Ecclesia Hollywood: Recent Episodes
Ecclesia Hollywood
Ecclesia is a community of people in Hollywood, CA. Our mission is helping people find their place in God's family where we can discover and live God's purpose together.
Peter, a longtime Ecclesian, was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was only five years old. Surgery and treatment preserved his life but led to developmental and other health issues that would affect him the rest of his life. Even so, Peter's faith allows him to see God's purpose for him. Elder Helen Kim facilitates this very special testimony.
Pastor Jane Hong-Guzman De Leon is the Training Manager at Fuller Youth Institute's TENx10 and also serves at the Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity (ISAAC). She speaks to Ecclesia about the importance of naming our feelings and the safe space required for this practice. Jane shows how readily this is modeled by the psalmists in Scripture.
In honor of Mother's Day, bi-vocational Pastor Steve Ignash of VitalChurch Ministries shares how mothers are examples of imago Dei.
Guest speaker D. Paul Thomas, a former member of Ecclesia's original "pastoral posse", asks us, "What's your cup that's before you?" He reminds us that we don't worship God because of blessings. We worship God because He is God. In addition, the Ecclesia family commissions the Ritner family as Jon prepares to step down from his nearly seven-year position as our lead pastor.
Guest teacher Rick Yamamoto provides prayer counseling and gifts-based leadership coaching for individuals and organizations both locally and internationally. He and his wife Susan are members of a unique church called Ascent, whose passion is to pray for and support other Christ-focused communities and organizations, particularly in times of need.
In today's sermon, Rick examines the transformation of Apostle Peter, from an observer to an activator through the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit.
Jon Ritner walks Ecclesia through his book, "Positively Irritating," which recounts his and Ecclesia's journey as they make disciples in a post Christian culture.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 21
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 20
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 19
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 18: 1-11
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 17
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 16
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 15
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 14
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 10
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 9:1-18
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 8:26-40
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 8:1-13
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 6:8 - 7:1
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 6:1-7
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 4:22 - 5:10
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 3
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 2:41-47
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Acts 2:1-21
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
March 1st, 2020
Famously, Jesus' last promise to his people was that he was sending his replacement to be their helper, the Holy Spirit. But many of us have a hard time answering the question "Who is the Holy Spirit?" We understand that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, but are left with questions like, "What does that mean? Where did the Holy Spirit come from? Is He always with us? How does He help?"
Too often this confusion clouds our relationship and keeps us from a deeper experience of God's power and presence, therefore, the Holy Spirit becomes someone we neglect out of fear, apathy, or self-reliance. In the weeks leading up to Easter, this series will uncover the work of the Spirit as he flows through the early church found in the book of Acts so that we might recover a dynamic experience of His presence in us as the present-day church in Hollywood.
February 23, 2020 - Michael Frost
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
February 16, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Esther 5-10
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
February 9, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Esther 3:15-4:17
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
February 2, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Daniel 5 & 6
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
January 26, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Daniel 3
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
January 19, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Daniel 2:2-23
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
January 12, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Daniel 1
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
January 05, 2020 - Jon Ritner
Jeremiah 29:1-14
Exiles don't fully belong to the place where they live. Its is a condition common to many in Los Angeles. Whatever the reason we migrate to LA, it can often come with a side effect of feeling rootless and the pain of living far from home. Increasingly, the norms of secular culture are dethroning Christian ethics in a way that feels threatening to many who were raised in the Church. How do God's people respond when they find themselves in the midst of such disorientation?
Our series, Dislocated: How to Live in Exile, will look at the exilic literature of the Old Testament, with special emphasis on stories in Daniel and Esther, to find a hopeful vision and compelling model of life in exile that we can apply today.
December 24, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. ‘Tis the season when these virtues become clichés in the hands of marketing departments used to decorate store windows and embellish coffee cups. This Advent, Ecclesia will seek to recover the meaning of these words by tracing their use through the Scripture and discovering how they are each ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Our elders will lead our weekly teaching as we study how each of these ancient virtues finally comes to life at the Birth of Christmas.
December 22, 2019 - Helen Kim
John 3:16-17
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. ‘Tis the season when these virtues become clichés in the hands of marketing departments used to decorate store windows and embellish coffee cups. This Advent, Ecclesia will seek to recover the meaning of these words by tracing their use through the Scripture and discovering how they are each ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Our elders will lead our weekly teaching as we study how each of these ancient virtues finally comes to life at the Birth of Christmas.
December 15, 2019 - Angela McNair Turner
Luke 2:8-15
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. ‘Tis the season when these virtues become clichés in the hands of marketing departments used to decorate store windows and embellish coffee cups. This Advent, Ecclesia will seek to recover the meaning of these words by tracing their use through the Scripture and discovering how they are each ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Our elders will lead our weekly teaching as we study how each of these ancient virtues finally comes to life at the Birth of Christmas.
December 8, 2019 - Chris Riley
Isaiah 9:6-7
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. ‘Tis the season when these virtues become clichés in the hands of marketing departments used to decorate store windows and embellish coffee cups. This Advent, Ecclesia will seek to recover the meaning of these words by tracing their use through the Scripture and discovering how they are each ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Our elders will lead our weekly teaching as we study how each of these ancient virtues finally comes to life at the Birth of Christmas.
December 1, 2019 - Justin Copeland & Joseph Barone
Isaiah 9:1-2
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. ‘Tis the season when these virtues become clichés in the hands of marketing departments used to decorate store windows and embellish coffee cups. This Advent, Ecclesia will seek to recover the meaning of these words by tracing their use through the Scripture and discovering how they are each ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Our elders will lead our weekly teaching as we study how each of these ancient virtues finally comes to life at the Birth of Christmas.
November 24, 2019 - Melissa Smith
Philippians 4:4-9
This is a special Thanksgiving-themed Sunday, with stories from Beth Philip, Kim Bolton, and Shannon & Chris Copeland.
November 17, 2019 - Roxy Lamorgese
Genesis 1:26-28
Our church is continually examining how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where he has already sent us. Today we’ll hear from a representative of one of our ministry partners, Avenues Pregnancy Clinic.
November 10, 2019 - Mondo Scott
John 14:13-23
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
November 3, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 5:6a, 9-14
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
October 27, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 3:14-22
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
October 20, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 3:7-13
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
October 13, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 3:1-6
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
October 6, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 2:18-29
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
September 29, 2019 - Patrick Duff
Revelation 2:12-17
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
September 22, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 2:8-11
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
September 15, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 2:1-7
When something is important we write it down. Through the Fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
September 8, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 1
When something is important we write it down. Starting September 8th and continuing through the fall, we’re flipping to the last book in the Bible and diving into the seven letters Jesus writes to seven first-century churches. These letters detail how the church is called to reflect the character of Christ. Like a good director giving constructive notes, Jesus commends areas where they align with Him and corrects areas that need improvement; These ancient letters remain relevant to us as modern readers who seek to embody Jesus and make Him know in a culture of idolatry, autonomy and materialism. So, write this down. These are notes on how to stay in the character of Christ.
September 1, 2019 - Kerry Morrison
Mark 5:1-20
Our church is continually examining how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where he has already sent us. Today we’ll share another example of how our people are living as Good News for LA. Longtime Ecclesian Kerry Morrison, who until February 2019 led the Hollywood Business Improvement District as Executive Director, is now gathering LA leaders to rethink the way mental illness is handled in our city.
