Oak Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Oak Church
A planting of the Lord for the display of God's beauty. A church community of hope, healing, and hospitality in and through Christ.
8/9/2026 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Toph Banke Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Table is Yours by Porter’s Gate Worship Canticle of the Turning by CooneyAll the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & DaughtersHope of the Poor by KimbroughSing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson When Your Kingdom […]
8/2/2026 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 5:1-20 Chris Breslin Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Wake Up by Arcade Fire Be Thou My Vision by Hull/ByrneCome Light Our Hearts by Rain for RootsInstrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate WorshipGood to Me by Assad Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Lesser Loves by Bifrost Arts Doxology
7/26/2026 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 4:17-32 Chris Breslin Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Kingdom of Jesus by Guerra Down by the Riverside by TraditionalFlourishing by McCrackenAmazing Grace by NewtonHeal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson I Shall Not Want by Assad Doxology
7/19/2026 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 4:1-16 Natalie Palazini Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take My Life and Let It Be by Havergal All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis/DraperEstablish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate WorshipYour Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate WorshipThe Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Sanctuary by […]
7/12/2026 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke Langston Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love is Strong by Foreman Crowded Table by HighwomenJubilee by Porter’s Gate WorshipThere’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy by FaberThis Table is Yours by Porter’s Gate Worship Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Your Love is Deep by Smith Doxology
7/5/2026 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 3:1-13 Chris Breslin Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Deeper Well by Way Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/DykeGreat Are You Lord by All Sons & DaughtersI Am For You by Meek SquadAll Ye Refugees by McCracken Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Nothing Else Matters by SEU Worship Doxology
6/28/2026 – 5th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 2:11-22 Ty Wrage Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/FunkNothing But the Blood of Jesus by LowryInstrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate WorshipNew Every Morning by Porter’s Gate Worship Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Bind Us […]
6/21/2026 – 4th Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 2:1-10 Madeline Erwich Music for Sunday’s worship gathering By Your Love (Reprise) by DeConto/Walton Open Unto Me by Thurman/ChambersFlourishing by McCrackenRestore Us Again by Zach/ViceHave Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson I Will Never Leave You Alone by Zach/Vice Doxology
6/14/2026 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 1:15-23 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/Bluett Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Scriven/ConverseHow Great Thou Art by Boberg/HineNothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate WorshipYour Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Slow […]
6/7/2026 – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Ephesians 1:3-14 Bettejean Cramer Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Scriven/Converse Behold by Mission HouseBeautiful Things by GungorGood to Me by AssadJesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson How Can I Keep From Singing? by Lowry Doxology
5/31/2026 – Trinity Sunday Ephesians 1:1-2 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering No Not One by Oatmen/Zach Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Scriven/ConverseLeaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by RedmanSteadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Sanctuary by Scruggs/Thompson Trinity Sending Song by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
5/17/2026 – Seventh Sunday of Eastertide John 17:1-11 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy May the Mind of Christ My Savior by Wilkinson/GordonHail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCrackenThis is My Father’s World by BabcockPsalm 126 by Bifrost Arts I’ve Got a River of […]
5/10/2026 – Sixth Sunday of Eastertide John 14:15-21 Justin Farmer Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Spirit Move! (Keep on Moving) by Porter’s Gate Worship Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/BluettRock of Ages by Toplady/HastingsIn Christ Alone by Getty/TownendYour Labor is Not In Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Chilton I Want it […]
5/3/2026 – Fifth Sunday of Eastertide John 14:1-14 Toph Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Abide With Me by Lyte/Monk/Groves Open Our Eyes by Rain for RootsWe Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCrackenWe Abide, We Abide in You by Porter’s Gate WorshipDrive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Chilton […]
4/26/2026 – Fourth Sunday of Eastertide John 10:1-10 Owen Wisselink & Charlotte Ellison Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Brother/Sister by The Brilliance Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate WorshipRest by Maher/Cockrell10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by RedmanBehold by Mission House I’ve Got a River of Life by Chilton Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
4/19/2026 – Third Sunday of Eastertide Luke 24:19-31 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Want Jesus to Walk With Me by Traditional I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by MarakGod With Us by All Sons & DaughtersBonhoeffer’s Prayer by Bifrost ArtsEstablish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by […]
4/12/2026 – Second Sunday of Eastertide John 20:19-31 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross by Crosby/Doane All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of AssisiFlourishing by McCrackenHe is Among Us by Porter’s Gate WorshipThe Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Surely by Zach Because He Lives by Gaithers Doxology
4/05/2026 – Easter Sunday Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 | John 20:1-18 Chris Breslin Slides from Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Wesley Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Jesus, You’re Leading Us Home by Anderson10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by RedmanHow Great Thou Art by Boburg/Kine I’ve Got a River of […]
4/03/2025 Good Friday Station of the Cross Chris Breslin The Cross Made a Change Common Hymnal STATION 1 Jesus PraysMatthew 26:30-46STATION 2 Jesus is Betrayed & ArrestedMatthew 26:47-56 Up on a Mountain The Welcome Wagon STATION 3 Jesus is Condemned by Religious LeadersMatthew 26:57-67STATION 4 Peter Denies JesusMatthew 26:69-75 CONFESSING TOGETHER The Worship SourcebookHave Mercy McCracken/Cockrell STATION 5 Jesus on […]
3/29/2026 – Palm Sunday Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 | Matthew 21:1-11 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional Hosanna Walking Song by BankeHow Can I Keep From Singing? by TraditionalGreat Are You Lord by All Sons and Daughters Jesus, You’re Leading Us Home by Anderson Hosanna by Garrels Doxology
3/22/2026 – Fifth Sunday of Lent Psalm 130 | John 11:1-45 Garrett Kaiser Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Breastplate of Saint Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship Down by the Riverside by SeegerHoly, Holy, Holy by Heber/DykesDaughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate WorshipBe Thou My Vision by Hull/Byrne I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks The Kingdom of Jesus by […]
3/15/2026 – Fourth Sunday of Lent Psalm 23 | John 9:1-25 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Lord is My Shepherd by Guerra Rest by Maher/CockrellLeaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/ShowalterAmazing Grace by NewtonHeal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Eat this Bread by Bertier Doxology
3/8/2026 – Third Sunday of Lent Psalm 95 | John 4:5-26 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering 50 Miles of Elbow Room by McGee/Carter Family Just a Closer Walk with Thee by TraditionalAbide with Me by Lyte/GrovesCome All You Weary by Zach/BluettAlways with Me by Porter’s Gate Worship I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Deeper Well by Way […]
3/1/2026 – Second Sunday of Lent Psalm 121 | John 3:1-17 Toph Banke & Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by The Highwomen Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by ZachGreat is Thy Faithfulness by ChisholmGood to Me by AssadHave Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Take Up […]
2/22/2026 – First Sunday of Lent Psalm 32 | Matthew 4:1-11 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering From the Dust by Zach Rock of Ages by TopladySteadfast by McCracken/NouwenIn Christ Alone by Getty/Townend10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Taste and See by Son of Cloud Doxology
2/15/2026 – Transfiguration Sunday Matthew 17:1-9 Brant Copen Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship This Little Light/This Joy by Traditional/CaesarCome Thou Fount of Every Blessing by RobinsonNothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate WorshipThe Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Open Up by Rain for Roots The Transfiguration by Sufjan Stevens […]
2/8/2026 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5:13-20 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I See the Birds by Guerra They Will Know We Are Christians by ScholtesOur Salvation is Bound Up Together by ZachAll the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & DaughtersYour Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Open […]
2/1/2026 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5:1-12 Toph Banke Download An Examen for a Time of Crisis
1/25/2026 – Third Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 4:12-23 Chris Breslin Download An Examen for a Time of Crisis
1/18/2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany Psalm 40:1-11 Kiki Barnes Music for Sunday’s worship gathering No Not One by Oatman/Zach How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/FunkSteadfast by McCracken/NouwenThose Who Trust by WaterdeepInstrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Up by Rain for Roots Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
1/11/2026 – Baptism of the Lord Matthew 3:13-17 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Surely by Zach Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCrackenEstablish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate WorshipNothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate WorshipHeal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton Open Up by Rain for Roots Come All Ye Weary by Zach Doxology
1/4/2026 – Epiphany Sunday Matthew 2:1-12 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine, Traditional Jubilee by Porter’s Gate WorshipSteadfast by McCracken/NouwenHoly, Holy, Holy by Heber/DykesBehold by Mission House Open Up by Rain for Roots May You Find a Light by Garrels Doxology
12/24/2025 Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Chris Breslin Images Lesson 3 – Sunlight in the Forest (Charles Burchfield Lesson 6 – Christ in the Rubble (Kelly Lattimore) Lesson 8 – Adoration of the Magi (Leonardo da Vinci)
12/14/2025 – Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Shepherds & Angels by The Jonah Project Joy to the World by WattsWhat Child is This? by DixPsalm 126 by Bifrost ArtsO Come Emmanuel by Traditional O Come Emmanuel, Traditional Reckoner (An Axe Laid at the Root) by Guerra Doxology
12/7/2025 – Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/ShayneHark the Herald Angels Sing by Wesley Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by WesleyAngels We Have Heard on High by Chadwick/BarnesIn the Bleak Midwinter by RossettiRise Up Shepherd and Follow by SpiritualNoche de […]
11/30/2025 – First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Wake Up Jesus by Porter’s Gate Worship Down by the Riverside by TraditionalCome Thou Long Expected Jesus by WesleyMagnificat by Rain for RootsHoly, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes O Come Emmanuel, Traditional Christmas Communion Song by Zach Doxology
11/23/2025 Psalm 33:16-20 & Luke 10:25-37 Nathan Wheeler Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Be Thou My Vision by Hull/Byrne Canticle of the Turning by CooneyBring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate WorshipCome Thou Fount of Every Blessing by RobinsonSt. Patrick’s Song by Meek Squad When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional Hope of […]
11/16/2025 Ephesians 1:16-23 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/TweedyThose Who Trust by WaterdeepFather, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship O God Our Help in Ages Past by Watts When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional Precious Lord, […]
11/09/2025 Matthew 28:18-20 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I’m Gonna Let My Little Light Shine arranged by Springsteen Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/DykesI Need You by MaherCrowded Table by The Highwomen We Abide, We Abide In You by Porter’s Gate Worship When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional All Ye Refugees by McCracken […]
11/02/2025 Matthew 5:38-48 Toph Banke Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Will the Circle Be Unbroken? by Haberson/Gabriel/Carter Family This Little Light of Mine, TraditionalLeaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/ShowalterSteadfast by McCracken/Nouwen The Greatest Commandment by Porter’s Gate Worship When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Doxology
10/26/2025 20th Sunday after Pentecost Acts 2:42-47 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Traditional Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/Bluett All Ye Refugees by McCracken Rest by Maher/Cockrell Open Up by Rain for Roots This Table is […]
10/12/2025 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides for Sunday’s worship gathering Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Times of Trouble by Porter’s Gate Worship Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/BluettAll Things Bright and Beautiful by Alexander/McCrackenMy Hallelujah by Torwalts Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional Great Rejoicing by Cockrell Doxology
10/05/2025 Ephesians 3:14-21 Gwen Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Brother Sun (Giving Glory!) by Porter’s Gate Worship Nothing Can Separate Us by Zach/BluettNo Not One by Oatman/ZachAll Creatures of Our God and King by Francis Instrument of Peace by Francis/Porter’s Gate Worship When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional Before the San Damiano Cross by Francis/Meek Squad Doxology
9/28/2025 16th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 16:19-31 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Wounded Healer by White/Vice Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Patient Kingdom by McCracken Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury The Advocate by Baltensperger/DeConto Doxology
9/21/2025 15th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 16:1-13 Chris Breslin Slides for September 21, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Kingdom of Jesus by Guerra All Creatures of Our God and King by Francis of Assisi Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Good to Me by Assad I’ve Got a River of Life […]
9/14/2025 14th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 15:1-10 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Lord’s Prayer by Guerra Rock of Ages by Toplady/Hastings Because He Lives by Gaither All Ye Refugees by McCracken Behold by Mission House I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury I See the Birds by Guerra Doxology
9/7/2025 13th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 14:25-33 Chris Breslin Slides from September 7, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by The Highwomen Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love by Scholtes Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton I’ve […]
8/24/2025 11th Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 71:1-6 Chris Breslin Slides from August 24, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Breastplate of St. Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship This is My Father’s World by BabcockOur Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/BluettSt. Patrick’s Song by Meek SquadInstrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury […]
8/17/2025 10th Sunday after Pentecost John 11:17-44 Chris Breslin Slides from August 17, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Hard Times by Welch/Rawlings Nothing Can Separate Us by Zach/BluettMay the Mind of Christ My Savior by Wilkinson/Gordon10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by RedmanAbide With Me by Lyte/Groves I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury Jesus, Wake Up by Porter’s Gate […]
8/10/2025 9th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 10:38-42 Josh Cadorette Slides from August 10, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/ShowalterSlow Me Down by Porter’s Gate WorshipI Need Thee Every Hour by Lory/HawksRest by Maher/Cockrell I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury Always With Me by Porter’s Gate Worship […]
8/03/2025 8th Sunday after Pentecost John 14:25-29 Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take it Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship May the Mind of Christ Our Savior by Wilkinson/GordonJust a Closer Walk with Thee by TraditionalI Will Never Leave You Alone by Zach/ViceThe Advocate by Swank-Baltensperger I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury O Day of Peace by Garrels […]
7/27/2025 7th Sunday after Pentecost John 8:2-11 Natasha Arnold Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Even So by DeConto They Will Know We Are Christians by ScholtesRiver Where Mercy Flows by MillerWe Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCrackenSing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury Abide With Me by Lyte/Groves Doxology
7/20/2025 6th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 9:1-13 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Beatitudes by Meek Squad Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship He Leadeth Me by Gilmore Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach/Bluett Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Doxology
7/13/2025 5th Sunday after Pentecost Colossians 3:12-17 Toph Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter Down by the Riverside by Traditional Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm Flourishing by McCracken All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury He is Among Us by […]
7/6/2025 4th Sunday after Pentecost Mark 1:9-13 Gwen Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All Creatures Lament by Porter’s Gate Worship No Not One by Oatmen/Zach New Every Morning by Porter’s Gate Worship Holy Holy Holy by Heber/Dykes Good to Me by Assad I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury I See the Birds by Guerra Doxology
6/29/2025 3rd Sunday after Pentecost 1 Peter 2:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides from June 29, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen I Will Never Leave You Alone by Zach/Vice Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of […]
6/22/2025 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 43 Justin Farmer Slides from June 22, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Green Pastures in the Sky by Thorpe/Sparks Crowded Table by The Highwomen The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters I’ve Got a River of Life by […]
6/15/2025 Trinity Sunday Matthew 22:34-40 Chris Breslin Slides from June 15, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers Peace Like a River by Traditional Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship The Greatest Commandment by Porter’s Gate Worship I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury This […]
6/08/2025 Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-21, 43-47 Chris Breslin Slides from June 8, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Spirit Move! (Keep on Moving) by Porter’s Gate Worship Come Thou Fount by Robinson Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship The Comforter Has Come by Bottome Holy Spirit by Torwalts I’ve Got a River of Life by […]
Hear Toph Banke share a personal testimony and some summer volunteer opportunities and fill out the interest form.
