Reunion Church NYC: Recent Episodes
Reunion Church
In today's sermon, we go through Daniel 3, learning about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the furnace. Christine speaks about worship as a form of resistance in the world we live in.
In today's sermon, we go into Daniel 2 and learn about Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. Russel shares about what to do when we don't know what to do in situations with our faith.
In today's sermon, we kick off a mini-series diving into the book of Daniel. Russel leads us through the first chapter of Daniel and shares about what it means to live in the world but not of the world; to be both a stranger and a friend to the earth.
In today's sermon, we dive into the stories where Jesus sends the disciples out and feeds the five thousand. Russel compares the two stories in how God is a faithful God who always provides enough.
In today's sermon, we are joined by guest speaker Corey Hise from Hope Collective Church, who leads us in understanding what it means to die to yourself in order to gain the kingdom of Jesus.
In today's sermon, we return to our series exploring the gospel of Luke and learning about the parable of the sower. Russel shares on the different kinds of hearts that exist when they receive the good news of Jesus.
In today's sermon, we wrap up the mini-series on generosity, as Russel speaks on giving to others freely because of the love of God that has been freely given to us.
In today's sermon, we kick off a mini-series learning what it means to love God and love others with what you have. Russel shares about generosity and consumerism, and how there is an unfulfilled desire in our hearts that can only be satisfied in God.
In today's sermon, we dive into a character study of Simon the Pharisee and the woman who pours perfume on the feet of Jesus, and how Jesus sees those characters in the story.
Happy Mother's Day! In today's sermon, we return back to our series on the Gospel of Luke, in which Russel shares what is faith and how we can live our lives in faith.
In today's sermon, we wrap up the mini-series on overcoming anxiety with Emily, a deacon at the church. Emily shares about how faith can help us to overcome anxiety.
In today's sermon, we continue the mini-series, Overcoming Anxiety, as Russel speaks on a hard question we've all probably asked - God, do you care about the anxiety we feel?
Join us as we begin a new 3-week series all about overcoming anxiety. In today's sermon, we explore where anxiety can come from and what we can do with our anxiety.
Happy Easter from Reunion! In today's sermon, Russel shares three points about the resurrection of Jesus - how it really happened, how it really matters, and how it changes everything.
In today's sermon, we reflect on the different kind of king Jesus came to be, and how that challenges us to be a different kind of people. We ask ourselves, "What does a person shaped by this king look like?"
In today's sermon, we take a look the three way Jesus spend his time - up (with God), in (with his disciples), and out (with the people).
In today's sermon, we take a look at the passage around Jesus and his disciples picking some grain on Sabbath, exploring what "pseudo-Sabbath" rituals we partake in and what real rest looks like in Jesus.
In today's sermon, we look at the invitation that Jesus extends to Levi in Luke 5: “Come and follow me." In this invitation, we see Jesus not only radically welcome all people, but also radically challenges them.
In today's sermon, we dive into the story of the paralyzed man being lowered by his friends to be healed by Jesus, and explore a character study to see who we are in this passage.
In today's sermon, Christine, one of our deacons, speaks about how Lent gives us an opportunity to embrace the emptying of ourselves just as the disciples did when Jesus called them, and how emptying our time, pride, and hearts creates room for God to fill these areas in our lives.
In today's sermon, we learn about Jesus coming with authority in the gospel of Luke. Russel shares about the hesitations our modern community has with authority, and yet how we can trust Jesus, who loves us, in his authority and power.
In today's sermon, we continue to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and learn about how he came to bring good news to the poor. Russel shares how we can both come with a humility to acknowledge our own spiritual poverty and to act in serving the poor in our community.
In today's sermon, we learn about the wilderness and how God can clarify our identity, trust, and obedience through that season in the midst of the temptation to power, possessions, and prestige.
In today's sermon, we continue in the gospel of Luke and center in on Jesus's baptism and what it means to be beloved by God.
In today's sermon, we continue our study through the gospel of Luke as we dive deeper into chapter 3 and learn what repentance really is.
In today's sermon, we dive deeper into the gospel of Luke, as Russel speaks about how to tie wisdom and stature into our lives as we reflect on the possibilities of the new year.
In today's sermon, we delve further into the story of Anna & Simeon at Jesus's birth - reflecting particularly on how our God is a God that moves toward the vulnerable.
Merry (early) Christmas from Reunion! Tune in as we hear from Russel about how the Christmas story is good news to all who hear about God's love through his son, Jesus Christ.
