Summit Crossing Community Church // Madison: Recent Episodes
Paul Whaley
ARTIST STATEMENT: KATIE CALVERT The six verses of Psalm 126 have been a part of my personal journey for several years. There is such beauty and mystery in the lines “those who sow in tears shall reap in songs of joy.” While at first they sounded like a far off echo, I would later come to feel these lines wrap protectively around my heart, like glittering threads of hope as I wept in particularly hard seasons. I have also heard their prophetic cry as I have borne witness to difficult seasons in the lives of others. A few years ago when I found myself in a particularly hard season, I sought the help of a professional counselor. She encouraged me to be curious about my tears rather than ashamed, because they often fall in the doorway of a part of my story that needs healing. Similarly, rather than hiding their tears, the Israelites wept as they worked, letting tears fall freely on the open fields. These lines have stirred up my imagination and filled me with wonder about the role our sorrows play in our work, and God’s desire for us to be authentic in our suffering. When I found a safe place to expose my tears, I began to see reflections of Jesus‘ care for me in the midst of them. My tears began to reflect much more than the sorrows that produced them. I began to imagine our tears as multi-dimensional, like prisms, such that when we take a closer look we see reflections of both our heartache and His. They reflect the truth that our God weeps with us. They remind me that He, too, let His tears fall freely onto the ground at Gethsemane. That He experienced sorrows upon sorrows on the earth so that He could identify with us. And, amazingly, He is using our tears and our sowing of seeds for the garden He’s growing, and the city He’s building, right in the midst of our brokenness. For some of the oil paintings in this series, I had a specific portion of the psalm in mind, and I included specific elements which referenced the passage. Others are based on the conceptual ideas I explored, with the “sowing” and the “reaping” occurring simultaneously, because we are, after all, sowing into a New Creation that is both here and coming, and our tears are falling even as our joy is rising. The healing that emerged through this journey gave me the courage to pick up paint and palette knife and “get back to work” in the way that He has called me, and to bring this body of work into existence as a testimony to what He has done. Creating these paintings felt to me like I was leaning into His chest to hear His heartbeat, and then working with my tools to interpret what I sensed and imaged from that intimacy. I do hope that this intimacy comes across to the viewer. Through this experience I have also become someone who is better equipped to welcome the tears of others. This body of work is my prayer and my vision for an authentic community that mourns together well, who are among “those who dream”, with the assurance that one day those dreams will grow into a reality of a full measure of joy.
ARTIST STATEMENT: JENNA HURT In my work, I am compelled to illustrate God’s Word in a way easily interpreted by the viewer. I find elements of nature to be beautiful hints to God’s own nature and character. This particular piece to illustrate Psalm 145 marks the beginning of exploring printmaking as a new medium to me. My goal is to communicate to the viewer God’s purposeful movement towards man, and man’s response in praise.
I have decided to venture into printmaking partly because of design qualities that I wanted to be present in this work, to have elements that are fixed, symmetrical, and repetitive. I’ve also become intrigued with the process. Carving a block is tedious, takes patience, and is risky. Yet, it creates a beautiful piece that can’t be replicated with shortcuts. The path I’ve taken through grief to find joy is strikingly similar.
In the span of 2 years, I suffered a miscarriage, wept over a total of about 20 negative pregnancy tests, intensely grieved of the stillbirth of my son, Joel, and mourned a pregnancy that I celebrated for only about a week. I wondered if I could return praise to God when I didn’t have a clue as to if He would answer my petitions. Through this time, I can confidently say that God was patient with me, seeing to faithfully complete a good work in me through a path of suffering.
This is a similar obstacle the artist faces. Do we continue with a work we feel called to, even though it has the possibility of ending in catastrophe? My answer begins in Psalm 145:14, “The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” If the Christian artist knows her given task and calls on God, He will be faithful to see the work used for its purpose: bringing the observer closer to his Creator (see Ps. 145:18).