6/01/2025 Ascension Sunday John 17 Chris Breslin Slides from June 1, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Kingdom of Jesus by Guerra They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend I’ve Got a River of Life […]
5/18/2025 5th Sunday of Easter Isaiah 40:28-31, Psalm 31:24, Proverbs 4:11-12, Micah 7:7 Brodie Heginbotham, Garrett Clayton, Noa Breslin, Charlotte Ellison, & Owen Wisselink Slides from May 18, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Behold by Mission House Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman We Will Feast in the House of […]
5/11/2025 4th Sunday of Easter Acts 9:34-43 Chris Breslin Slides from May 11, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take it Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Behold by Mission House I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury Canticle […]
5/4/2025 3rd Sunday of Easter John 21:1-19 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love is Strong by Foreman This Joy by Caesar Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship This is Not the End by Gungor I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury I Shall Not Want by Assad Doxology
4/27/2025 2nd Sunday of Easter John 20:19-31 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Wounded Healer by Door of Hope No Not One by Oatman/Zach Those Who Trust by Enter the Worship Circle Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury I Will Never Leave You […]
4/20/2025 Easter Sunday Luke 24:1-32 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus) by Staples/Tweedy Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Wesley Praise the Savior Now and Ever by Fortunatus/Nelson Nothing by Zach 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman I’ve Got a River of Life by Lathbury How Great […]
4/18/2025 Good Friday Station of the Cross Chris Breslin Slides from Good Friday Reckoner (An Axe Laid at the Root) Guerra STATION 1 Jesus Prays Matthew 26:30-46 STATION 2 Jesus is Betrayed & Arrested Matthew 26:47-56 Up on a Mountain The Welcome Wagon STATION 3 Jesus is Condemned by Religious Leaders Matthew 26:57-67 STATION 4 Peter Denies Jesus Matthew […]
4/13/2025 Palm Sunday Luke 19:28-40 Anna Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Hosanna (for Walking) by Banke Hosanna (Will You Rise?) by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
4/6/2025 Fifth Sunday of Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Parker Hughes Slides from April 6, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering New Every Morning by Porter’s Gate Worship Rock of Ages by Toplady Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Behold by Mission House I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Traditional Restore Us Again by […]
During the last few months, a deluge of policy changes has produced profound fear and confusion within immigrant communities. Please join us for a conversation about how these recent changes are impacting our immigrant neighbors and what you can do to help. Shane Ellison’s bio (courtesy of Duke Law): Charles “Shane” Ellison joined the Duke Law faculty in 2020 in […]
3/30/2025 Fourth Sunday of Lent Joshua 5:9-12 Chris Breslin Slides from March 30, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Breastplate of St. Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter Holy Manna by Moore/Atkins Good to Me by Assad I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Traditional […]
03/30/2025 Laurel Ellzey Sharing experiences of encountering God in the Wilderness. Slides from March 30, 2025
3/24/2025 Third Sunday of Lent Isaiah 55:1-9 Gwen Heginbotham Slides from March 23, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Spirit Move! (Keep on Moving) by Porter’s Gate Worship Come All You Weary by Zach/Goans Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Your Labor is Not in […]
3/16/2025 Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 15 Chris Breslin Slides from March 16, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy by Faber Rock of Ages by Toplady All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters Instruments of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship I Want Jesus to Walk […]
3/09/2025 First Sunday of Lent Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Isaac Villegas Music for Sunday’s worship gathering From the Dust by Zach Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice O God Our Help in Ages Past by Watts/DeConto/Breslin Flourishing by McCracken We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Traditional Have Mercy by Paper Horses […]
3/02/2025 Transfiguration Sunday 1 John 4:7-21 Dr. Lester Ruth Slides for March 2, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering A Way to You (Isaac of Nineva) by Chambers Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by Wesley 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Behold by Mission House Open Our Eyes […]
2/23/2025 Epiphany Luke 6:27-38 Chris Breslin Slides for February 23, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Wild Peace by Good Shepherd Collective It Could Be a Wonderful World by Seeger/Banke Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Brother/Sister by The Brilliance He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots I Shall Not Want by Assad […]
2/16/2025 Epiphany Psalm 1 | Jeremiah 17:5-10 Megan Pardue Slides for February 16, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Nothing by Zach We Shall Not Be Moved by Traditional/Banke Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship My Hallelujah by Torwalts Abide With Me by Monk/Lyte/Groves Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots Jireh by Maverick City Music Doxology
2/9/2025 Epiphany Luke 5:1-11 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Traditional Peace Like a River, Traditional Flourishing by McCracken How Long? by Bifrost Arts Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots Have Mercy by McCracken Doxology
2/2/2025 Epiphany Luke 2:22-40 Anthony Mullins Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Will the Circle be Unbroken? by Habersham/Gabriel Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters I Am Not Alone by Jobe Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots […]
1/26/2025 Epiphany Luke 4:14-21 Chris Breslin Slides from January 26, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All Ye Refugees by McCracken Patient Kingdom by McCracken Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots Come All You Weary by Zach/Good Shepherd […]
1/19/2025 Epiphany Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Parker Hughes Music for Sunday’s worship gathering New Every Morning by Porter’s Gate Worship Down By The Riverside, Traditional Be Thou My Vision by Hull/Byrne Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots The Lord Will Have His Way […]
1/05/2025 Epiphany Isaiah 60:1-6/Matthew 2:1-12 Chris Breslin Slides for January 5, 2025 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light/This Joy by Traditional/Caesar No Not One by Oatman/Zach Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Behold by Mission House Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship […]
12/24/2024 Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Chris Breslin Images Lesson 1 – Creation (St. John’s Bible) Lesson 4 – The Peaceable Kingdom (Edward Hicks) Lesson 6 – Holy Family of the Streets (Kelly Lattimore) Lesson 9 – Flight into Egypt (Ivanka Demchuk)
12/22/2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke 1:39-55 Chris Breslin Slides for December 22, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Among Us by Incarnation Music Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Wesley/Mendelssohn Magnificat by Rain for Roots O Come Emmanuel, Traditional Canticle of […]
12/15/2024 Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Zaccheaus by The Jonah Project Joy to the World by Watts This Joy by Caesar Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/Shayne Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts O Come Emmanuel, Traditional The Zaccheaus Song by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
12/08/2024 Second Sunday of Advent Luke 3:1-6 Parker Hughes Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Spirit Move (Keep on Moving) by Porter’s Gate Worship How Great Thou Art by Boberg Oak Kid’s & Youth Christmas Pageant Go Tell it on the Mountain by Traditional Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Mother of God by The Brilliance Doxology
12/01/2024 First Sunday of Advent Luke 21:25-36 Chris Breslin Slides for December 1, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley O Come Emmanuel by Traditional The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Come Light Our Hearts by Rain for Roots Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming by Baker O Come Emmanuel, Traditional Drive […]
11/24/2024 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, 9-18 Chris Breslin Slides for November 24, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers St. Patrick’s Breastplate by Porter’s Gate Worship Patient Kingdom by McCracken Rest by Maher/Cockrell Good To Me by Assad When the Saints Go Marching In, Traditional Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
11/17/2024 Isaiah 11:1-10 Gwen Heginbotham Slides for November 17, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering How Can I Keep From Singing? by Traditional All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Behold by Mission House Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship When the Saints […]
11/10/2024 Genesis 3:1-13, 21-24 Parker Hughes Slides for November 10, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Lord Will Have His Way by Porter’s Gate Worship Have Mercy by Sandra McCracken Holy Holy Holy by Heber/Dykes Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Little Things With Great Love by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
11/03/2024 Luke 6:20-26 Toph Banke Slides for November 3, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering We Will Make No Peace With Oppression by Porter’s Gate Worship Crowded Table by The Highwomen Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Your Labor is Not In Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Illuminate the Shadows by Porter’s Gate Worship When the Saints […]
10/27/2024 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Chris Breslin Slides for October 27, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning by Staples/Tweedy This Joy by Caesar No Not One by Oatman/Zach Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Up by Rain for Roots The Kingdom of Jesus by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
10/13/2024 James 1:2-27 Bettejean Cramer Slides for October 13, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Lord’s Prayer by Guerra Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Old Rugged Cross by Bennard Behold by Mission House Open Up by Rain for Roots Always With Me by Zach Doxology
10/06/2024 Matthew 18:21-35 Chris Breslin Slides for October 6, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Lord’s Prayer by McCracken Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Come for the Feast is Spread by Burton/Gordon We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Come to Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Open Up by Rain for Roots Take, Eat by Garrels […]
09/22/2024 Luke 22:35-53 Chris Breslin Slides for September 22, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Lord’s Prayer by Zach Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Patient Kingdom by McCracken The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Open Up by Rain for Roots When Your Kingdom Comes by Zach […]
09/15/2024 Isaiah 6:1-8 / Revelation 4 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love Is Strong by Foreman No Not One by Oatman/Zach Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Open Up by Rain for Roots Here I Am Lord by Schutte Doxology
09/08/2024 Matthew 6:5-13 Chris Breslin Slides from September 8, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Lord’s Prayer by Guerra This is My Father’s World by Babcock We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend Good to Me by Assad Open Up by Rain for Roots Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate […]
08/25/2024 Psalm 145 Chris Breslin Slides from August 25, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Sitting at Your Feet (Mary & Martha) by The Jonah Project Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Beautiful Things by Gungor I Don’t Have Much by Mission House Open Up by Rain for Roots Ten Thousand by […]
08/18/2024 Psalm 139 Yates Kincaid, Brodie Heginbotham, Noa Breslin, Charlotte Ellison, & Owen Wisselink Slides from August 18, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional St. Patrick’s Song by Meek Squad No Not One by Oatman/Zach Great Are You, Lord by All Sons & Daughters Open Up by Rain for Roots Behold by Mission […]
08/11/2024 Psalm 100 Chris Breslin Slides from August 11, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Kingdom of Jesus by Porter’s Gate Worship Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi Rest by Cockrell/Maher Great Are You, Lord by All Sons & Daughters Open Up […]
08/04/2024 John 12:17-24 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter Beautiful Things by Gungor In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend I Shall Not Want by Assad Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Little Things With Great Love by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
07/28/2024 John 15:1-17 Chris Breslin Slides from July 28, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Death Defying Joy by Squyers St. Patrick’s Song by Meek Squad Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Our God is Present by White Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project He Will Hold […]
Throughout the Summer of 2024, we’re singing, praying, and preaching through the famous Franciscan prayer that we may one instruments of Christ’s peace in these fractious and desperate times. Pray and sing this prayer as you walk through the neighborhood asking God to give you eyes, ears, and an imagination for God’s peaceable mission to work in and through you. […]
Throughout the Summer of 2024, we’re singing, praying, and preaching through the famous Franciscan prayer that we may one instruments of Christ’s peace in these fractious and desperate times. Pray and sing this prayer as you walk through the neighborhood asking God to give you eyes, ears, and an imagination for God’s peaceable mission to work in and through you. […]
07/21/2024 Mark 8:1-12 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Love’s First Act is to Listen by Good Shepherd Collective Come Light Our Hearts by Rain for Roots Morning Song by Meek Squad Come Ye Sinners by Hart/DeConto Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Crowded Table by The Highwomen Doxology
07/14/2024 John 11:1-35 Anna Banke Slides for July 14, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take it Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship Come to Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Heal Us by Cowper/Twit Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project This Wild Peace by […]
07/07/2024 Luke 15 Chris Breslin Slides for July 7, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Caesar No Not One by Oatman/Zach Father Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Joy Will Come […]
06/30/2024 John 14:26-27, Isaiah 50:10 Elizabeth Christenson Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Caesar Peace Like a River by Traditional How Can I Keep From Singing? by Traditional Good to Me by Assad The Advocate by Baltensperger Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Drive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
06/23/2024 John 5:1-13 Chris Breslin Slides for June 23, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Rest by Maher/Cockrell Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Wake […]
06/16/2024 Mark 9:14-29 Anthony Mullins Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Flourishing by McCracken Behold by Mission House Your Labor is Not In Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Heal Us by Cowper/Twit Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Drive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
06/09/2024 Luke 19:1-10 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter/Hoffman Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Zacchaeus […]
06/02/2024 John 8:1-11 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul by Steele/McCracken No Not One by Oatman/Zach Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus by Francis/Assad He Leadeth Me by Gilmore/Bradbury Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Little Things with Great Love by […]
05/26/2024 Isaiah 6:1-8 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Isaiah 6 by The Jonah Project Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken The Earth is Yours by Gungor Here I Am Lord by Schutte Doxology
05/19/2024 Acts 2:1-21 Meg Hoffman Music for Sunday’s worship gathering New Every Morning by Porter’s Gate Worship Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach The Comforter Has Come by Bottome I Need Thee Every Hour by Hawks/Lowry Holy Spirit by Torwalts Spirit Move! by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
05/12/2024 Psalm 139 Shirley Li Slides from May 12, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning by Staples/Tweedy Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen All Shall Be Well by Julian of Norwich/Van Deusen Come, All Who Are Weary, Come by Zach/Goans Doxology
05/05/2024 Acts 10:34-48 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Oxenham/Staples/Tweedy There is a Wideness in God’s Mercy by Faber Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves Heal Us by Cowper/Twit All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters Nothing by Zach Doxology
04/28/2024 Acts 8:26-40 Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough This is My Father’s World by Babcock Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Have Mercy on Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
04/21/2024 Psalm 23 Ty Wrage Slides for April 21, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Psalm 3 by The Jonah Project Rest by Maher/Cockrell Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes Good to Me by Assad Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
04/14/2024 Acts 3:12-19 Chris Breslin Slides for April 14, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering We Believe in the Name by Porter’s Gate Worship No Not One by Oatman/Zach Make a Way by Porter’s Gate Worship The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Doxology
04/07/2024 Acts 4:32-35 Chris Breslin Slides for April 7, 2024 Howard Thurman (Y’all Saints Sermon by Byron Cogdell) Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love by Scholtes 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Steadfast by McCracken/Nouwen Kingdom of God by Guerra We Will Feast […]
03/31/2024 John 20:1-18 Chris Breslin Slides for March 31, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Alleluia by Meek Squad Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Wesley Peace Like a River by Traditional This Is My Father’s World by Babcock Agnus Dei by Smith Abide by The Jonah Project Doxology
03/29/2024 Stations of the Cross Reflection Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering By the Mark by Welch/Rawlings Up on a Mountain by The Welcome Wagon Hosanna Song by Guerra/Zach The Cross That Made the Change by Common Hymnal Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Arranged by Toph Banke Have Mercy by McCracken Wood & Nails by Porter’s […]
03/24/2024 Mark 11:1-11 Ty Wrage Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Holy Holy Holy by Heber/Dykes All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Hosanna (Will You Rise?) by Porter’s Gate Worship He Comes by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
03/17/2024 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by Highwomen Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship This Little Light of Mine by Traditional Take Up Your Spade by Watkins Good to Me by Assad Rise Up by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
03/10/2024 Exodus 12:1-20 Kendall Vanderslice Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me by Thurman/Chambers Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Great Our You God by All Sons & Daughters Taste & See by Son of Cloud Doxology
03/03/2024 John 13:18-30 Ty Wrage Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This is My Father’s World by Babcock Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Rest by Maher/Cockrell Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Here by Jobe Doxology
02/25/2024 1 Kings 19:9b-18 Toph Banke Playlist from February 25, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Amazing Grace by Newton/Seeger Holy Holy Holy by Heber/Dykes Behold by Mission House Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship I Shall Not Want by Assad Doxology
02/18/2024 Mark 8:22-25 Chris Breslin Slides from February 18, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering From the Dust by Zach Our God is Present by White Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby Have Mercy by Paper Horses Be Thou My Vision by Robinson Open Our Eyes, Lord, We Want to See Jesus by Cull Doxology
02/11/2024 Mark 9:2-9 Chris Breslin Slides from February 11, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by Highwomen Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson Patient Kingdom by McCracken The Earth is Yours by Gungor He Leadeth Me by Gilmore We Abide in You by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
02/04/2024 Mark 1:29-39 Chris Breslin Slides from February 4, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Breastplate of St. Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton Abide With Me by Lyte/Monk Nothing to Fear by Porter’s […]
01/28/2024 Mark 1:21-28 Chris Breslin Slides from January 28, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship Rest by Maher/Cockrell This is My Father’s World by Babcock Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship I Want It All by Good Shepherd Collective Doxology
01/21/2024 Mark 1:14-20 Chris Breslin Slides from January 21, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All Shall Be Well by Julian of Norwich/Van Deusen Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm My Hallelujah by Torwalts Holy Spirit by Torwalts Taste and See by Son of Cloud Doxology
01/14/2024 John 1:43-51 Chris Breslin Slides from January 14, 2024 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Traditional Steadfast by McCracken Good to Me by Assad Behold by Mission House Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
12/24/2023 John 1:14 Chris Breslin Slides from December 24, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Silent Night by Mohr O Come Emmanuel by Traditional Behold by Mission House God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Noel by Daigle Love Came Down at Christmas by Rossetti Doxology
12/17/2023 John 1:9-13 Ty Wrage Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Simeon by The Jonah Project Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Wesley Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence by Moultrie Drive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
12/10/2023 John 1:6-8; 29-34 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering He Comes by Porter’s Gate Worship Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Oak Kids & Youth present The Stations of the Manger Make a Way by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
12/03/2023 John 1:1-5 Toph Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Shepherds & Angels by The Jonah Project Sing With All Your Heart by Mission House O Come Emmanuel by Traditional God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Behold by Mission House Jesus Is by Paper Horses Doxology
11/26/2023 Psalm 31:1-8 Ty Wrage Slides from November 26, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering New Wonders by McCracken Declaring Glory (The Earth Sings its Refrain) by Porter’s Gate Worship This is My Father’s World by Babcock All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship All the Trees of the Field […]
11/19/2023 Psalm 139 Chris Breslin Slides from November 19, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Centering Prayer by Porter’s Gate Worship Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Almighty God by McCracken Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Enclosed By You by White/Vice Doxology
11/12/2023 Isaiah 11:1-9 Meg Hoffman Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Behold by Mission House Sing Over Me by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
11/05/2023 Esther 4:4-17 Toph Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Have Mercy by Paper Horses Canticle of the Turning by Cooney I Got a River of Life by Pulkingham & Casebolt How Long? by Bifrost Arts Take Up Your Spade by Watkins I Will Never Leave You Alone by Zach/Vice Doxology
11/05/2023 Pastor Meg announces her transition into a new ministry with Lilly Endowment’s Christian Parents and Caregivers Initiative. We’ll be celebrating Pastor Meg on Sunday 11/19 during worship gathering and potluck!
10/29/2023 Matthew 22:34-40 Chris Breslin Slides from October 29, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come All Ye Weary by Zach Bring in the Year of Jubilee by Porter’s Gate Worship Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Great Are You God by All Sons & Daughters All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters The Greatest […]
10/22/2023 Matthew 22:15-22 Chris Breslin Slides from October 22, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take It Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Flourishing by McCracken Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Perfect Love Come Near to Me by Eader Doxology
10/22/2023 Anna & Toph Banke Consider being a part of Oak Church’s Pilgrimage on November 10-12, 2023 (in partnership with DurhamCares & the Gathering Church).
10/15/2023 Luke 14:7-24 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by The Highwomen All Ye Refugees by McCracken We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Come Light Our Hearts by Rain for Roots Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Wake Up, Jesus by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
10/08/2023 Matthew 21:33-46 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Our God is Present by White All Ye Refugees by McCracken Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus by Francis The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal We Are Not Overcome by Bifrost Arts No Life Apart by Gamboa Doxology
10/01/2023 Colossians 1:15-23 (the Message) Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All Things New by Red Mountain Music Steadfast by McCracken Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Behold by Mission House How Can I Keep From Singing? by Traditional Doxology
09/24/2023 Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Ty Wrage Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take it Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship Bring in the Year of Jubilee (Ps 37) by Porter’s Gate Worship How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Good to Me by Assad Turn! Turn! Turn! by Seeger/The Byrds Doxology
09/24/2023 Elizabeth Christenson Sharing experiences of encountering God through Creation.