In today's sermon, we are joined by guest speaker Jared Hart as he kicks off our mini teaching series through Advent. Jared speaks about slowing down and being present so that we can make ourselves ready
In today's sermon, we wrap up our series through 1 Corinthians as Russel speaks on how the mission of the church is carried out through shared relationships, shared resolve, and shared resources.
In today's sermon, Katie Rader continues our series in 1 Corinthians by looking at chapter 13 in Paul's letter, which speaks about love as the ultimate point behind our faith and our actions.
In today's sermon, we near the end of our study through 1 Corinthians as we dive into a portion of the letter where Paul centers his thoughts around our freedoms and rights, and how we can ultimately use them in a way to love our neighbors.
In today's sermon, we continue our series in 1 Corinthians as Russel shares about finding contentment in our calling through changing our perspective, surrendering to God, or recognizing the reality of the gap between desire and fulfillment.
In today's sermon, Russel leads the church in exploring the passage and specifically looking at what it means to be a community that is disciplined and accountable.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Brandon Dunkley, a former pastor and a friend of Reunion. As we dive into 1 Corinthians 3, Brandon shares about what church leadership should and should not look like, going back to the core of Christianity, and understanding the church body as a temple of God.
In today's sermon, we kick off a new series in studying the letter of 1 Corinthians by learning about the city of Corinth - how its imperfections and obstacles are similar to those we face today in New York City, and how we can ultimately find hope, peace, and truth in the person of Jesus Christ.
In today's sermon, we are joined by one of our deacons, Emily Valentin, as she guides us through Psalm 23 and how the scripture can point us to steps that can help us overcome the obstacles of today's conceptualization of work.
In today's sermon, we continue the series around our faith and work by discerning our calling - specifically looking at what each of our unique spiritual gifts may be.
In today's sermon, continue the series around our faith and our work by learning more about calling. Russel shares how our primary calling is to be follow Jesus, and how we can find our calling in work by listening to God, listening to ourselves, and listening to our suffering.
In today's sermon, we kick off a new series called Faith and Work, where we learn more about how our Monday through Friday is becoming ever more important as a spiritual practice considering how much time we spend our lives working. Russel starts the series off talking about how work is good and shares three principles with us to carry into our working days.
In today's sermon, Russel finishes the mini-series as we dive deeper into the scripture in Matthew and how Jesus calls us to be salt of the earth and light of the world, and how that allows us to love our city and the neighbors who live among us.
In today's sermon, Russel shares the first of a two-part sermon series unpacking what it means to love our city well. Coming from a passage in the book of Jonah, we will be challenged with a call to care for and serve our city, rather than reject, fight, or use it.
In today's sermon, we conclude the summer teach series, Summer of Biblical Literacy, as Russel shares about how the early church operated and how the narrative of the Bible invites us to respond to God's story with faithfulness and to join Him in His mission.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Christine Thomas Yoon, a central leader in our Reunion community. Christine shares on the two narratives told to us in our lives and compares a gospel-centered life to making pottery.
In today's sermon, Russel speaks about how Jesus becomes the embodiment of God and how we are in "The Already and Not Yet," a time in which Jesus has already come to save us and yet God's kingdom has not fully arrived. Ultimately, we are invited to both love the King and live out the kingdom.
In today's sermon, Russel dives into the biblical concept known as covenant - what is it and how does it differ from relationships we have today? We learn about the promise that God makes with us and how He keeps this promise over and over again, showing his faithfulness to us throughout the ages.
In today's sermon, we continue from the previous sermon about the creation story in Genesis to the fall. Russel dives into story in Genesis 2 and 3, unpacking the result of humanity deciding not to trust God's invitation to us.
In today's sermon, we are joined by guest speaker Bri Rapp, who continues the Summer Biblical Literacy series by diving into the story that started it all - the creation story in Genesis.
In today's sermon, we continue the summer series on biblical literacy by tackling hard questions we may have about God in the Bible. Russel shares how interpreting the Bible through the lens of a crucified, suffering, servant Jesus is key to understanding the Bible.
In today's sermon, we continue the summer series on biblical literacy and dive into how to engage the Bible correctly. Russel shares about the three worlds that the Bible exists in, and how we as 21st-century Christians can engage with the Bible in a rich and meaningful way.
In today's sermon, we continue the summer series on biblical literacy and are joined by guest, Hansol Kang, Pastoral Resident at Central Presbyterian Church. Hansol shares about how the Bible is God's revelation to us in the areas of communication, love, and appreciation.
In today's sermon, Russel wraps up the series on The Generous Life, looking into the story of the young rich ruler and his interaction with Jesus. Russel speaks about virtue signaling, consumerism, and the poor.