August 25, 2019 - Mondo Scott
Genesis 32:1-31
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
August 18, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 29:16-30, 31:1-13
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
August 11, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 28:10-22
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
August 4, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 25:19-34
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
July 28, 2019 - Jessie Cruickshank
Hebrews 11:1, 8-19
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
July 21, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 24:1-21
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
July 7, 2019 - Mondo Scott
Genesis 23:1-19
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
June 30, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 21:1-7
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
June 23, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 18:16-33
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
June 16, 2019 - Melissa Smith
Genesis 18:1-15
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
June 9, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 17
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
June 2, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 16
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
May 26, 2019 - Mondo Scott
Genesis 15:1-18
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
May 19, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 13
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
May 12, 2019 - Justin Copeland
Genesis 12:9-20
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
May 5, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 12:1-9
Faith is the fuel that propels us along the journey between now and later. This spring we examine the lives of Abraham and Sarah as well as their offspring found in Genesis 12-36. Each generation wrestled with trusting and obeying the future promises of God amidst the present challenges of life. This family reminds us of the failures, doubts and fears that accompany faith as well as the power, rewards, and confidence of fully trusting God. As our faith grows, may we too become a blessing through which God can bless the world.
April 28, 2019 - Angela McNair Turner
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Today we’ll hear another example of how our people are living as Good News for LA. Ecclesian and current elder Angela Mcnair Turner is a staff attorney at Public Counsel whose work supports the Statewide Education Rights Project. Angela will share how this project uses a unified model of litigation, policy change and community partnerships to spur education reform across California.
April 21, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Matthew 28:1-6
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
April 14, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Hebrews 4:1-11
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
April 7, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Matthew 12:1-14
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
March 31, 2019 - Jon Ritner
1 Kings 19:1-18
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
"Satisfy Me" by Cortney Matz, cortneymatz.com
March 17, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Exodus 16:16-30
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for personal reflection and communal practices that help the Church prepare for the resurrection celebration. We live in a culture that wears perpetual busyness as a badge of honor, but the Kingdom values Rest, Contentment, Renewal, Freedom, Grace and Anticipation. This Lent, we’ll examine the lost discipline of Sabbath rest and its implications for our lives.
March 3, 2019 - Heidi Calmus
Isaiah 61:1-11
We are continually examining how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where he has already sent us. Today we’ll share another example of how our people are living as Good News for LA. Ecclesian Heidi Calmus, Director of Outreach at Covenant House, will share her experience working with trafficking victims; including some brief education on the definition of human trafficking, what’s happening in LA, and how to pray for the fight and the victims.
Note to parents: this discussion includes sensitive material, so please use your best judgment.
February 17, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Psalm 136
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
February 10, 2019 - Melissa Smith
Psalm 130
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
February 3, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Psalm 142
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
January 29, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Psalm 32
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
January 20, 2019 - Mondo Scott
Psalm 42
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
January 13, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Psalm 145
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
January 6, 2019 - Jon Ritner
Revelation 21:1-6
The Art of Prayer: Crafting a More Expressive Prayer Life through the Psalms Long before Vincent Van Gogh portrayed the beauty of a starry night sky or rolling fields of gold, he honed his craft with meticulous sketches of life’s most basic forms, like the human hand. He disciplined himself as a student in the fundamentals of art until he was able to incorporate them all into his transcendent masterpieces. We begin 2019 studying the six foundational forms of prayer in The Book of Psalms in order to develop a richer and fuller prayer life. Like an artist first experimenting with Shape, Line, Color, and Texture, we will explore the elements of Adoration, Lament, Confession, Supplication, Intercession, and Thanksgiving in order to craft more expressive prayers and connect deeper with our Creator.
December 24, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Luke 2:1-20
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
December 23, 2018 - Mondo Scott
Isaiah 11:1-10
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
December 16, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 16:1-8
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
December 9, 2018 - Gary Clemmer
Executive Pastor Gary Clemmer gives a brief update on Ecclesia's budget as we close the year 2018.
December 9, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 15:21-41
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
Kings, by Jordan Lott
I breathe in sharply, swallowing doubts again Or else completely lose my way to ever fickle whim Days on end, we chase heavenly eclipse Searching for truth and forcing ankles, knees, and hips
My neck is tight, I keep straining to look up As expectations soar, allowing new fears to develop But we continue onward, so I laboriously lift my weighted brow... Magnificent...the star above...it’s pulsing now
I marvel at the brilliant blaze we follow Morning, day, and night, no time to wallow I’m committed to seeing this through for the promise And find this distant mystery that has called us
We sometimes question our trust in signs Although...truth has risen into the skies So we anxiously wait for our journey to end And yearn for the glory and truth that transcends
These last few days our minds are abuzz As we pass cities blind to the ethereal changes Our confidence grows as the star slows down And stops above little Bethlehem town
We find faith anew in a baby’s eyes All doubt subsides as we gaze at heaven, alive We replace all our disbelief with a new creed Faith, assurance, requires just a mustard seed
December 2, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 14:3-11, 14:26-31, 14:43-50, 14:66-72
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
November 25, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 13:1-13
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
November 18, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 12:13-34
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
November 11, 2018 - Melissa Smith
Mark 11:11-25
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
November 4, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 10:13-31
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
October 28, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 9:30-42
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
October 21, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 8:22-9:1
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
October 14, 2018 - Kris Brossett
Mark 7:1-23
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
October 7, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 6:6-13, 30-44
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
September 30, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 4:26-5:43
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
September 23, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 4:1-25
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
September 16, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 3:20-34
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
September 9, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 2:13-22
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
September 2, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 1:14-39
Jesus was a man on a mission to invite men and women into the Kingdom of God that He was establishing on Earth. To ensure his mission continued upon his departure, Jesus poured his life into a small number of people and instructed them to pour into others so that the Kingdom of God would begin to cascade forth as a global movement. Jesus called Disciples to make Disciples. This fall, Ecclesia sees to reclaim and reignite the disciplemaking ministry of all believers so that Jesus' last words become our first priority.
August 26, 2018 - Jon Ritner & Panel
Building on our discussions around healthy relationships and healing broken ones as part of our Shepherding function, this series is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament's “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity as we seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked.
In the interest of listening as well as teaching, this week Jon leads a panel of Ecclesia members with varying cultural backgrounds in a discussion.
August 19, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Hebrews 13:1-3
Building on our discussions around healthy relationships and healing broken ones as part of our Shepherding function, this series is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament's “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity as we seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked.
August 12, 2018 - Patrick & Sarah Duff
1 Timothy 2:8-15
Building on our discussions around healthy relationships and healing broken ones as part of our Shepherding function, this series is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament's “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity as we seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked.
August 5, 2018 - Patrick & Sarah Duff
Ephesians 5:21-33
Building on our discussions around healthy relationships and healing broken ones as part of our Shepherding function, this series is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament's “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity as we seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked.
July 22, 2018 - Patrick & Sarah Duff
Galatians 3:26-4:7
Building on our discussions around healthy relationships and healing broken ones as part of our Shepherding function, this series is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament's “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity as we seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked.
July 15, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Romans 12:1-5
Our last series helped to establish healthy relationships and heal broken ones as part of our Shepherding function. This one is more Prophetic in nature, calling us to a higher standard in practicing the New Testament’s “one another” commands. We will examine the healthy tension in the church between our individual identity and our collective identity and seek to honor and shine light on parts of the Body that too often have been maligned or overlooked. As we practice belonging to one another well, we will celebrate our Summer "Picnic in the Park" on Sunday, July 29th as part of this series.
July 8, 2018 - Napthali Roberts
Facing the Hard Conversations - Asserting Yourself When You Would Rather Avoid, Yell, Minimize, or Control
We all have hard or uncomfortable conversations that we have the opportunity to engage in daily. Whether it is an expression of hurt within a friendship, relationship, or marriage, a boundary crossed at work, an awareness of injustice within your community, or a child asking about the big stuff of life (death, sexuality, abuse, discrimination, or violence). We all have “real talk” moments come up and often struggle to engage them in an authentic, direct and gracious manner. These are often moments that we aren’t always sure we want to deal with and can leave us feeling the pulls to “make it happy”, “just take it”, or explode. Today we will discover together how to recognize our own barriers to authentic communication, real life strategies for how to communicate our feelings, thoughts, and needs without making demands of others, how to recognize our go-to response patterns (fight, flight, freeze, control), and how to walk through relationship recovery after the hard conversations.
