there is any hope for us after we've blown it big time. And so we hide. But...what if the mask we wear to hide our sin is only hiding us from the God who wants to restore us and heal us?
In the message from our Pledge Sunday, we reflected on our "why"; Why we give, Why we serve, Why we do what we do. The answer is connected with the simple invitation from Jesus: "Come, Follow Me. Check out what I'm up to. Do you want to join me?"
What would make you truly happy? More money? A bigger house? A better car?
While advertisers want you to believe otherwise, there are countless stories and multiple research studies, not to mention the witness of scripture and the pattern established by God himself, that tell us we are happier when we choose to use our money to benefit other people, not just ourselves. In this message, we learn what it means to find happiness by living a generous life by looking at the story of a Macedonian church that was simultaneously known for their poverty and their radical generosity.
We all experience fear; it's part of being a human. The question is not "Will be afraid?" Rather, the question is, "Will I live from a place of fear? Or, is there another way?
This message covers how to tell the difference between a bear and a deadline, how the ancient Israelites managed their fear of being conquered, and how Psalm 46 shows us how we can bring our fears to God.
In 1843, a small group of people in Vergennes Township starting meeting together to worship God and love their neighbors. 175 years, we're still meeting together more focused than ever on our mission of Making Disciples who grow in Knowing, Loving, and Serving Jesus Christ. On October 14th, we paused to remember 175 years and the many people who came before us, and we looked ahead to where God continued to call us today. Because of the great Cloud of Witnesses that surround us, we will run the race laid out in front of us today!
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Someone who is not enough? Someone who has wasted their life? Someone who doesn't have the right kind of body? Someone unlovable or undesirable? Shame is an incredible barrier that holds us back and keeps us feeling small. It's also a liar. When we feel like we are a nobody or that we are worthless, we can turn to Psalm 139 to hear God's truth. God knows us intimately, God is always with us, God pursues us, God desires us, God made us, God declares us "wonderfully made", and God has a plan for us. When we feel deep shame, we lose sight of the fact that God is a loving creator who made us, and he does not make mistakes.
On this special Sunday, soon to be Vergennes Church pastor, Tom Fifer, was present with us as Pastor Matt Stoll shared from 1 Corinthians 3 about what our focus needs to be during pastoral transitions. The sermon is followed by a ceremony celebrating the transition of pastoral leadership.
We don't talk about it very often, but on this Memorial weekend (2018) we are addressing the losses we experience and how God enters into and ministers to us in our grief.
Transitions can be challenging because they involve change. How does the Bible help us move through transition in healthy ways?
Jesus asks his disciples (as well as us) the most important question they would ever answer.
Matthew 13. Jesus used parables to describe what the kingdom of heaven is like. How do we read parables? Why did Jesus speak in parable? And what do these reveal about the kingdom?
Why are my prayers unanswered? We are not the first to wonder or explore this. Join us as we look at Luke 18:1-9 as Jesus teaches on prayer.
Whether we realize or acknowledge it or not, we are in a spiritual battle with an enemy, and God has given us weapons, including prayer, to defeat the enemy's attacks. Join us as we explore the authority we have in Jesus.
Most Christian American's claim to pray on a regular, even daily basis, and yet are our prayers reflective of Jesus and what he taught. Jesus taught us to pray bold, faith filled prayers. Join us as we reconsider our prayer life in light of Jesus' teachings on prayer?
Ebenezer Scrooge was able to see his own past, present, and future and experience a radical transformation. Join us as we explore how Jesus, revealed in his birth narratives, bring real transformation. What gives us real hope for our future? John 1:9-12
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 Guest speaker Jeff Regan shares on Pledge Sunday how our generosity becomes a circle of blessing
Acts 4:32-35 How can we be a church that generously shares with one another like the first church?
God has called us to be good stewards of every good thing God has given us. Why do we struggle with being good stewards, especially living in a materialistic culture where we are constantly tempted by more, better, faster, newer, shinier? What is holding us back from following Jesus with our whole hearts in this area?
God has called us to be good stewards of every good thing God has given us. Why do we struggle with being good stewards, especially living in a materialistic culture where we are constantly tempted by more, better, faster, newer, shinier? What is holding us back from following Jesus with our whole hearts in this area?