In today's sermon, Russel wraps up the series on The Generous Life, looking into the story of the young rich ruler and his interaction with Jesus. Russel speaks about virtue signaling, consumerism, and the poor.
In today's sermon, Russel provides a biblical overview of generosity by going into scripture to learn more about the heart of God behind finances and giving.
Happy Mother's Day! In today's sermon, we continue our series, The Generous Life, as Russel shares about the joy of generosity. Generosity can be an expression of love and gratitude towards God and others, and we learn about how an abundance mindset, rooted in trust of God's provision, leads to greater generosity.
In today's sermon, we kick off a new series, The Generous Life. Russel shares Matthew 6 to talk about what Jesus says about money and possessions. What we will ultimately find is that Jesus is after our hearts, and we want to be the kind of people who invite Him into every area of our lives, especially the ones tied to what we value most.
Happy Easter from Reunion! In today's sermon, Russel shares how the good news of Jesus and his resurrection is not just a metaphor, but something to be taken in - in our minds (with evidence) and in our hearts (with hope). Because of Jesus's resurrection, we can believe that nothing is irredeemable.
In today's sermon, we celebrate Palm Sunday and unpack the spiritual discipline of humility, learning how Jesus modeled humility even in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, knowing the ultimate sacrifice he would make for us all.
In today's sermon, we focus on an "outward" spiritual disciple - witnessing. Everyone is already a witness to something - good news, food, stories, etc. How can we as followers of Christ find ways to naturally share our genuine experiences with Jesus and the impact He has made in our lives?
In today's sermon, we unpack the spiritual discipline of simplicity. Modern life is designed to crowd God out, but Jesus offers a life free from anxiety and stress through trust and receiving life as a grace. Russel shares what it could look like to live a simple life externally, and more importantly, internally.
In today's sermon, we are joined by friend Brandon Dunkley, as we learn about another spiritual discipline to practice in this Lenten season - contemplation, one that involves a bit of “hide and seek”. We will explore a framework for how to seek God by focusing our awareness on the presence of His Holy Spirit and the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Katie Rader, our Volunteer Director, as she speaks about service. Everyone agrees that service is good, but sometimes we do it for the wrong reasons. Katie speaks about how we form our service, what it looks like to be a true servant, and how we can be a servant in all aspects of our lives.
We continue The Good and Beautiful Life series, exploring spiritual practices we can partake in during the Lenten season. In today's sermon, Russel talks about fasting - what is it, why do we fast, and what can we hope to have revealed to us when we fast.
This Sunday we are kicking off a new teaching series, called The Good and Beautiful Life. But before diving in, we will spend this Sunday specifically, casting some vision around our Good and Beautiful Church.Our theme this year is discipleship - and we are very excited about how we together as a community will continue to mold ourselves around the life Jesus envisioned and embodied for us in this season ahead.
In today's sermon, we are joined by a dear member of Reunion, Christine Thomas Yoon, who shares the last story in our "Encounters with Jesus" series. We get a closer look into the life of Peter, and how the love of Jesus never abandons him, even throughout the lowest part of his story.
In today's sermon, we are joined by beloved staff member Brianna Rapp, who shares about a Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus. Bri shares about how Jesus's love fully welcomes and embraces anything we give Him and challenges us to give our all to Him.
In today's sermon, we are joined by honored friend Emily Gordon, who shares about the encounter that Jairus and his daughter had with Jesus. Emily speaks about falling at the feet of Jesus, Jesus's invitation to not fear but just believe, and to trade in our "superior" knowledge for miracle-believing faith.
In today's sermon, we reflect on the passage where the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus in John 4. Russel shares how Jesus crosses all boundaries and barriers to connect with us, simultaneously inviting us in with tenderness and compassion and challenging us to find deeper meaning in Him.
This Sunday, we begin our new teaching series: Encounters with Jesus with guest speaker Alicia Lee, an elder at Lower Manhattan Community Church. Alicia shares the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and his encounter with Jesus in the book of Daniel, and what the story could mean for us as we try to follow Jesus in New York City.
This Sunday, we continue to set the stage around the theme of discipleship, asking ourselves where exactly are we right now in our journey of discipleship, while at the same time naming where it is we want to be.
For our Christmas service, Russel shares how the Christmas story of Jesus is about the idea of an unconditional love that goes to the margins becomes real. Jesus comes to Earth to love all people, and through that, that we may also embody the love of Jesus to our neighbors.
In today's sermon, we are joined by special guest Josiah Haken, CEO of City Relief, which is a faith-based nonprofit organization to aid the unhoused in NYC. Josiah speaks on why Christians are called to serve the poor intentionally, and how we can go about it in our lives.
