The River Anglican Church: Recent Episodes
The River
As we continue the series, "The Secret Place," Jonathan takes a note from a 17th century monk and talks about practicing the presence of God.
As we start a new series about the place that we go to meet God, we look at a group of people who appear a little deficient in that area: the Pharisees.
Pastor Jonathan Tagg wraps up his discussion of the Imagine Series and recaps the benefits of obedient and sacrificial giving.
In the fourth week of the "Imagine" series, Jonathan takes a page from the story of King David to give us a strong vision of generosity.
Today, Don Linscott talks about the value of a capital campaign in the life of the church, and the many benefits to a spiritual family other than raising money.
In this second week of the capital campaign series, Jonathan talks about King David's choice to buy something that was offered to him for free, and what that means for a giver's heart.
The River is entering a season of faith to consider the next steps for our congregation, and Jonathan shares how Israel shared a similar journey for perspective on following God in this time.
Jack McDonald takes a piece out of the Nicene creed to answer the question, "What do we mean that Jesus is the Son of God?" Since we're at Nicea, we'll also hear about a heretic that may have been punched at that council.
Today, Chris Meckley leads us along the season of Epiphany by talking about how worlds change in light of Jesus.
Today, missionary Bryan Carey talks about the pursuit of peace. Along the way, we'll hear also from the ideas of Truth, Mercy, and Justice.
If you're familiar with classical Nativity scenes, you've probably seen some shepherds there at the manger. In today's sermon, Jonathan looks at these outdoor animal care providers and how they might fit into the bigger picture of the coming of Christ.
The Magi are unique figures in the Christmas story, and today we get an early glimpse into these figures usually remembered during Epiphany.
Today, Jonathan talks about Jesus’s earthly mother, Mary, and what we can learn from her in our own faith.
As we enter a season of waiting in Advent, we take a moment to look back on where we've come this year, and where we have seen God at work.
In today's sermon, Deacon Scott Cramer continues the "God's Property" series by talking about how money fits into God's plan.
In the second week of our, "God's Property" series, Jonathan talks about the gift of Sabbath, how to do it well, and how it keeps us spiritually alive.
Today, Deacon Mary McDonald starts a new sermons series, "God's Property," by talking about creation.
Today, Jonathan concludes the worldview series by asking, "so what?" With the education of the past few weeks, where do we go from here? What do we do with what we have learned?
Today, Deacon Scott Cramer continues our worldview series by posing the questions, "where are we, and where are we going?" We're going to have another look at some predominant worldviews and how we can respond as Christians within the guidance of scripture.
Today we continue our series in world views. Today's topic is mixing Eastern mysticism into our normal lives. We're also making a point to emphasize NOT to hate the people of these cultures.
In today's sermon, Jonathan continues the worldview series by talking about one-ism vs. two-ism.
Continuing in the worldview series, Jonathan talks about sexuality in light of spirituality.
In today’s sermon, Matthew Joss looks at some outside influences that might be formational to our worldview. From C.S. Lewis to Sigmund Freud to the Black Death, many things have flavored the Christian experience through the centuries.
Today, Jonathan continues the worldview series by talking about the conflict of different worldviews.
What is a worldview, and why do we need one? Today, Jonathan launches a new series to answer that question, and introduce the book, "The Other Worldview," by Peter Jones.
In this sermon, Chris Meckley explores some of our worship practices and why we do them. We're going back to the first century to talk about how we stick to the same approach as the first followers of Jesus.
Today we talk about the encounter of the Samaritan woman at the well and how her encounter with Jesus applies to all our lives and how we interact with others.
In this last week of "Encounters with Jesus," Jonathan talks about spiritual warfare, and the armor that is available to us in this struggle.
When Jesus goes with his disciples to The Transfiguration, Peter has a pretty wild reaction. Who can blame him? In today's sermon, Chris Meckley looks at that story and what the glorified Jesus means.
In today's sermon, JT brings us into an encounter with Jesus in the middle of a storm, where Jesus challenges his disciples to look past their fear and keep their eyes on him.
In today's continuation of, "Encounters with Jesus," Jonathan explores the ways that Jesus challenged his disciples to help them grow, and the providence of the Bread of Life.
Today during the Encounters with Jesus series, Jonathan gives a sermon on idols and the healing at the pool in Bethesda.
Today, Jonathan looks at a couple of Jesus's miracles to see the ways in which people were transformed when they came in contact with him. These encounters show us what meeting Jesus means, and why it matters.
Chris Meckley looks at the person of John, the message of salvation, and the path of a holy life.
Today, JT talks about one of the most critical requirements of the Christian life, but sometimes still one of the most complicated: loving one another.