The Bible is of central importance to Christians. It is where we get our understanding of God, Jesus, Christian beliefs, doctrine, and practice, but the Bible has been under attack with claims that it isn't reliable or accurate thereby attempting to undermine Christianity. Claims such as the Bible has been doctored over the years, that there are "thousands of errors," or that the books of the New Testament were chosen or canonized centuries after they were written excluding certain other equally valid books (and therefore a particular brand of Christianity prevailing), but is this really true? How did we really get the Bible?
The Bible is of central importance to Christians. It is where we get our understanding of God, Jesus, Christian beliefs, doctrine, and practice, but the Bible has been under attack with claims that it isn't reliable or accurate thereby attempting to undermine Christianity. Claims such as the Bible has been doctored over the years, that there are "thousands of errors," or that the books of the New Testament were chosen or canonized centuries after they were written excluding certain other equally valid books (and therefore a particular brand of Christianity prevailing), but is this really true? How did we really get the Bible?
We know of the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den, but what put Daniel in the den in the first place? What was it about Daniel that drew the negative attention of others, and what allowed him to stand firm in his faith?
Why are young adults dropping out of church? Research demonstrates that kids with sticky faith has much to do with the partnership between parents and the church. Join as our new Family Ministry Coordinator, Jameson Hemphill shares the importance of Family Ministry in the discipleship of children.
Many U.S. Christians are feeling as though they are strangers within our own nation because of the culture changing so rapidly around us, seeming to adopt ungodly morals and values. The Book of Daniel follows four young men who inspire and encourage us as they show us how to remain steadfast in our faith in the midst of a culture which did not reflect their faith and values.
We take time to reflect on the hope we have in Christ, as we remember those we've lost. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sometimes in our drawing close to God, God may feel distant. Perhaps we may even feel abandoned by Him. We are not the first to think this. Pastor Craig Adams shares from Jesus' own final words "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and the Psalm he was quoting (Psalm 22).
Growing closer to Jesus is closely connected with His Word abiding in us (John 15:7). How do we read the Bible as God's Word so that His Word can abide in us and we can abide in Jesus?
Why is it that we hurt and are hurt by those we are closest to? God designed us to be in relationships with others but it is often hard. We say or do things that strain, damage, and sometimes even break relationships seemingly beyond repair. Jesus came more than just to reconcile us with God, but to transform us and our relationships so they are healthy and vital. Jesus helps restore and even reconcile broken relationships. Listen in as Pastor Matt shares the last step to restoring broken relationships.
Why do we always seem to harm and be harmed by those we are closest to? Join us in this two part series as we explore how we take the difficult journey of working toward reconciliation in broken relationships.
What if, as the Apostle Paul wrote, everything we do is for God's glory (1 Cor. 10:31), including our work, where we spend the most time of our week? What would that look like? Listen in as Pastor Matt shares some principles of how our work can be for God's glory.
Our district superintendent Bill Haggard shared with use God's dream and design for the church from Acts 2:42-48.
How Paul's example in Acts 17:16-34 of sharing Christ with the pagan philosophers of Athens is actually a great model for us to use in a post-Christian America.
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today
JOin us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended for the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Join us as we go through the Book of Acts reminding ourselves of what God intended the Church to be, a movement of Jesus followers who transform the world through the Good News of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to be part of the movement of God's Spirit today?
Is church irrelevant or essential to living out our spiritual life? For that matter, what is church? Have we substituted something else in place of what Jesus and his first followers intended? We invite you to join us as we Rethink Church.
Is church irrelevant or essential to living out our spiritual life? For that matter, what is church? Have we substituted something else in place of what Jesus and his first followers intended? We invite you to join us for our September series as we Rethink Church.
Is church irrelevant or essential to living our our spiritual life? For that matter, what is church? Have we substituted something else in place of what Jesus and his first followers intended? We invite you to join us for our September series as we Rethink Church.
Is church irrelevant or essential to living out our spiritual life? For that matter, what is church? Have we substituted something else in place of what Jesus and his first followers intended? We invite you to join us for our September series as we Rethink Church.