This weekend marks the first Sunday of the Advent season! We will be spending the next four Sundays setting the stage and revealing the magnificence of our God removing Himself from the glory of the world's standards to be with those on the margins.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Charlie Welke, a pastor at City Coast Church in Connecticut, who wraps up the Theological Renewal series and preaches on how nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
In today's sermon, we continue in our Theological Renewal series as Russel shares about how God's love for us cannot lessen because He is love, and how we often struggle to perceive our inherent worth and to accept the truths about who we are in Christ, and yet we have Jesus who is actively interceding for us at the right hand of God.
In today's sermon, we continue our Theological Renewal journey in Romans 8. Paul's words in verses 28-30 might be hard for us to understand at a surface level reading, but let's dive in deep and see what God is ultimately trying to orient us toward.
Today, we are joined by guest speaker and friend, Guy Wasko. Guy speaks on the acknowledgement that the world is broken, groaning in frustration that things are not the way things should be. However, the Holy Spirit is helping us and interceding for us to make us whole with God.
In today's sermon, Russel continues the series in Romans 8 - nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even suffering. We learn more about how suffering is real, overwhelming, often unfair, but most importantly that suffering can be meaningful.
In today's sermon, we continue to unpack Romans 8 - specifically looking at the wonderful gift the Holy Spirit is to us. It's through the Spirit that we come to experience the weightiness of Jesus and understand that we have been made co-heirs alongside Him in this partnership to help put the world back together again.
This weekend, we are joined by friend and guest speaker, Peter Ong. Peter continues to walk us through Romans 8 and speaks about three things - disordered desires, things in our life that cause spiritual death, and how Jesus is our ultimate deliverer.
In today's sermon, we kick off a new series - Theological Renewal - where we dive into the book of Romans and begin a journey from the head to the heart, where we will learn that true transformation takes place through the renewing of our minds.
We wrap up the Relational Renewal series with Russel speaking about handling conflict - conflict is almost inevitable in our relationships, so how can we learn from the Bible how to handle conflict well?
This Sunday we celebrated a big event - Reunion Church's 3rd anniversary! In today's sermon, we are joined by guest speaker and friend, Brian Wright from Foundry Church, who is sharing a word with us on spiritual mentorship. What does spiritual mentorship mean and what does it look like? Do you have one? Are you one? Listen to learn more.
We all have unmet expectations. The question is - what do we do in light of them? In today's sermon, we lean into God's Word that gives us guidance on how to love those who don't always live up to our expectations. Loving others can be hard - but especially in the life and person of Jesus - we see that it's always worth it.
Continuing through our new series on renewing our relationships, we will be taking a look at a story found in 1 Samuel 25. This story is a story of grief and pain - and we will come to find that if we don't take the necessary time to transform our pain for something good, we might end up transmitting it to those around us.
This week, we kick off our fall series: Relational Renewal - Emotionally Healthy Principles For Those We Love. This teaching series comes from the heart of our vision as a community this year which is to Join God in God's Renewing Work. Russel shares how loving others begins by being loved and loving God.
In today's sermon, Russel shares how habits have the power to shape us, and so it is crucial to reflect on the habits we are cultivating in our lives. We must continuously ask ourselves, "Are the things I'm doing everyday ultimately leading me closer to or further from the heart of Jesus?"
Russel returns from Sabbatical and speaks to us about the command we have been given to keep Sabbath - both because it is holy and also because we are no longer slaves. By taking a day to rest, play, delight, we are standing against the pressures of the world to do more, to work harder, and to work faster. God's desire is for us to regularly stop and remind ourselves of His goodness and His love for us.
We wrap up the Summer Mixtape series and are joined by Emmanuel Rodriguez, a pastor who is preparing to plant a church in Washington Heights. Emmanuel guides us through the beginning verses of Isaiah 6, a passage that presents a profound paradox: the holiness of God inspires both reverence and fear, while simultaneously inviting us to draw near to Him.
In today's sermon, we are joined by a dear friend in our Reunion community, Emily Gordon. Emily will be walking us through a variety of stories throughout the Bible that involve moments of waiting. No one - especially here in NYC - likes waiting, but the thread we will see in all of these stories is how God actually meets us in these holy moments of waiting, pointing us back to something true and pure found only in Him.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Kristian Hernandez, lead pastor of Hope Astoria in Queens. Pastor Kris shares how a parable from the gospel of Luke connects with the book of Isaiah that portrays Israel as a vineyard. More importantly, we learn about how the sin to be our own God is often times the reason underneath our other sins. In what areas are we acting like owners when we are just tenants of God?
