About Our Speakers: THE REV DR. JIM BROWN served as Executive Pastor at Church of the Messiah for over 20 years, and has been involved in ministry and pastoral counseling for more than 30 years. He has served the Body of Christ in many ways in various roles in teaching, counseling and coaching. THE REV. DAVID JOHNDROW, ordained with World Harvest Ministries, is currently a member of the Big House ministry team. In the past, he was involved in the Charismatic Renewal in the Episcopal Church. He has been part of missions teams in Brazil, Korea, and Norway, was a prayer ambassador with The Call, and has written five books. VIVIAN HAYES , wife and mother of three, is a Bible teacher, postulant, and seminarian at Trinity School for Ministry. THE REV. DAVID PETERSON is Senior Pastor at Apostles Lutheran Church in Chesapeake, VA, and has over 30 years of experience in ministry and chaplaincy. He is the author of Journey to Forgiveness: 21 Milestones to Freedom. FR. NIGEL MUMFORD is an author and international speaker, and founder of “By His Wounds” healing ministry. He served in the UK’s Royal Marine Commandos and ministers with the Welcome Home Initiative for veterans suffering from PTSD or moral injury. February 21 Deny Ourselves The Rev. Dr. Jim Brown Listen | Worksheet February 28 Tak ing Up Our Cross The Rev. David Johndrow Watch | Listen March 6 Following Him Vivian Hayes Listen | Slides | Worksheet March 13 Following Him by Forgiving the Way H e Forgave The Rev. David Peterson Watch | Listen March 20 Following Him by Becoming an Instrument of God's Healing Fr. Nigel Mumford Listen Our 2024 Lent Lecture Series is based on the passage from Mark 8:34: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. The words of Augustine describe the purpose of Lent: "We must empty ourselves of all that fills us so that we may be filled with what we are empty of." The 40 days of Lent serve as a time of emptying ourselves of things of the world, to be filled with a deeper appreciation of the profound significance of Christ's life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Resurrection Sunday is much more meaningful and joyous when we walk with Jesus through Good Friday. In the same way, participation in the 40 days of Lent enables us to receive the fullness of all that Christ did for us on Palm Sunday, at the Passover Meal, the washing of the disciples' feet, His betrayal and arrest, the mockery of His trial, the tremendous beating He took, then finally, being nailed to a cross and laid in a tomb. Then on the third day He rose from the de ad, proving the truth of His earlier declaration: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. By walking with Christ through these final days of His ear thly life, we can embrace the extent of His sacrifice for us and the depth of God's love for us. The theme for our 2024 Lenten lecture series is based on the passage from Mark 8:34: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The Words of Augustine describe the purpose of Lent: We must empty ourselves of all that fills us so that we may be filled with what we are empty of. The 40 days of Lent serve as a time of emptying ourselves of things of the world, to be filled with a deeper appreciation of the profound significance of Christ's life, suffering, death, and resurrection. By walking with Christ through the final days of His earthly life, we can embrace the extent of His sacrifice for us and the depth of God's love for us.

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Grasp God’s character and His work on behalf of His people, in the past and present, as a catalyst to a more intimate relationship with Him. Learn how to practically extend joy, hope, peace, and love to others during this Advent season. Fuel your worship of Christ with a deeper understanding of Advent. Sermon Series | Advent 2019 December 1, 2019 LIVING HOPE Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 8, 2019 THE PEACE OF CHRIST Rev. Mark Cartledge December 15, 2019 WHY IS OUR JOY SO IMPORTANT TO THE LORD? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 22, 2019 LOVE: GOD LOVED Pastor Nile Gomez December 24, 2019 HOW DID GOD SHOW HIS LOVE AMONG US? (recording not available) Pastor Marty O'Rourke Please reload