One your mark, get set, go! The summer Olympics are on in Rio. Join us as we explore the athletic imagery used by several authors in the Bible to help us on our faith journey with God. Are you ready to Run the Race to win the prize?
On your mark, get set, go! The summer Olympics are on in Rio. Join us as we explore the athletic imagery used by several authors in the Bible to help us on our faith journey with God. Are you ready to Run the Race to win the prize?
On your mark, get set, go! The summer Olympics are on in Rio. Join us as we explore the athletic imagery used by several authors in the Bible to help us on our faith journey with God. Are you ready to Run the Race to win the prize?
The research is in which demonstrates the decline of Christian faith in our nation, apparently declining from generation to generation. The book of Joshua reminds us these are not unique times. At any time we are only ever one or two generations from people not knowing the Lord God, (and we are also at any time only one generation from revival and a whole generation on fire for the Lord). Join us as we explore from Joshua what it means to be first generational believers who know and experience God personally.
The research is in which demonstrates the decline of Christian faith in our nation, apparently declining from generation to generation. The book of Joshua reminds us these are not unique times. At any time we are only ever one or two generations from people not knowing the Lord God, (and we are also at any time only one generation from revival and a whole generation on fire for the Lord). Join us as we explore from Joshua what it means to be first generational believers who know and experience God personally.
The research is in which demonstrates the decline of Christian faith in our nation, apparently declining from generation to generation. The book of Joshua reminds us these are not unique times. At any time we are only ever one or two generations from people not knowing the Lord God, (and we are also at any time only one generation from revival and a whole generation on fire for the Lord). Join us as we explore from Joshua what is means to be first generational believers who know and experience God personally.
The research is in which demonstrates the decline of the Christian faith in our nation, apparently declining from generation to generation. The book of Joshua reminds us these are not unique times. At any time we are only ever one or two generations from people not knowing the Lord God, (and we are also at any time only one generation away from revival and a whole generation on fire for the Lord). Join us as we explore from Joshua what it means to be first generational believers who know and experience God personally.
In Micah 6:8 we are given a clear direction from God, “what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” But what does it look li...
In Micah 6:8 we are given a clear direction from God, “what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” But what does it look li...
In Micah 6:8 we are given a clear direction from God, “what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” But what does it look like to walk justly? Particularly in an unjust world where people take advantage of others? Scripture is clear that one specific area God desires justice is toward the most vulnerable in society often mentioned as the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. Join us as we explore what it mean to do justly in today’s world.
In Micah 6:8 we are given a clear direction from God, “what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” But what does it look like to walk justly? Particularly in an unjust world where people take advantage of others? Scripture is clear that one specific area God desires justice is toward the most vulnerable in society often mentioned as the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. Join us as we explore what it means to do justly in today’s world.
On this Memorial Weekend pastor Matt focuses on honoring those who have left a faith legacy with us, and considering the legacy we are leaving with the generation(s) following us.
If we are honest with ourselves we recognize that something needs to change in our life. The question is, can we change? And if so how does that change occur? Join us as Pastor Matt shares how God changes us from the Inside Out.
On this special Mother’s Day message, high school senior, Mathea Ismond shares on honoring our mothers.
If we are honest with ourselves we recognize that something needs to change in our life. The question is, can we change? And if so how does that change occur? Join us as Pastor Matt shares how God changes us from the Inside Out.
If we are honest with ourselves we recognize that something needs to change in our life. The question is, can we change? And if so how does that change occur? Join us as Pastor Matt shares how God changes us from the Inside Out.
If we are honest with ourselves we recognize that something needs to change in our life. The question is, can we change? And if so how does that change occur? Join us as Pastor Matt shares how God changes us from the Inside Out.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
“Why do you search for the living among the dead? He is not here, he is risen.”
What are you searching for in life? Where are you looking? On this Easter 2016, Pastor Matt shares how in the resurrection of Jesus our search is over.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
During the season of Lent we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke whose understanding of Jesus was that he came to bring Good News for All, especially for those who are excluded, marginalized, lost, broken, and made to feel like nobodies.
With increasing demands on our time, we get pulled in so many directions, and it seems so hard to maintain balance. Join us for our new series as we explore God’s principles for living a balanced life.