In today's sermon, we are joined by Brandon Dunkley, former staff and a close friend of Reunion, who speaks about the different ways to worship the Lord. More importantly, we learn about the why for worship - to outwardly express our love for God.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Peter Rhee, a pastor in the midst of planting a church and a worker for CarePortal. Peter speaks about the book of Zephaniah, that while a just God must judge all evil in the world, His judgments stem from an unfathomable love for His people, aimed at restoring us from the sins we fail to recognize.
In today's sermon, we are joined by Jennifer Chan, who currently serves as the Missional Catalyst for City to City New York, and speaks about hope. As hopeslessness rises in our culture, we tend to load hope onto work or self-made identity, but we learn what can be offered to us when we instead choose to place our hope in Jesus.
This weekend we are launching our new series: Summer Mixtape! We've invited guests near and far to be with us, sharing some of their most favorite teachings of all time. First up, we have Jared Hart who has a special message planned for us looking at one of the oldest metaphors of our relationship with God: pottery. Join us as we unpack this verse and discover how this journey is all about trust, ultimately surrendering to the goodness of God.
What really brings purpose and meaning to the life we live each and every day? In this sermon, we look at the book of Ecclesiastes. Russel speaks about how the context of everything being meaningless in this life actually points to something else - God - who gives us true meaning.
Join us today as we wrap up the Holy Spirit series. We will be examining the passage in Galatians 5 that speaks on the fruits of the Holy Spirit, leaving us with a thought that perhaps the life we actually want is found when we are keeping in step with the Spirit.
Russel continues the series about the Holy Spirit, learning about the gifts given to us through the Holy Spirit and where those gifts might fit in God's bigger story. We learn about how the gifts of the Spirit are given so that we may prepared for works of service, build unity among the body, and ultimately be used for the love of our neighbors.
Russel continues the series about the Holy Spirit, diving deeper into what the Spirit makes us. We will explore this idea that maybe our identity isn't something gained, but rather something we are given.
Join us over the course of the next 4 weeks as we kick off the series about the Holy Spirit. In today's sermon, we learn what this dance with the Trinity is really all about, who/what the Holy Spirit is shown as in the Bible, and how we can commune with the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday is the final teaching in our Practicing Renewal series, with the goal to continue to Join God in God's Renewing Work. Russel talks about what it looks like to practically live a winsome life. How are we supposed to look at evangelism? Is evangelism a call for everyone? Join us as we look specifically at Paul's words in Colossians.
Russel continues in the Renewal Series, speaking about physical healing. Have you ever wondered if God still heals? Does He actually hear and answer our prayers for physical healing? If you have physical pain, we invite you (doubts & all!) to come and hear how healing might be possible for you in the person of Jesus.
We continue the Renewal series, with Russel speaking about what responsible stewardship looks like as children of God. Russel dives into the perspectives we have around money, and how when we are able to view everything we have as a gift from God, it allows us to give freely to those around us, ultimately allowing us to join God in His renewing work here on earth.
Russel continues the Renewal series by speaking about simplicity, both outwards and inwards. In a time and nation where materialism is king, we explore how living a simpler life helps us to have more contentment and peace by leaving more room in our lives to be with a God who knows what we need.
Reunion Church begins its Renewal Series, digging deeper into Reunion's theme for the year - what it looks like to join God in God's renewing work. Russel starts with the theme of creation care - what does it mean for us as followers of Christ to steward, serve, and care for the earth and the environment that God has created?
We are joined by honored guest, Brandon Dunkley, as he goes into Eastertide - the season between Easter and Pentecost. Brandon speaks about how Jesus goes from "He is risen" to "He is with us," and how Jesus is with us now in every step of our faith, even in moments when we are struggling to believe
This Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ by having Russel speak on the theme of Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. Russel touches on how the resurrection deals with death and doubt, and how we can find life in Jesus Christ.
Russel ends the Lent series by going over the last of the letters in Revelation, addressed to the church in Thyatira. Like Pergamum, the church of Thyatira had the problem of having the worldly culture seep into the beliefs of the followers of Jesus. Russel leaves us with three questions to help us reflect on whether we are giving our full loyalty to Jesus.
In today's sermon, we are joined by special guest Dan Sadlier, a pastor at Mosaic Church NYC and the Church Partnership Officer at City Relief. Dan goes over the letter to the church of Laodicea and preaches about how the church of Laodicea and the modern church of America share the danger of casual Christianity.
Russel speaks about the letter in Revelation 2 sent to the church of Pergamum. He explores the similar challenges that the church of Pergamum dealt with like the church today - the battle of ideas, struggling to not give in to the cultural practices of the day. Russel encourages through the sermon to be open to the truth that Jesus provides.