09/17/2023 Psalm 148 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Let Them Praise the Name of the Lord (Ps 148) by Crawford/Harris He Leadeth Me (Ps 23) by Gilmore/Bradbury Flourishing (Ps 119) by McCracken Bring in the Year of Jubilee (Ps 37) by Porter’s Gate Worship How Great Thou Art (Ps 8) by Boberg/Hine The Lord is My Shepherd […]
09/10/2023 Genesis 2:25-3: & Romans 8:18-25 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering A Way to You (Isaac of Nineveh) by Chambers Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter All The Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters I Need Thee Every Hour by Hawks/Lowry Rest by Maher/Cockrell We Labor Unto Glory by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
09/03/2023 Genesis 1:1-2:9 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional This is My Father’s World by Babcock The Earth is Yours by Gungor Abide With Me by Lyte Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Doxology
08/27/2023 Exodus 1:8-2:10 Toph Banke Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus Loves the Little Children/He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands by Traditional Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots Be Thou My Vision by Traditional Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship This is How We Know What Love Is by Anchor Hymns Little […]
08/20/2023 Matthew 15:21-27 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Breastplate of St. Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship No Not One by Oatmen/Zach Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters Come All You Weary by Zach Doxology
08/13/2023 Matthew 14:22-33 Hannah Wheeler & Justin Farmer Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson Steadfast by McCracken Good to Me by Assad 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Walk on Water by Audio Adrenaline Doxology
08/06/2023 Matthew 14:13-21 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Earth is Yours by Gungor This is My Father’s World by Babcock He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Traditional Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter I Am For You by Meek Squad I Shall Not Want by Assad Doxology
07/30/2023 Isaiah 61 Chris Breslin Slides from July 30th. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm The Advocate by Baltensperger Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Doxology
Romans 8:12-25 Meg Hoffman Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love Is Strong by Foreman Take It Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship He Leadeth Me by Gilmore Good To Me by Assad Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Rest by Maher/Cockrell Doxology
07/16/2023 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Thomas Kortus Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship For the Beauty of the Earth by Pierpoint/Dix Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Beautiful Things by Gungor Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Doxology
07/09/2023 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Be Thou My Vision by Robinson He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Behold by Mission House Take it Easy by Porter’s Gate Worship Doxology
06/25/2023 Matthew 10:24-39 Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering All of Your Ways Are Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Peace Like a River by Traditional I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh/Assam Bonhoeffer’s Prayer by Bifrost Arts Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship O Day of Peace by Garrels Doxology
06/18/2023 Romans 5:1-8 Meg Hoffman & Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering You Hold it All Together by Maverick City This Joy by Caesar Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Evergreen by Assad Doxology
06/11/2023 Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Caesar Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters He Is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Project All Ye Refugees by McCracken Doxology
06/04/2023 Matthew 28:16-20 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Open Up by Rain for Roots Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Behold by Mission House Trinity Song by McCracken Doxology
05/28/2023 Acts 2:1-13 & Galatians 5:13-26 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Flourishing by McCracken This Joy by Caesar Holy Holy Holy by Heber/Dykes The Comforter Has Come by Bottome The Advocate by Baltensperger May the Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
05/21/2023 Matthew 5:14-16 Mark Acuff Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine by Traditional The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough I Am Not Alone by Jobe Let There Be Light by Torwalts Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Turn Your Eyes on Jesus by Lemmel Doxology
05/14/2023 John 21:12-19 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Breastplate of St. Patrick by Porter’s Gate Worship Project He Leadeth Me by Gilmore Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Holy Spirit by Torwalts I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry/Hawks Doxology
05/07/2023 Luke 24:28-35 Justin Farmer Music for Sunday’s worship gathering A Way to You (Isaac of Nineveh) by Chambers No Not One by Oatman/Zach Steadfast by McCracken Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters Bread of the World by Heber/Wells Doxology
04/30/2023 Ephesians 3:16-19 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin Slides from April 30, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy This Little Light of Mine by Traditional Be Thou My Vision by Rippon/Funk No One is An Island by Assad Abide With Me by Lyte/Monk We Abide […]
04/23/2023 Romans 12:9-21 Chris Breslin Slides from April 23, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Fifty Miles of Elbow Room by McGee This Joy by Caesar How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Project All Ye Refugees by McCracken Doxology
04/16/2023 Colossians 3:1-17 Chris Breslin Slides from April 16, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me (Howard Thurman) by Nick Chambers Father Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Flourishing by McCracken Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton Behold by Mission House Doxology
04/07/2023 Curt Lowndes Stations of the Cross with the Gathering Church View stations program
03/26/2023 John 12:12-18 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Traditional All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman My Hallelujah by Torwalt Hosanna (Will You Rise?) by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
03/26/2023 John 15:1-8 Chris Breslin Slides from March 26, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Brother Sun by Porter’s Gate Worship Project We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Good to Me by Assad We Abide In You by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology: I […]
03/19/2023 John 6:25-35 Kendall Vanderslice [Unfortunately, our recording only captured a portion of Kendall’s sermon] Kendall’s new book, By Bread Alone Kendall’s Podcast, Kitchen Meditations Kendall’s Website, Edible Theology Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Crowded Table by The Highwomen Holy Manna by Moore Lord, I Need You by Maher/Tomlin/Stanfill Come for the Feast is Spread by Burton/Gordon In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend […]
03/12/2023 John 10:1-21 Meg Hoffman Slides from March 12, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Slow Me Down by Porter’s Gate Worship Project I Want Jesus to Walk with Me, Traditional Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Rest by Maher/Cockrell Doxology: I Want Jesus to Walk […]
03/05/2023 John 8:1-12 Chris Breslin Slides from March 5, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light by Thomerson This Little Light of Mine, Traditional No Not One byTraditional Open Up Our Eyes by Rain for Roots God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Doxology
02/26/2023 John 14:1-8 Chris Breslin Slides from February 26, 2023 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering From the Dust by Zach I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Traditional Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches I Am For You by Meek Squad The Way by White Doxology
02/19/2023 Matthew 17:1-9 Natasha Arnold Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Transfiguration by Stevens Come Thou Fount by Robinson The Comforter by Bottome Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Holy Spirit by Torwalt Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
02/12/2023 Matthew 5:21-37 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love is Strong by Foreman Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Steadfast by McCracken Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters Brother/Sister by The Brilliance A Way to You (Isaac of Nineveh) by Chambers Doxology
02/05/2023 Matthew 5:13-20 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy Patient Kingdom by McCracken How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk Reckless Love by Asbury Build My Life by Barrett The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Doxology
01/29/2023 Matthew 5:1-12 (The Message) Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Blessed are the Merciful by the Porter’s Gate Worship Project This Little Light of Mine by Loes/Simonsen This is My Father’s World by Babcock Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby When Your Kingdom Comes by Zach The Church’s One Foundation by Stone Doxology
01/22/2023 1 Corinthians 13 Wilco de Vries Music for Sunday’s worship gathering They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love by Scholtes The Greatest Commandment by the Porter’s Gate Worship Project Take My Life and Let it Be by Rest by Maher/Cockrell O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus by Francis/Assad Little Things With Great Love by the Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
01/15/2023 Revelation 5 Natasha Arnold Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by the Porter’s Gate Worship Project Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Jesus Paid it All by Hull Everything is New by Davis Kingdom of God by Guerra Doxology
01/08/2023 Matthew 2:1-12 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Caesar Peace Like a River, traditional No Not One by Oatman/Zach Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons) by Redman All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters Doxology
12/18/2022 Isaiah 7:10-16 Natasha Arnold Slides from December 18, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Silent Night by Mohr O Come Emmanuel by Traditional Canticle of the Turning by Cooney God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Noel by Daigle/Tomlin/Cash/Redman Love Came Down at Christmas by Rosetti O Come All Ye Faithful by Wade/Banke
12/11/2022 Isaiah 35 Chris Breslin Slides from December 11, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley Once in Royal David’s City by Alexander/Gauntlett Friendly Beasts by Davis/Coffin/Dickinson While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night by Tate We Three Kings by Hopkins O Come All Ye Faithful by Wade Behold […]
12/04/2022 Isaiah 11:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides from December 4, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come All You Weary by Zach/Bluett Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/Shayne Come Thou Fount by Robinson The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Holy Spirit by Torwalt Instrument of Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project O Come All Ye Faithful by Wade/Banke
11/27/2022 Isaiah 2:1-5 Chris Breslin Slides from November 27, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming, Traditional O Come Emmanuel, Traditional Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons & Daughters Drive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship Project
11/20/2022
Mark 10:13-16
Natasha Arnold
Slides from November 20, 2022 Music for Sunday's worship gathering Brother by The Brilliance
They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes
Open Our Eyes by Rain for Roots
Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill
Good To Me by Assad
Island by Assad
11/13/2022
Hebrews 10:19-24
Meg Hoffman
Slides from November 13, 2022 Music for Sunday's worship gathering It Is Well With My Soul by Spafford/Bliss
All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi
We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken
I Will Never Leave You Alone by Zach/Vice
The Love of Christ is Rich and Free by Gadsby/McCracken
All Shall Be Well by Van Deusen
11/06/2022
Matthew 13:44, 51-58
Chris Breslin
Slides from November 6, 2022 Music for Sunday's worship gathering Freight Train / Time to Stop Your Idling by Cotten
Woke Up this Morning by Staples/Tweedy
No Not One by Oatman/Zach
The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough
I Need Thee Every Hour by Lowry
Canticle of the Turning by Cooney
10/30/2022 Hebrews 12:1-2 Chris Breslin Slides from October 30, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering When the Saints Come Marching In by Traditional This Little Light of Mine by Traditional How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk O God Our Help in Ages Past by Watts/DeConto Jireh by Maverick City Music Behold by Leonhardt
10/23/2022 Luke 18:9-14 Justin Farmer Music for Sunday’s worship gathering They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes Come Thou Fount by Robinson/Wyeth Steadfast by McCracken The Comforter Has Come by Bottome 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project
10/16/2022 Luke 18:1-8 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering How Long? by Bifrost Arts What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Traditional Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Build My Life by Barrett/Tomlin Wake Up, Jesus by Porter’s Gate Worship Project
10/09/2022 Luke 17:11-19 Chris Breslin Slides from October 9, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Open Unto Me (Howard Thurman) by Chambers Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton It is Well by Spufford/Bliss Have Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell Jireh by Maverick City Music
10/02/2022 Exodus 20:8-11 Natasha Arnold Slides from October 2, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter/Hoffman The Earth is Yours by Gungor Rest by Maher/Cockrell I Shall Not Want by Assad Our God is a Friend of Silence by Zach/Vice
09/25/2022 Luke 16:19-31 Jesse Rudy (Redeem International) Slides from September 25, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Caesar No Not One by Oatman/Zach Higher Ground by Oatman He Leadeth Me by Gilmore All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters We Will Make No Peace With Oppression by Porter’s Gate Worship Project
09/18/2022 Luke 16:1-13 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine by Folk Standard Peace Like a River by Folk Standard Come Thou Fount by Robinson Our Father by Bethel Music Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters How Can I Keep From Singing? by Lowry
09/11/2022 Luke 15:1-10 Chris Breslin Slides from September 11, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Patient Kingdom by McCracken Reckless Love by Asbury Steadfast by McCracken More Than Anything by All Sons and Daughters
09/11/2022 Testimony: Natasha Arnold Get to know Natasha: I am originally from Olathe, Kansas and it is considered part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. While there is nothing too remarkable about Olathe, Kansas City is the home of the best barbeque in America (sorry, not sorry NC barbeque!) I moved to Durham in Fall 2021 for Duke Divinity School […]
09/04/2022 Luke 14:25-33 Chris Breslin Slides from September 4, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning by Staples/Tweedy No Not One by Oatman/Zach Take My Life and Let it Be by Havergal Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone by Shepherd/Digerness Lay it All Down by Reagan Wood and Nails by Porter’s Gate Worship Project
08/28/2022 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Chris Breslin + Blessing of the Books testimony panel (Charlotte Ellison, Sara Baker, Stephanie Holmer, Shirley Li) Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There Is No East or West by Staples/Tweedy Be Thou My Vision by Hull Take My Life and Let It Be by Havergal 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Establish the Work of Our Hands by […]
08/21/2022 Luke 13:10-17 Chris Breslin Slides from August 21, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Gentle Wolves I Am Set Free by All Sons & Daughters Heal Us by Cowper/Twit My Hallelujah by Torwalts Our Salvation is Bound Up Together by Zach
08/14/2022 Luke 12:49-56 Chris Breslin Slides from August 14, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Enclosed by You by White/Vice Come Thou Fount by Robinson Flourishing by McCracken Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Our God is Present by White
08/07/2022 Luke 12:32-40 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Oil in My Vessel by Traditional arr. Thompson Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Traditional All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi Beautiful Things by Gungor It is Well by Spafford/Bliss Zacchaeus Song by The Porter’s Gate
08/07/2022 Pastors Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin share a Q&A about the Breslin’s summer sabbatical.
07/31/2022 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Meg Hoffman Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter/Hoffman Peace Like a River (Traditional) May the Mind of Christ My Savior by Wilkinson Your Peace Will Make Us One by Audrey Assad The Advocate by Baltensperger Christ Has No Body Now But Yours by The Porter’s Gate
07/24/2022 Nehemiah 8 Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering How Long? by Bifrost Arts No Not One (Trad. Arr. by Paul Zach) Flourishing by Sandra McCracken The Comforter Has Come by Kirkpatrick/Bottome How Great Thou Art (Traditional) Wood and Nails by The Porter’s Gate
07/17/2022 Nehemiah 5 Natasha Arnold Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There Is No East Or West (Trad. Arr by Mavis Staples/Jeff Tweedy) Kingdom of God by Jon Guerra Nothing To Fear by Audrey Assad I Need Thee Every Hour (Traditional) All The Poor and Powerless by All Sons & Daughters The Kingdom Is Yours by Common Hymnal
07/10/2022 Nehemiah 2 Avery Davis Lamb Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine (Traditional) All Creatures of Our God and King (Traditional) Trinity Song – Sandra McCracken Establish the Work of Our Hands – Porter’s Gate Take Up Your Spade – Sara Watkins Your Labor Is Not In Vain – Porter’s Gate
07/03/2022 Ezra 10:1-6 Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering God So Loved by We The Kingdom No Not One (Traditional) Steadfast by Sandra McCracken Heal Us by Indelible Grace Music Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters Build My Life by Pat Barrett
06/26/2022 Ezra 9 Stephen Chapman Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Shirley Caesar Be Thou My Vision (Traditional) Daughters of Zion by The Porter’s Gate Good To Me by Audrey Assad Have Mercy by Sandra McCracken He Has Time by Common Hymnal
06/19/2022 Ezra 4:1-5 Brodie Heginbotham Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There Is No East or West (Traditional arranged by Mavis Staples) Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Traditional arranged by Paul Zach) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Traditional) Establish the Work of Our Hands by The Porter’s Gate Abide With Me by H.F. Lyte and W.H. Monk […]
06/12/2022 Ezra 3 Sabrina Chan Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus Lifted Me by Elizabeth Cotten Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Traditional) This Is My Father’s World by Sandra McCracken Jesus Loves Me (Traditional) Beautiful Things by Gungor What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Traditional) *Apologies for the audio issues
06/05/2022 Ezra 1:1-5 Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube Music for Sunday’s worship gathering They Will Know We Are Christians (By Our Love) by Peter Scholtes No Not One by Johnson Oatman Patient Kingdom by Sandra McCracken The Comforter Has Come by Francis Bottome Good To Me by Audrey Assad Citizens by Jon Guerra
05/29/2022 Ephesians 1:15-23 Chris Breslin Slides From May 29, 2022 Music for Sunday’s Worship Gathering: May the Mind of Christ My Savior (Traditional) This Joy by Shirley Caesar Open Our Eyes by Rain For Roots (Feat. Sandra McCracken) Rest by Matt Maher Steadfast by Sandra McCracken Trinity Song by Sandra McCracken (Feat. All Sons & Daughters) Doxology * Sound […]
05/22/2022 Acts 2:1-13 Justin Farmer Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning by Staples/Tweedy Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken The Comforter Has Come by Bottome Holy Spirit by Torwalts Great are you Lord by All Sons & Daughters Set a Fire by Reagan Doxology
05/15/2022 Revelation 21:1-6 Chris Breslin Slides from May 15, 2022 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Father Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Patient Kingdom by McCracken Everything is New by Davises The Advocate by Baltensperger I Shall Not Want by Assad Doxology
05/15/2022 Testimony Short recognition and testimonies from 8 graduates in our church community.
05/08/2022 Acts 9:36-43 Kaitlyn Schiess Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Joy by Shirley Caesar Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Project No Not One by Oatman/Zach Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm Doxology
05/01/2022 Matthew 18:1-5 Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Slides from May 1, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love by Scholtes Patient Kingdom by McCracken Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh My Hallelujah by Torwalts Kingdom of God by Guerra Doxology
04/24/2022 John 20:19-31 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Slides from April 24, 2022 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Beautiful Things by Gungor How Can I Keep From Singing? by Lowry Here by Jobe Doxology
04/17/2022 – Easter Sunday Psalm 130 & Luke 24:1-12 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind on Jesus) by Staples Christ the Lord is Risen Today by Wesley Praise the Savior Now and Ever by Fortunatus Peace Like a River by Traditional 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Because […]
04/15/2022 – Good Friday Psalm 120 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube.
04/10/2022 – Palm Sunday Psalm 126 & Luke 19:28-44 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Prepare the Way by DaPonte Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken The Earth is Yours by Gungor All Creatures of Our God & King by St. Francis of Assisi My Hallelujah by Torwalt/Jackson Hosanna/Be Lifted High by Houghton Doxology
04/03/2022 Psalm 125 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Enclosed by You by White/Vice How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funke Holy, Holy, Holy by Lyte Steadfast by McCracken Good to Me by Assad Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
03/27/2022 Psalm 128 Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take Up Your Spade by Watkins Flourishing (Psalm 119) by McCracken By Your Love by DeConto/Walton Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters My Hallelujah by Torwalt/Jackson Abide With Me by Lyte/Monk Doxology
03/20/2022 Psalm 122 Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Fifty Miles of Elbow Room by McGhee Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Steadfast by McCracken Jerusalem (Psalm 122) by Jeff Crawford Doxology
03/13/2022 Psalm 127 Meg Hoffman Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Kingdom of God by Guerra Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chilshom/Runyan They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project I Shall Not Want by Assad/Brown Your Labor is Not in Vain by Porter’s Gate Worship Project […]
03/06/2022 Psalm 131 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter My Hallelujah by Torwalt/Jackson In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend Take My Life and Let it Be by Havergal Rest by Maher/Cockrell Have Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell Doxology
02/27/2022 Luke 9:28-36 Chris Breslin Slides from February 27, 2022 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This is My Father’s World by Babcock/New Liturgy All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Everything Glorious by David Crowder Band God With Us by All Sons & Daughters How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk How […]
02/20/2022 Luke 6:27-38 Chris Breslin Slides from February 20, 2022 Jonathan Wilson-Hartgroves’s Y’all Saints sermon on Ann Atwater Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering In Christ There is No East or West by Tweedy/Staples This Little Light of Mine by Traditional No Not One by Paul Zach Brother by The Brilliance Have Mercy by Sandra McCracken Zaccheaus […]
02/13/2022 Luke 6:17-26 Brodie Heginbotham Slides from February 13, 2022 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Doane/Gentle Wolves Blessed Are the Merciful by Porter’s Gate Worship Project The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal No […]
02/06/2022 Luke 5:1-11 Chris Breslin Slides from February 6, 2022 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus, Savior Pilot Me by Hopper/Wardell/Pensak The Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes Thy Mercy, My God by Stocker/McCracken We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship […]
01/30/2022 Luke 4:21-30 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Just A Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Heal Us by Cowper/Twit Everything is New by Joel & Amy Davis Doxology
01/23/2022 Luke 4:11-21 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough I Am Set Free by All Sons & Daughters I Will Never Leave You Alone by Paul Zach & Liz Vice Illuminate the Shadows by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project
01/16/2022 John 2:1-11 Rev. Dorothy Clark Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come Thou Fount by Robinson Flourishing by McCracken Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal
01/02/2022 Visio Divina with Matthew 6:9-15 Chris Breslin Slides from January 2, 2022 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Simeon’s Song by Porter’s Gate Worship Project No Not One by Traditional/Zach Patient Kingdom by McCracken This is My Father’s World by Babcock/Shepherd Great Are You Lord by All Sons & Daughters Your Love is […]
12/24/2021 Genesis 1:1-5 | Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 | Luke 1:26-38 Curt Lowndes, Brodie Heginbotham, & Elizabeth Swett Order of Worship from December 24, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube.
12/19/2021 Luke 1:39-55 Brodie Heginbotham Slides from December 19, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering O Day of Peace by Daw/Garrels Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Wesley/Mendelssohn Magnificat by Rain for Roots Everything is New by Davis/Davis Doxology: O Come All Ye […]
12/12/2021 Luke 3:6-18 Chris Breslin Slides from December 12, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Joy to the World by Watts/Mason O Come Emmanuel, Traditional What Child is This? by Dix Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Noel by Lauren Daigle Doxology: O Come All Ye […]
12/05/2021 Communion homily by Chris Breslin Slides from December 5, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Magnificat by Rain for Roots O Little Town of Bethlehem by Brooks/Redner Friendly Beasts by Davis/Coffin/Dickinson Angels We Have Heard on High by Chadwick/Barnes We Three Kings by Hopkins Come Light Our Hearts by Rain for Roots Refugee King by Vice/Benedict/Reagan/Ruth/Scheer […]
11/28/2021 Luke 21:25-36 Chris Breslin Slides from November 28, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Illuminate the Shadows by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley/Prichard Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/Baker Drive Out the Darkness by Porter’s Gate Worship Project O Come […]
11/21/2021 John 6:1-16 Dr. Dan Train Slides from November 21, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come on Up to the House by Tom Waits All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Holy Manna, Shape note song All Ye […]
11/14/2021 Luke 1:26-38 Brodie Heginbotham Slides from November 14, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Mary’s Lullaby (Black Haired Boy) by Porter’s Gate Worship Project For the Beauty by Pierpont/DeConto God With Us by All Sons and Daughters How Long? by Bifrost Arts He is […]
11/07/2021 Matthew 25:31-46 Chris Breslin Slides from November 7, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Just a Closer Walk With Thee by Traditional Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg Rest by Maher/Cockrell The Kingdom is Yours by […]
10/31/2021 Hebrews 12:1-2 Meg Hoffman Slides from October 31, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional This Little Light of Mine by Traditional Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes O God Our Help in Ages Past by Watts/DeConto Open Up by […]
10/24/2021 Isaiah 61 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Rise Up by Bifrost Arts Canticle of the Turning by Cooney Flourishing by McCracken Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Psalm 126 by Bifrost Arts We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken […]
10/17/2021 2 Peter 1:1-9 Chris Breslin Slides from Sunday October 17, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Want Jesus to Walk With Me by Spiritual Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project May the Mind of Christ Our Savior by […]
10/10/2021 Titus 3:1-7 Brodie Heginbotham Slides from Sunday October 10, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Take Up Your Spade by Sara Watkins Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Doane/Gentle Wolves River of Life by Pulikingham/Casebolt Even So by DeConto Eternity Already by DaPonte/Walton/DeConto […]
10/03/2021 Romans 1:13-17 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Your Love is Strong by Jon Foreman What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Scriven/Converse Flourishing by Sandra McCracken Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm All the Poor & Powerless by All Sons […]
To celebrate Kate’s new book, No Cure for Being Human, listen in to this archived unedited version of The Road to Now (RTN Theology #3) episode. Pastor Chris Breslin invited Bob Crawford to be part of a live conversation with Kate Bowler to talk about the history of Christianity, their faith, and how the crisis of cancer has affected their relationships […]
09/26/2021 Genesis 1 Meg Hoffman Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Land of the Living by Enter the Worship Circle Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter The Earth is Yours by Gungor We Abide, We Abide in You by Porter’s Gate Worship Project […]
09/19/2021 Romans 2:1-4 Chris Breslin Sermon slides Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering By Your Love by DeConto/Walton No Not One by Zach Higher Ground by Oatman/Gabriel God With Us by All Sons & Daughters Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches I Am For You by Meek Squad Doxology
09/12/2021 Romans 5:4-6 Brodie Heginbotham Sermon slides Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Patient Kingdom by McCracken Come Light Our Hearts by Rain for Roots Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Steadfast by McCracken I Will Never Leave You […]
09/05/2021 Romans 15:13 Chris Breslin Sermon slides Meet Pastoral Intern Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Restore Us by Zach/Vice All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson/Wyeth Grace Upon Grace by McCracken Psalm […]
08/29/2021 Romans 8:35-39 Chris Breslin Sermon slides with Blessing of the Books Prayers. Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering O God Our Help in Ages Past by Watts/DeConto They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes This Little Light of Mine by Spiritual Peace Like a River by […]
08/22/2021 Acts 9:1-22 Stephanie Holmer Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Everlasting Light by The Black Keys The Fruits of the Spirit by Reality Ministries Songwriting Group Just a Closer Walk with Thee by Spiritual The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough The Advocate by Baltensperger Brother by The Brilliance […]
08/15/2021 Acts 8:26-40 Mark Acuff Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This is Not the End by Gungor Praise the Savior, Now & Ever by Fortunatus/Moore/Benedict Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman How Can I Keep From Singing? […]
08/08/2021 Acts 8:4-25 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Those Who Trust by Waterdeep How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk Patient Kingdom by McCracken Morning Song by Meek Squad Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Doxology
08/01/2021 Acts 6:8-15 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Abide by White/Vice Woke Up This Morning (with my mind on Jesus) by Tweedy/Staples Peace Like a River The Earth is Yours by Gungor Steadfast by McCracken The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Doxology
07/25/2021 Acts 6:1-7 Andre Franklin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come on Up to the House by Waits They’ll Know We Are Christians Jesus by Scholtes Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Come for the Feast is Spread by Burton/Gordon Show Us the Way by Walton Eat this Bread by […]
07/18/2021 Acts 5:17-32 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Hoffman/Showalter Psalm 46 by Bifrost Arts Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Project We Are Not Overcome by Bifrost […]
07/11/2021 Acts 4:37-5:16 Brodie Heginbotham Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Even So by Katie DeConto Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Fanny Crosby Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney Establish the Work of Our Hands by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project All the Poor & Powerless […]
07/04/2021 Acts 4:5-22 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering We Believe in the Name by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Scriven/Converse No Not One by Paul Zach Flourishing (Psalm 119) by Sandra McCracken Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton I Boast […]
06/27/2021 John 10:1-18 Meg Hoffman Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering We Abide in You by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Prepare the Way by Christian DaPonte Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson Why So Heavy, Oh My Soul by Edward Caswall Hands & Feet by The […]
06/20/2021 Acts 3:17-4:5 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Could Run Away by Waterdeep Be Thou My Vision by Dallán Forgaill He is Among Us by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Steadfast by Sandra McCracken I Will Never Leave You Alone by Paul Zach Doxology
06/13/2021 Acts 3:1-16 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Just a Closer Walk with Thee Those Who Trust by Waterdeep Amazing Grace by John Newton Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Tanya Riches Zacchaeus Song by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
06/06/2021 Acts 2:42-47 Justin Farmer Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Patient Kingdom by Sandra McCracken Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken How Firm a Foundation by Rippon/Funk Eternity Already by Christian DaPonte Come to the Table by Austin Wilson Doxology
05/30/2021 Acts 2:22-41 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Bonhoeffer’s Prayer by Bifrost Arts Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project The Fruits of the Spirit by Reality Friends Songwriting Group We Will Feast in the House of Zion by […]
05/23/2021 Acts 2:1-21 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering This Little Light of Mine Come, Holy Spirit, Come by Gadsby/Ring The Advocate by Baltensperger Breathe on Me by Hatch/Gray Doxology
05/16/2021 Matthew 6:16-34 Meg Hoffman Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Do Not Worry by Rain for Roots No Not One by Paul Zach For the Beauty of the Earth by Pierpont Psalm 46 by Bifrost Arts Nothing to Fear by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
05/09/2021 Matthew 6:1-15 Will Willimon Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Peace Like a River by Traditional River Where Mercy Flows by Miller Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough Patient Kingdom by McCracken Doxology
05/02/2021 Matthew 5:38-48 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Brother by The Brilliance Come Ye Sinners by Hart/DeConto Blessed are the Merciful by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Home by DeConto Doxology
04/25/2021 Matthew 5:17-20 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Showalter/Hoffman No, Not One by Oatman/Zach Amazing Grace by Watts All of Your Ways Are Peace by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Doxology
04/18/2021 Matthew 5:13-16 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Singh This Little Light of Mine by Traditional 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman Even So by DeConto Doxology
04/11/2021 Matthew 5:1-12 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Holy, Holy, Holy by Heber/Dykes Those Who Trust by Waterdeep All Ye Refugees by Sandra McCracken The Kingdom is Yours by Common Hymnal Doxology
04/04/2021 John 20:1-18 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Christ the Lord is Risen Today by C. Wesley Descending Theology: The Resurrection (poem) by Mary Karr Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Risen by Walton Doxology
From the far star points of his pinned extremities, cold inched in—black ice and squid ink— till the hung flesh was empty. Lonely in that void even for pain, he missed his splintered feet, the human stare buried in his face. He ached for two hands made of meat he could reach to the end of. In the corpse’s core, […]
04/02/2021 with the Gathering Church Psalm 22 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson.