With increasing demands on our time, we get pulled in so many directions, and it seems so hard to maintain balance. Join us for our new series as we explore God’s principles for living a balanced life.
With increasing demands on our time, we get pulled in so many directions, and it seems so hard to maintain balance. Join us for our new series as we explore God’s principles for living a balanced life.
Our culture is changing rapidly. Pastor Matt describes some of the changes post-modernism is introducing and how God is challenging us to engage.
As we enter the Advent season leading up to the birth of Jesus, we are taking time to reflect on the great expectations we have. What hopes, dreams, and visions do we have of your future, your families future, or our churches future? Listen in as Pastor Matt shares how the Christmas story help encourage us to keep trusting God.
As we enter the Advent season leading up to the birth of Jesus, we are taking time to reflect on the great expectations we have. What hopes, dreams, and visions do we have of your future, your families future, or our churches future? Listen in as Pastor Matt shares how the Christmas story help encourage us to keep trusting God.
As we enter the Advent season leading up to the birth of Jesus, we are taking time to reflect on the great expectations we have. What hopes, dreams, and visions do we have of your future, your families future, or our churches future? Listen in as Pastor Matt shares how the Christmas story help encourage us to keep trusting God.
Thanksgiving time reminds us of how blessed we are, and how much we should express our thankfulness to God who is the giver of all good things. But how do we express our thanks? Join us for this two part series as Pastor Matt shares two ways for us to express our thanks to God this Thanksgiving season.
Thanksgiving time reminds us of how blessed we are, and how much we should express our thankfulness to God who is the giver of all good things. But how do we express our thanks? Join us for this two part series as Pastor Matt shares two ways for us to express our thanks to God this Thanksgiving season.
Jesus does not invite us to live an ordinary life but a radical, extraordinary one that is counter-cultural. A life that reflects Christ himself. Join us in this series which explores Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a call to be radical.
Jesus does not invite us to live an ordinary life but a radical, extraordinary one that is counter-cultural. A life that reflects Christ himself. Join us in this series which explores Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a call to be radical.
Jesus does not invite us to live an ordinary life but a radical, extraordinary one that is counter-cultural. A life that reflects Christ himself. Join us in this series which explores Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a call to be radical.
Jesus does not invite us to live an ordinary life but a radical, extraordinary one that is counter-cultural. A life that reflects Christ himself. Join us in this series which explores Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a call to be radical.
Jesus does not invite us to live an ordinary life but a radical, extraordinary one that is counter-cultural. A life that reflects Christ himself. Join us in this series which explores Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a call to be radical.
Jesus invited us to follow him, but what does that mean, and how do we understand that at Vergennes Church? Starting Point is our new orientation to our Discipleship Pathway called The Journey. We will spend three weeks orienting ourselves on how we move forward or continue our journey with Jesus.
Jesus invited us to follow him, but what does that mean, and how do we understand that at Vergennes Church? Starting Point is our new orientation to our Discipleship Pathway called The Journey. We will spend three weeks orienting ourselves on how we move forward or continue our journey with Jesus.
Jesus invited us to follow him, but what does that mean, and how do we understand that at Vergennes Churchj? Starting Point is our new orientation to our Discipleship Pathway called The Journey. We will spend three weeks orienting ourselves on how we move forward or continue our journey with Jesus.
A criticism of Christianity is often that it is too narrow? Why do Christians think that there path is the only path? Isn't that arrogant? What about all the other religions in the world, don't they basically teach the same thing at their core? The key for Christians is what Jesus himself said, and claimed himself to be. John 14:1-6. Are we willing to accept that or not?
This is the age old question that many people have struggled with. How can a good God continue to allow bad things to happen in our world? There are no easy answers to this, but there are Biblical teachings which help us thoughtfully reflect on this because we aren't the first to have this question.
Often there is a tension between science and religion, as though they work against one another, but is this necessary? Can't religion and science both help us make sense of the world around us, including the questions of why we exist and why the universe is even orderly at all so we can use scientific theory to understand how it operates?
Everyone has them. Some are trivial; however, the answers to other questions matter a great deal because the answers may give ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives. Join us as we explore these difficult questions.