In my suffering and my artistic process alike, I battle insecurities and lies fed by Satan. But if we look to the Lord through all the lies and bad feelings, we are given “food in due season” (Ps. 145:15). I believe in my personal suffering, that this “food” came in the form of the Church’s praise toward God, which caused me to meditate on the works of God (even if to question them in the beginning). Meditating led me to professing, and the same pattern can be found in Psalm 145. God does a wondrous work in this: He places new generations of sufferers in the midst of the now-worshipers. “Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (Ps. 145:21). In my piece, a flower is upheld by an open hand and praise pours forth. Beneath the surface, unseen roots are growing and new generations of flowers face outward in position of continued praise.
My heart beats with Psalm 145, which I consider to be of greatest gift in itself because He gave it in the midst of my waiting. It proves that even the sufferer can find a heart of praise in the midst of pain. When I thought He was silent, He upheld my soul. God has now allowed me to be pregnant again, leading me to again choose to trust in him over my natural fears of the unknown. I cling to the works of God. He is doing a wondrous work in me in order to do agreater work in all the world for all time for his own glory. This body of work is my prayer for all generations to find praise in the midst of seeking God in their suffering.
ARTIST STATEMENT: LISA RICCARDI The focus of much of my subject matter tends to be nature as a type of celebration of our Creator; however, I also do many custom pieces which gives me the opportunity to stretch and experiment. I work with pen and ink, pencil, clay and oils but my first choice is acrylic paint. Acrylics give me the flexibility to use texture and color as a way to set the tone or enhance a subject. Instead of signing my name I sign each piece with “EX 31” which is a reference to Exodus 31:1-6. In this passage, God explains to Moses that He had given specific abilities to certain people for His purposes. This is a reminder to me of where the ability comes from and also serves as an opportunity for a gospel conversation when anyone asks about it. The context of the Exodus account was the building of the tabernacle. We are later reminded of it at the time of the temple construction and again during the temple restoration after the return from exile. It is my belief that we have all been given abilities that He is using to continue building His church. The vision I had for Psalm 16: There are so many good things to ponder in this Psalm! The parts I was drawn to were: Psalm 16:1-2: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." Psalm 16:8: I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Church Family,
The last several months have required all of us to pivot as we serve Jesus while honoring federal and local authorities. Our staff and elders want to prayerfully and thoroughly follow the guidance of the government. In light of conditions in Madison County and at the recommendation of our COVID-19 Task Force, we are delaying our "In Person Gatherings" for at least one month.
Here are a few things you should know and expect:
In the last several weeks, our COVID-19 Task Force has implemented a safe experience for In Person Gatherings at our building. This critical work means once restrictions are lifted, we can begin to offer In Person Gatherings sooner.
We are continuing to research and implement new disinfecting protocols at our facility.
Our facility will remain open for limited ministry team meetings and adult event gatherings (like DNA and Foster Care Training). In addition to social distancing, all guests and staff will be required to wear a face mask upon entering our facility.
Patrick and the worship team will be hosting outdoor worship gatherings this fall (dates TBD).
Our staff will continue to work on new discipleship strategies for our Missional Communities, members and attenders. Look for those strategies to be shared in the coming weeks.
I know this email might be encouraging to some and yet disappointing to others. Our prayer is that you would lean into Jesus, his Word, and our faith family during this season. We are honored to be a part of this body of believers for such a time as this.
ACTS 2:42–47 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
SERMON POINTS Believed in the Gospel Sold their possessions Distributed to those in need Praised God
NEXT STEPS AFTER SERMON Work through the Reflection Questions (see below) Pray for how the Spirit would have your respond Share your thoughts with family or friends Close by thanking Jesus for His salvation and for the Spirit
REFLECTION QUESTIONS In what ways are you experiencing the Spirit’s power in your life right now? In what ways is the Spirit leading you to live generously? What are some creative ways your family could help others in a time of need? What are some ways you could encourage others with the truths of the gospel?
Exercising godly wisdom within the family requires learning, listening, and then applying. We must commit to a life of listening to instruction and living out faith that is inspiring.
Exercising godly wisdom within friendships leads to a brotherly love. Wisdom makes a distinction between companions and true friendship.
Exercising godly wisdom with our money embraces the beauty of spiritual wealth and defends against a heart of greed.
Exercising godly wisdom in sexuality recognizes the dangers or worldly satisfaction and flees from a life of impurity.
Exercising godly wisdom in sexuality recognizes the dangers of worldly satisfaction and flees from a life of impurity.