03/28/2021 Psalm 94 Sabrina Chan Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Hope of the Poor by Kimbrough The Poet Thinks About the Donkey (poem) by Mary Oliver Rise Up by Wardell/Mazunik Wake Up Jesus by […]
On the outskirts of Jerusalem the donkey waited. Not especially brave, or filled with understanding, he stood and waited. How horses, turned out into the meadow, leap with delight! How doves, released from their cages, clatter away, splashed with sunlight. But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited. Then he let himself be led away. Then he let […]
03/21/2021 Psalm 6 Yudai Chiba Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chilsholm/Bunyan VI. Domine, Ne In Furore (poem) by Malcolm Guite How Long? by Wardell Song for Saint Sebastian by […]
Whose mercy wakes me at the break of day? I feel my weakness, all my bones are vexed And all the faith in me seems worn away As though I’ve lost Love’s memory. Perplexed By false complexities, I mime faith’s part I keep the book but cannot read the text Unless you come, and write it in my […]
03/14/2021 Psalm 4 Charlene Brown Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering O God Our Help in Ages Past (Remember Us) by Watts/DeConto Epilogue (poem) by Christian Wiman Open Up by Gungor/Arndt Nothing to Fear by Assad/Zach/Wardell […]
The more I think the more I feel reality without reverence is not real. The more I feel the more I think that God himself has brought me to this brink wherein to have more faith means having less. And love’s the sacred name for loneliness. I speak a word I have not spoken and by that word […]
03/07/2021 Psalm 90 Chris Breslin Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Restore Us Again by Zach/Vice Bright Field (poem) by R.S. Thomas Establish the Work of Our Hands by the Porter’s Gate Project You Are […]
I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had treasure in it. I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying on to a […]
02/28/2021 Psalm 61 Chris Breslin Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering River Where Mercy Flows by Miller How I Talk to God (poem) by Kelly Belmonte All the Poor and Powerless by Leonard/Jordan Psalm 61 […]
Coffee in one hand leaning in to share, listen: How I talk to God. “Momma, you’re special.” Three-year-old touches my cheek. How God talks to me. While driving I make lists: done, do, hope, love, hate, try. How I talk to God. Above the highway hawk: high, alone, free, focused. How God talks to me. Rash, impetuous chatter, followed by […]
02/21/2021 Psalm 51 Chris Breslin Download Oak Lent Devotional Calendar Download the Psalms of Lament Writing Guide Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross by Crosby/Doane Late Results (poem) by Scott Cairns Let It Be So by Way By Your Love […]
From 02/21/21 (Lent 1) worship gathering. Paired with Psalm 51. We wanted to confess our sins but there were no takers. —Milosz And the few willing to listen demanded that we confess on television. So we kept our sins to ourselves, and they became less troubling. The halt and the lame arranged to have their hips replaced. Lepers coated […]
02/17/2021 A collaborative worship gathering with the Gathering Church Curt Lowndes Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Show Us the Way (Psalm 51) by Walton Come Thou Fount by Robinson Have Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell Nothing I Hold Onto by Reagan
02/14/2021 1 John 4:7-21 Meg Hoffman (Godly Play lesson) & Chris Breslin (homily) Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Give Me Love by Harrison They Will Know We Are Christians by Scholtes The Greatest Commandment by Zach Morning Song by Anderson
02/07/2021 Mark 1:29-45 Chris Breslin & Calvin Gross (testimony) Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morton How Can I Keep from Singing? by Lowry Doxology
01/31/2021 Mark 1:21-28 Chris Breslin Slides from January 31, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Illuminate the Shadows by the Porter’s Gate Worship Project Show us the Way by Walton Jesus, What A Beautiful Name by Riches Doxology
01/24/2021 Mark 1:14-20 Chris Breslin Slides from January 24, 2021 Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Just a Closer Walk with Thee Restore Us Again by Zach Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg/Nouwen Doxology
01/17/2021 John 1:43-51 Yudai Chiba Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Woke Up this Morning by Staples/Tweedy River Where Mercy Flows by Miller Lay it All Down by United Pursuit Doxology
01/10/2021 Mark 1:4-11 Chris Breslin Watch the whole worship gathering via YouTube. Watch this week’s Oak Kids’ Godly Play lesson. Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by The Porter’s Gate Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken All Creatures of Our God & King by Francis of Assisi Doxology
On this Epiphany Sunday, we were joined for a brief testimony by Pastor Ricardo Correa (CANU) as he shares about his church’s Epiphany traditions which we usually are able to join in on.
12/20/2020 Luke 1:26-38 Yudai Chiba Slides for December 20, 2020 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Wesley/Mendelssohn Oh Holy Night by Adam/Dwight/Chrétiens/Cappeau O Come Emmanuel by Traditional Messiah by Heiskell/Wardell Advent Resources DurhamCares’ 2020 Advent Devotional: Advent in Durham (.pdf version | daily podcast audio) Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for Advent, Christmas, […]
12/13/2020 Luke 1:46-55 Chris Breslin Slides for December 13, 2020 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Angels We Have Heard on High by Traditional/Barnes/Chadwick The Magnification by Walton Psalm 126 by Wardell Messiah by Heiskell/Wardell Advent Resources DurhamCares’ 2020 Advent Devotional: Advent in Durham (.pdf version | daily podcast audio) Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for Advent, Christmas, and […]
12/06/2020 Mark 1:1-8 Chris Breslin Slides for December 6, 2020 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering The Lord is Coming by Boudreua/Mulvahill/Wilson (H.E.R.) The First Noël Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/Baker Messiah by Heiskell/Wardell Advent Resources DurhamCares’ 2020 Advent Devotional: Advent in Durham (.pdf version | daily podcast audio) Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for […]
11/29/2020 Mark 13:24-36 Chris Breslin Slides for November 29, 2020 Music for Sunday’s worship gathering Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Wesley/Prichard Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Unknown (trans. Neale) Messiah by Heiskell/Wardell Advent Resources DurhamCares’ 2020 Advent Devotional: Advent in Durham (.pdf version | daily podcast audio) Light Upon Light: A Literary […]
11/22/2020 John 16:32-17:5 Yudai Chiba Takashi Nagai (永井 隆) was a Catholic physician specializing in radiology, an author, and a survivor of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. His subsequent life of prayer and service earned him the affectionate title “saint of Urakami,” and he has subsequently been honoured with the title of Servant of God, the first step towards […]
11/15/2020 Matthew 12:1-14 Meg Hoffman Pauli Murray was an American civil rights activist who became a lawyer, a women’s rights activist, Episcopal priest, and author. Drawn to the ministry, in 1977 Murray was the first African-American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, in the first year that any women were ordained by that church. Slides from November 15, 2020 […]
10/25/2020 Isaiah 61 Chris Breslin Oak Folk Testimonies by Brynn Pendrak, Joey Morningstar, & Carolina Kammel Slides from October 25, 2020 Godly Play at Home Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: River Where Mercy Flows by Miller We Will Feast in the House of Zion by McCracken Rest by Maher/Cockrell Here by Leonard/Jobe/Jordan
10/18/2020 Philemon 4-11, 17 Byron Cogdell Howard Thurman was an African-American author, philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader. As a prominent religious figure, he played a leading role in many social justice movements and organizations of the twentieth century. Thurman’s theology of radical nonviolence influenced and shaped a generation of civil rights activists, and he was a key mentor […]
10/11/2020 John 14:15-29 Yudai Chiba Godly Play at Home Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Pass Us Not O Gentle Savior by Crosby/Doane All Ye Refugees by McCracken The Advocate by Baltensperger
Alexandra Burchette introduces one of the 2020-21 Brehm Center Resident Artists. Nate Hood is from Matthews, NC, the home of the Harris Teeter Headquarters. He moved to Durham in 2012ish for an experience of community life in Walltown and have been here ever since. He lives with my wife Anna, and his favorite place to hang out in Durham is any quiet […]
10/04/2020 Matthew 21:33-46 (Proper 22) Chris Breslin “It is very easy to be servants of the word without disturbing the world: a very spiritualized word, a word without any commitment to history, a word that can sound in any part of the world because it belongs to no part of the world. A word like that creates no problems, […]
Pastor Chris introduces one of the 2020-21 Brehm Center Resident Artists. Bethie Figgie is from Bellingham, WA, the home of endless grey drizzle, no cockroaches, excellent teriyaki, and clean sea air. She moved to Durham in 2017 for goodness knows why and has been here ever since. She lives with two roommates plus one cat, and her favorite place to […]
09/27/2020 Psalm 126 D.L. Mayfield Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist and anarchist who, after a bohemian youth, became a Catholic Christian without in any way abandoning her social and anarchist activism. D.L. Mayfield lives and writes on the outskirts of Portland, OR with her husband and two small children. Her first book of essays, Assimilate or […]
Congregational liaison Alexandra Burchette introduces one of the 2020-21 Brehm Center Resident Artists. Sayde Anderson is from Denver, Colorado – home to the invention of the cheeseburger. I moved to Durham in 2020 for the community and have been loving it so far. I live with my best friend from college, and my favorite place to hang out in Durham […]
09/20/2020 Matthew 20:1-16 (Proper 20) Chris Breslin “All my stories are about the action of grace on a character who is not very willing to support it, but most people think of these stories as hard, hopeless, and brutal.” -Flannery O’Connor “…God is only crazy, not stupid. Like God, he (the householder) has arranged for their recompense to be […]
09/13/2020 Matthew 18:21-35 (Proper 19) Chris Breslin Testimony and introduction of Yudai Chiba (2020-21 Pastoral Intern) “Through my memory of the Passion, God can “purify” my memory of wrongs suffered because my identity stems neither from the wrongdoing done to me, which would require the perpetual accusation of my wrongdoer, nor from my own (false) innocence, which would lead me […]
09/06/2020 Matthew 18:15-20 (Proper 18) Justin Farmer Godly Play at Home Practical Tips and Resources for Hand Copying Scripture (Kairos Partnerships) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Brother by D. Gungor/Cron/Arndt Your Peace Will Make Us One by Assad He Is Among Us by Piercy/Wardell/Swinton/Palmer/Zach
08/30/2020 Matthew 16:21-28 (Proper 17) Chris Breslin “Jesus gives his disciples a new barometer.” Whereas the God’s people’s faithfulness was measured by prosperity and flourishing in the Promised Land…”now Jesus is telling his disciples that persecution, suffering, and even death will not only be his fate but will also be the fate of anyone who seeks to follow him. […]
08/23/2020 Matthew 13:31-33 Meg Hoffman & Chris Breslin Godly Play at Home Practical Tips and Resources for Hand Copying Scripture (Kairos Partnerships) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robinson Establish the Work of Our Hands by Porters Gate Worship Project Feast or Fallow by McCracken Let It Be So by Way
08/16/2020 Matthew 15:21-28 (Proper 15) Chris Breslin We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table; but you are the same Lord whose character is always to have […]
08/09/2020 Matthew 14:22-33 (Proper 14) Chris Breslin “Faith is not a characteristic. Faith is not a personality trait. Faith is not a sanctified degree that you put on your wall. Faith is not even a possession that you have…Faith, even though it is a noun, best operates as a verb. Because if faith is anything it is that which […]
08/02/2020 Psalm 68:4-6a Rev. Meg Hoffman & Rev. Chris Breslin Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Nothing to Fear by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light by Thomerson I Shall Not Want by Assad/Brown New Wonders by McCracken
07/26/2020 John 11:14-44 Rev. Dr. Andy Byers Slides for July 26, 2020 Godly Play at Home More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine ed. By Colin Gunton The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider The Apostles’ Creed by Ben Myers […]
07/19/2020 John 21:9-19 Chris Breslin “Kichijiro who has been the Judas figure throughout, turns out to be Fr. Rodrigues’s best friend, the most trusted confidant. Kichijiro refuses to let Fr. Rodrigues give up his identity as a priest. As Andrew Garfield says Fr. Rodrigues’s last lines, “ “But our Lord was not silent. Even if he had been silent, […]
07/12/2020 Ephesians 3:10-21 Charlene Brown “The “rulers and authorities”— both the earthly authorities and their shadowy heavenly counterparts— always tend to create societies and social structures in their own flat, boring image, monochrome, uniform and one-dimensional. Worse: they tend to marginalize or kill people or groups who don’t fit their narrow band of acceptability. The church is to be, […]
07/05/2020 Colossians 3:1-17 Chris Breslin “Hope sounds like a song in a weary throat.” -Pauli Murray Slides from July 5, 2020 Godly Play at Home The Tragic History of “I Can’t Breathe” (NY Times) More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine ed. […]
06/28/2020 Acts 10:34-43 Chris Breslin “In his appearing we find neither a dualist rejection of the present world nor simply his arrival like a spaceman into the present world but rather a transformation of the present world and ourselves within it, so that it will at last be put to rights and we with it. Death and decay will be […]
06/21/2020 Ephesians 4:1-16 Chris Breslin “[Picture a diver] stripping off garment after garment, making himself naked, then flashing for a moment in the air, and then down through the green, and warm, and sunlit water into the pitch black, cold, freezing water, down into the mud and slime, then up again, his lungs almost bursting, back again to the […]
06/14/2020 John 11:1-44 Chris Breslin “I would not be a Christian apart from those tears. Jesus’ wasteful tears.” –Steve Garber (recounted in Makoto Fujimura’s Tears for Fragile Emanations Slides from June 14, 2020 Godly Play at Home More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian […]
06/07/2020 Isaiah 53 Chris Breslin “God’s ‘yes’ will always have the final say over our ‘no.’ God’s justice will always have the final say over our injustice.” -Mika Edmonson, The Power of Unearned Suffering: The Roots and Implications of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Theodicy “…power is a gift and is principally given for setting people free.” -Sam Wells, […]
05/31/2020 Passages from Luke 1 & 2 Dr. Chris E. W. Green Slides from May 31, 2020 Godly Play at Home More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine ed. By Colin Gunton The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider The […]
Fr. Mike Boone passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday May 26, 2020 at his home in Bremerton, WA. He was the rector and dean of St. Charles Anglican Cathedral. While Mike was in Durham, he was an avid early supporter of Oak Church. He believed deeply and creatively our mission in Lakewood. He shared in the calling of hope, healing, and […]
05/24/2020 Mark 8:27-35 Joe Longarino Godly Play at Home More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine ed. By Colin Gunton The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider The Apostles’ Creed by Ben Myers You Are What You Love by James […]
05/17/2020 Luke 15:11-32 Chris Breslin “It’s the unlimited power to be there, to be faithful to and for a world that is deeply unstable and unjust and suspicious and uncooperative: the power to go on trying to get through at all costs, laboring and wrestling with the human heart…God is to be trusted as we would trust a loving […]
05/10/2020 1 Peter 2:2-10 Chris Breslin Slides from May 10, 2020 Godly Play at Home More resources on Faith and the Apostles’ Creed: The Apostles’ Creed for Today by Justo Gonzalez The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine ed. By Colin Gunton The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider The Apostles’ Creed by Ben Myers You […]
05/03/2020 Acts 2:42-47 Dr. Linda Gorham Dr. Linda F. Gorham is the President and Founder of Spring in the Desert Ministries, Inc. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Morgan State University and her M.A and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She received her Master of Divinity degree […]
04/26/2020 Luke 24:13-35 Christian DaPonte Godly Play at Home Download Songs for Good Friday by Oak Music More resources for the sermon and season: Reading Scripture in Light of the Resurrection (chapter in the Art of Reading Scripture) by Richard B Hays (and Ellen F. Davis) Can These Bones Live?: A Theology in Outline by Robert Jenson Miracles […]
04/19/2020 John 20:19-31 Chris Breslin “When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, but look! Now I’m alive forever and always. I have the keys of Death and […]
Five years ago (4/16/15) we hosted C. Christopher Smith for a talk and potluck conversation (sponsored by Duke Divinity School’s Thriving Rural Communities Initiative ). Chris Smith is editor of The Englewood Review of Books, and a member of the Englewood Christian Church community on the urban Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Englewood is one of the churches whose experiences gave root to the concept […]
04/12/2020 Matthew 28:1-10 Chris Breslin “I’m neither an optimist nor a pessimist, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!” -Lesslie Newbigin Slides from April 12, 2020 Godly Play at Home Jason deCaires Taylor (underwater sculptures) More resources for the sermon and season: Reading Scripture in Light of the Resurrection (chapter in the Art of Reading Scripture) by […]
Video version available via Youtube Slides of Featured Artwork Presentation Song: “Daughters of Zion” By Isaac Wardell, Erin Rose & Paul Zach Art: Daughters of Zion by Sayde Laine Welcome Chris Breslin (Oak Church) Congregational Song: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” By Sadhu Sundar Singh Station I. Jesus is Tempted. Station Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46 Service Reading: Matthew 26:36-39 Reader: […]
04/05/2020 John 12:12-19 Kurt Bubalo Testimony by Jessica Farmer Godly Play at Home More resources for the sermon and season: Crafted into Christlikeness (2020 Oak Church Lenten Devotional Guide) Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison by Richella Parham (RTN Theology #15 podcast) Where Goodness Still Grows: Reclaiming Virtue in an Age of Hypocrisy by Amy Peterson (RTN […]
03/29/2020 Isaiah 58:5-10 Chris Breslin “The self-denial involved in the period of Lent isn’t about just giving up chocolates or beer; it’s about trying to give up a certain set of pictures of God which are burned into our own selfish wants.” -Rowan Williams “People should feast so they do not forget the grace and blessing of the […]
03/22/2020 Lamentations 1 Amy Peterson Amy Peterson is a writer, teacher, and postulant living in Durham, NC. Her writing explores the intersections of faith, language, and culture. In 2020 she released Where Goodness Still Grows. Amy believes that research is a form of love and that fiction can tell the truth. Her work has been featured in Image, The […]
03/08/2020 1 John 1:1-9 Richella Parham “The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons, with Himself included in that community as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.” -Dallas Willard “‘In confession there takes place a breakthrough to community. Sin wants to be alone with people. It takes them away […]
03/01/2020 Philippians 4:4-9 Chris Breslin “To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” -Karl Barth More resources for the sermon and season: Slides from March 1, 2020 Crafted into Christlikeness (2020 Oak Church Lenten Devotional Guide) Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison by Richella Parham (RTN Theology […]
02/23/2020 Psalm 99 & Matthew 17:1-9 Chris Breslin “The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” -Walter Brueggemann “As ‘God-with-us,’ Christ served his fellow human beings by proclaiming God’s coming in word and deed; he alleviated the plight of […]
02/16/2020 Psalm 119:1-9 & Matthew 5:21-37 Chris Breslin “Only the cross as God’s truth about us makes us truthful. Those who know the cross no longer shy away from any truth.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” -G.K. Chesterton Slides from February 16, 2020 Season Resources: Joy is for […]
02/02/2020 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 & Matthew 5:1-12 Chris Breslin “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” -James Baldwin “The church doesn’t have a social strategy, the church is a social strategy.” -Stanley Hauerwas Season Resources: Joy is for Epiphany, too by Miroslav […]
01/26/2020 Psalm 27 & Matthew 4:12-23 Chris Breslin “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.” -Flannery O’Connor “To add insult to very substantial injury, the Ninevites prospered; for an excruciatingly long time (three centuries or more) they fared too well for any savvy Israelite not to wonder about the justice […]
01/19/2020 Genesis 1:26-27 & Philippians 1:27-2:12 Stephanie Holmer Sermon Resources Slides for January 19, 2020 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (On Being) video Starting point for reading Dr. King: Strength to Love Don’t Forgive Too Soon by Dennis, Matthew, and Sheila Linn Paul Piff’s TED Talk: “Does Money Make You Mean?” Brown eyes/Blue eyes Study (a shorter summary) Season […]