Lent 2022 The Lent Experience, a video series and journal by Eric Ferris, aims to embrace the heart and purpose of Lent traditions, encouraging people to experience and be transformed by the main elements of Lent in their real lives. It is designed to help people, both familiar and unfamiliar with liturgical calendar practices, to observe Lent and rediscover the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sunday Sermon SEries Sunday Sermons March 6, 2022 FASTING: "Hungry for God" Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons March 13, 2022 SOLITUDE: "Lonely for God" Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons March 20, 2022 repentance: A Gift of Love Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons March 27, 2022 ALMSGIVING: Rich Toward God Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons April 3, 2022 FORGIVENESS: The Many Dimensions of Forgiveness REv. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons April 10, 2022 PALM SUNDAY: Triumphant in Christ Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons April 17, 2022 The Resurrection: Worth Pursuing Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides The Lenten Challenge Explore in-depth the elements of the Lenten season talked about in the Sunday sermons and challenge yourself to put them into practice. Each session will include a video and discussion. Additional content and opportunities for personal reflection can be found in The Lent Experience Journal (if you didn't get a paper copy, digital copies can be purchased by clicking here .) There are two ways to join this "Lenten Challenge": In-Person Class - Tuesdays @ 11:30 am Join Pastor Marty in the Fellowship Hall for teaching, discussion, and lunch! Zoom Class - Wednesdays @ 7 pm Pastor Nile will lead this online class and discussion group. From your Zoom App: Meeting ID: 850 2341 5629 Passcode: 863767 Or Click Here to join! Links for each week's videos can be found below. The Lent Experience: Trailer Video The Lent Experience: Ash Wednesday March 8 (In-Person) / March 9 (Online) Challenge #1: Fasting Video: The Lent Experience - Fasting Pastor Marty's Class Slides March 15 (In-Person) / March 16 (Online) Challenge #2: Silence & Solitude Video: The Lent Experience - Solitude March 22 (In-Person) / March 23 (Online) Challenge #3: Repentance Video: The Lent Experience - Repentance March 29 (In-Person) / March 30 (Online) Challenge #4: Almsgiving Video: The Lent Experience -Almsgiving April 5 (In-Person) / April 6 (Online) Challenge #5: Forgiveness Video: The Lent Experience - Forgiveness

Every human being is “wonderfully made” by our Creator (Psalm 139). God cares deeply and specifically about each of our bodies, and our Savior Jesus became flesh and blood for our body’s redemption. And yet so many struggles relate to our body: appearance, aging, disability, gender, sexuality, race, and the deep need for human connection. Join us beginning September 18 as we explore how the Gospel speaks to these areas in profound, powerful, and often surprising ways. The aim of this series is to encourage each of us in the Bible’s hopeful message, and also to train us to love our neighbors wholly. Sermons will all be recorded and posted online each week. Sunday Sermons September 18, 2022 Wonderfully Made… Why? Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons September 25, 2022 Glorify God in Your Body Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons October 2, 2022 Technology and the Body Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons October 9, 2022 Boast in the Lord Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons October 16, 2022 The Gospel and the Whole Person Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons October 23, 2022 Emotions in the Image of God Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Related links: From the John 10:10 Project Skeleton Keys 18 Trillion Feet of You