July 1, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Ephesians 4:22-5:2
This series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. During these 9 weeks, we are pulling out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We are examining ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws. We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
June 24, 2018 - Jon Ritner
James 4:1-12
This series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. During these 9 weeks, we are pulling out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We are examining ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws. We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
June 17, 2018 - Jeff & Jacquelyn Larson
Each one of us carries pain from our past. When that pain is triggered in our present relationship, we often cope in a destructive manner which inflicts even more pain. Most of the time, we do this subconsciously, unaware of how our past fogs the lens of our present. Using the Restoration Therapy Model, this session will give insight into the old pain cycle and provide tools to effectively express ourselves and work to create peace in our relationships.
June 10, 2018 - Wes Halula
Romans 12:9-21
This series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. During these 9 weeks, we are pulling out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We are examining ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws.
We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
June 3, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Galatians 6:1-10
This series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. During these 9 weeks, we are pulling out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We are examining ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws.
We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
May 27, 2018
Ephesians 4:1-7
In the midst of folding laundry, helping with homework, and breaking up fights, many parents get lost. Feeling pressure to do everything "right" and raise "good" children, it's easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents. In the quest for practical survival tips and guaranteed formulas, we need a big-picture view of God's plan for us as parents, centered on the good news of God’s grace. This will be framed around Dr. Paul Tripp’s book, Parenting.
Several video clips are referenced, which are omitted from the podcast audio, but can be accessed by clicking the Teaching Slides link below, or at PaulTripp.com/Parenting
From Brokenness to Community: ...To Loving
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
This series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. During these 9 weeks, we are pulling out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We are examining ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws.
We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
From Brokenness to Community: From Loved...
1 John 4:7-12
Our next series derives its name from the title of Jean Vanier’s profound book on cultivating deeper community. Over the next 9 weeks, we will pull out passages from New Testament letters which pertain to relationships. We will examine ways in which we all experience brokenness in ourselves and our relationships, and how the transforming power of Christ fashions us into community. For it is only in the support of community that we find the certitude that we are loved just as we are, with all our wounds and flaws. We hope that as we seek God He will do the impossible: changing death to life inside of each of us, so that perhaps, our community can embody this transformation from brokenness into wholeness and be sources of life and love to the world around us.
May 6, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Ephesians 2:8-10
Last summer, we heard from five local leaders on how they communicate and incarnate the Good News of Jesus in their communities. This year we are examining how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where he has already sent us. Each week we reflect on a different aspect of our communal life. Today we finish a conversation we started last week on Ecclesia’s journey into liminality and how God is reforming us in the process to become a community sent to participate in God’s mission in the world.
Today’s teaching time will include some open dialogue with Pastor Jon, similar to a Town Hall. Here are two questions Jon will invite us to explore together with him.
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What were some positives that emerged from the era in which the beliefs and practices of Christianity dominated the cultural landscape?
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What are your thoughts or feelings about a church future where every disciple takes responsibility to make disciples and live out a Kingdom calling in the places where we have already been sent?
Good News for LA: Mission
Luke 10:1-11, 17
Last summer, we heard from 5 local leaders on how they communicate and incarnate the Good News of Jesus in their communities. This year we are examining how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where he has already sent us. Each week we will reflect on a different aspect of our communal life. So far we have explored the importance of incarnating Jesus in our own lives and how to create deep, transformative community amidst a culture that emphasizes individualism. Today we will explore how joining God’s mission in the world can form us individually and as a community to become more like Jesus.
Today’s teaching time will include some open dialogue with Pastor Jon, similar to a Town Hall. Here are three questions Jon will invite us to explore together with him.
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What are the main elements of Joseph Campbell’s "Hero’s Journey" and a few examples of familiar stories that follow this narrative?
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Which elements of the Hero’s Journey do we see in the sending of the 12 disciples in Luke 10?
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What practical acts of mission might lead us out of our comfort zones and catalyze deeper personal and communal formation?
April 22, 2018 - Jon Ritner
3 John 5-10
Last summer, we heard from 5 local leaders on how they communicate and incarnate the Good News of Jesus in their communities. For the next 4 weeks, we will examine how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where He has already sent us. Each week we will reflect on a different aspect of our communal life, beginning today by exploring our weekly large group gatherings as a church.
Today's teaching time will include some open dialogue with Pastor Jon, similar to a Town Hall. Here are three questions Jon will invite us to explore together with him:
- What are the features of life in LA that inhibit the formation of deep community relationships?
- What values could God’s church incarnate as good news in contrast to this brokenness in LA?
- How might we align our existing lives differently to form deeper community relationships?
April 15, 2018 - Jon Ritner
John 13:12-20
Last summer, we heard from 5 local leaders on how they communicate and incarnate the Good News of Jesus in their communities. For the next 4 weeks, we will examine how God is calling Ecclesia to be Good News for the people and places of LA where He has already sent us. Each week we will reflect on a different aspect of our communal life, beginning today by exploring our weekly large group gatherings as a church.
Today's teaching time will include some open dialogue with Pastor Jon, similar to a Town Hall. Here are three questions Jon will invite us to explore together with him:
- What have been the greatest catalysts for spiritual growth in your life?
- Which elements of our current Sunday morning gatherings are the most valuable to you as a follower of Jesus?
- What could we do differently in order to generate more consistent Sunday participation, more meaningful engagement in worship, and more acts of communal hospitality?
April 8, 2018 - Christiana Rice
Isaiah 42:14-16
A new world is being born as God in Christ directs history toward the restoration, repair and renewal of all creation. We are invited to attend, partnering with God in this world-altering delivery.
April 1, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Mark 15:42-47 & John 19:38-42
Everything in Christianity rises and falls on the Resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate today at Easter. Ironically though, so little is said about the two main people who are responsible for ensuring a safe and secure place for Jesus to be buried. Today we explore the courageous decision these two made at significant cost to themselves and how God used their sacrifice to bless the rest of the world.
March 30, 2018 - Mondo Scott
John 1:1-4
The only reason we can call Good Friday "good" is because we know Sunday is coming. As we consider this turning point in human history, let's try to isolate the crucial moment when the Word of God made flesh died.
March 25, 2018 - Wes Halula
Matthew 21:1-9
The prophets had told them a Warrior-King was coming. And this Jesus was outsmarting their pompous religious leaders, miraculously feeding thousands and raising the dead! He has to be their Savior, right?
March 11, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 11:1-9
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
March 4, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 8:18-9:17
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
February 25, 2018 - Mondo Scott
Genesis 6:5-22; 7:1-24
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
February 18, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 4:17-26; 6:1-8
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
February 11, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 4:1-16
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
February 4, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 3:21-24
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
Former science teacher, Kurt Klein and Pastor Jon lead us in an examination of the questions that arise between faith and science. Issues such as: the age of the Earth, the veracity of Evolutionary Science, the absence of any mention of dinosaurs, or the extended ages of humans before the flood, just to name a few.
Former science teacher, Kurt Klein and Pastor Jon lead us in an examination of the questions that arise between faith and science. Issues such as: the age of the Earth, the veracity of Evolutionary Science, the absence of any mention of dinosaurs, or the extended ages of humans before the flood, just to name a few.
January 28, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 3:1-20
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
Former science teacher, Kurt Klein and Pastor Jon lead us in an examination of the questions that arise between faith and science. Issues such as: the age of the Earth, the veracity of Evolutionary Science, the absence of any mention of dinosaurs, or the extended ages of humans before the flood, just to name a few.
