9.10.17 Committed-1: A Doubting Father-Pastor Eric Schlukebir

Everyone has a different and unique story, and stories of coming to faith are similarly unique.  For thousands of years, God has used all kinds of different ways to bring people to himself.  This fall, we are going to study 4 different stories of faith that we find in the Bible.   No one story is better than any other, but all bring glory to God.  We hope you join us as we explore some of the different ways faith and commitment take shape in our lives.

This week we look at the story of a Father who brings his son to Jesus despite still harboring some doubts about whether he can heal him.  

9.03.17- Help for Houston- Pastor Eric Schlukebir

Paul visited many different places and started many different churches.  But as he went, he never forgot where he came from.  Throughout his ministry he served as a connecting point between all of those churches, and as a conduit for helping those who needed it.  

Today we are going to look at how that worked for Paul, and also a way that can work for us.  Pastor Eric served five years in Houston, and is helping us to help those whose homes have been flooded in Hurricane Harvey.  

8.13.17 How and Why we Worship #4 -Communion- Pastor Jake Ritzema

Throughout the Bible, God commands his people to remember what he has done using a meal.  In the Old Testament, the Israelites celebrated the Passover meal as a way to remember the God who had delivered them from Egypt.  Jesus later transformed that Passover meal, by saying that he was the true passover lamb.  He then instructed believers to continue to celebrate this Last Supper as a testimony to his death and resurrection.  Today we study how that meal nourishes us Spiritually as his people.

7.16.17 How and Why we Worship #1 Call to Worship-Pastor Eric Schlukebir

Worship is about assigning worth to someone or something.  As humans, we are created to worship.  We all worship something, or someone.  The question before us for the rest of summer is whether we will choose to worship the true and living God.  We are also going to show how true worship, aligns our hearts and minds towards God, but also pushes us forward towards him.  In order to learn about worship, we are going to be doing a series using the different aspects of our corporate worship service.  Today, we start by learning about the Call to Worship.

7.9.17 Micah Mandate #3 Do Justice- Pastor Jake Ritzema

“It’s not fair!” cries a four year old when they didn’t get a toy and their sister did. “It’s not fair” cries a thirty year old when they lose their factory job that was sent overseas. All of us have had those times when life doesn’t seem fair.  Then image what it is like when, because of circumstances beyond your control, you find  yourself homeless, or you find yourself bound in a wheelchair, or you find yourself born with a skin color or heritage that automatically places you in minority status in the country you are living in.

How often in those situation are you looking for someone to champion your cause or someone to assist you with all the obstacles you find in your way, or obstacles others intentionally place in your way because of your situation. “It’s not fair!” you cry. All you are seeking is justice but all you receive everywhere you turn is injustice from those in power or who power over you.

Unfortunately things haven’t changed since the days of Micah the prophet thousands of years ago. What can be done? Come Sunday as we discuss this very thought provoking subject of justice as it applies to our own modern situation and to us individually. See you on the 9 th of July.

7.2.17 De Immigrant

July 4 th is right around the corner. Independence Day! Freedom! Our country is now 241 years old – the United States of America, a country that, except for our Native Americans was founded, established and populated by immigrants.

America, such a land of opportunity and freedom, a place so many in the world long for and yet there is a better land of freedom and opportunity, a kingdom of freedom and joy, it is the Kingdom of God. Who can become a citizen of that country?

The Apostle Paul says foreign and strangers can. How do you become a citizen of such a country? Join us this holiday weekend, Sunday, July 2 at 10 a.m. and we will find out together.

6.25.17 Micah Mandate #2 Walk Humbly-Pastor Eric Schlukebir

The second part of Micah 6:8 that we will explore is the command to walk humbly with God.  It's something we first see in the garden of Eden, and continues to be a metaphor for our relationship with God throughout the Old Testament.  Today, we are going to learn about King Hezekiah, one of the few kings of Israel who were said to have "walked in the ways of David," which also means walking with God.

6.04.17 The Sending Spirit-Pastor Eric Schlukebir

Today was Pentecost Sunday, and so we are remembering and celebrating when Spirit first came at Pentecost.  The disciples were waiting, but when the Spirit came, it sent them out into the world, where those first Christians boldly proclaimed the good news about Jesus.  And from this day in Jerusalem, the gospel spread to the ends of the earth.  

4.30.17 Overwhelmed-Shame-Pastor Jake Ritzema

Shame, is the idea that we are not enough.  That something deep inside of us that believes if you really knew me you wouldn't love me.  Different than guilt, which says, "I did something bad," shame says "I AM bad."  But the gospel of Jesus is that he knows us more deeply than anyone ever could, AND he went all the way to the cross to show us how much he loves us and wants to be with us.