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 The Rev. Dr. Marty O'Rourke has served as a local church pastor for over 35 years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Medina, Ohio; and Chesapeake, Virginia. He is passionate about equipping Christian leaders to finish well. While researching sexual misconduct in the church for his Doctor of Ministry dissertation, he discovered that prevention training of leaders reduces the likelihood of moral failure. Most prevention training has primarily a psychological approach, whereas the "Guard Your Heart" prevention training that Pastor Marty developed is grounded in the Scriptures and the social sciences. Many Christian leaders do not finish well. Paul, who finished well, writes to his spiritual son, Timothy: "Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1Timothy 4:12). The primary purpose of this training is to empower pastors and Christian leaders to finish their race well, by understanding the unique temptations leaders and their families face in a culture where temptation, especially sexual, abounds. Click the link above to watch the opening session of the Guard Your Heart training. Escaping Sexual Sin Before It's Too Late , By Rev. Marty O'Rourke. Click here to view article published on CBN.com Contact: Rev. Marty O'Rourke Church of the Messiah 816 Kempsville Road Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 436-2545 morourke@churchofthemessiah.org Marty has presented the Guard Your Heart training numerous times to the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA); M.Div and D.Min. classes at Regent University; chaplains at Portsmouth Naval Hospital; the Falls Church staff in Falls Church, VA; Mid-Atlantic Christian University, and hundreds of pastors and church planters in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. What others are saying about "Guard Your Heart" As an Executive Pastor I had my staff attend the Guard Your Heart workshop led by the Rev. Marty O'Rourke. I have been a pastor for over twenty years, and my wife and I have been in ministry in several different churches over the years. I have also had my staff take several different workshops on prevention of misconduct of various kinds. I found the Guard Your Heart workshop to be the most helpful in addressing issues straightforwardly, but from a positive Christian point of view. (The Rev. Dr.) Frederick Wright Senior Associate Rector, The Falls Church Falls Church, Va. 22046 We are greatly privileged to have such an experienced, encouraging, well-equipped presentation. You know whereof you speak, making it accessible for students to understand and practical to apply. I have no doubt that you prevented problems in our students' lives and ministries, and equipped them to serve others better. Mark A. Jumper, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Theological and Ministerial Studies School of Divinity, Regent University The Guard Your Heart training seminar is an asset to any ministry or organization, one of the most powerful tools available today is a preemptive strike against the problems of integrity and sexual misconduct before they happen. My opinion should be an essential part of all leadership preparation I strongly encourage you to consider this seminar for your ministry or organization. I would be delighted to comment further on this seminar resource contacted by phone or email. Sincerely, Dr. James T. Flynn Associate Professor of Practical Theology Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program School of Divinity, Regent University jamefly@regent.edu 757.352.4527 My husband and I have been married for 33 years. We have been in ordained ministry for 28 of those years. Entering parish life after seminary was something we were not prepared for. The demands of "The Church" and the demands of a family can become overwhelming. I wish we had heard this teaching before leaving Seminary. There are so many "mine fields" in the ministry. Rev. O'Rourke shared practical ways to prevent getting "blown away." His message was proactive, like the Priests having an accountability partner, and letting your wife know about all your appointments, especially when women are involved. There were many other great suggestions. Penny Rauh Church of the Epiphany-Anglican Herndon, VA To: Whom It May Concern From: Charles J. Cunningham Jr., Lt Gen, USAF (Retired) Joint Forces Staff College Subject: Improper Behavior, Temptation, and Avoiding Trouble This is my personal endorsement of, and professional judgment regarding a very important program designed by the Rev. Dr. Marty O'Rourke to prepare leaders to do the right things when associating with others, especially those under their leadership.

Advent with Luke Sermon Series “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!” Luke described those responding to the message of John the Baptist as people “waiting expectantly” for the Messiah. The purpose of Advent is to stir us up to be “waiting expectantly” for His Coming. A young woman, not married, expecting? A stable? A manger? Shepherds? All for the birth of the long-awaited Messiah? When it comes to Our Lord, “Expect the Unexpected!” We know life brings the unexpected as well. There is much we can learn about handling the unexpected by walking through Advent with the Gospel of Luke. December 2, 2018 Expecting His Return at a Time We Do Not Expect Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 9, 2018 How Not to Handle the Unexpected Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 16, 2018 How to Handle the Unexpected Rev. Mark Cartledge Slideshow Presentation December 23, 2018 Expect the Unexpected to Be Lifted Up Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 24, 2018 Christmas: When the Unexpected Exceeds Our Expectations Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 30, 2018 Simeon and Anna Expecting the Unexpected Deacon Nile Gomez January 6, 2019 Epiphany: The Journey of the Expecting, Finding the Unexpected Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation Please reload

HOW TO ASK JESUS TO BE YOUR SAVIOR God made you. And God loves you! No one lives a perfect life or does everything they should. Everyone needs forgiveness. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Everyone deserves to be punished. We've all failed to love God and others. We need God's gift of Jesus. For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. (Romans 3:23) God sent Jesus to take our punishment and die for us. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Jesus came alive and rose from the dead. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) Open the door of your heart to Jesus. Jesus said, "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends." (Revelation 3:20) You can pray a prayer similar to this one: Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for me. Please forgive all I've done wrong. Come into my life and be my Savior. Thank you for loving me and giving me eternal life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me live for you. Amen. As soon as you ask Jesus for his forgiveness, you can be sure he forgives you. Trust God's promise that Jesus is your Savior and that you have a home in heaven. For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Listen to different speakers share practical ways to experience Lent during deeper explorations of topics from the sermon series, "Abiding in the Living Word ." 2/25 "Praying Through the Scriptures" Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Slides 3/4 Going Deeper Vivian Hayes Watch | Slides 3/11 What Are My Plan Options? Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Resource Sheet 3/18 The Big Story Ken Shomo Watch 3/25 Prophecy Fulfilled Theresa Newell Watch Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6