We are joined by Katie Rader, who speaks about the letter to the church of Sardis in Revelation 3. Katie preaches over dead spirituality, waking up to the authentic embodiment of our faith, and remembering the gospel daily.
Russel speaks about the letter in Revelations 2 sent to the church of Smyrna. Russel compares how the letter from Jesus to the church can encourage and push us to be faithful, to follow Jesus even if it costs us.
This Sunday, we are joined by special guest Jordan Richard, an elder at Gallery Church in Chelsea, and a friend of Reunion Church. Jordan continued the series exploring the 7 letters to the churches of Asia Minor by speaking about the church of Philadelphia. Jordan breaks down the letter into four "P"s - purpose, power, persecution, and promises. Jordan concludes the sermon with encouragement to smaller, local churches hoping to make a big kingdom impact.
In today's sermon, Russel dives into the first letter written to the seven churches of Asia Minor - to the church in the city of Ephesus. We learn about how the church of Ephesus was known for its loveless orthodoxy, staying true to their endurance in their faith, but failing to pour out their love to their neighbor. Russel ends by explaining that Jesus was and is the solution, walking with both grace and truth.
In today's sermon, we kick off the series for Lent, diving into the book of Revelation. Russel begins the series by exploring the context in which Revelations was written and how we, the modern church, can interpret the scripture that was written as an apocalyptic prophecy in the form of a circulating letter.
Russel continues the message of renewal by exploring how the Bible, God's word, is what prepares us for joining God in God's renewing work. In today's sermon, we explore four questions: What is the purpose of the Bible? What is the Bible? Why does the Bible exist? How do we read the Bible?
For Vision Sunday, Russel begins by talking about the beginnings of Reunion Church and what God's calling has looked like. Russel then talks about the hope brought by joining God in His renewing work and how we can join God in His desire to make all things new.
As the church prepares for Vision Sunday next week, Russel preaches what is necessary to create a vision for the church - abiding in Jesus. To abide in Jesus, we must follow the example of Christ. Russel breaks down how abiding in Jesus leads to restful union and fruitfulness, and can be done through a life of prayer.
Russel kicks off the New Year preaching about one of the highlights for January - Winter Dinner Parties. Russel spends some time talking about how Jesus used gathering around the table as a place of recognition, mutuality, and celebration.
Russel continues the Advent series by preaching over the next Advent theme - Joy. Russel speaks about how Advent Joy is assured and not circumstantial, and how Jesus coming down to be with us and dying on the cross has allowed us to ask God to give us the gift of joy.
Today we are joined by special guest Pastor Guy Wasko, the Church Partnership Director in the Northeast with Compassion International. Guy continues the Advent series by preaching about the next theme - Peace. In the sermon, we explore how God's Advent Peace is present with us, calms the storms in our lives, and restores us.
Pastor Russel continues the Advent series by exploring the topic of the first Advent week - Hope. Specifically, how to wait for the coming of Jesus with eagerness and patience, even in the midst of suffering. A couple of questions asked are: how will we slow down? How will we wait for the coming of Jesus?
In today's sermon, Russel begins the series on Advent -the coming of Christ- by speaking about giving thanks: "If the essence of God is grace, then the work of a Christian is gratitude." Russel then speaks about the thieves of gratitude and how we can both live in grief and gratitude in certain scenarios.
In this sermon, we are joined by honored guest Brandon Cobb, a pastor of a new church plant in North Jersey called Eden Church. Pastor Brandon shares about reconciliation by sympathizing with others' weaknesses through the story of Philemon with Onesimus, just as God has sympathized with our own weaknesses and reconciled our relationship with Him through Jesus.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series in the 4th part - Restoration. In today's sermon, we learn about how everyone, regardless of their calling to evangelize, can join in on sharing the gospel by leading lives that invoke curiosity about Jesus.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series in the 4th part - Restoration. In this sermon, we explore Paul's heart behind the gospel, and what we can do in the gospel work while we wait for the return of Jesus.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series in the 3rd part - Redemption. In this sermon, we consider how the gospel, the story of Jesus, elicits a response from us to make a decision as to who Jesus is in our lives.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series in the 3rd part - Redemption. Here we consider who we are in light of who God is. Do you tend to describe your following of Jesus in terms of what God has done and is doing or in terms of what you and I have done?
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series examining the Fall from another lens - the ways in which we use our own self sufficiency to control God.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series examining the human heart as an idol factory. Here we give a biblical overview of idols, disclose and deconstruct idols.