Former science teacher, Kurt Klein and Pastor Jon lead us in an examination of the questions that arise between faith and science. Issues such as: the age of the Earth, the veracity of Evolutionary Science, the absence of any mention of dinosaurs, or the extended ages of humans before the flood, just to name a few.
January 21, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
January 14, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
January 7, 2018 - Jon Ritner
Genesis 1:1
Genesis is the Book of Life’s Beginnings. It introduces the overarching themes that permeate the metanarrative of God’s Story. Incredibly the circumstances, conflicts, and experiences of those ancient characters still resonate with our lives today. In the New Year, Ecclesia’s Community Groups and Sunday teaching will return to the first 11 chapters of Genesis to rediscover the origins of the human experience and how the truths and themes of those first stories still impacts our spiritual journey in the modern world.
December 24, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Matthew 1:18-25
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
December 17, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Isaiah 9:1-7
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
December 10, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Isaiah 9:1-7
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
December 3, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Isaiah 9:1-7
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
November 26, 2017 - Melissa Smith
Isaiah 9:1-7
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
November 19, 2017 - Thomas Parham
Isaiah 9:1-7
This Advent, our teaching series will explore Isaiah 9 and the four royal titles that foreshadowed the reign of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each moniker describes attributes of God and details His active work in our lives today. Together, we will discover a deeper understanding of the character of Jesus as King of Kings and how we are transformed by living in submission to Him and His Kingdom. Elder Thom Parham as well as Pastors Melissa Smith and Jon Ritner will lead the teaching over the next 6 weeks.
November 12, 2017 – Harmony Dust Grillo
2 Corinthians 5:16-20
Today we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of the country, to share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features Harmony Dust Grillo, founder and director of Treasures Ministries. Treasures is a faith-based, survivor-led outreach and support group to women in the sex industry and victims of sex trafficking.
November 5, 2017 - Mondo Scott
Matthew 5:1-16
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
October 29, 2017 - Jon Ritner with Amy & Albert Tsao
Amy and Albert Tsao are the bi-vocational leaders of East Hollywood Community Church, a missional community that invests in its neighbors with a high degree of intention.
October 22, 2017 - Matt Svajda
John 1:1-14
Matt is the Founding Director of Fiducia, a missional equipping ministry based in Southern California. While in his role as Regional Vice President for Apartment Life, Matt responded to God’s call to help local churches begin developing missional strategies. Matt and his wife Jourdan started Fiducia in 2013 and since have trained over a thousand Christians in missional living through coaching, consulting, and seminars. Matt and Jourdan have 3 children, Judah, Kellar, and Josie, and they live in Orange County, CA. To learn more about the ministry, visit FiduciaCommunity.com.
October 15, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Ephesians 4:1-16
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
October 8, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Acts 11:19-30
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
October 1, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Luke 10:1-16
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
Today Jon interviews Mike Morrison and Brian Laraby on the Apostolic gift.
September 24, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Matthew 23
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
Today Jon interviews Jasmine Terán Chapman on her experience with the Prophetic gift.
September 17, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Luke 18:35-19:10
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
Today Jon interviews Stephen Domenico on his experience with the Evangelistic gift.
September 10, 2017 - Jon Ritner
John 21:1-17
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
Today Jon interviews Cheryl Lovejoy, with an update on our ministry partner Homecare Spiritual Fellowship and how it fulfills the Shepherding function.
September 3, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Matthew 7:24-29
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
Today Jon is joined by Jan Ward, discussing the Teaching gift at work in her life.
August 27, 2017 - Jon Ritner
John 4:1-42
In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
August 13, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Ephesians 4:1-6
This week begins our new teaching series, Collaborative Church: Embodying the Fullness of Christ’s Mission. In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
August 13, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Ephesians 4:1-6
This week begins our new teaching series, Collaborative Church: Embodying the Fullness of Christ’s Mission. In the 300 years following Jesus' resurrection, the early Church expanded from a minority of a few thousand on the margins of society to a movement of twenty million disciples that included the Emperor of Rome. Ironically, this exponential growth took place without professional staff, local church buildings, discipleship resources, or even legal rights. Instead, the movement was based on each follower of Jesus embodying the various ministries that comprise the mission of Jesus in his or her life every day. In our Fall teaching series, we will rediscover the original functions of the Church that are detailed in Ephesians, Acts and the Gospels and seek to fully activate them today. We will celebrate the value of each function and the need for them to collaborate together. Our prayer is that each of us will be empowered to participate in the ways Jesus is working though His church to impact the world today.
July 30, 2017 – Alan Briggs
Jeremiah 29:4-8
Today we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of the country, to share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features Alan Briggs, Director of Frontline Church Planting as well as Multiplying Pastor at Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
July 23, 2017 – Naima Lett
John 13:34-35
Today we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles, to share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features award-winning Actor, Producer and Co-Pastor of Hope in the Hills, Dr. Naima Lett.
July 16, 2017 – Dave Gibbons
John 14:12-19
Today we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles, to share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features Pastor Dave Gibbons of NewSong Church in Santa Ana, California.
July 9, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Hosea 11:1-11, 12:6, 14:1-9
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
Includes an original song written and performed by Ecclesia members, Cortney Matz and Charles McDonald: "Can't Outrun Your Love"
July 2, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Hosea 8:1-7 and 10:11-14a
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
June 25, 2017 - Sarah Duff
Hosea 5:13 - 6:11
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
June 18, 2017 - Jon Ritner
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
June 11, 2017 - Jon Ritner
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
June 4, 2017 - Jon Ritner
The Book of Hosea cries out to us with the truth we long to hear; despite our faults and failures, we are fully known, fully loved, and have no need to fear rejection. Hosea is a historical account of how one man's troubled marriage symbolized God's love for his unfaithful people. Set amidst the backdrop of prostitution, marital affairs, and children born out of wedlock, emerges one of the greatest portrayals of unfailing love in God's Word and the hard truth of what that love requires from us in return.
May 28, 2017 - Michael Warren
2 Kings 5: 1-14
Every Sunday in May, we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles. Each will share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features Hollywood veteran - creator, producer and writer for 37 seasons of TV - Michael Warren.
May 21, 2017 - Mondo Scott
Luke 5:1-11
Every Sunday in May, we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles. Each will share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
This week features our new Pastor of Marriage and Family, Mondo Scott.
May 14, 2017 - Ray Causly
Acts 17:16-32
Every Sunday in May, we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles. Each will share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
May 7, 2017 – Enrique Melendez
Luke 15:11-32
Every Sunday in May, we will hear from a speaker hailing from a different part of Los Angeles. Each will share about how God is bringing good news to the neighborhoods and social or professional networks where they live. We hope to get to know our city better and learn how different leaders are determining, “What is good news for the people to whom we are sent?”
April 30, 2017 - Jon Ritner
For the last two weeks of April, Jon will be exploring the three core elements in the life of a disciple of Jesus and examining how every disciple can fulfill the command to make disciples in his or her own life.
April 23, 2017 - Jon Ritner
For the last two weeks of April, Jon will be exploring the three core elements in the life of a disciple of Jesus and examining how every disciple can fulfill the command to make disciples in his or her own life.
April 16 - Jon Ritner
John 20:11-18
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. Throughout this series we’ve studied Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul of suffering. Today our Psalms of lament turn into shouts of praise as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
April 2, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Today Jon teaches on Psalm 88. He is joined at the end by Sarah Painter who shares her story of God's faithfulness during extreme trials.
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day Lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. In this series, we will study the Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul that is suffering.