01/12/2020 Psalm 29 & Matthew 3:13-17 Chris Breslin “Love is holy because it is like grace–the worthiness of its object is never really what matters.” -Marilynne Robinson, Gilead Slides from January 12, 2020 Season Resources: Joy is for Epiphany, too by Miroslav Volf (Christian Century) Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by […]
12/22/2019 Psalm 80 Dave Crispell This Sunday’s Songs Do You Hear What I Hear? by Regney/Baker Little Drummer Boy by Davis/Onorati/Simeone The First Noël by Traditional What Child is This? by Dix Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches He His Among Us by Piercy/Wardell/Swinton/Palmer/Zach Doxology Further Reading for Advent Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer […]
12/15/2019 Songs of Hope & Joy Matthew 11:2-11 Chris Breslin “Joy builds on the past and borrows from the future.” -Eugene Peterson “True joy is freedom from fear and alienation. Real joy is knowing that we are loved and nurtured…practices like fasting prepare us for joy because they turn our self-serving into self-offering ways that nurture, celebrate, and […]
12/01/2019 Isaiah 2:1-5 Chris Breslin “To practice Advent is to lean into an almost cosmic ache: our deep, wordless desire for things to be made right and the incompleteness we find in the meantime. We dwell in a world still racked with conflict, violence, suffering, darkness. Advent holds space for our grief, and it reminds us that all of […]
11/24/2019 Colossians 1:15-20 Chris Breslin Macrina the Younger (c. 330 – 19 July 379) was a nun in the Early Christian Church and is a prominent saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Her younger brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa (along with friend Gregory Nazianzus) were key contributors to the Council of Constantinople and […]
11/17/2019 Philippians 2:5-11 Christian DaPonte Rich Mullins was a Christian music singer and songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. He died in an automobile accident in September of 1997. Mullins is best known for his praise choruses “Awesome God” and “Step by Step”, which have been embraced as modern classics by many Christians. He was heavily influenced by St. Francis […]
11/10/2019 Galatians 2:20 Chris Breslin Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, theologian, underground seminary-founder, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church. He died in 1945 in a concentration camp in Flossenbürg. Slides from November 10, 2019 Bonhoeffer episode of the Road to Now (RTN Theology #10 podcast) Entry Bonhoeffer Life Together DB at his most accessible and challenging. […]
11/03/2019 Luke 18:1-8 Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove Ann Atwater was an American civil rights activist in Durham, North Carolina. She became an effective activist and leader when advocating for justice and is best known as one of the co-chairs of a charrette in 1971 with klansman CP Ellis (on which the book and movie, Best of Enemies is based) to reduce school violence and ensure […]
10/27/2019 Isaiah 61 Chris Breslin “Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is […]
10/20/2019 Psalm 122 Christian DaPonte Christian DaPonte is Oak Church’s Pastoral Intern for the 2019-20 academic year from Duke Divinity School. He was born in the USA’s northern neighbor in the great city of Vancouver, BC, his family moved across the continent to metro Atlanta where he was raised and calls his hometown. He went to Samford University in […]
10/13/2019 Psalm 132 Chris Breslin “You have formed us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You.” -St. Augustine of Hippo “The history of the ark was, for the Hebrews, a kind of theological handbook. It provided an account of the presence of God among the people” -Eugene Peterson “Our sense of […]
10/06/2019 Psalm 48 Chris Breslin “There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” “Make a place to sit down. / Sit down. Be quiet. / You must depend upon affection, reading, knowledge, / skill—more of each / than you have—inspiration, work, growing older, patience, / for patience joins time / to eternity. -Wendell […]
09/29/2019 Luke 16:19-31 Chris Breslin I say móre: the just man justices; Keeps grace: thát keeps all his goings graces; Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is — Chríst — for Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men’s faces. -Gerard […]
09/22/2019 Luke 16:1-13 Chris Breslin “[T]he unjust steward is nothing less than the Christ-figure in this parable, a dead ringer for Jesus himself. First of all, he dies and rises, like Jesus. Second, by his death and resurrection, he raises others, like Jesus. But third and most important of all, the unjust steward is the Christ-figure because he is […]
09/15/2019 Luke 15 Chris Breslin “I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.” -Henri Nouwen “Weary or bitter or bewildered as we may be, God is faithful. He lets us wander so we will know what it means to come home.” -Marilynne Robinson “The four structural elements in […]
09/08/2019 Luke 14:25-33 Chris Breslin “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Pragmatism, legalism, and greed cannot comprehend the power of ephemeral beauty. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness; the opposite of beauty is legalism. Legalism is hard determinism that slowly strangles the soul. Legalism injures by giving pragmatic answers to our suffering. Legalism […]
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Duke Initiatives in Theology and Arts, we’re revisiting this sermon by Jeremy Begbie from February 22, 2015 at Oak Church during the first week of Lent from Luke 23:26-37.
09/01/2019 Luke 10:1-20 Yucheng Bai Yucheng Bai is a doctoral student in World Religions in the Duke University Department of Religion. Originally from China, he has been a member of the Duke chapter of Graduate Christian Fellowship while in Durham. Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: This is Not the End by Arndt/Gungor Peace Like a River a Traditional […]
08/25/2019 Psalm 90 Chris Breslin “Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.” – Isaac Watts, O God Our Help in Ages Past “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” -William Faulkner “When I first started photographing industry it was […]
08/18/2019 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Chris Breslin “How subversive, raising a liberator under Pharaoh’s roof! She joined their efforts to thwart the death edict and turn the tide of the Great River itself. Perhaps Jochebed, Bithiah and the young Miriam founded the Nile Network that day, women determined to use their subversive strength to plant seeds of liberation that would one […]
08/11/2019 Revelation 22 Chris Breslin With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. Through the unknown, unremembered gate When the last of earth left to discover […]
08/04/2019 Revelation 21:1-22:5 Mindy Erdmann Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Fifty Miles of Elbow Room by McGhee Your Peace Will Make Us One by Assad Psalm 46 by Bifrost Arts We Abide, We Abide in You by McCracken Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg/Nouwen How Long? by Wardell Doxology Behold the Lamb collage artwork by Chris Breslin (2019) Revelation Reading: […]
07/28/2019 Revelation 20 Chris Breslin “There are two angels with a (hu)man—one of righteousness, and the other of iniquity.” -Shepherd of Hermas “Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole […]
07/21/2019 Revelation 19:1-10 Chris Breslin “For us, [sin] refers to something much more like the human tendency, the human propensity to fck up. Or let’s add one more word; the human propensity to fck things up, because what we’re talking about here is not just our tendency to lurch and stumble and screw up accident, our passive role as […]
07/14/2019 Revelation 17:3-18 Sarah Neff Behold the Lamb collage artwork by Chris Breslin (2019) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Eternity Already by DaPonte/DeConto/Walton All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis of Assisi Father Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Project Hosanna by Fraser Agnus Dei by Smith Let it Be So by Way […]
07/07/2019 Revelation 12:1-17 Chris Breslin “Jesus was faced with these same questions, but when he was asked to prove his power as the Son of God by the relevant behavior of changing stones into bread, he clung to his mission to proclaim the Word and said, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes […]
06/30/2019 Revelation 10-11 Andre Franklin Andre Franklin is the pastor and planter of Vinea Church. The Franklins (wife Terri and little girls Mia & Minkah) are native Texans who moved to the East Durham community over a year ago. Andre loves to spend time with his family, travel , read, make specialty coffee, and try new foods. “Thus […]
06/23/2019 Revelation 8:1-5 Chris Breslin “Hope is a song in a weary throat.” -Pauli Murray “I wanted to tell you to have a good, clear cantus firmus; that is the only way to a full and perfect sound, when the counterpoint has a firm support and can’t come adrift or get out of tune, while remaining a distinct […]
06/16/2019 Revelation 6-7 Chris Breslin “Outlined against a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore their names are Death, Destruction, Pestilence, and Famine. But those are aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the […]
06/09/2019 Revelation 4&5 Chris Breslin “Christians worship with a conviction that they are in the presence of God. Worship is an act of attention to the living God who rules, speaks and reveals, creates and redeems, orders and blesses. Outsiders, observing these acts of worship, see nothing like that. They see a few people singing unpopular songs, sometimes off-key, […]
06/02/2019 Revelation 2 & 3 Jeremiah Dodson “Revelation is not about the antichrist, but about the living Christ. It is not about a rapture out of this world but about faithful discipleship in this world. That is, like every other New Testament book, Revelation is about Jesus Christ- ‘A revelation of Jesus Christ’ (Rev 1:1)- and about following him […]
05/26/2019 Revelation 1:12-20 Chris Breslin “Christ is the center and at the center.” -Eugene Peterson “Jesus is a perfect photo of the Unseen God…The result is that he’s tops any way you look at it.” – Cotton Patch Gospel paraphrase of Colossians 1 Scripture: Romans 8:16 Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 100:3 Revelation 1:6 Daniel 2 Genesis 1:3 John […]
05/19/2019 Revelation 1:1-11 Chris Breslin “The imagination is our way into the divine Imagination, permitting us to see wholly- as a whole and holy- what we perceive as scattered, as order what we perceive as random.” -Wendell Berry “Apocalypse is shorthand for Jesus Christ.” -Douglas Harink “Jesus is a perfect photo of the Unseen God…The result is […]
05/12/2019 Luke 1:46-55 Chris Breslin “My mother and grandmother taught me to ignore Mother’s Day (a commercial gimmick) from as long as I can remember. They loved to quote an old Episcopal minister who began the service by saying, this is not Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, this is the fourth Sunday of Easter!” -Fleming Rutledge “Discipleship is […]
05/05/2019 Matthew 28:16-20 Chris Breslin “Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.” -Dallas Willard “The difference between the one who goes to rural China and the one who goes to suburban Durham is geography and that’s it.” -Matt Hoffman “We expect a trumpet and triumphant entry, but as always, God […]
04/28/2019 Matthew 28:1-10 Chris Breslin “Those who had thought they were alive now discover that what they took for life is death. Jesus’ resurrection creates a life freed from the death that grips our everyday lives.” -Stanley Hauerwas “The best of all, is God is with us.” – John Wesley “Be not so nervous, be not so […]
04/21/2019 Isaiah 11:1-10 Chris Breslin “Resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing.” -Frederick Buechner Scripture: Psalm 139 Genesis 1 Genesis 15 Luke 1:26-55 Genesis 3 Genesis 11 Genesis 16, 21 Genesis 25 2 Samuel 11 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Revelation 22:1-3 Philippians 2:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:17 Slides for April 21, 2019 Songs for Today’s […]
04/19/2019 Chris Breslin “The symbol of the cross in the church points to the God who was crucified not between two candles on an altar, but between two thieves in the place of the skull, where the outcasts belong, outside the gates of the city. It does not invite thought, but a change of mind. It is a symbol […]
04/14/2019 Matthew 21:1-17 Matthew Rehnborg (Bumper music: God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) “Scripture is like a river, broad and deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading, but deep enough there for the elephant to swim.” -Gregory the Great Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-15 […]
04/07/2019 Matthew 25:31-46 Chris Breslin (Bumper music: God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) “Proximity has taught me some basic and humbling truths, including this vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. My work with the poor and the […]
03/31/2019 Matthew 25:10-13 Andre Franklin (Bumper music:God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) Andre Franklin is the pastor and planter of Vinea Church. The Franklins (wife Terri and little girl Mia) are native Texans who moved to the East Durham community over a year ago. Andre […]
03/24/2019 Matthew 22:1-14 Chris Breslin (Bumper music: God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) “The living of a [person’s] life, day by day, is the only preparation for the great moment. Day by day….The great moment is never something that is irrelevant to the life you are […]
03/17/2019 Matthew 20:1-16 Chris Breslin (Bumper music:God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) “All my stories are about the action of grace on a character who is not very willing to support it, but most people think of these stories as hard, hopeless, and brutal.” -Flannery […]
03/10/2019 Matthew 18:15-35 Matthew Rehnborg (Bumper music: God Be In My Head by Ryan Gustafson of the Dead Tongues featured on Hymns from the Gathering Church (2011)) “God approaches our minds by receding from them. We can never fully know God if we think of God as an object of capture, to be fenced in by the enclosure of our […]
03/03/2019 Luke 9:28-36 Chris Breslin “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” -Elvis Costello (maybe, or David Byrne, Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, Thelonius Monk…) Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men’s faces. -Gerard Manley Hopkins from As Kingfishers Catch Fire […]
02/24/2019 Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 Chris Breslin “The more deeply we grow into the psalms and the more often we pray them as our own, the more simple and rich will our prayer become.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer “… in our suffering and perils, we find ourselves united with the Mysterious Companion who looms up at our side, or indeed within […]
02/17/2019 Luke 6:17-26 Matthew Rehnborg “The situation of the soul in contemplation is something like the situation of Adam and Eve in Paradise. Everything is yours, but on one infinitely important condition: that all is given. There is nothing that you can claim, nothing that you can demand, nothing that you can take. And as soon as you try […]
02/10/2019 Isaiah 6:1-11 Chris Breslin “Holy ground is dangerous ground. The holy is never, never something of God that we can take as if we owned it and use it for our own purposes” -Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way “I became a detective of divinity, collecting evidence of God’s genius and admiring the tracks left for me to […]
02/03/2019 Luke 4:21-30 John Chandler John Chandler is the Marketing and Communications Director for Help One Now, an NGO which empowers families in developing countries through high-capacity local leaders with proven solutions to end extreme poverty. John is the founding pastor of Ecclesia Networkchurch, Austin Mustard Seed, and hosted equipping resource, SermonSmith, a podcast about the craft of sermon […]
01/27/2019 Luke 4:14-21 Chris Breslin “A Sabbath is a weekly Jubilee during which the powerful are humbled and brought low, and the poor and lowly are gifted space, love, and generosity.” -A.J. Swoboda “Far too often, we have chosen blindness, even refusing the hands of friends who reached out and tried to lead us to the one who […]
01/20/2019 Isaiah 30:1-5, 12-22 Charlene Brown Season Resources: Joy is for Epiphany, tooby Miroslav Volf (Christian Century) Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of Godby Bobby Gross Scripture: Psalm 136:1 Isaiah 30 (The Message) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: The Magnification by Walton I Woke Up This Morning (with My Mind on Jesus) by […]
01/13/2019 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Sarah Neff “The Epiphany story that most tempts my memory is the story of Jesus’ baptism. There is John at the river Jordan, and there are all those unwashed people who have come for his baptism, and in the queue is Jesus, who is without sin, who shouldn’t be in that line with all those […]
01/06/2019 Matthew 2:1-12 Carolina Kammel & Ricardo Correa A special collaborative Epiphany celebration with our friends from Centro de Alabanza Naciones Unidas. Stream the video of the worship gathering here.
12/23/2018 Luke 1:39-55 Mindy Erdmann (Bumper music:Because the Night is Longby Music from the Gathering Church (2010)) Mindy Erdmannworks for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Her love for the city began in 1994 when, as a student at the College of Wooster, she participated in the very first Cleveland Urban Plunge. She joined InterVarsity staff in 1998 in order to develop […]
12/16/2018 Luke 3:1-6 Carolina Kammel (Bumper music:Because the Night is Longby Music from the Gathering Church (2010)) Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow A Carol for the Despairing (Christianity Today article) Scripture Exodus 16 1 Samuel 23:14-16 Luke 4:1-14 This Sunday’s Songs (Oak Kids Christmas Pageant) Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Hark the Herald Angels Sing by […]
Our conversation took place at Oak Church on December 13, 2018. Margot Starbuck facilitated the conversation in partnership with DurhamCares(directed by Reynolds Chapman). Lauren Daniel sang. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson (MA, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is a writer, international speaker, leadership consultant, mentoring coach, and the visionary founder of the nonprofit, Leadership LINKS, Inc. She is author of Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose through Intentional Discipleship and the Hope for Us: […]
12/02/2018 Luke 21:25-36 Chris Breslin (Bumper music:Because the Night is Long by Music from the Gathering Church (2010)) “Advent is not for the faint of heart.” – Fleming Rutledge “[The writer] may well be forced to take ever more violent means to get his vision across to this hostile audience. When you can assume that your audience holds the […]
11/25/2018 John 18:33-38a Chris Breslin “A king who dies on the cross must be the king of a rather strange kingdom.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer “The offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are completed by the caganer’s offering of [crap].” -Adam Hearlson, The Holy No: Worship as a Subversive Act “As a preacher of the gospel for a great […]
11/18/2018 Micah 6:1-8 Stephanie Holmer “Whatever I had read as a child about the saints had thrilled me. I could see the nobility of giving one’s life for the sick, the maimed, the leper. But there was another question in my mind. Why was so much done in remedying the evil instead of avoiding it in the first place? […]
11/11/2018 Mark 12:35-44 Chris Breslin “The mystery of the poor is this: That they are Jesus, and what you do for them you do for Him. It is the only way we have of knowing and believing in our love. The mystery of poverty is that by sharing in it, making ourselves poor in giving to others, we increase […]
11/04/2018 Luke 13:10-17 Matthew Rehnborg “When the prophet dares to expose to the light the congregation who is living in darkness, the initial reaction is to wince in pain. Our eyes have adjusted to the dark. Our world has been designed by shadows, not truth…The preacher causes pain, but slowly, very slowly, we adjust to the light […] If […]
10/28/2018 Isaiah 60:15-22 & Revelation 21:1-5 Chris Breslin “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” -T.S. Eliot (from Little Gidding in the Four Quartets) “The sin-ruined creation of Genesis is restored in the sacrifice-renewed creation of Revelation.” –Eugene Peterson […]
10/21/2018 Genesis 22:1-18 Chris Breslin “ThroughAbraham and his family, God will bless the whole world. Shimmering like a mirage in the deserts through which Abraham wandered was the vision of a new world, a rescued world, a world blessed by the Creator once more, a world of justice, where God and his people would live in harmony, where human […]
10/14/2018 Genesis 22:1-18 Chris Breslin “The church is a countercultural community of discipleship, and this community is the primary addressee of God’s imperatives.” -Richard Hays “Yahweh was setting up Abraham to undergo ‘a massive paradigm shift from a god who requires sacrifice to a God who makes sacrifice.” -Gregory Boyd “[Christian] sacrifice does not consist in a giving of […]
10/07/2018 Genesis 2:25-3:7 Chris Breslin “Genesis 3 paints the scenario that is the hinge point of history. Humanity grasps at its own peace at the expense of the peace of all. The relationships that were declared tov me-od (very good)in the beginning all are decimated. Here lies the wreckage of that fateful moment of original sin, the moment when […]
We introduced and blessed three new members of our Steering Group: Bettejean Cramer, Carolina Kammel, and Sarah Neff. We also introduced and blessed our 2018-19 academic year Pastoral Intern from Duke Divinity School, Matthew Rehnborg.