As we celebrate 2 years as a church, we examine the great homecoming we have in, even in the midst of our broken and fallen state.
Russel continues our Good News Gospel series examining the implications of being created in the image of God - inherent dignity and our ability to show a mutually self-giving love.
Pastor Brandon continues on our Fall teaching series speaking to the first chapter of the Gospel: Creation.
Russel begins a new series of teachings called 'Good News Gospel'. Here we examine what truly the gospel message is... a historic message about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Russel preaches on Jesus' relationship with the scriptures and showed how scripture can become a sort of operating system in our lives that helps us pray.
Russel speaks to a major hurdle in our prayer life: Unanswered Prayer. 7 Possibilities: 1. You Never Asked 2. Distorted Motives/Not Right with God 3. God Has. You Just Don't Like the Answer 4. God's Waiting For You to Move Your Feet 5. God Honors Free Will 6. Evil in the World 7. I don't know
Pastor Brandon speaks to praying when we don't know what to say. How is it that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and helps us pray in our weakness?
Russel walks us through the gift of prayer as confession, which is a process that includes knowing our real selves, confessing our sins, and finding healing in forgiveness from God and within community.
Russel teaches from Matthew 7, where Jesus encourages us to ask God our desires in boldness.
Continuing our Teach Us To Pray series, Katie teaches from Psalm 103 and David's process in prayer.
In the first week of a new series on prayer, Russel teaches from Matthew 6, where Jesus provides the Lord's Prayer. Building from this text, Russel describes basic principles for those seeking to learn how to pray.
Through the story of the widow's offering, Russel points to Jesus' response in the passage as a way to understand that true generosity comes from love. Russel walks through the difference between a mindset of scarcity and a mindset of abundance, and provides a simple template for becoming generous.
Brandon preaches on the topic of sacrificial giving, illuminated by Paul's exhortation to the church of Corinth. Brandon describes the sustaining nature of generosity motivated by joy instead of fear, and provides a set of principles that guide a life of sacrificial giving.
Russel preaches a short message on the importance of Jesus as the foundation of covenant community. A panel of Reunion CG leaders (Rachel, Katie, & Alejandro) provide insight into the challenges and practices of healthy church community.
Russel highlights the characteristics of the early church described in Acts, and points us to a vision of community emulating a God who keeps His covenants to His people.
Pastor Russel takes a look at God's heart for true fasting, as revealed in Isaiah 58. He challenges the church to cultivate an inner desire for true justice and mercy.
Guest preacher Peter Ong leads us through the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Matthew 19. He shows us that rather than simply good deeds, we are called to love God and know his heart for all people, desiring proximity and right relationships with our neighbors.
Emily teaches from Romans, describing the new life available to us through Jesus. She illustrates the "dark cloud" that was life before Jesus, and walks us through the meaning of becoming children of God with power to live a changed life through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Guest preacher Benjamin Lee contrasts the common cultural view of hospitality against the biblical description in Matthew 25. He then provides a summary of the essential traits found in a church community marked by hospitality.
Russel begins the Cultivating series that will explore the five primary values of Reunion Church. This sermon describes what true hospitality looks like, and how the church can cultivate a safe and welcoming space.
Russel teaches on Jesus being a stumbling block to those who would try to justify themselves before God.
Brandon teaches on Mark 11:15-19, showing Christ heart for God's temple and His people.
Brandon teaches on the power of God to create, reveal, and ultimately bring joy to a sometimes, seemingly joyless world.
Here speak to the motivations behind our generosity: that we should give joyfully, give out of love, and give sacrificially like Jesus.
Russel teaches on the impact of spiritual disciplines in becoming emotionally healthy disciples of Christ.
Russel teaches on the importance of being emotionally and psychologically mature if we are to be mature followers of Christ.
Russel teaches on the discipline and gift of sabbath as a way to live lives filled with the riches of Christ.
Russel teaches on the discipline and gift of sabbath as a way to live lives filled with the riches of Christ.
Brandon teaches on the importance of understanding your family of origin in order to live an emotionally healthy spiritual life.
Brandon teaches on the importance of understanding your family of origin in order to live an emotionally healthy spiritual life.
Russel teaches on why Jesus came in flesh; namely, to die on the cross. He discusses what this pattern of being means for his disciples and for the world.
Jared teaches on the way Jesus heals and sanctifies us over time. Jesus' healing often looks more like a process than an event.
Russel teaches on the necessity of faith in remembering all that God has done in order that we may trust Him today.
Russel teaches on the kind of followers Jesus is seeking in Marks gospel and how it is that the those that seem close to or far from God, in reality, might not be.