The Book of Psalms captures some of the most profound cries of anguish, lament, and loneliness in human existence. In a modern culture that medicates, avoids, and minimizes pain and suffering, we will see how the suffering that Jesus endured and that he allows in our life can actually shape us into his character. We will examine how to grieve and how to walk alongside those in grief; how to cry out and how to intercede for those who are too weak to cry out themselves; we will wrestle with our common experience of loneliness, injustice and death and in so doing, find a common way forward that leads to a deeper life in Christ.
April 2, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Today Jon teaches on Psalm 51. He is joined at the end by Jason Harris who shares his story of God’s healing from sin and addiction.
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day Lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. In this series, we will study the Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul that is suffering.
The Book of Psalms captures some of the most profound cries of anguish, lament, and loneliness in human existence. In a modern culture that medicates, avoids, and minimizes pain and suffering, we will see how the suffering that Jesus endured and that he allows in our life can actually shape us into his character. We will examine how to grieve and how to walk alongside those in grief; how to cry out and how to intercede for those who are too weak to cry out themselves; we will wrestle with our common experience of loneliness, injustice and death and in so doing, find a common way forward that leads to a deeper life in Christ.
March 26, 2017 – Danielle Strickland
Danielle Strickland serves in The Salvation Army as an officer, and is internationally recognized as a leader, speaker, writer, justice advocate, mission developer, and church planter.
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day Lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. In this series, we will study the Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul that is suffering.
The Book of Psalms captures some of the most profound cries of anguish, lament, and loneliness in human existence. In a modern culture that medicates, avoids, and minimizes pain and suffering, we will see how the suffering that Jesus endured and that he allows in our life can actually shape us into his character. We will examine how to grieve and how to walk alongside those in grief; how to cry out and how to intercede for those who are too weak to cry out themselves; we will wrestle with our common experience of loneliness, injustice and death and in so doing, find a common way forward that leads to a deeper life in Christ.
March 12, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Today Jon teaches on Psalm 55. He is joined at the end by Chris Krebsbach who shares her experience of suffering trauma and how it has affected her life and led to her healing.
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day Lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. In this series, we will study the Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul that is suffering.
The Book of Psalms captures some of the most profound cries of anguish, lament, and loneliness in human existence. In a modern culture that medicates, avoids, and minimizes pain and suffering, we will see how the suffering that Jesus endured and that he allows in our life can actually shape us into his character. We will examine how to grieve and how to walk alongside those in grief; how to cry out and how to intercede for those who are too weak to cry out themselves; we will wrestle with our common experience of loneliness, injustice and death and in so doing, find a common way forward that leads to a deeper life in Christ.
March 5, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Today Jon teaches on Psalm 13. He is joined at the end by Kathy Riley to discuss coming alongside others who are suffering. Ecclesia elder Wes Halula prays for us at the end as we connect with God on this topic.
Before one can truly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, one must take the long 40-day Lenten journey to the foot of the cross of Jesus. In this series, we will study the Psalms of Lament as a window into the soul that is suffering.
The Book of Psalms captures some of the most profound cries of anguish, lament, and loneliness in human existence. In a modern culture that medicates, avoids, and minimizes pain and suffering, we will see how the suffering that Jesus endured and that he allows in our life can actually shape us into his character. We will examine how to grieve and how to walk alongside those in grief; how to cry out and how to intercede for those who are too weak to cry out themselves; we will wrestle with our common experience of loneliness, injustice and death and in so doing, find a common way forward that leads to a deeper life in Christ.
February 26, 2017 – Shun Lee Fong
To conclude our Flourishing series, the founder of The Greenhouse and actor/writer/lawyer Shun Lee Fong speaks from Isaiah 43:18-21.
February 19, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
This concludes our study of Philippians.
Ecclesia participates in a local shelter during the months of January and February, called Winter Refuge. Coordinating our volunteers for the 2017 rotation was Jason Brown, who is committed to preparing favorite meals and serving them to our homeless neighbors. Today he and Paster Gary Clemmer recount some stories from Winter Refuge.
February 12, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 4:2-4:23
Miles Lin has loved fishing since he was 3 years old. At the age of 9 he founded I Dream of Fish, a non-profit organization that hopes to solve world hunger through the installation of aquaponics and farms locally and globally. Learn more about Miles, aquaponics, and what IDOF is up to at IDreamOfFish.org
February 5, 2017
In November 2016, a team from Ecclesia went to Athens, Greece, to help with the refugee crisis. They tell their stories and insight from that week.
February 5, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 3:12-4:1
Beth Reno, founder of Give Her Life, speaks about her role in advocating for the lives of girls and women in countries where gendercide is promoted.
January 29, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 3:1-11
January 22, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 2
January 15, 2017 – Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God’s Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 1:12-30
January 8, 2017 - Jon Ritner
Traditionally at Ecclesia, the Sunday morning services examine a portion of God's Word and invite us to apply the ideas to our lives as individuals and as a community. For our first series in 2017, we are going to flip that format. We are inviting Ecclesia each week to explore one passage of God’s word, through Community Group studies and personal devotional times. You and your groups are invited to share your observations, themes, and questions with Pastor Jon.
Then on Sunday morning when we gather together, Jon will use his message to recap the passage, respond to the community’s questions, and celebrate the common themes God has been revealing to each of us during the week. We will uncover together what elements are essential for a community of Jesus disciples to continue thriving, growing and flourishing in every dimension of life.
Passage to study this week: Philippians 1:1-11
December 24, 2016 – Jon Ritner
John 1:1-14
Our Advent teaching series, “The Nativity Scene,” looks at the Christmas story as it was first seen and experienced from the unique perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself. A different Ecclesian will teach each week to bring the five perspectives to life for us as modern readers.
Today Ecclesia lead pastor Jon Ritner teaches about Jesus.
December 18, 2016 - Thomas Parham
Matthew 2:1-12
Our Advent teaching series, “The Nativity Scene,” looks at the Christmas story as it was first seen and experienced from the unique perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself. A different Ecclesian will teach each week to bring the five perspectives to life for us as modern readers.
Today Ecclesia elder Thom Parham teaches on the Magi.
December 11, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Luke 2:8-15
Our Advent teaching series, "The Nativity Scene," looks at the Christmas story as it was first seen and experienced from the unique perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself. A different Ecclesian will teach each week to bring the five perspectives to life for us as modern readers.
Today Ecclesia lead pastor Jon Ritner teaches on the Shepherds.
ADVENT PRAYER: LIGHT OF THE WORLD, COME
In this Advent season we await the coming of Christ. Light of the World, come, Come to the oppressed and exploited, Come to the despised and rejected, Come to all in whom your divine image is distorted.
We wait in joyful expectation. Come not as a man of power, but in love and compassion, Come to the outcast – like the shepherds in the fields, Come to foreigners – like Magi watching from afar, Come to rich and poor, young and old, male and female,
We wait in hopeful anticipation. Come to bless all creation with your love, Come to bring salvation on the earth, Come to rule with justice and in peace. Come Light of the World, illuminate the path on which we’ve been sent.
We wait with all the peoples of the earth, Light of the World, we welcome your coming, And recognize your Kingdom on this Earth.
Responsive Reading Benediction
We now go out to live the Jesus story, All: A story in which we get to play our part.
To tell of the Hope that is being born among us this Christmas, All: To share the Love of Christ with the world,
To be agents of Peace in times of trouble, All: To sing songs of deep and abiding Joy.
As we go, may we join in the mission to declare the good news of Jesus that offers great joy to all people. Amen.
December 4, 2016 - Patrick Duff
Matthew 1:18-24
Our Advent teaching series, "The Nativity Scene," looks at the Christmas story as it was first seen and experienced from the unique perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself. A different Ecclesian will teach each week to bring the five perspectives to life for us as modern readers.
Today Ecclesia elder emeritus Patrick Duff teaches about Joseph, the father of Jesus.