09/30/2018 Genesis 2:4-25 Kendall Vanderslice Kendall Vanderslice is a graduate of Wheaton College and Boston University (MLA Gastronomy). She is a student at Duke Divinity School and author of an upcoming book on dinner churches: We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God(Eerdmans, 2019). “The fruit of that tree was food whose eating was condemned to […]
09/23/2018 Acts 16:13-34 Chris Breslin “It’s easy for us to see what our church or neighborhood or city could be, to see all the things it’s not and dream of other places. But what if our sense of what could be is not an invitation to leave and find that elsewhere? What if it’s an invitation to shape our […]
09/16/2018 Acts 2:42-47 Chris Breslin “After I gazed for a long time at Rublev’s Trinity these words spoke to me with new power. ‘Praying at all times’ has come to mean ‘dwelling in the house of God all the days of our lives.’ ‘Surviving all that is going to happen’ now tells me that I no longer need to […]
Our conversation took place at Oak Church on September 9, 2018. Tammy White Rodman (Pilgrimage Coordinator for DurhamCares) was the moderator. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (MDiv, Duke Divinity School) is a writer, speaker, and activist. He and his wife, Leah, founded the Rutba House, a house of hospitality where the formerly homeless are welcomed into a community that eats, prays, and shares […]
09/09/2018 Jeremiah 29:4-9 Reynolds Chapman Reynolds Chapman is Executive Director of DurhamCares, whose mission is to mobilize Durham residents to love their neighbors. He is a minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church, planting and co-pastoring Shiloh Covenant Churchin Durham’s Braggtown neighborhood. Reynolds is actively involved in the Christian Community Development Association. He lives with his wife, Katelyn, and family […]
09/02/2018 Luke 10:25-37 Chris Breslin The missionary must be the salt which dissolves in the meat, disappears and dies in it. -Leslie Newbigin “I am an Israeli Jew on my way from Jerusalem to Jericho, and am attacked, beaten, stripped, robbed and left half dead in a ditch. Two people who should have stopped, instead pass by: a Jewish […]
08/26/2018 Prayer & Work & Presence Psalm 46 Chris Breslin “Every step an arrival.” -Eugene Peterson “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” -Mary Oliver “The Psalms not only insist that we are called to live at the intersection of God’s space and our space, of heaven and earth, to be (in […]
08/19/2018 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Meg Hoffman Oak Kids Website Godly Play Foundation Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Turn! Turn! Turn! by Seeger Great is Thy Faithfulness by Chisholm/Runyan All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman/Myrin Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg/Nouwen Rest by Maher/Cockrell Doxology
08/12/2018 Revelation 22:16-21 Chris Breslin “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.” -Lesslie Newbiggin “Foot washing is perhaps the most futuristic practice of the church, though not many people really believe that. Most Christians think they are being cutting edge and futuristic when they have busy graphic presentations running on […]
08/05/2018 Colossians 3:1-17 Chris Breslin “…the Holy Spirit takes the ‘givenness’ of what has happened in Christ, and brings it alive in ever fresh ways in ever new contexts. Moreover, God can take our most catastrophic mistakes and re-create them, make them serve his drama. That’s the wonder of what Christians call salvation; it is not simply a matter […]
07/22/2018 Romans 8:1-11 Jeff & Susan McSwain Jeff & Susan are the founders of Reality Ministries, a community-based non-profit that offers a variety of opportunities for participants to work, play, learn and grow together. RM’s mission is to create opportunities for teens and adults with and without developmental disabilities to experience belonging, kinship and life-changing Reality of Christ’s love. The Reality Center is […]
07/15/2018 John 3:1-21 Chris Breslin “I am a child of God, one in whom Christ dwells, and I am living in the unshakable kingdom of God.” –James Bryan Smith “This, you see, is how much God loved the world: enough to give his only, special son, so that everyone who believes in him should not be lost but […]
07/08/2018 Joel 2:28-32 & Acts 2:1-21 Meg Hoffman Powerpoint Slides (July 8) Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: This is Not the End by Arndt/Gungor Open Our Eyes by McCracken O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by Wesley/Gläser Holy Spirit by Torwalts All Who Are Thirsty by Brown/Robertson Come, Holy Spirit, Come by […]
07/01/2018 Isaiah 11:1-10 & Jeremiah 37:1-14 Chris Breslin “A prophet’s true greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought.” –Abraham Heschel “When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” –Rev. Dr. Martin […]
06/24/2018 Exodus 31:1-11 Sarah Neff “We are holy creatures living among other holy creatures in a world that is holy.” –Wendell Berry ”When her doctor took her bandages off and led her into the garden, the girl who was no longer blind saw ‘the tree with lights in it.”’ –Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek “Because the […]
Our 06/24/18 Call to Worship: Bendito eres Tú, Señor Jesucristo. Cruzaste todas las fronteras entre la divinidad y la humanidad para hacer tu hogar con nosotros. Blessed are You, Lord Jesus Christ. You crossed every border between Divinity and humanity to make your home with us. Help us to welcome you in newcomers, migrants and refugees. Bendito eres Tú, Dios de todas las naciones. Bendices a nuestra tierra […]
06/10/2018 Psalm 51 Chris Breslin Incurable and unbelieving in any truth but the truth of grieving, I saw a tree inside a tree rise kaleidoscopically as if the leaves had livelier ghosts. I pressed my face as close to the pane as I could get to watch that fitful, fluent spirit that seemed a single being undefined or countless […]
1 Samuel 16:1-13 & Isaiah 61:1-3 Chris Breslin “The strength or weakness of means is neither the spur nor the bridle to the determinate choices of God.” –Joseph Hall Slides from Today (featuring Lebron James) Disunity in Christby Dr. Christena Cleveland 1 Samuel as ChristianScriptureby Stephen Chapman Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-3 John 3:8 Psalm 51:7-10 James 5:13-16 1 Peter […]
05/27/2018 Genesis 1:1-2 & Genesis 2:5-9 Chris Breslin The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; […]
05/20/2018 John 20:19-23 Chris Breslin “The convex (outward tilted) of the concave (inward tilted) Resurrection is mission, and the two have to happen almost exactly together, on the same day, because this Great Miracle requires this Great Mission, immediately and urgently.” –F. D. Bruner “[Isaiah & Jesus] offer a way of liberation through the liberation, healing, and total […]
05/13/2018 1 John 5:9-13 Chris Breslin “How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of […]
05/06/2018 1 John 5:1-6 Chris Breslin “If we ask the question, ‘Where might you expect to find the baptized?’ one answer is, ‘In the neighbourhood of chaos’. It means you might expect to find Christian people near to those places where humanity is most at risk, where humanity is most disordered, disfigured and needy. Christians will be found in […]
04/22/2018 1 John 3:16-24 Chris Breslin Slides from April, 2018 Scripture: John 3:16 Matthew 25:40 1 John 4:19 Romans 8:14-17, 28 Psalm 139 Philippians 2:5-11 John 15:5-10 (The Message) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Love is Even the Name by Walton Come, Light Our Hearts by McCracken Father, Let Your Kingdom Come by Porter’s Gate Worship Come Thou Fount of […]
04/15/2018 Testimony Katie DeConto, Jeremiah Dodson, Matt Hoffman, Meg Hoffman Ecclesia Network
04/15/2018 1 John 3:1-7 Chris Breslin “In the New Testament, there is an ongoing ministry of reminding.” –Bruxy Cavey “’We are an eschatological people.’ We’re called to create a picture of God’s dream in the present.” –Jürgen Moltmann via Danny Prada “God is calling us to embody our protest…through the building of relationships around the table.” –Brad Nelson Geoff & […]
04/08/2018 1 John 1:1-2:2 Chris Breslin “The point of the resurrection…is that the present bodily life is not valueless just because it will die…What you do with your body in the present matters because God has a great future in store for it…What you do in the present—by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells, campaigning for […]
04/01/2018 John 11:17-44 Chris Breslin “I would not be a Christian apart from those tears. Jesus’ wasteful tears.” –Steve Garber (recounted in Makoto Fujimura’s Tears for Fragile Emanations While the symbolism of hot cross buns doesn’t share the sacredness of bread and wine, it still serves to remind us of the dark wonder of this day. We cannot make it […]
03/30/2018 Isaiah 52:14 & 53:1-6; John 18-19 Chris Breslin “Like the lynching tree in America, the cross in the time of Jesus was the most ‘barbaric form of execution of the utmost cruelty,’ the absolute opposite of human value systems.” –James Cone “Paul understood not as an accumulation of misdeeds, but as a Power with a death grip on the […]
03/25/2018 Matthew 21:1-11/John 9:1-14; 35-41 Joe Longarino Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken Hosanna (Praise is Rising) by Brown/Baloche Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morgan King of My Heart by McMillan All Who are Thirsty by Brown/Robertson What the Lord Has Done in Me by Morgan Doxology Go further: The Testimony of the Beloved Disciple by Richard […]
03/18/2018 John 6:15-21 Chris Breslin “Proximity has taught me some basic and humbling truths, including this vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I’ve come to believe […]
03/11/2018 John 6:5-14 Sarah Neff “It is not easy to offer the world to each other and to God. We prefer to take the world, possess it, and consume it. What we do not realize is that this hoarding gesture, a gesture often founded upon a deep insecurity and anxiety within us, compromises and degrades the giving of God that […]
03/04/2018 John 5:1-15 Charlene Brown Rev. Charlene Brown is the National Director of Black Campus Ministries for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe […]
02/25/2018 Sermon John 4:46-54 Chris Breslin “Jesus peculiarly dramatizes the dynamics of grace: what is needed by humans is unilaterally initiated by God.” –Marianne Meye Thompson May it Last (Avett Brothers documentary) Scripture: Psalm 5:1-2 Genesis 1 John 1:1-4, 17 Titus 3:1-2 Colossians 3:23-24 Romans 10:8 James 2:14, 26 John 20:26-29 John 20:17 Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: I Believe […]
An archived unedited version of The Road to Now (RTN Theology #3) episode. Pastor Chris Breslin recently invited Bob Crawford to be part of a live conversation with Kate Bowler to talk about the history of Christianity, their faith, and how the crisis of cancer has affected their relationships with God. Kate Bowler is Assistant Professor of the History of […]
02/18/2018 John 2:1-11 Chris Breslin Here’s an epiphany to have and hold, A truth that you can taste upon the tongue, No distant shrines and canopies of gold Or ladders to be clambered rung by rung, But here and now, amidst your daily living, Where you can taste and touch and feel and see, The spring of love, the fount […]
02/11/2018 Sermon Mark 9:2-13 Chris Breslin “Sometimes it feels like I’m the only one in the world who is dying. ‘We’re all sinking, slowly, but one day, while everyone watches, I will run out of air. I am going to go under.’ Even explaining it, I feel more and more frantic. ‘There will be a day when I can’t take […]
02/04/2018 Mark 1:29-39 Matt Hoffman Sermon Resources: Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Have Mercy on Me by Gungor/Alattas/Cunningham Alive by Hoisingtons/Jordan/Leonard Come Light Our Hearts by McCracken King of My Heart by McMillan/McMillan What the Lord Has Done in Me […]
01/28/2018 Mark 1:21-28 Chris Breslin “…carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” –Winston Churchill “for Christ plays in ten thousand places,/Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his/To the Father through the features of men’s faces.” –Gerard […]
01/21/2018 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 & Mark 1:14-20 Chris Breslin “The gospel is not about choosing to follow advice, it’s about being called to follow a King.” –Tim Keller, The King’s Cross “To add insult to very substantial injury, the Ninevites prospered; for an excruciatingly long time (three centuries or more) they fared too well for any savvy Israelite not to […]
01/14/2018 John 1:43-51 Chris Breslin “There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” –Wendell Berry “I was ready to give up. With my cup of coffee sitting untouched before me, I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage […]
01/07/2018 Psalm 29 & Mark 1:4-11 Chris Breslin “This is the Epiphany’s first lesson about joy: to rejoice in the coming of Christ, it’s not enough for Christ to have been born; we must also perceive him as savior and king. Otherwise we won’t rejoice but will treat him with fear, disdain, or indifference.” –Miroslav Volf “We say – and […]
12/24/17 Psalm 96 Chris Breslin “Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.” John Wesley, Directions for Singing Christmas […]
12/17/2017 Psalm 126 & Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Chris Breslin “And I knew that the Spirit that had gone forth to shape the world and make it live was still alive in it. I just had no doubt. I could see that I lived in the created world, and it was still being created. I would be part of it forever. […]
12/10/2017 Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2; 8-13 Sarah Neff “The peace between God and man and the salvation which comes to us men is not something general, but the specific thing itself: that concrete thing which is indicated by the name of Jesus Christ and not by any other name. For He who bears this name is Himself the peace and […]
12/03/2017 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Isaiah 64:1-9 Curt Lowndes Rev. Curt Lowndes is the Associate Pastor of the Gathering Church. He’s a graduate of Georgetown College (KY) and Duke Divinity School. He and his wife Jenny are both from small towns in Kentucky. Jenny graduated from the University of Kentucky’s Nursing School and is an experienced neonatal nurse (including in the […]
11/26/2017 Romans 15:3-11 Chris Breslin “Advent is an invitation to plunge into the deep, dark waters of our worst world, knowing that when we re-surface for air we will encounter the hopeful, hovering Spirit of God. For when we dive into the depths of our worst world, we reach a critical point at which our chocolate and pageants no […]
11/19/2017 Mark 9:36-37; 10:13-16 Meg Hoffman ‘Welcome’, the word is always on your lips, Each welcome warms another one inside, An interleaving of relationships, An open door where arms are open wide. First welcome to the child and through the child A welcome to the Saviour of the world And through the Saviour’s welcome all are called Home to […]
11/12/2017 Matthew 25:31-46 Chris Breslin “When we allow ourselves to be disarmed, we become both vulnerable and strong. The only weapons then at our disposal are those of the Spirit. We choose the way of Jesus laying aside all the earthly resources that give us power- in order to be present to those we love.” –Chris Heuertz When you can […]
11/05/2017 John 9:1-17 Chris Breslin “To proclaim the Gospel is to proclaim that it is at last possible to be properly human.” –Rowan Williams “The good news brings us to God, and it also brings life and healing to a broken, dying and divided world. Anything less is not the gospel.” –Brenda Salter McNeill “The task of prophetic ministry is […]
10/29/17 Matthew 6:1-13 Kate Hamman “The Lord’s Prayer, along with the Eucharist, forms the liturgical equivalent to what Eastern Orthodox church architecture portrays and western Gothic architecture depicts—both developing, each in its own way, the central temple theology of Judaism. The God worshiped here, says this architecture…is both intimately present within the world and utterly beyond, other, and different […]
10/22/2017 Luke 14:12-24 Norman Wirzba Dr. Norman Wirzba was raised on a farm in Southern Alberta, and went on to study history at the University of Lethbridge, theology at Yale University Divinity School, and philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Since then he has taught at Saint Thomas More College/University of Saskatchewan, Georgetown College (KY), and Duke University Divinity School. He’s […]
10/15/2017 Ephesians 4:1-16 Chris Breslin “Being a Christian was always about living by faith in Jesus’ sovereign Lordship in a world which didn’t much look as if he was in charge.” –N.T. Wright “The church is nothing less than Christ’s availability to the world.” –Robert Jensen “’I submit to you,’ is an act of leadership.” -David Fitch Slides for this […]
10/01/2017 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 Sarah Neff “When God sets out to embrace the enemy, the result is the cross.” –Miroslav Volf “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” -John Steinbeck, East of Eden “Blame is simply the discharging of discomfort and pain. It has an inverse relationship with accountability.” -Brené Brown “If you can’t […]
10/1/17 Psalm 46 Chris Breslin “Silence is not the absence of something, but the presence of everything.” –Gordon Hempton “God’s presence is the central fact of Christianity.” –A.W. Tozer “The Psalms not only insist that we are called to live at the intersection of God’s space and our space, of heaven and earth, to be (in other words) Temple people. […]
09/24/2017 Philippians 4:10-23 Chris Breslin “’This present world is a perfectly safe place for us to be.’ That certainly is what Jesus, and the Bible as a whole, has to say to us. ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever’ (Ps 23).” –Dallas […]
09/17/2017 Acts 16:16-28 Dewey Williams Rev. Dewey Williams is a minister at Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, where he serves with the Prison Ministry, Voices of Praise, Male Chorus, as a teacher of the Marriage Ministry, and as Executive Director of the Mt. Level Community Haven. He also chairs the Board of Jubilee Home. A series of his […]
09/10/2017 Philippians 4:1-9 “Thanksgiving means giving God the glory in everything, making room for him, casting our care on him, letting it be his care. The troubles that exercise us then cease to be hidden and bottled up. They are so to speak laid open towards God, spread out before him.” –Karl Barth Scripture: Matthew 5:9 Matthew 8:23-27 John 8:1-11 […]
09/03/2017 Philippians 3:17-21 Chris Breslin Testimony by Bryan Diver & Blake “Slowly, I started to enter more fully into the world of my refugee friends. As the days and months blended into years, I experienced strange paradoxes. The more I failed to communicate the love of God to my friends, the more I experienced it for myself. The more overwhelmed […]
8/27/2017 Philippians 2:1-11 Charlene Brown Rev. Charlene Brown is the National Director of Black Campus Ministries for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Empty Me Out by White/Vice Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Redman/Myrin Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross […]
08/20/2017 Philippians 3:1-16 Chris Breslin “Faith in its decisive act is the collapse of every effort of our own capacity and will, and the recognition of the absolute necessity of that collapse.” –Karl Barth “Disciples live with not only renouncing their own rights, but even renouncing their own righteousness. They get no credit themselves for what they do and sacrifice. […]
8/20/2017 Stephanie Holmer, Joe Longarino, Nate Hood, Erin Victor, Elizabeth Christenson & Chris Breslin
08/13/2017 Philippians 2:19-30 Chris Breslin A Congregational Prayer for Churches after Charlottesville by Rich Villodas (Missio Alliance) “Hitherto I have served you as a soldier; allow me now to become a soldier to God…I am a soldier of Christ; it is not permissible for me to fight.” –Martin of Tours (4th Century Bishop) “We who formerly treasured money and possessions […]
8/6/2017 Philippians 2:12-18 Chris Breslin “Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” -Wendell Berry “Salvation is not only something we receive but also something we do.” –Gordon Fee Urban Church Planting Plantations by Christena Cleveland (blogpost) Hillsong Church: Do Not Colonize San Francisco by Nate […]
07/30/2017 Philippians 2:1-11 Chris Breslin “We can increasingly resemble Christ in character and in power by following him in his overall style of life … This was the method of his earliest disciples, and it is as valid today as it was then.” –Dallas Willard “Humility in abstracto can be the grossest pride.” –Karl Barth “The missionary must be the […]
07/23/2017 Philippians 1:27-30 Chris Breslin It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings. –Wendell […]
07/16/2017 Philippians 1:12-26 Dr. Richard B. Hays Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Leave it There by Tindley Rejoice the Lord is King by Wesley/Darwall Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by Montgomery/McCracken Jesus, What a Beautiful Name by Riches Take My Life and Let it Be by Havergal/Herold We Are Not Overcome by Heiskell/Wardell Doxology This Week’s Memory Scripture: […]
07/09/2017 Philippians 1:1-11 Chris Breslin “All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still ‘about to be’.” –C.S. Lewis “The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Cancer, as it […]
07/02/2017 Joshua 6:1-20 Marty Childers (Director of Mission, Yates Baptist Association) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Take Us, O Lord by Wardell All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis Praise the Savior, Now and Ever by Fortunatus/Moore Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill Steadfast by McCracken/Jordan/Silverberg Great Rejoicing by Cockrell Doxology
06/25/2017 Psalm 8 Chris Breslin “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” -Frederick Buechner “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, […]
06/18/2017 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Joe Longarino “In short, the problem with pornography is not that it shows too much of the person, but that it shows far too little.” –Pope John Paul II “Coitus without coexistence is demonic.” –Karl Barth Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13 Psalm 84:1-2 Psalm 63:1 Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Hands and Feet by Gungor/Arndt He Knows My […]
06/11/2017 Matthew 28:16-20 Matt Hoffman Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Take to the World by Tate/Webb I Saw the Light by Williams Be Thou My Vision by Forgaill Let Them Praise the Name of the Lord by Harris/Crawford How Can I Keep from Singing? by Lowry Wake Up by Jordan/Chaffer/Leonard Doxology Go further: Lottie Moon’s Death Story a Myth, New […]
05/28/2017 John 17:1-11 Chris Breslin “The glory of God is humanity fully alive.” –Irenaeus “To embrace the ascension is to heave a sigh of relief, to give up the struggle to be God (and with it the inevitable despair at our constant failure), and to enjoy our status as creatures: image bearing creatures, but creatures nonetheless.” –N.T. Wright Scripture: John […]
5/21/17 John 14:1-21 Chris Breslin “These chapters have often rightly been seen as among the most precious and intimate in the New Testament. They are full of comfort, challenge and hope, full of the deep and strange personal relationship that Jesus longs to have with each of his followers. We shouldn’t be surprised that they are also full of some […]
05/14/2017 Sermon John 4:1-30, 39-43 Stephanie Holmer Scripture: 2 Kings 17 Ezra 4 Luke 9:51-56 John 1:32 Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Want by Green Flourishing (Psalm 119) by McCracken He Leadeth Me by Gilmore/Bradbury Glory Be to God the Father by Bonar/Mundell Rest by Maher/Cockrell I Boast No More by Watts/McCracken Doxology Go further: Dr. Christena Cleveland’s Oak Church […]
Rachel Breslin, Stephanie Holmer, Sarah Neff, & Nate Hood reflect about their week in Alexandria, VA at the Ecclesia Network National Gathering & Missio Alliance.