The Rev. Dr. Martin K. O'Rourke Rector If the alumni of my graduating high school class gave an award to the person who ended up in the least likely job, I believe I would win. As a teen, I was constantly trying to prove myself through sports and by being accepted by others. It is alarming to consider where I would be today if the Lord Jesus Christ had not changed my life. I am still amazed that the Lord called me to be a pastor, and my passion is to see lives transformed by Jesus Christ. My first call in ministry is to trust and love the Lord with all my heart. I am also called to love my wonderful wife as Christ loved the church, and to be a godly father to my four children and two grandchildren. I am very thankful for God’s call on me to be a pastor, serving the people of Messiah. We seek to make disciples who in turn make disciples by emphasizing mentoring relationships. I am very encouraged by the growing diversity in our church as people connect across generations, ethnicities, economic and social backgrounds, and with those who have disabilities. We also serve our community by providing Joyful Noise Club, an outreach to young people with disabilities; having a companion relationship with a church in Portsmouth that has a ministry to the poor; and participating with other ministries, including CAST, a ministry to the homeless, Heart of Compassion, and Serve the City. I have a heart for building fellowship and unity among local church pastors, so Messiah holds a monthly gathering for ministers from various denominations. God used my heart for local church pastors to develop a training titled Guard Your Heart , designed to equip Christian leaders to walk in purity. For fun and exercise, I ride my bike five days a week with my wife, and two days a week I play racquetball. Before coming to Church of the Messiah in 1995, I served as Rector at Church of the Resurrection near Akron, Ohio; as Associate Rector at St. Martin's in Monroeville, Pa.; and as Youth Advisor to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Francis Chan: Forgotten God SERMON SERIES WINTER 2013 What Are You Afraid Of? February 24, 2013 | Pastor Jim Brown Theology of the Holy Spirit 101 March 3, 2013 | Pastor Marty O'Rourke Why Do You Want Him? March 10, 2013 | Rev. Mark Cartledge A Real Relationship March 17, 2013 | Pastor Marty O'Rourke Lord, Forgive the Judas In Me March 24, 2013 | Pastor Jim Brown Forget About His Will For Your Life! April 7, 2013 | Ashley Plunkett Supernatural Church PowerPoint Presentation April 14, 2013 | Pastor Jim

Sermon Series | Fall 2019 September 8, 2019 The Lord Receives Glory, Honor and Power for Creating All Things Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation September 15, 2019 In the Beginning ... Word Became Flesh The Rev. Dr. Mark Cartledge Slideshow Presentation September 22, 2019 Let Light Shine Out of Darkness Pastor Marty O'Rourke with Dr. John Adam Dr. Adam's Slideshow Sermon Slideshow September 29, 2019 Created in His Image in an Image Driven Culture Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation October 6, 2019 God Created Them Male and Female Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation Testimony by Shelly James October 13, 2019 What Is the Way of Cain? Rev. Mark Cartledge October 20, 2019 Old Adam -- Christ Our New Adam Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation October 27, 2019 Are We In the Days of Noah? Deacon Nile Gomez November 3, 2019 Abraham: Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? Pastor Marty O'Rourke November 10, 2019 Our Mission with Jesus Bishop John Guernsey November 17, 2019 Isaac on the Altar Slideshow Presentation November 24, 2019 Joseph: Trusting God's Greater Plan Pastor Nile Gomez Please reload How did the universe come to be? Why did God create us in His image? How did evil, sin and death enter His creation? What is God’s plan to accomplish His original purpose for us? Paul said the fullness of this plan was a mystery revealed in Christ Jesus. To understand this unfolding plan—connecting the creation of the heavens and earth in Genesis with the new heaven and earth in Revelation—we must start at the beginning. This sermon series will explore this plan and examine why Genesis is alluded to about 200 times in the New Testament.