November 27, 2016 - Sarah Duff
Luke 1:26-56
Our Advent teaching series, "The Nativity Scene," looks at the Christmas story as it was first seen and experienced from the unique perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself. A different Ecclesian will teach each week to bring the five perspectives to life for us as modern readers.
Today Ecclesia elder Sarah Duff teaches about Mary.
We often assume that the primary activity of God is in the church. God is certainly active in the church, however, the primary activity of God is in the world and the church is an instrument created by God to be sent into the world to participate in what He is already doing.
To whom have you already been sent? What is going to be your response?
November 13, 2016 - Gary Clemmer, Executive Pastor
Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
More than ever we feel the tension between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. Jesus calls his followers the Children of Light, because we are called to reflect his goodness into a dark world. To this end, our challenge is to leverage every resource, take every opportunity, and use all that we have been given to make real the values of the kingdom of God.
November 6, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
Today is the final week of our eight week Fall teaching series, "Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus." We are studying the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how we invested his time and energy?
As the modern-day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God's universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book by Michael Frost which will help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus's priorities.
Reading: Ch. 8 - "Discipleship, Nurture, and Accountability"
"Broken English" by Lara Sumera can be found on SoundCloud.com/Lara-Sumera
October 30, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Today is the seventh week of our Fall teaching series, "Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus." We are studying the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy?
As the modern-day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God’s universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book by Michael Frost which will help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus’ priorities.
Application:
Read: Ch. 7 Sent – The Fifth Habit
Application: Journal throughout the week all the ways you alerted other to the universal reign of God through Christ
October 23 - Jon Ritner
Today is the sixth week of our eight week Fall teaching series, "Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus." We are studying the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels.
Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy? As the modern-day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God's universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book by Michael Frost which will help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus's priorities.
This week's reading and application:
Read Chapter 6, Learn - The Fourth Habit
Spend one period this week learning Christ by reading from the Gospels and putting into practice what you read.
Some suggested Gospel passages to read: Matthew 6 Mark 12 Luke 18 John 13
Reading:
Do Jellyfish Feel The Ocean? From Still Whispers by Phil Farrand
We live at the bottom of an “ocean” of air. So the weight of the air around us isn’t just pushing down on us from above, it is pushing against you from all sides, at somewhere around 14 pounds of pressure per square inch. That’s a lot of pressure!
Most of time we don’t even feel it because we live with it every day. But occasionally, we drive into the mountains or we hop a ride on an airplane and we feel the pressure change.
There is an interesting meditative phase that some Christian mystics ponder when thinking about God: “Boundless ocean, who can sound thee?”
For those of you who might not be familiar with the verb “sound”, it means to try to measure the depth of a body of water by letting down a rope with a weight.
The phrase is describing God as a great boundless expanse, an expanse that is beyond any attempt to measure its depth. I have only added one perspective to this phrase as I have meditated on it. I do not imagine myself bobbing on the divine ocean.
With the Divine, there is no single direction like below. He is all. Just like the ocean of air that surrounds us, there has never been a moment when God has not surrounded us. David performs a thought experiment on this when he asks in Psalm 139 if he could ever escape from God’s presence. And, of course, he concludes that there is nowhere he can go to remove himself from the presence of the Divine.
Right now, God completely surrounds you. He completely infuses you. If you aren’t aware of him, it’s because you have grown used to all that he does for you.
You’ve grown used to his provision. You’ve grown used to his kindness. You’ve grown used to his love.
Do jellyfish feel the ocean? Probably not. But they should.
Today is the fifth week of our Fall teaching series Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus. We are studying the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy? As the modern day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God’s universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book by Michael Frost which will help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus’ priorities.
Read: Ch. 5 Listen – The Third Habit
Application: Spend at least one period of the week listening for the Spirit's voice.
October 9, 2016 - Jon Ritner
This week’s application: Eat with three people this week- at least one of whom is not part of our Ecclesia community.
October 2, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Scripture: John 2:1-12
Today is the third week of our Fall teaching series Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus. We are studying the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy?
As the modern day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God’s universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book by Michael Frost which will serve to help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus’ priorities. This week’s reading is Chapter 3.
September 25, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Today is the second week of our Fall teaching series, Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus. For the next 8 weeks, we will study the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy? As the modern day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God’s universal reign over the world.
We will also read together from the book, "Surprise the World" by Michael Frost, which will serve to help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus’ priorities. This week’s reading is Chapter 2.
Question: What habit in your life do you think most clearly demonstrates Jesus to others?
September 18, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Today begins our Fall teaching series, Sent: Rediscovering the Priorities of Jesus. For the next 8 weeks, we will study the life of Jesus from passages in the four Gospels. Much is made of the profound teachings and the powerful miracles of Jesus, but what were the underlying priorities of his life that determined how he invested his time and energy?
As the modern day Body of Christ, we are seeking to reclaim his mission as sent by God to declare and display God's universal reign over the world. We will also read together from the book Surprise the World by Michael Frost, which will serve to help us understand practical habits and rhythms we can adopt to live out Jesus's priorities. This week's reading is the introduction and Chapter 1.
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me,even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
September 11, 2016 - Jon Ritner
John 1:1-5, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
September 4 – Lisa Swain
Concluding our series, The Others, longtime Ecclesian Lisa Swain speaks from Genesis 2. Lisa is an Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Arts at Biola University. Before making the transition to higher education, Lisa spent 15 years in film and television.
Lisa refers to two YouTube clips in her presentation:
“Malk” by Julian Smith “Would You Fall For That?” – Change Blindness
Genesis 2:18-22
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
August 28, 2016 - Jon Ritner
It seems this summer has seen a categorical escalation in anger and resentment towards people who are not like “us.” Whether it is our country’s racial tensions, the discourse around the presidential election or ongoing global terrorism, the news is filled with people who are suspicious, fearful or antagonistic towards others because of their differences. How do people of diverse races, cultures and religions life together in peace? This month we will explore the journey of God’s prophet Jonah as he wrestles with the command to bring God’s word to a culture and people very different than his own. We will try to identify who are “the others” in our own lives and how we can seek to promote understanding and empathy as God’s agents of reconciliation on earth.
August 21, 2016 - Jon Ritner
It seems this summer has seen a categorical escalation in anger and resentment towards people who are not like “us.” Whether it is our country’s racial tensions, the discourse around the presidential election or ongoing global terrorism, the news is filled with people who are suspicious, fearful or antagonistic towards others because of their differences. How do people of diverse races, cultures and religions life together in peace? This month we will explore the journey of God’s prophet Jonah as he wrestles with the command to bring God’s word to a culture and people very different than his own. We will try to identify who are “the others” in our own lives and how we can seek to promote understanding and empathy as God’s agents of reconciliation on earth.
August 14, 2016 - Jon Ritner
It seems this summer has seen a categorical escalation in anger and resentment towards people who are not like “us.” Whether it is our country’s racial tensions, the discourse around the presidential election or ongoing global terrorism, the news is filled with people who are suspicious, fearful or antagonistic towards others because of their differences. How do people of diverse races, cultures and religions life together in peace? This month we will explore the journey of God’s prophet Jonah as he wrestles with the command to bring God’s word to a culture and people very different than his own. We will try to identify who are “the others” in our own lives and how we can seek to promote understanding and empathy as God’s agents of reconciliation on earth.
August 7, 2016 - Jon Ritner
This summer has seen a categorical escalation in anger and resentment towards people who are not like “us”. Whether it is our country’s racial tensions, the discourse around the presidential election or ongoing global terrorism, the news is filled with people who are suspicious, fearful or antagonistic towards others because of their differences. How do people of diverse races, cultures and religions live together in peace? This month we will explore the journey of God’s prophet Jonah as he wrestles with the command to bring God’s word to a culture and people very different than his own. We will try to identify who “the others” are in our own lives and how we can seek to promote understanding and empathy as God’s agents of reconciliation on earth.