05/07/2017 John 10:1-15 Chris Breslin Scripture: Ezekiel 34 John 1:4 John 3:16 John 11:25 John 17:3 John 20:31 Psalm 23 (The Message) Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: You Are A Good Shepherd by Smith I Am Thine O Lord (Draw Me Nearer) by Crosby/Doane All Creatures of Our God and King by St. Francis Heal Us by Cowper/Twit/Morgan Good Good […]
04/30/2017 Sermon Luke 24:13-35 Jeremiah Dodson “We do not gain a grasp of Scripture’s significance solely through lectures on the text, we come to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus as we participate in the shared life of the community, enacted in meals shared at the table.” –Richard Hays “Christian understanding is inseperable from a certain kind […]
04/23/2017 John 20:19-31 Chris Breslin “The church exists for mission as a fire exists by burning.” –Emil Bruner “Jesus has a very special love for you, as for me, the silence and emptiness is so great that I look and do not see; I listen and do not hear.” –Mother Teresa “When in doubt, do it.” –Oliver […]
John 20:1-18 Chris Breslin “The Word through whom all things were made is now the Word through whom all things are remade…Jesus’ resurrection is to be seen as the beginning of the new world, the first day of the new week, the unveiling of the prototype of what God is now going to accomplish in the rest of the world.” […]
04/14/2017 Luke 23:35-43 Mark Acuff Call to Worship: Lamentations 3:40-57 Songs for Today’s Worship Gathering: Lamb of God by Assad Man of Sorrows, What a Name! by Bliss When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Watts/Mason Up on a Mountain by Aiuto Have Mercy by McCracken/Cockrell Never Said a Mumblin’ Word by Traditional Spiritual O Sacred Head Now Wounded by […]
04/09/2017 Luke 19:28-44 Chris Breslin “I would not be a Christian apart from those tears. Jesus’ wasteful tears.” –Steve Garber “At Bethany, the Incarnate Word of God stood wordless.” –Richard Hays “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the […]
04/02/2017 Lamentations 5 Sarah Neff “Lament is beating on God’s chest & trusting he’s not going anywhere.” –Mandy Smith “Its very unsettledness enables the book to be a house for sorrow, neither denied nor overcome with sentimental wishes, theological escapism, or premature closure… Lamentations does not tell the whole story and does not contain all there is to say about […]
03/26/17 Lamentations 3 Meg Hoffman “Lament allows for the fullness of emotions to be expressed. Worship should not operate with divergent goals, moving the community toward either celebration of suffering. They are not part of a zero-sum equation. Suffering and celebration must continue to intersect in our communities. Diverse worship expressions arising out of a range of experiences provide the […]
03/19/2017 Lamentations 4:17-22 Chris Breslin “What house is it to which the Bible is the door? What sort of country is spread before our eyes when we throw the Bible open?” -Karl Barth “The New Testament’s vision of Christian behavior has to do, not with struggling to keep a bunch of ancient and apparently arbitrary rules, nor with “going with […]
03/12/2017 Lamentations 2:6-9, 14 Chris Breslin There is no consolation in the thought of God, he said, slamming another nail in another house another havoc had half–taken. Grace is not consciousness, nor is it beyond. To hell with remembrance, to hell with heaven, hammer is the prayer of the poor and the dying. And the wind in some lordless random […]
03/05/17 Psalm 32:1-7 Dr. Christena Cleveland Dr. Christena Cleveland is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Leadership, Spirituality, and Intercultural Studies at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC. She is a social psychologist and reconciliation scholar-practitioner who writes and lectures widely on the theology and practice of reconciliation. In her book, Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that […]
Lamentations 1 2/26/17 Chris Breslin “Lament is beating on God’s chest & trusting he’s not going anywhere.” –Mandy Smith “I thought I had been unwittingly commissioned do the sound track to the end of the world.” –William Bazinski “Laments are the prayers of the discontented, the disturbed, and the distraught.” –Kathleen O’Connor Laments create “an alchemy of grief, mourning, and […]
02/19/2017 Acts 16:16-36 Sarah Neff “For there is the more excellent way of love and nonviolent protest.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” “This illuminates also what O’Connor says about what she thinks makes a story work as a story – ‘some action, some gesture of a character that is unlike any other in the […]
02/12/2017 Acts 3:1-16 Chris Breslin “Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary use words.” –St. Francis of Assisi (probably not though) “His words were neither hollow nor ridiculous, but filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, penetrating the marrow of the heart, so that listeners were turned to great amazement.” from Mark Galli’s book on Francis […]
2/5/17 Acts 17:16-34 Chris Breslin “Be missionaries cleverly disguised as good neighbors.” –J.R. Briggs “Christ plays in ten thousand places lovely in limbs and lovely in eyes not his to the Father through the feature of men’s faces.” –Gerard Manley Hopkins “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” –Mary Oliver Scripture: […]
01/29/2017 Isaiah 61:5-11 Chris Breslin “For most of the church’s history, faithful believers located their acts of hospitality in a vibrant tradition in which needy strangers, Jesus, and angels were welcomed and through which people were transformed.” –Christine Pohl, Making Room “The icon does not make clear which side of the fence Christ is on. Is he imprisoned […]
01/22/2017 Isaiah 61:1-6 Sarah Neff “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “If we want to see a wild animal the last thing we should do is go crashing into the woods, yelling for it to come out.” –Parker Palmer “Our own experience with loneliness, […]
01/15/2017 Isaiah 61:1-3 Chris Breslin “The calling of a prophet is to bring the world into divine focus.” –Abraham Heschel “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul” -Emily Dickenson “Hope is a song in a weary throat.” -Pauli Murray “If you can’t make it happy, make it beautiful.” –Sam Wells “Hope […]
12/24/16 Luke 1:46-55 Chris Breslin “My mother, my daughter, life-giving Eve, Do not be ashamed, do not grieve. The former things have passed away, Our God has brought us to a New Day. See, I am with Child, Through whom all will be reconciled. O Eve! My sister, my friend, We will rejoice together Forever Life without end.” -Sr. […]
12/18/2016 1 Kings 1:11-31 Chris Breslin Scripture John 1 Matthew 1 Hebrews 4:15 This Sunday’s Songs Hail to the Lord’s Anoinnted by Montgomery/McCracken What Child is This? by Dix/Traditional Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Wesley/Mendelsohn Joy to the World by Watts/Mason Canticle of the Turning by Cooney/Traditional O Come Emanuel by Traditional O Come All Ye […]
12/11/2016 Ruth 4:5-22 Sarah Neff This Sunday’s Songs Singing in the Land arr. by Mitchell/Littleton Higher Ground by Oatman/Gabriel Joy to the World by Brooks/Redner Steadfast by McCracken It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Willis/Sears O Holy Night by Adam/Dwight O Come All Ye Faithful by Wade Further reading on Women in the Bible The Gospel of […]
12/04/2016 Joshua 2:4-21 Chris Breslin “The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free.” –Henri Nouwen Scripture Matthew 1 Galatians 5:1 Exodus 12 Matthew 2:13-15 Hebrews 11:31 “You Are Safe With Us”: How Ordinary Iraqis Rescued US […]
11/27/2016 Genesis 38:11b-26a Chris Breslin “When God’s righteousness is mentioned in the gospel, it is God’s action of declaring righteous the unrighteous sinner who has faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness by which a person is justified is not his own but that of another, Christ.” –Martin Luther Scripture Matthew 1 Luke 1 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Genesis 37 […]
The kingdom and the power and the glory, The very things we all want for ourselves! We want to be the hero of the story And leave the others on their dusty shelves. How subtly we seek to keep the kingdom, How brutally we hold on to the power, Our glory always means another’s thralldom, But still we strut and […]
11/20/2016 Ephesians 3:14-21 Richella Parham The kingdom and the power and the glory, The very things we all want for ourselves! We want to be the hero of the story And leave the others on their dusty shelves. How subtly we seek to keep the kingdom, How brutally we hold on to the power, Our glory always means […]
11/13/2016 Luke 4:1-15 Chris Breslin God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me. Flare up like flame and make big shadows I […]
11/06/2016 Acts 9:1-21 Joey Morningstar Repentance, to be sure, but of a species far less likely to oblige sheepish repetition. Repentance, you’ll observe, glibly bears the bent of thought revisited, and mind’s familiar stamp –a quaint, half-hearted doubleness that couples all compunction with a pledge of recurrent screw-up. The hearts metanoia, on the other hand, […]
It is for all ‘literalists of the imagination,’ poets or not, that miracle is possible, possible and essential. Are some intricate minds nourished on concept, as epiphytes flourish high in the canopy? Can they subsist on the light, on the half of metaphor that’s not grounded in dust, grit, heavy carnal clay? Do signs contain and utter, for them all […]
10/30/2016 Isaiah 55 Chris Breslin (with artists and creatives from the Communion Arts Project: Alexandra Harper, Jessina Leonard, Alex Burchette, Josh Neipp, Nate Hood, Austin Wilson, & Marcus Walton) It is for all ‘literalists of the imagination,’ poets or not, that miracle is possible, possible and essential. Are some intricate minds nourished on concept, as epiphytes flourish high […]
And now I think Jerusalem abides untouched, the temple yet intact, its every cornerstone in place, its vault replete with vivid scent, its ark alight with vigil lamps whose oil is never spent. In psalm the pilgrim asks forgiveness, pleads that God return the Spirit to the heart, and look, the Ghost had never left, had never […]
10/23/2016 Revelation 21:1-7 Chris Breslin (with DurhamCares’ Pilgrimage of Pain and Hope Participants: Stephanie Holmer, Sabrina Bowyer, Gary Davis, & Alexandria Harper) …that you might approach the Jerusalem of the heart… -Isaac the Least And now I think Jerusalem abides untouched, the temple yet intact, its every cornerstone in place, its vault replete with vivid scent, its […]
I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had the treasure in it. I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying on to […]
10/16/2016 Exodus 3:1-14 Sarah Neff I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had the treasure in it. I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it. […]
I heard him call you his beloved son And saw his Spirit lighten like a dove, I thought his words must be for you alone, Knowing myself unworthy of his love. You pray in close communion with your Father, So close you say the two of you are one, I feel myself to be receding further, Fallen away and […]
10/9/2016 Matthew 6:1-14 Chris Breslin I heard him call you his beloved son And saw his Spirit lighten like a dove, I thought his words must be for you alone, Knowing myself unworthy of his love. You pray in close communion with your Father, So close you say the two of you are one, I feel myself to […]
10/02/2016 Genesis 4:1-12 Chris Breslin “If a [person] is called to be a street sweeper, [he or she] should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. [She or he] should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street […]
Sarah is excited to be this year’s intern from Duke Divinity School where she is a second year dual MDiv/MSW student. She grew up outside of Chicago, studied literature and theater at Wheaton College, and fled the Midwest for Colorado after graduation. There, she worked for a para-church guiding outfitter, helping to run their backpacking program. She cherishes memories of llama-wrangling and cleaning camping […]
9/25/2016 Chris Breslin Jeremiah 29:4-14 “This is kind of how blues began — out of feeling misused, mistreated. Feeling like they had nobody to turn to. Blues don’t necessarily have to be sung by a person that came from Mississippi as I did, because there are people having problems all over the world.” (B.B. King) “To be a […]
9/18/2016 Matthew 25:14-30 Alexandra Harper Alexandra Harper is the Creative Director and Founder of Culture Care RDU. A Ministry of Artists in Christian Testimony International, Culture Care works to equip the local church to display Christ in culture through creation, creativity & artistry. She holds degrees from Liberty University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and University of St. Andrews in Scotland. […]
9/11/16 Gen 1:26-28, 2:15, 3:17-19 & Rev 21:1-5, 22:26, 22:1-5 Chris Breslin Scripture 1 Peter 5:7 John 20:19-31 Luke 24:13-32 Isaiah 60 1 Corinthians 3:9 Walking Work Prayer from MaryKate Morse’s Prayer Guidebook This Sunday’s Songs Take Up Your Spade by Watkins Praise to the Lord, the Almighty by Neander We Will Feast in the House of […]
9/4/2016 2 Samuel 22:1-31 Chris Breslin “The single most characteristic thing about David is God. David believed in God, thought about God, imagined God, addressed God, prayed to God. The largest part of David’s existence wasn’t David but God.” –Eugene Peterson “Make no mistake, our God is a God of justice.” –Christena Cleveland (The Cross & the Molotov […]
8/28/16 2 Samuel 14:25-26; 15:7-14 Rev. Matt Orth Matt Orth lives in NC with his wife, his two daughters, and a small army of dwarf goats and pygmy hedgehogs. He spends his time writing, reading, teaching, traveling, gardening, and inciting good people to laugh well. In addition to his creative endeavors, which includes everything from creating characters from nothing but […]
8/21/16 2 Samuel 11:1-17; 12:1-7 Chris Breslin “…to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures.” -Flannery O’Connor Scripture Genesis 3:6-7 Psalm 51 Matthew 26:26-28 Luke 23:46 This Sunday’s Songs Remedy, DeJong May the Mind of Christ My Savior Live in Me, Wilkinson/Gordon My Hope is Built on […]
8/14/16 2 Samuel 9 Suvya Carroll & Greg Little “Francis, at the time or somewhere about the time when he disappeared into the prison or the dark cavern, underwent a reversal of a certain psychological kind…The man who went into the cave was not the man who came out again…He looked at the world as differently from other men as […]
8/7/14 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Chris Breslin “Consider that the first time someone spoke of God in the third person and therefore no longer with but about God was that very moment when the question resounded, ‘Did God really say? (Gen 3:1).’ This fact ought to make us think.” –Helmut Thielicke (A Little Exercise for Young Theologians) Scripture 2 […]
7/31/16 2 Samuel 3:17-39 Chris Breslin “True greatness and true power is faithful all the way down, including humbly quick to admit limitedness, sin and brokenness, and to ask for forgiveness.” -Andy Crouch (Playing God) Cruciform love resists the temptation to make myself the focus of everything, even of my spirituality. Cruciform love refuses to exercise rights, powers, […]
7/24/16 2 Samuel 2:17-27 Chris Breslin “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” –Leonard Bernstein “When people sit down to talk about death, the pretense kind of falls away, and people talk very openly and authentically…and they say things in front of strangers which are really […]
7/17/16 1 Samuel 30 Stephanie Holmer Scripture Psalm 22 Psalm 23 1 Samuel 22:2 MSG This Sunday’s Songs House of God Forever, Foreman Everlasting God, Brown/Riley Come For the Feast is Spread, Burton/Gordon Blessed Assurance, Crosby/Knapp What Wondrous Love is This, Traditional More Than Anything, Leonard/Ingram/Jordan/Garrard River Where Mercy Flows, Miller Further Reading on David The Art […]
1 Samuel 25:23-35 Chris Breslin “Abigail on her knees, put David back on his knees.” –Eugene Peterson “The accelerating momentum of the story is stopped and then reversed by Abigail. Abigail is marginal because she’s a woman in a male-dominated world. Abigail is marginal because she’s weaponless in a sword-rattling world. Mostly, Abigail is marginal because she’s beautiful […]
7/2/16 1 Samuel 24:1-16, 22 Dave Crispell, Executive Director of Jubilee Home Rev. David Crispell is a Durham native and an ordained minister in United Church of Christ. He graduated from Duke Divinity in 2011, and now serves as the Executive Director of Jubilee Home, a transitional home in Durham for young men returning to the community from incarceration. David […]
6/26/16 1 Samuel 18:1-5 Chris Breslin “Friendship…is born at the moment when one [person] says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself…” –C.S. Lewis “We are bound to each other, therefore I love you. You may bore me or wound me or otherwise become unattractive to me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll walk […]
6/19/16 1 Samuel 17:1-51 Chris Breslin “Darkness can’t drive out darkness, only light can do that.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Jesus is, well, strange. He refuses to manipulate people through their stomachs; he refuses to rule people through an alliance with evil; and he refuses to guard his rule, and thus exalt himself, through a corruption of God’s […]
6/12/16 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Chris Breslin “A job is a vocation only if someone else calls you to do it for them rather than for yourself. And so our work can be a calling only if it is reimagined as a mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests. Thinking of work mainly as a means of self-fulfillment […]
6/5/2016 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Chris Breslin Scripture 1 Samuel 2:10 Luke 15:11-32 Matthew 26:39 1 Samuel 10:6 Philippians 3:7-8 1 Samuel 15:11 Isaiah 53:2-3 Philippians 2:6-8 Luke 1:52-54 Luke 4:18-19 Matthew 6:10 1 Peter 2:9 Further Reading on David The Art of Biblical Narrative by Robert Alter The David Story: A Translation of 1 & 2 Samuel by Robert Alter […]
5/29/2016 Austin Wilson Psalm 96 “God will cheat no one, not even the world of its triumph.” –W.H. Auden Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name, Bring tidings every day of His rescue Recount among the nations His glory, among all the peoples His wonders. […]
5/22/2016 Chris Breslin 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 “An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get into touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God: God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God […]
5/15/2016 Chris Breslin John 14:15-31 “The Spirit is the shy member of the Trinity. He always points to Jesus.” –Dale Bruner “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” –Flannery O’Connor “Attending to people’s sexual and relational lives is a critical part of [the] journey of discipleship because we are connectional beings.” –Jonny Grant (from Divine […]
5/8/2016 Chris Breslin Ephesians 4:7-13 “Being a Christian was always about living by faith in Jesus’ sovereign Lordship in a world which didn’t much look as if he was in charge.” –NT Wright “One has the picture of a diver, stripping off garment after garment, making himself naked, then flashing for a moment in the air, and then down through […]
5/1/2016 Matt Hoffman Psalm 70 The aim of every [person] and indeed the perfection of his heart amounts to this – continual and unbroken perseverance in prayer, and, as far as it is allowed to human frailty, strives to acquire an immovable tranquility of mind and a perpetual purity. -Abba Issac This is something which has been handed on to us […]
4/24/2016 Joey Morningstar Psalm 136 Resonant Witness ed. Jeremy Begbie & Steven Guthrie Resounding Truth by Jeremy Begbie Creator Spirit by Steven Guthrie Seeing God in Jazz by Willie James Jennings (Fall 2011 Divinity Magazine)
4/10/16 Mike Boone Luke 24:13-35 “You’re pretty good with words, but words won’t save your life.” -Craig Finn from The Hold Steady’s Stuck Between Stations “The moment of recognition comes only as they sit at the table and Jesus breaks the bread with them – an action that recalls Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in Jerusalem. This point, too, is […]
4/3/16 Chris Breslin Mark 16:1-8 “We interpret Scripture rightly only when we read it in light of the resurrection, and we begin to comprehend the resurrection only when we see it as the climax of the scriptural story of God’s gracious deliverance of Israel.” -Richard B. Hays, Reading Scripture in Light of the Resurrection from The Art of Reading Scripture […]
3/27/16 Chris Breslin John 20:1-18 “Easter was when Hope in person surprised the whole world by coming forward from the future into the present.” –N.T. Wright “The Word through whom all things were made is now the Word through whom all things are remade…Jesus’ resurrection is to be seen as the beginning of the new world, the first […]
3/20/16 Chris Breslin Mark 11:1-11 The Donkey G.K. Chesterton When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood Then surely I was born. With monstrous head and sickening cry And ears like errant wings, The devil’s walking parody On all four-footed things. The tattered outlaw of the earth, […]
3/13/16 Joe Longarino Mark 13:1-27 The Coming R.S. Thomas And God held in his hand A small globe. Look he said. The son looked. Far off, As through water, he saw A scorched land of fierce Colour. The light burned There; crusted buildings Cast their shadows: a bright Serpent, A river Uncoiled itself, radiant With slime. On a bare Hill […]
3/13/16 Rachel Breslin & Meg Hoffman reflect about their week in Newark, DE at the Ecclesia Network National Gathering.