Russel teaches on the nature of religiosity, hypocricy, and the way that Jesus is able to give us a genuinely new heart to follow and serve Him.
Russel teaches on Jesus using our meager efforts to work miracles and bring about the kingdom of God.
Russel teaches on Jesus being the one who goes before us both in suffering and glory to lead us to the Father.
Russel teaches on how Jesus takes weak and misguided faith and calls us to let go of control and fear. Fatih - trusting that God is who he says he is and that he'll do all he promised to do.
Russel preaches on the way grace meets individuals and Jesus' ability to change lives. Grace defined: unconditional love to an underserving person by an unobligated giver.
Resurrection Sunday. Russel teaches on how resurrection meets us in fear, hiding, and doubt.
Russel preaches on the reality of our sin and the power of confession in light of God's mercy
Emily points us to the psalms to teach us to pray and show that we can return to God in all circumstances.
Charlie teaches on the necessity of solitude to mold each individual and the church at large into Christ's likeness.
Russel teaches on the human instinct to worship and how that instinct finds its proper expression in paying attention to The Lord.
Russel Rader teaches on the nature of the kingdom of God and the role of the church in its coming.
Russel Rader speaks to the nature and purpose of parables. These short stories announce profound truths, leaving us wondering and questioning. This parable invites us to evaluate the condition of our hearts.
Guy Wasko teaches on our responsibility to boldly go where God calls us and God's faithfulness in meeting us there.
Russel Rader speaks to Jesus’ true identity – one where we understand that he came to liberate, forgive, and start a new family.
Here Russel Rader teaches on Mark 2:23-3:6. Jesus calls us all to follow Him no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in, and He is powerful and faithful to carry us through all of life's seasons and stages.
Here Russel Rader teaches on Mark 2:23-3:6. Jesus breaks the sabbath to bring about its intended meaning - life, restoration, and joy.
Here Russel Rader teaches on how old patterns can't fit into new realities. Jesus is doing something new and explosive. Lets join him in this.
In John 1 we learn about the doctrine of the incarnation. Here we see the great lengths God has gone to be WITH us.
Jessica Rice teaches on the implications of Jesus coming in the flesh. In Jesus, we have a tangible and loving God.
For the first week of Advent season, Russel teaches on Jesus being the pathway to true peace.
Benjamin Lee teaches on our following of Jesus as he invites us to follow him in the midst of our own brokeness.
Here we examine what we want versus what we truly need. In the end, we find that God's default setting is forgiveness.
Russel takes us through how Jesus' life and ministry points to God's design for us to enter God's rest.
During our service today, we look at Jesus first words in the Gospel of Mark. His invitation is to a life of peace, health, justice, and overall flourishing. His Kingdom is one that both already and not yet. You won’t want to miss the implications that this can have for us.
At Jesus baptism the trinity is present. Here we learn that our identity is freely given and isn't something to concoct through self promotion and striving.
At our first every Sunday worship gathering we talk participating in the great story that Jesus is telling. Reunion is a community following Jesus seeking the good of our community.
In Matthew 7, Jesus teaches us to pray expectantly as he is a King and Father who cares.
In Psalm 139, we find that it is in the dark that God does his best work in us. Though the darkness of our sin and circumstances seem to prevail over us, God specializes in using darkness to show his marvelous light!
Psalm 103 is a psalm of new orientation. The Psalmist is seen talking to himself, encouraging his soul to remember the promises and character of God.
Psalm 40. Here we find God’s nature as a loving Father who longs to give us attention in the darkest places and times in our lives.
Psalm 1 serves as an introduction to the whole Psalter. If happiness is your desire, then this is your Psalm. Here we find that happiness is possible, not bound by circumstances, and rooted in a loving God.
God is love. To love God is to love others. Here we discuss how to love others in our moment in time. Love in this season is best found around the table with friends old and new.
As we continue our series We Are Reunion, we examine our final value: generosity. Our love for others is demonstrated, authenticated, and validated by our generosity toward them.
As we continue our series We Are Reunion, we examine our fourth value: covenant community. Our culture is in desperate need of life-giving relationships where others are committed and depth is present.
As we continue our series We Are Reunion, we examine our third value: justice + mercy. Here we seek to find the heartbeat of this compassionate God and how he thinks and feels about our current cultural moment.
As we continue our series We Are Reunion, we examine our second value: identity formation. What does it look like for us to take on the likeness of Jesus? Jesus' invitation for us to follow him is to become our truest self.
As we begin our series We Are Reunion, we examine our first value: hospitality. Hospitality is not to change people but to offer individuals free space for them to become friends instead of enemies.