July 31, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
July 24 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
July 17, 2016 - Jon Ritner
The Bible begins with the patriarchs of faith like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but no person in the book of Genesis gets as much attention as Joseph. Nearly one-third of the book is dedicated to the life journey of this dreamer. For us today in Hollywood, Joseph’s journey provides insights into how God works in the life of a dreamer and shows us how we can learn to wait on Him. Join us each week in this series as we see how a somebody turns into a nobody and what God can do with somebody who knows he is a nobody.
July 10, 2016 - Jon Ritner
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree to decorate. Whether wide or tall, tinsel or ornaments, colored lights or white ones, the Christmas tree holds a special place in each home. In Matthew 1, we discover a colorful Christmas tree of a different sort, the ancestral family tree of Jesus Christ himself. Hung against the backdrop of 52 generations of patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph are four Christmas Belles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These four women of various races, social classes, and life circumstances are all part of the pedigree of Jesus. Amidst the confusion, grief, and pain in each of their lives, redemption is born. Each of their lives sounds forth one of the Advent themes of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
July 3, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Life is all about relationships. God created each one of us individually to be in community with others. It is our friendships that make our highs in life more joyful and the lows in life more bearable. And yet we all have experienced the reality that nothing can be more confusing, frustrating, or painful as relationships. How do members of a healthy church navigate the challenges amongst the wide array of relationships we have in the worlds of dating, marriage, parenting, work, roommates, and siblings? Paul directs us to a relational posture this week that will help us connect with others around us with greater success.
June 26, 2016 - Jon Ritner
One of the best known parables of Jesus also contains one of the most overlooked characters. Lead Pastor, Jon Ritner, will conclude our series, Ministry is Personal, by teaching on the set of ‘Parables of Lost Things’ in Luke 15 and sharing his own passion for the lost in life. If this message resonates, Jon recommends reading Tim Keller’s book, Prodigal God, for further discussion and application.
June 19, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
June 12, 2016 - Jon Ritner Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
June 5, 2016 - Lance Ford
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
May 29, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
May 15, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
May 15, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
May 8, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Our new teaching series, Making Belief A Reality, will immerse us in the Book of Proverbs; a straightforward guide to a fulfilling life. The book is a call to holistic maturity and a reminder that we will never make significant progress in becoming who we want to be until our spiritual beliefs turn into everyday behaviors. Spiritual maturity comes as our faith is integrated into our daily choices in every sphere of life. As committed followers of Jesus, we must not simply reside in an intellectual world of make believe but rather, start making new behaviors our priority instead.
May 1, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
April 24, 2016 - Wes Halula Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
April 17, 2016 - Chris Riley
Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
On Sunday, April 17th, at the monthly I’m In Social Justice Meeting, Lisa Lockwood talked with Jose Osuna from Homeboy Industries.
Jose shared his story of growing up in LA, joining a gang as a boy, going to prison and ultimately finding a community at Homeboy, where he now works as the Director of External Affairs. This moving story highlights the incredible work and ministry that Homeboy Industries is providing for men and women attempting to start over after gang involvement and incarceration.
April 10, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
April 3, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Jesus is described as first and last, a lion and the lamb, a servant and a king. The Kingdom He proclaimed was filled with apparent contradictions and paradoxes and sometimes the commands he gave even seemed to oppose each other. For the next 5 weeks, we will seek to understand how to hold the truths that Jesus taught in tension with one another to better reflect God’s Kingdom on Earth. We will discuss how to wisely navigate in a culture that is increasingly polarized on social, economical and political issues. We will identify our own leanings towards one side or the other, and learn how to better appreciate those in our community who help our church hold each of these truths in tension with each other.
March 27, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
March 20, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
March 13, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
March 6, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
February 28, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
February 21, 2016 - Jon Ritner
Throughout Church History, Lent was the 40 day season that invited believers to prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. It is a time for reconnecting with God through repentance, reflection and the renewing of spiritual disciplines. It is a time of deepening our roots and asking God to renew the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each Sunday in our series we will look at one of the classic spiritual disciplines as described throughout Scripture, show how Jesus incorporated the discipline and then give contemporary ideas for how we can practice it in the rhythms of our modern life.
Jon Ritner - February 7,2016
What difference, if any, did God's providence make in your life as you faced your most recent pain and problems?
January 31, 2016 - Jon Ritner
The Bible begins with the patriarchs of faith like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but no person in the book of Genesis gets as much attention as Joseph. Nearly one-third of the book is dedicated to the life journey of this dreamer. For us today in Hollywood, the journey provides insights into how God works in the life of a dreamer and how we can learn to wait on Him. Join us each week in this series as we follow the life, death and resurrection of a dream.
January 24, 2016 - Jon Ritner
The Bible begins with the patriarchs of faith like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but no person in the book of Genesis gets as much attention as Joseph. Nearly one-third of the book is dedicated to the life journey of this dreamer. For us today in Hollywood, Joseph’s journey provides insights into how God works in the life of a dreamer and shows us how we can learn to wait on Him. Join us each week in this series as we follow the life, death and resurrection of a dream.
January 17, 2016 - Jon Ritner
The Bible begins with the patriarchs of faith like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but no person in the book of Genesis gets as much attention as Joseph. Nearly one-third of the book is dedicated to the life journey of this dreamer. For us today in Hollywood, Joseph’s journey provides insights into how God works in the life of a dreamer and shows us how we can learn to wait on Him. Join us each week in this series as we follow the life, death and resurrection of a dream.
January 10, 2016 - Jon Ritner
The Bible begins with the patriarchs of faith like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but no person in the book of Genesis gets as much attention as Joseph. Nearly one-third of the book is dedicated to the life journey of this dreamer. For us today in Hollywood, Joseph’s journey provides insights into how God works in the life of a dreamer and shows us how we can learn to wait on Him. Join us each week in this series as we see how a somebody turns into a nobody and what God can do with somebody who knows he is a nobody.
January 3, 2016
King Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful, brilliant, and important being in the universe, at least in his own estimation, but God thought he was insane. God’s “Sanity Restoration Plan” was painful for the King, but Nebuchadnezzar was grateful for it.
December 20, 2015 - Sarah Duff
It wouldn't be Christmas without a tree to decorate. Whether wide or tall, tinsel or ornaments, colored lights or white ones, the christmas tree holds a special place in each home. In Matthew 1, we discover a colorful Christmas tree of a different sort, the ancestral family tree of Jesus Christ himself. Hung against the backdrop of 52 generations of patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph are four Christmas Belles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These four women of various races, social classes, and life circumstances are all part of the pedigree of Jesus. Amidst the confusion, grief, and pain in each of their lives, redemption is born. Each of their lives sounds forth one of the Advent themes of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
December 13, 2015 - Jon Ritner
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree to decorate. Whether wide or tall, tinsel or ornaments, colored lights or white ones, the Christmas tree holds a special place in each home. In Matthew 1, we discover a colorful Christmas tree of a different sort, the ancestral family tree of Jesus Christ himself. Hung against the backdrop of 52 generations of patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph are four Christmas Belles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These four women of various races, social classes, and life circumstances are all part of the pedigree of Jesus. Amidst the confusion, grief, and pain in each of their lives, redemption is born. Each of their lives sounds forth one of the Advent themes of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
December 6, 2015 - Jon Ritner
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree to decorate. Whether wide or tall, tinsel or ornaments, colored lights or white ones, the Christmas tree holds a special place in each home. In Matthew 1, we discover a colorful Christmas tree of a different sort, the ancestral family tree of Jesus Christ himself. Hung against the backdrop of 52 generations of patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph are four Christmas Belles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These four women of various races, social classes, and life circumstances are all part of the pedigree of Jesus. Amidst the confusion, grief, and pain in each of their lives, redemption is born. Each of their lives sounds forth one of the Advent themes of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
November 29, 2015 - Jon Ritner
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree to decorate. Whether wide or tall, tinsel or ornaments, colored lights or white ones, the Christmas tree holds a special place in each home. In Matthew 1, we discover a colorful Christmas tree of a different sort, the ancestral family tree of Jesus Christ himself. Hung against the backdrop of 52 generations of patriarchs from Abraham to Joseph are four Christmas Belles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These four women of various races, social classes, and life circumstances are all part of the pedigree of Jesus. Amidst the confusion, grief, and pain in each of their lives, redemption is born. Each of their lives sounds forth one of the Advent themes of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace.