Today, Jonathan talks about orthodoxy (right belief) and the spirit of Antichrist that fights against it.
Today during Trinity Sunday Chris preaches on loving like Christ and how small sins can mold us if we are not careful of them.
Deacon Mary McDonald looks into 1 John to ask the question: are we children of God, or children of the devil?
In today’s sermon, Mike Weaver continues our study in 1 John by emphasizing one of the most important traits of a Christ follower: love.
In today's sermon, Deacon Scott Cramer kicks off our new series in 1 John with an overview of what the book is about, and where we're going.
In this sermon, Chris Meckley has a look at intimacy from the Godly perspective, and how that motivates us to remain committed in our marriages.
In week two of the "Lord of the Rings" marriage series, Jonathan talks about the Garden of Eden and the Woman at the Well.
As we start a new series on marriage called, "The Lord of the Rings," Deacon Mary McDonald opens the series by talking about God's design for marriage.
He is risen! Today, Jonathan shares a message about the most important of events in the history of the Church: the resurrection of Jesus!
As we start the journey of Holy Week, Scott Cramer gets things started with the Triumphal Entry. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Today, Jonathan walks through the story of the Prodigal Son (or is it the prodigal "sons"?) to find applications for us as we seek to love God and love one another better.
Today, Chris Meckley discusses idolatry. An idol doesn't have to be a little wooden figure that we bow down to, there are many other forms of things that come between us and God.
Today, Jonathan talks about focus: forgetting what was behind, pressing toward what is ahead. In times of great distraction, this is critical for us to remember as followers of Christ.
Jonathan explores the sending, Spirit-filling, and commissioning of apostles and disciples.
As we approach a season of confirmation, Chris Meckley talks about discipleship and apostleship.
Jonathan continues the sermon series of the offices of the Church. This week, we hear a little about the formation of those offices from some first-century friends.
Through the course of the history of the Church, there has been the need to create roles that serve the body. In today's message, Jonathan talks a little bit about those.
In today's sermon, Jonathan talks about fear and worry, two topics that have been prominent in times of global pandemic. We have resources available to deal with both through Christ.
The congregation is virtual today because a snowstorm is hitting the New River Valley, and JT reminds us of some important challenges from 2 Chronicles: humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from the distorted image we may have become.
Deacon Scott Cramer takes a look at our status, motive, target, leader, and supporters by looking at the early church in Acts.
In the 4th week of Advent, we look at the history and background of Mary mother of Jesus.
Today is testimonial Sunday, and several members come to the mic to talk about life and death, pain and joy, and the value of living in community.
In the second week of Advent, we are talking about what the coming of Christ means for who God is, who we are, and how we are to live.
As Advent begins, Jonathan starts the season with a sermon following the lectionary. Today, we talk about how the first coming of Christ is connected to the second.
Today we conclude the "Good and Faithful" series with a look at the important women in the formation of the early church, as well as the gifts we all have to bring to the formation of the Kingdom of God.
As we continue with the "Good and Faithful" series, Deacon Jack McDonald helps us gain a perspective on our own wealth in relation to generosity.
This, morning, Jonathan starts a new series entitled, "Good and Faithful." We're talking about using the resources with which God has entrusted us, and we start the series by looking at the life of John Wesley.
Jonathan finishes up the series on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship with the topic of leading from weakness.
This week, Jonathan continues the series on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship and talks about breaking the power of the past. Whether it's pain we've caused or pain we've experienced, becoming emotionally healthy requires redeeming the past.
One of the most important keys to being an emotionally healthy disciple is loving well. In today's sermon, Deacon Scott Cramer talks about how we embody that love, and the qualities it should have.
Continuing in the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship series, Chris Meckley explores the treasures we can find in grief and loss. From the burial of ducks to lines at Starbucks, these can become opportunities to practice walking with Jesus.
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: this week, Jonathan talks about embracing limits. This can be tough. Looking at the life of John the Baptist, we explore what it looks like to embrace limits, and spend time in prayer considering what limits we might be under, whether we accept them or not.
In this sermon, Jonathan talks about the importance of following the crucified Jesus, instead of the Americanized Jesus. It's easy to fall into the pattern of the world we see around us, but following Jesus is different.
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship: Jonathan talks about being before doing: what does the Bible say? How does this show up practically in our lives? How do we reflect and pray on this impact in our lives?
In this message, Chris Meckley takes us further down the road of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, challenging us to evaluate where we are now.
As we continue the series on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Jonathan brings us to an important topic: the things that undermine that goal.
It's really important to grow as a disciple of Christ, and we're kicking off a new season of doing this with intention. In this sermon, Jonathan lays out where we're going and what we're studying.