Exercising godly wisdom with our words means having a heart that overflows with Jesus so that when we utter words, they bring life to self and others instead of rui
Exercising godly wisdom in decision making means we stop making decision based on worldly gain but learning to trust God in both trial and triumph. Proverbs teaches us to follow God’s heart over our own. God had given us a new heart so that we can trust in His. We must look to Jesus in all of life, not to our own heart for decisions.
Exercising godly wisdom in all of life flows from a right fear of God and protects against living foolishly. Proverbs are more than pithy statements, they are truths the flow from the character of God that help us give gospel direction for the child of God. The Book of Proverbs should call us to not simply know the right things, but to know the right person, Jesus Christ, who says “Come, follow me.”
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. Here in chapter 8 we again see the cost of following King Jesus. Are we seeing and savoring King Jesus in our personal lives, our homes, in our neighborhoods, at work, and at play? In what ways is Jesus opening your eyes to lose your life that you may gain it?
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. Here in chapter 8 we again see the shepherding heart of King Jesus in the feeding of the four thousand, but also we see him as the true bread of God that nourishes our hungry souls. In what ways did you see Jesus as the true bread of God?
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. Here in the second half of chapter 6 we see the shepherding heart of King Jesus in the feeding of the five thousand, as he walks on water and calms the waves but also as he has compassion on those in need. In what ways did you see Jesus as the Shepherd King?
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. Here in the second half of chapter 6 we see the shepherding heart of King Jesus in the feeding of the five thousand, as he walks on water and calms the waves but also as he has compassion on those in need. In what ways did you see Jesus as the Shepherd King?
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. As we start chapter 6 today, we see that even King Jesus faced rejection. Today we see him send his disciples and we are given a glimpse of the fate of John the Baptist. A contrast of two Kings and two kingdoms are presented in our passage as well.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. We are back in chapter 5 today to see the compassion of Jesus on display.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. We are back in chapter 4 today in our study of the Gospel of Mark. In this section we will see King Jesus’ power over nature and demons.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. We are back in chapter 4 today in our study of the Gospel of Mark. In this section we will see Jesus using parables in his teaching ministry to describe the growth of the Kingdom.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. We are entering chapter 4 today in our study of the Gospel of Mark. In this section we will see Jesus beginning to use parables in his teaching ministry. Jesus had a purpose for using parables in this teaching, and we will see why that purpose has implications for our lives today.
We have seen in our study of Mark that Christ came to deliver us from the Kingdom of darkness. In his mission, we have seen his authority over humans, suffering, demons, and sin. Today, we will see that Jesus has the authority to make us his family. Jesus is called delusional by his own family, demon-possessed by the religious leaders, but He calls us family if we follow Him as Lord.
So far in Mark's gospel, we've seen that Jesus has come to establish his kingdom. As king, he has authority over us as humans (evidenced by him calling people to repentance); authority over Satan and his demons; authority over sickness and disease; and authority to forgive sins. After calling people to follow him and drawing a huge crowd, Jesus now delegates his authority to 12 disciples who will be sent out (the meaning of the word "apostle") to bring the reality of the kingdom far and wide.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. In this week in our study of Mark, we will be reminded of God's gifts grace. We will unpack the difference between law and gospel. As King Jesus continues to display his authority.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. The story begins in an unexpected manner, with a messenger preparing the way in the middle of the Judean wilderness. In these opening verses, we encounter the first glimpses of the upside-down nature of Christ's Kingdom as it invades human history.
Mark 1:21-45 shows us that Jesus has authority over humans (to call us to repentance and faith in him); authority over Satan and demons; and authority over sickness and disease. We begin to see the invisible, spiritual, curse-reversing nature of the kingdom of God; that the kingdom of God is the cosmic rule and reign of God being expressed on earth.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. We are studying Mark 1:9-20 and will uncover the the weightiness of Christ’s call to come and follow Him. We will discuss the importance of knowing that it’s through our gospel identity that empowers gospel mission.
The Gospel of Mark is about a King and his Kingdom. The story begins in an unexpected manner, with a messenger preparing the way in the middle of the Judean wilderness. In these opening verses, we encounter the first glimpses of the upside-down nature of Christ's Kingdom as it invades human history.