November 22, 2015 - Rodrigo de la Sotta
Rodrigo received his M.A. from the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary, and his B.A. in Psychology from Chico State. He loves exploring how theological reflection and psychological development intersect, and how we can discover sacred space in all things. Having worked with Olive Crest for the past two years, he has had the privilege of walking alongside families as they embark on the journey of becoming foster parents. In his studies, he focused on the Theology of Adoption. His passion is to invite the church to explore how being followers of Jesus overlaps with understanding family and caring for children that come from hard places.
November 15, 2015 - Family Sunday
Today, the children join us in service to learn about God’s family – who is in this family, what this family does, and how this family grows. What better way to enjoy the children in service, then to invite their very own Kids Club teachers to bring God’s Truth to us all. Enjoy as we learn together as one big family.
November 08, 2015 - Jon Ritner and Sam Theophylus
This morning, we conclude our Pulse series with some practical examples of how we can live our lives on mission in Hollywood. Lead Pastor Jon Ritner is joined by Pastor Sam Theophylus of The Beautiful Gate, an Ecclesia supported church plant in Los Feliz. Sam and his wife, Priya, have been married for 10 years and have a three year old daughter, Ira-Faith. They are natives of Hyrdrabad, India and were both successful in the business world before moving to the US as church planters. You can learn more about their ministry at http://beautifulgate.la.
November 01, 2015 - Jon Ritner
It has been said, "The church is the only organization that exists for the benefit of it’s non members.” While that is not entirely true (we exist also to worship Christ and care for one another inside the family of God) the heart of that statement is a reminder that the church’s focus is never to be simply on herself. We have been called out from the world and called to a mission. This week in our Series, Pulse, Paul transitions from teaching on relationships within the church to relationships with those outside the church. How do we wisely and effectively live out the mission of God to make disciples in a world that seems increasingly uninterested in our message?
October 25, 2015 - Jon Ritner
Life is all about relationships. God created each one of us individually to be in community with others. It is our friendships that make our highs in life more joyful and the lows in life more bearable. And yet we all have experienced the reality that nothing can be more confusing, frustrating, or painful as relationships. How do members of a healthy church navigate the challenges amongst the wide array of relationships we have in the worlds of dating, marriage, parenting, work, roommates, and siblings? Paul directs us to a relational posture this week that will help us connect with others around us with greater success.
October 18, 2015 - Jon Ritner
Remember going to church as a little kid and having to dress up in “church clothes” for special occasions? Little girls in pink dresses and patent leather shoes and boys in khaki pants and clip on ties. Every kid hates it and then grows up to be a parent who perpetuates the tradition. Paul has much to say this week about what we are to wear as the the Body of Christ. What is appropriate attire for the church? Let’s hope it is slightly more comfortable than the scratchy church clothes we remember from childhood.
October 11, 2015 - Jon Ritner
The Apostle Paul begins his transition from doctrinal teaching to practical teaching this week as we move from Chapters 1 and 2 to Chapter 3 and 4. Our Pulse series will focus on how a healthy church keeps her mind and hearts set on the things above. Often the Christian life gets simplified to a series of rules we follow so we can compare our lives to those around us.. But God has so much more in store for His church.
October 04, 2015 - Jon Ritner
The reputation that “no one walks in LA” has become so common that someone released a film with that as the title this year. However, taking a walk is precisely what God commands us to do this week in Colossians 2. Our series, “Pulse: 8 Signs of Life in the Body of Christ” continues this week with Lead Pastor, Jon Ritner. We will learn what it means to walk with Jesus and how we can avoid being tripped up along the way.
September 27, 2015 - Jon Ritner
Our Pulse series continues this week with a look into the calling of the Church. In week one, we celebrated the place Jesus has as supreme over every area of our life as a church. This week we will discover what He calls us to invest our lives in as a community, and the cost that we can expect to pay as part of that calling.
September 20, 2015 - Jon Ritner
Pulse, our new teaching series on the life of a healthy church, continues this week with Lead Pastor Jon Ritner. Today we are exploring the rightful place that Jesus is to have in the life of a church. Have you ever noticed how the giant outdoor cross above the Hollywood Bowl sits atop a hill, or how the cross on top of European Cathedrals is often the highest point of the old city, or even how the Christ the Redeemer statue is at the peak of a mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro? For generations, the global church has tried to symbolize the place that Jesus has in the world, whether the world acknowledges it or not. Today, we will see why Jesus deserves to be put in His place and what impact that should have in our lives.
September 13, 2015 - Jon Ritner
When the heart of God beats in His Body on Earth, it's pulse is felt throughout a city. Today, new lead pastor Jon Ritner Launches our 9-week series through the book of Colossians. We will look for unique signs of life in the Body of Christ and will take our own pulse as a community and seek to revive any areas in which our faith has flat-lined. Today introduces the series as we look at what it means to be Ecclesia.
September 6, 2015 - Jon Ritner
One of the best known parables of Jesus also contains one of the most overlooked characters. Lead Pastor, Jon Ritner, will conclude our series, Ministry is Personal, by teaching on the set of ‘Parables of Lost Things’ in Luke 15 and sharing his own passion for the lost in life. If this message resonates, Jon recommends reading Tim Keller’s book, Prodigal God, for further discussion and application.
August 30, 2015 - Wes Halula
When we first meet Simon in the Bible, he’s brash, reactionary and a little too passionate. But he was transformed into Peter; the Rock of the Church. How did that happen? And is there any hope for those of us that are Simon-esque?
August 23, 2015 - Jason Ellis
Sin separates us from God, but we need God to save us from our sin. If we are forgiven, what is our response to sin? Can God use us sinners in his kingdom?
August 16, 2015 - Greg Larson
Following Jesus & His kingdom is not simply a nice, religious idea or something to perhaps explore some day, but it is actually a fabulous hoard of treasure (yours for the taking), if you give Him everything (yes, everything!) else in your life to obtain it.
**Due to technical difficulties, the live audio of Jon's message was not recorded. Watch the VIDEO of Jon sharing his story, in a re-cap of Sunday's service on our Vimeo channel.
Our new lead pastor Jon Ritner shared some of his personal journey of faith and how God has redeemed pain in his past to impact the lives of others. God can use the pain in His followers lives, and redeem it for the benefit of others. Like Jesus, we can "steward our pain" to provide comfort to others, as we ourselves have been comforted.
Romans 12:9-21 In light of the events earlier this week that are effecting the nation, what are we supposed to do? How does God want us to respond?
Romans 8:1-38 If we are "in Christ" then there is nothing to condemn us. So why do we still feel trapped in cycles of sin? How can we grow into the freedom we have in the Spirit?
This message was part of a special service designed to experience true communion with the Lord and with one another. Through prayer, scripture, worship, sharing, and receiving communion together, we experienced a true picture of loving God and each other.
Luke 10:25-37 What is the point of the "Good Samaritan" story? Why did Jesus tell it... and what does it have to do with your life and mine today?