3/6/16 Chris Breslin Mark 12:28-44 Flickering Mind Denise Levertov Lord, not you, it is I who am absent. At first belief was a joy I kept in secret, stealing alone into sacred places: a quick glance, and away—and back, circling. I have long since uttered your name but now I elude your presence. I stop to think about […]
2/28/16 Joey Morningstar Mark 12:13-17 From Thee to Thee Solomon Ibn Gabirol When all within is dark, And former friends misprise; From them I turn to Thee, And find Love in Thine eyes. When all within is dark, And I my soul despise; From me I turn to Thee, And find love in Thine eyes. When all Thy […]
2/21/16 Chris Breslin Mark 10:32-52 Lightenings (xii) Seamus Heaney And lightening? One meaning of that Beyond the usual sense of alleviation, Illumination, and so on, is this: A phenomenal instant when the spirit flares With pure exhilaration before death— The good thief in us harking to the promise! So paint him on Christ’s right hand, on a promontory Scanning […]
2/14/16 Chris Breslin Mark 10:17-31 The Place Where We Are Right by Yehuda Amichai From the place where we are right flowers will never grow in the Spring. The place where we are right is hard and trampled like a yard. But doubts and loves dig up the world like a mole, a plough. And a whisper […]
2/7/16 Chris Breslin Exodus 16 “Sabbath” by Amy Imbody Sabbath: You make demands upon my heart, upon my hands, and, certainly, upon my mind: a quietness, profound, benign where receptivity will find its satisfaction: fruitfulness flows from this place of deep repose. “Feasting is the fun and festivity of a weekly eschatological party.” –Marva Dawn “From the very beginning, […]
1/31/16 Joey Morningstar Ezekiel 20:10-17 “Embrace” by Gregory Orr With their embrace They chose Each other, Which is To choose death And all that comes Before it: Sufferings And joys And infinite Unintended harms. Large choice For such small arms. Sabbath Planning Worksheet & Sabbath Starters Sabbath Planning Worksheet & Sabbath Starters (for Students) Further Sabbath […]
1/17/16 JR Briggs Exodus 20:1-17,Hebrews 4:1,6-9 J.R. Briggs of Ecclesia Network & Renew Community J.R. Briggs serves as Cultural Cultivator of The Renew Community a Jesus community for skeptics and dreamers in Lansdale, PA – a suburb of Philadelphia, which he helped start. He is the founder and director of Kairos Partnerships an initiative that partners with leaders, pastors and church planters […]
1/10/16 Chris Breslin Genesis 2:1-4, Exodus 5 Testimony by Nate Hood (27:50) “God rested! God enjoyed a work stoppage!…It is good that order defeats chaos. It is good that the world is ordered for fruitfulness. It is “very good” that creation bears the life-giving power of the creator. It is very good indeed! And then, reported at the culmination […]
1/3/16 Chris Breslin Psalm 23 “It takes a long time to ruin a life. It all starts with the stories we live by.” -James Bryan Smith “A great benefit of Sabbath keeping is that we learn to let God take care of us — not by becoming passive and lazy, but in the freedom of giving up our feeble attempts […]
12/24/15 Chris Breslin Luke 2 “Love achieves its creativity by being perceptive.” –Oliver O’Donovan Advent Resources Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany edited by Sarah Arthur Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Oak Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the […]
12/20/15 Joey Morningstar Psalm 29 Noise. It radiates from Tobacco Plus, the busstop and the 5-stop sign free for all. Car doors slam, stereo kits rumble, brakes screech, hydraulics sigh, and strangers yell. The noise seeps in through the windows, humming an anxious lullaby through the night. Do you hear what I hear? Radio gloom breaks briefly muted mornings. […]
12/13/15 Chris Breslin Psalm 98, Luke 2:10-11 “The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer “The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil” –God’s Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins “Does God […]
12/6/15 Chris Breslin Luke 2:8-20 Go Tell it on the Mountain by Jane Schroeder (First Things) Advent Resources Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany edited by Sarah Arthur Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Oak Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin […]
11/29/15 Chris Breslin Isaiah 11:29 “He who sings, prays twice.” –Saint Augustine “To listen seriously to music and to perform it are among our most potent ways of learning what it is to live with and before God.” –Rowan Williams O Antiphons Durham Herald-Sun article about Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham Vigil Advent Resources Light Upon Light: A Literary […]
“God gives so that we can exist and flourish, but not only for that, God gives so that we can help others exist and flourish as well. God’s gifts aim at making us into generous givers, not just fortunate receivers. God gives so that we, in human measure, can be givers too.” –Miroslav Volf “We’re buying gifts for our […]
11/15/15 Chris Breslin Luke 6:46-49 “To build your house well is, ironically, to be nudged beyond its doors.” – Richard Rohr “Faith sets life on a new foundation, and only on this new foundation can I live justified before God. This foundation is the living, dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ… Faith means to base life […]
11/8/15 Matt Tintera Mark 4:1-20 “There is an entire ecosystem in a handful of soil: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms. Through their breeding and dying such creatures vivify the world…Soil is not dirt. It is a living organism, or rather a collection of organisms, and it must be fed. Soil both craves life and wants to produce more life, even […]
11/1/15 Chris Breslin Luke 18:1-17 “You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.” –St. Teresa of Avila “Although…you could rightly and properly be a severe judge over us sinners…now through your mercy implant in our hearts a comforting trust in your fatherly love, and let us experience the sweet and pleasant savor of a childlike certainty […]
10/25/15 Chris Breslin Luke 15:1-32 “Weary or bitter or bewildered as we may be, God is faithful. He lets us wander so we will know what it means to come home.” –Marilynne Robinson (Home) “Jesus’s purpose is not to warm our hearts but to shatter our categories.” –Tim Keller “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, […]
10/18/15 Chris Breslin Matthew 13:44-52 “You thought God was an architect, now you know He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow And everything you built that’s all for show goes up in flames In 24 frames.” –Jason Isbell “He has left us without root or soil or country, having Himself become our root and soil and country.” […]
9/6/15 Chris Breslin Psalm 125 “All the persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers. We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us.” –Eugene Peterson “Jesus came to bring the good news to the poor, not to those who serve the poor! I think we can […]
8/30/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 6:10-24 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin Practice Resurrection by Eugene Peterson An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land by William Stringfellow Ephesians (Belief Theological […]
8/23/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 5: 21- 6:9 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Jesus Feministby Sarah Bessey Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller Husbands, Submit to Your Wives (Missio Alliance Blog Post)by Tara Beth Leach Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin The Blue Parakeet: […]
8/16/15 Chris Breslin Checkout the slideshow with sights and sounds from this year’s VBS!
8/9/15 Matt Hoffman Ephesians 5:1-20 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Holy Spirit: The Shy Member of the Trinity by F. Dale Bruner God’s Empowering Presence: the Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul by Gordon Fee Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin Practice […]
8/2/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 4:17-32 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Holy Spirit: The Shy Member of the Trinity by F. Dale Bruner God’s Empowering Presence: the Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul by Gordon Fee Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin Practice […]
7/26/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 4:1-16 Sermon Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern Worldby Richard Bauckham Eldership and the Mission of God by J.R. Briggs & Bob Hyatt Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Goodby Steve Garber The Missional Church: A […]
7/19/15 Joey Morningstar Ephesians 3:14-21 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin Practice Resurrectionby Eugene Peterson Ephesians (Belief Theological Commentary) by Allen Verhey & Joseph Harvard
7/12/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 3:1-13 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin The Open Secret by Lesslie Newbigin Practice Resurrectionby Eugene Peterson Ephesians (Belief Theological Commentary) by Allen Verhey & Joseph Harvard Sermon Notes “I See Dead People” The Sixth […]
7/5/15 Mike Boone Ephesians 2:11-22 Rev. Michael Boone The Rev. Michael Boone is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church in North America. He graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2011 with a Masters of Divinity and a Certificate in Anglican Studies. Mike works as the Triangle region’s sales representative for the United Methodist Publishing House and serves at All […]
6/28/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 2:1-10 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Union with Christ by J. Todd Billings It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God ed. by Ned Bustard Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation Commentary) by Ralph P. Martin […]
6/21/15 Dave Crispell Ephesians 1:15-23 Rev. David Crispell, Executive Director of Jubilee Home Rev. David Crispell is a Durham native and an ordained minister in United Church of Christ. He graduated from Duke Divinity in 2011, and now serves as the Executive Director of Jubilee Home, a transitional home in Durham for young men returning to the community from incarceration. […]
6/21/15 As a community, we linked with hundreds of other church communities around the country to share in onechurchliturgy.com lamenting the hatred and violence suffered by our brothers and sisters in Christ in Charleston. Download the liturgy slides here.
6/14/15 Chris Breslin Ephesians 1:3-14 Ephesians Resources The Broken Wall by Markus Barth Union with Christ by J. Todd Billings Colossians, Philemon & Ephesians (NICNT Commentary) by F.F. Bruce The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller Practice Resurrectionby Eugene Peterson Ephesians (Belief Theological Commentary) by Allen Verhey & Joseph Harvard Sermon Notes “To Thee I run now with great […]
5/31/15 Chris Breslin Romans 8:12-17 Sermon Notes “God is the utterly loving giver. God doesn’t just love. God is love.” –Miroslav Volf “Our response in obedience and faith is a response to a response already made for us by Christ to the Father’s holy love.” –J.B. Torrance “We come to experience a gentle invitation to participate in the intimate conversation […]
5/24/15 Chris Breslin Acts 2:1-21 “Christians are a polyphonic people.” –Jeremy Begbie “The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.” -Tim Keller […]
5/17/15 Chris Breslin Luke 24:44-53 “His ascent to heaven, like his ascent to the cross, is a journey undertaken on behalf of God’s people and with a view to the realization of their kingdom hopes. That is the context in which the disciples are commissioned for their journeys; the outward spiral of the apostolic mission is the ripple in the […]
5/10/15 Chris Breslin Psalm 139 “We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment…It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.”–C.S. Lewis “Praying the psalms teaches us to pray as a community…the deeper we […]
5/3/15 Chris Breslin 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 “Resurrection is the necessary outcome of God’s intent to redeem his people.” –Richard B. Hays The strife is o’er, the battle done; The victory of life is won; The song of triumph has begun: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The powers of death have done their worst; But Christ their legions hath dispersed; […]
4/26/15 Chris Breslin 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Prayer to the Holy Spirit as Breath by Bruce Benedict Holy Spirit, Holy Breather, moving this way and that invisible to our broken, adamic eyes. Come Breathe on us. Come breathe and lift and swirl and fill Perforate our lives with your holy breathe and enliven these cold forsaken bones …winnow away death that […]
4/16/15 talk and potluck conversation sponsored by Duke Divinity School’s Thriving Rural Communities Initiative and hosted by Oak Church. Chris Smith is editor of The Englewood Review of Books, and a member of the Englewood Christian Church community on the urban Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Englewood is one of the churches whose experiences gave root to the concept of Slow Church. Chris co-authored Slow Church: Cultivating Community […]
4/19/15 Matt Hoffman 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 Further “Of First Importance” Series Reading Resounding Truth by Jeremy Begbie NICNT: 1 Corinthians by Gordon Fee Anchor Bible Commentary: 1 Corinthians by Joseph Fitzmeyer Interpretation: 1 Corinthians by Richard B. Hays Miracles by C.S. Lewis The Corinthian Body by Dale Martin Prototype by Jonathan Martin Resurrection & Moral Order by Oliver O’Donovan […]
4/12/15 Chris Breslin 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 “Christians do not believe in the empty tomb but in the living Christ.” -Karl Barth “The early morning belongs to the church of the risen Christ. At the break of light it remembers the morning on which death and sin lay prostrate in defeat and new life and salvation were given to mankind.” –Dietrich […]
4/5/15 Chris Breslin 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 “Familiarity breeds unfamiliarity–unsuspected unfamiliarity, and then contempt.” –Dallas Willard “There was a striking discrepancy between participants’ confidence prior to drawing the logo and how well they performed on the task,” said Alan Castel, a senior author of the study. “People’s memory, even for extremely common objects, is much poorer than they believe it to […]
4/3/15 Chris Breslin Luke 23:44-56 Sermon Resources “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer “All you need is nothing. All you need is […]
3/29/15 Chris Breslin John 12:12-19 & John 19:28-30 The Gospel of John by F. Dale Bruner Further Lenten Reading God is on the Cross by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Sweet Deliverance: A Lenten Reader ed Chris Breslin The Death of the Messiah by Raymond Brown Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross Cross-Shattered Christ by Stanley Hauerwas He Became Like Us: […]
3/22/15 Chris Breslin John 19:28 “Jesus Christ has brought every need, every joy, every gratitude, every hope of men before God. In his mouth the word of man becomes the Word of God, and if we pray his prayer with him, the Word of God becomes once again the word of man. All prayers of the Bible are such prayers, […]
3/15/15 Chris Breslin Matthew 27:45-54 “When Jesus died asking questions, we learn that Jesus not only took on our flesh and blood but also our nervous systems. He came not only giving us answers; he also came asking our questions, and questions seem weaker than exclamations. Jesus has been redefining strength his whole life.” –Fr. Raymond Brown “It is not […]
3/8/15 Chris Breslin John 19:23-27 “The Beloved Disciple, the hero of the community, is singled out as the particular object of Jesus’ love. The Beloved Disciple is not one person but an image of all disciples. Nicodemus who comes to the Lord by night seeking meaning in his life, he is the Beloved Disciple. The Samaritan woman at the well, […]
3/1/15 Chris Breslin Luke 23:38-43 “There is never just one cross on a hill…the whole Christian drama demands the other two crosses.” –Carlyle Marney “Jesus is not very fastidious about the company he keeps.” -Richard John Neuhaus “When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark […]
2/22/15 Jeremy Begbie Luke 23:26-37 —– Further Lenten Reading God is on the Cross by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Sweet Deliverance: A Lenten Reader ed Chris Breslin The Death of the Messiah by Raymond Brown Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross Cross-Shattered Christ by Stanley Hauerwas He Became Like Us: Christ’s Identification with Man by Carlyle Marney Death on a Friday Afternoon by Richard John Neuhaus God for […]
2/15/15 Chris Breslin 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “The meaning of wisdom is controlled by Christ crucified.” –Richard B. Hays “This is the power of God: the power to go to a cross for people who don’t deserve it. It is the power to love.” –Graham Tomlin —– Detoxing from Not Enough, Work of the People video with Sarah Bessey Ugly, Creative […]
2/8/15 Matt Hoffman Mark 1:29-39 Resources for Mark 1 King’s Cross by Tim Keller Anchor Bible Commentary: Mark, Vol 1 by Joel Marcus The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight Word Biblical Commentary: Mark, Vol 34A by Robert Guelich The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard How God Became King by N.T. Wright
2/1/15 Chris Breslin Mark 1:21-28 “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said […]
1/25/15 Bradley Cotton Romans 12:6-8 Sermon Notes What are Spiritual Gifts? My definition: The tools and abilities that God gives to each believer in order to build up the body of Christ for effective ministry. -OR- Spiritual tools that God provides to accomplish spiritual work. How Do You “Get” Them? & What Are They For? God gives gifts to his […]
1/18/15 Chris Breslin Mark 1:14-20 “God acts completely unexpectedly- as he always said he would.” –N.T. Wright “This is a call for us to reconsider how we have been approaching our life, in light of the fact that we now, in the presence of Jesus, have the option of living within the surrounding movements of God’s eternal purposes, of taking […]
1/11/15 Matt Hoffman Mark 1:4-11 “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the […]
1/4/15 Chris Breslin John 1:9-18 “The core idea of the Christian faith is the incarnation.” -Michael Frost “The Gospel writers are trying to teaching us to become more interesting people–by teaching us to be more interesting readers.” -Richard Hays “THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to […]
12/24/14 Mark Acuff Luke 2 Advent Resources Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Gathering Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family […]
12/21/14 Chris Breslin Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Advent Resources Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Gathering Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A […]
12/14/14 Chris Breslin Psalm 126 Advent Resources Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Gathering Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family […]
12/7/14 Chris Breslin Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Advent Resources Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Gathering Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A […]
11/30/14 Chris Breslin Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Advent Resources Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Gathering Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A […]
11/23/14 Chris Breslin Isaiah 61:10-11 “…’joy’ in Philippians is a defiant ‘Nevertheless!’ that Paul sets like a full stop against the Philippians’ anxiety…” –Karl Barth “Joy abides with God, and it comes down from God and embraces spirit, soul, and body; and where this joy has seized a person, there it spreads, there it carries one away, there it bursts […]
11/16/14 Matt Hoffman Isaiah 61:8-9 “Injustice in the Bible is a particular type of sin. It’s an abuse of power, to take from other people what God intended for them – their life, their liberty, their dignity, the fruit of their labors.” -Gary Haugen International Justice Mission “There’s More To Social Justice than Just ‘Awareness'” by Kate Bergman Good News […]
11/9/14 Chris Breslin Isaiah 61:5-7 Testimony by Haechul Shin “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to […]
11/2/14 Chris Breslin Isaiah 61:3b-4 Testimony by Abby Wilson “I don’t think it is enough appreciated how much an outdoor book the Bible is…a book open to the sky. It is best read and understood outdoors, and the farther out of doors the better.” –Wendell Berry “Righteousness denotes not so much the abstract idea of justice or virtue, as right […]
10/26/14 Chris Breslin Isaiah 61:1-3a Testimony by Stewart McNaull Related Quotes “The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” -Walter Brueggemann “On the other hand, hope is subversive, for it limits the grandiose pretension of the present, daring to announce that […]
10/19/14 Chris Breslin Isaiah 60:15-22, Revelation 21:1-5 Related Quotes “The end is where we start from.” –T.S. Eliot “The sin-ruined creation of Genesis is restored in the sacrifice-renewed creation of Revelation.” –Eugene Peterson “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.” -Lesslie Newbigin “Cities are noisy with self-assertion, forgetful and defiant of God, […]
10/12/14 Chris Breslin Philippians 2:1-11 Related Quotes “There is no Christianity without the cross. If the cross is not central to our religion, ours is not the religion of Jesus.” -John Stott “God is not a God of power and weakness, but the God of power-in-weakness.” -Michael Gorman “He went solo and unaided into the whirlpool [of evil], so that […]
10/5/14 Chris Breslin Genesis 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:9 Related Quotes “Through Abraham and his family, God will bless the whole world. Shimmering like a mirage in the deserts through which Abraham wandered was the vision of a new world, a rescued world, a world blessed by the Creator once more, a world of justice, where God and his people would […]
9/28/14 Chris Breslin Genesis 2:25-3:7; Romans 5:12-19 Further Reading: Sin: A History by Gary Anderson Confessions by Saint Augustine True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In by James Choung Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller Original Sin by Alan Jacobs Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners […]
9/21/14 Genesis 1:1-2:9 Chris Breslin Further reading: The Five Books of Moses trans. by Robert Alter The Bible and Ecology by Richard Bauckham It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God ed. by Ned Bustard Culture Making by Andy Crouch Playing God by Andy Crouch Visions of Vocation by Steven Garber Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones […]
Audio from the September 14, 2014 Commissioning Service at the Gathering Church. Text: Isaiah 61. Words from Mark Acuff & Chris Breslin