Join us online at this time of fellowship and encouragement as we learn about the Holy Spirit! When: Thursday evenings for 8-10 weeks, starting May 27 Time: 7 pm to 8 pm Where? Zoom - Meeting ID 850 2341 5629, Passcode 863767 or, click the button below to join the meeting! The Holy Spirit & His Gifts Click here to join the Zoom meeting! Session 1: May 27, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 2: June 3, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 3: June 10, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 4: June 17, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 5: June 23, 2021 Watch | Listen Miss a Class? Click the date below to watch or listen to the recorded Zoom session! Session 6: July 1, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 7: July 8, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 8: July 15 Watch | Listen Session 9: July 22, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 10: July 29, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 11: August 5, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 12: August 12, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 13: August 19, 2021 Watch | Listen Session 14: August 26, 2021 Class Discussion | No Recordings

We want to get to know you! Click here to fill out our Digital Connection Card! WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE! Sunday Worship | 10:00 a.m. Livestream Our services are livestreamed on our Facebook page , where FB members can post greetings, comments and prayer requests. Those not on Facebook can view the service by clicking the orange icon below. For the latest news and announcements, click the "Sunday Bulletin" button to download the current bulletin. Refresh your web page if the links below do not open the current livestream. Facebook Users Non-Facebook Users Sunday Bulletin Recorded Services & Sermons Sermons If you miss a service or just want to experience it again, use the links below to watch an entire service, watch just the sermon, or listen to the sermon while viewing any accompanying slide shows or sermon notes. You may also look explore sermon series, testimonies, and special messages by our bishop, using the buttons here. SERMON SERIES TESTIMONIES BISHOP'S MESSAGES Past livestreams December 8, 2024 | Second Sunday in Advent | Livestreamed Service What Can We Learn from Zechariah, Mary & John the Baptist About Preparing for the Coming of Christ? - Pastor Marty Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 1, 2024 | First Sunday in Advent | Livestreamed Service The Proclamation of Two Advents - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen November 24, 2024 | Last Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Baptism: Union With Christ by Faith, in His Death and Resurrection - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 17, 2024 | Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service It Shall Not Be So Among You - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 10, 2024 | Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Yours Is the Kingdom - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 3, 2024 | Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Holding Fast to What Endures - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 27, 2024 | Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Sermon by Bishop Chris Warner Watch | Listen October 20, 2024 | Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Cry Out to God - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 13, 2024 | Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Holy Brothers and Sisters - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 6, 2024 | Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Self-Made Stress - Pastor Ken Shomo Listen | Sermon Slides September 29, 2024 | Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Christ’s Care For Those Stressed Out - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 22, 2024 | Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service What It Means for Us to Be the Temple of God - Tim Maurer Watch | Listen September 15, 2024 | Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Faith in Action: More Than Words - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen September 8, 2024 | Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Think On These Things - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 1, 2024 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Suited Up: Wearing God's Armor in a World of Spiritual Warfare - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 25, 2024 | Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service “Lord, To Whom Shall We Go? You Have the Words of Eternal Life.” - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 18, 2024 | Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service The Feast of Wisdom: Nourishing Our Souls - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 11, 2024 | Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service “Pray Then Like This…” Part 2 - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 4, 2024 | Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service “Pray Then Like This…” - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 28, 2024 | Tenth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service In His Service - The Rev. Adrian Knight Watch | Listen July 21, 2024 | Ninth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Listening for God - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 14, 2024 | Eighth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Unleashing the Power of the Word - The Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen July 7, 2024 | Seventh Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Celebrating Our Dependence - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 30, 2024 | Sixth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Staying Focused in a Distracting World - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 23, 2024 | Fifth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Not Available The Message of Job - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides June 16, 2024 | Fourth Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Sweetly Broken - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 9, 2024 | Third Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Sweetly Broken - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 2, 2024 | Second Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Jars of Clay: Surpassing Power Belongs to God, Not to Us - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 26, 2024 | Trinity Sunday | Livestreamed Service Beyond Comprehension, Within Reach: The Trinity's Love - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 19, 2024 | Day of Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Come Holy Spirit - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 12, 2024 | Seventh Sunday of Easter | Livestreamed Service Empowered by the Spirit - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen | Video sermon not available May 5, 2024 | Sixth Sunday of Easter | Livestreamed Service Love = Trust = Obedience - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 28, 2024 | Fifth Sunday of Easter | Livestreamed Service GPS for the Soul - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 21, 2024 | Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) | Livestreamed Service Sovereign LORD Says: I Myself Will Search and Find My Sheep - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 14, 2024 | Third Sunday of Easter | Livestreamed Service Living in the Light of Resurrection - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 7, 2024 | Second Sunday of Easter | Livestreamed Service From Shame to Redemption: Embracing God's Forgiveness & Grace - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 31, 2024 | Resurrection Sunday | Livestreamed Service How Powerful Is the Resurrection of Jesus? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 29, 2024 | Good Friday The Seven Last Words of Christ Watch | Listen March 24, 2024 | Palm Sunday | Livestreamed Service The Paradox of Power - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 17, 2024 | Fifth Sunday in Lent | Livestreamed Service Living in Christ’s Newness - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 10, 2024 | Fourth Sunday in Lent | Livestreamed Service Our Need, His Gift - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 3, 2024 | Third Sunday in Lent | Livestreamed Service Overcoming Spiritual Attacks of the Enemy - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 25, 2024 | Second Sunday in Lent | Livestreamed Service Choices - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen February 18, 2024 | First Sunday in Lent | Livestreamed Service Learning to Receive - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 11, 2024 | Last Sunday of Epiphany (Transfiguration Sunday) | Livestreamed Service Shining Savior, Suffering Servant - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen February 4, 2024 | Fifth Sunday of Epiphany | Livestreamed Service For My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation! - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 28, 2024 | Fourth Sunday of Epiphany | Livestreamed Service Frail Vessels, God's Power - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 21, 2024 | Third Sunday of Epiphany | Livestreamed Service Lord, Teach Us to REALLY Pray! - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen January 14, 2024 | Second Sunday of Epiphany | Livestreamed Service The Cost of Discipleship: Answering the Call, Embracing the Challenge - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 7, 2024 | First Sunday of Epiphany | Livestreamed Service When Grace Is No Longer Amazing! - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 31, 2023 | First Sunday of Christmas | Livestreamed Service A View From the Finish Line - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 24, 2023 | Fourth Sunday in Advent | Livestreamed Service Unveiling the Mystery: From David's Throne to Mary's Womb - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 17, 2023 | Third Sunday in Advent He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 10, 2023 | Second Sunday in Advent Prepare the Way - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 3, 2023 | First Sunday in Advent Son Of Man Coming in Clouds with Great Power and Glory - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 26, 2023 | Last Sunday After Pentecost (Christ the King) Overcoming through Prayer, Confession and Restoration - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 19, 2023 | Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Suffering - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 12, 2023 | Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Greed - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen November 5, 2023 | Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost | Livestreamed Service Overcoming Worldly Desires - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides October 29, 2023 | Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost God's Love, Our Assurance - Bishop Chris Warner Watch | Listen October 22, 2023 | Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Worldly Wisdom - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 15, 2023 | Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming the Tongue - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 8, 2023 | Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Dead Faith - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 1, 2023 | Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Favoritism and Judging Others - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 24, 2023 | Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Self-Deception - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 17, 2023 | Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Overcoming Trials and Temptations - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 10, 2023 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost Living as an Overcomer - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen September 3, 2023 | Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost The Greater Reality - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 27, 2023 | Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost Why Am I A Christian? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 20, 2023 | Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost Embracing God's Inclusive Love - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 13, 2023 | Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost Who Do You Identify With? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 6, 2023 | Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ Show Me Your Glory! - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 30, 2023 | Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Be Still and Know that I AM God - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 23, 2023 | Eighth Sunday After Pentecost Divine Appointments - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 16, 2023 | Seventh Sunday After Pentecost Listening Lessons from Hannah - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 9, 2023 | Sixth Sunday After Pentecost Transforming Concerns & Complaints into Conversations with God - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 2, 2023 | Fifth Sunday After Pentecost The Kindness of God - Tim Maurer Watch | Listen June 25, 2023 | Fourth Sunday After Pentecost The Eucharist - Remembering, Receiving, and Renewing - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 18, 2023 | Third Sunday After Pentecost Devoted to Prayer - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 11, 2023 | Second Sunday After Pentecost Fellowship - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 4, 2023 | Trinity Sunday Church, Devote Yourselves - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides | Sermon Notes May 28, 2023 | Day of Pentecost The Holy Spirit in You - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 21, 2023 | Seventh Sunday of Easter Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 14, 2023 | Sixth Sunday of Easter I Tell You The Truth: It Is For Your Good That I Am Going Away - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 7, 2023 | Fifth Sunday of Easter Who Is the Holy Spirit? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 30, 2023 | Fourth Sunday of Easter Five Forms of Intimacy - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 23, 2023 | Third Sunday of Easter "Put On Love: Creating Connection & Fostering Relationship - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 16, 2023 | Second Sunday of Easter Intimacy or Isolation? - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 9, 2023 | Resurrection Sunday He Is Risen! Our Firstfruits - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 7, 2023 | Good Friday Good Friday Homily - Bishop Chris Warner Watch | Listen April 2, 2023 | Palm Sunday God Is in Control - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 26, 2023 | Fifth Sunday in Lent Revival and Fullness - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 19, 2023 | Fourth Sunday in Lent Freedom From Depravity - Tim Maurer Watch | Listen March 12, 2023 | Third Sunday in Lent With All Your Heart - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 5, 2023 | Second Sunday in Lent God’s Kindness Leads To Our Repentance - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 26, 2023 | First Sunday in Lent Knowing Ourselves by Knowing God - Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen February 19, 2023 | Last Sunday of Epiphany (Transfiguration Sunday) Humbled Hearts - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides | Sermon Handout February 12, 2023 | Sixth Sunday of Epiphany Walking in the Fear of the Lord - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides | Sermon Notes February 5, 2023 | Fifth Sunday of Epiphany Do It Again, God! - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 29, 2023 | Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 22, 2023 | Third Sunday of Epiphany Perceive the Glory of His Marvelous Works - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 15, 2023 | Second Sunday of Epiphany Jesus, the Light of the World - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 8, 2023 | First Sunday of Epiphany What Did It Mean for Jesus to Be Called King of the Jews? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 1, 2023 | Second Sunday of Christmas Testimonies - What Has Jesus Done New in Your Life? Watch | Listen December 25, 2022 | Christmas Day (No Sermon) Livestreamed Service December 24, 2022 | Christmas Eve The Incarnation Reveals God's Desire to Have a Personal Relationship with Us - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen December 18, 2022 | Fourth Sunday in Advent (Annunciation Sunday) The Incarnation Reveals Christ's Victory over Sin and Death - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 11, 2022 | Third Sunday in Advent The Incarnation Reveals the Exact Imprint of God's Nature - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 4, 2022 | Second Sunday in Advent The Incarnation Reveals God's Understanding of Us - Tim Maurer Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 27, 2022 | First Sunday in Advent The Incarnation Reveals the Humility of God - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 20, 2022 | Last Sunday After Pentecost Grace to More Than Simply Get Along - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 13, 2022 | Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost Hardwired for Generosity - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 6, 2022 | Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost Love Is a Verb - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 30, 2022 | Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Zacchaeus: The Unlikely Convert - Bishop John Guernsey Watch | Listen October 23, 2022 | Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Emotions in the Image of God - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 16, 2022 | Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost The Gospel and the Whole Person - Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen October 9, 2022 | Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost Boast in the Lord - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 2, 2022 | Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost Technology and the Body - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen September 25, 2022 | Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Glorify God in Your Body - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Sermon Slides September 18, 2022 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost Wonderfully Made… Why? - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 11, 2022 | Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Where Are We Now? - Tim Maurer Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 4, 2022 | Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost Who Am I? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 28, 2022 | Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost Has the Church Become an Un-Safe Place? - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 21, 2022 | Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost Isn't There More Than One Way to God? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 14, 2022 | Tenth Sunday After Pentecost How Can a Loving God Allow People to Go to Hell? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 7, 2022 | Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Are Science and Faith Incompatible? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 31, 2022 | Eighth Sunday After Pentecost Is There a "GOSPEL" of Biblical Sexuality? - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen July 24, 2022 | Seventh Sunday After Pentecost Does God Hate Women? - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 17, 2022 | Sixth Sunday After Pentecost How Could a Loving God Allow So Much Suffering? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 10, 2022 | Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Is the Church Too Political? - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 3, 2022 | Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Is God Anti-Gay? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 26, 2022 | Third Sunday After Pentecost Can I Really Trust the Bible? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 19, 2022 | Second Sunday After Pentecost Always Be Prepared to Be Reasonable - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 12, 2022 | Trinity Sunday I Tell You the Truth - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 5, 2022 | The Day of Pentecost Filled With Power - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 29, 2022 | Seventh Sunday of Easter Jesus’ Prayer for Us - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 22, 2022 | Sixth Sunday of Easter What Are You Waiting For? - Pastor Jim Brown Watch | Listen May 15, 2022 | Fifth Sunday of Easter When Does Life Begin? - Pastor Jim Brown Watch | Listen May 8, 2022 | Fourth Sunday of Easter Live Loved - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 1, 2022 | Third Sunday of Easter Breakfast with Jesus - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 24, 2022 | Second Sunday of Easter Jesus Departs - Rev. Justin Murff Watch | Listen April 17, 2022 | Resurrection Sunday The Resurrection: Worth Pursuing - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 15, 2022 | Good Friday Good Friday Evening Service Watch April 10, 2022 | Palm Sunday Triumphant in Christ - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 3, 2022 | Fifth Sunday in Lent The Many Dimensions of Forgiveness - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 27, 2022 | Fourth Sunday in Lent Rich Toward God - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 20, 2022 | Third Sunday in Lent Repentance: a Gift of Love - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides March 13, 2022 | Second Sunday in Lent Lonely for God - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 6, 2022 | First Sunday in Lent | (Livestream Recording Not Available) Hungry for God - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 27, 2022 | Last Sunday of Epiphany (Transfiguration Sunday) The Mountain and the Valley - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen February 20, 2022 | Seventh Sunday of Epiphany Here I Am Lord! Send ? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 13, 2022 | Sixth Sunday of Epiphany How to Live a Happy Life - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen February 6, 2022 | Fifth Sunday of Epiphany Do You See What I See? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 30, 2022 | Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Five Intelligible Words - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 23, 2022 | Third Sunday of Epiphany Uncomfortable Kindness - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 16, 2022 | Second Sunday of Epiphany Build Each Other Up - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 9, 2022 | First Sunday of Epiphany When the Spirit Awakens - Father Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen January 2, 2022 | Second Sunday of Christmas The Magi Visit the Messiah - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 26, 2021 | First Sunday of Christmas What Happened? ... This Is My Command ... - Deacon Tom Sweeney Watch | Listen December 24, 2021 | Christmas Eve | Livestreamed Service The Best Christmas Gift - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen December 19, 2021 | Fourth Sunday in Advent John the Baptist Prepares the Way - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 12, 2021 | Third Sunday in Advent How to Talk to an Angel - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 5, 2021 | Second Sunday in Advent How Not to Talk to an Angel - Pastor Frank Allen Watch | Listen November 28, 2021 | First Sunday in Advent Advent Begins With the End in Mind - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 21, 2021 | Last Sunday After Pentecost (Christ the King) Our Forgiving Father: The "Prodigal" God - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen November 14, 2021 | Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Our Heavenly Father - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 7, 2021 | Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Our Good Father - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 31, 2021 | Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost Our Perfect Father - Bishop John Guernsey Watch | Listen October 24, 2021 | Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost Our Present Father - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 17, 2021 | Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Our Loving Father - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 10, 2021 | Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Our Adopting Father - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 3, 2021 | Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost Our Compassionate Father - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 26, 2021 | Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost Our Father's House - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen September 19, 2021 | Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost Our Everlasting Father - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 12, 2021 | Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Unending Worship - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 5, 2021 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost Jesus Heals a Deaf Man - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 29, 2021 | Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Jesus Christ Is the Same Yesterday and Today and Forever - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 22, 2021 | Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost The Test of Discipleship - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 15, 2021 | Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost The Cost of Discipleship - Rev. David Martin Listen | Sermon Slides August 8, 2021 | Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost Love, Emotions, Relationships - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 1, 2021 | Tenth Sunday After Pentecost To Be Fed - Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen July 25, 2021 | Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Hardness of Heart - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 18, 2021 | Eighth Sunday After Pentecost Don't You Care? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 11, 2021 | Seventh Sunday After Pentecost Who Do You Think You Are? - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 4, 2021 | Sixth Sunday After Pentecost Independence Day - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 27, 2021 | Fifth Sunday After Pentecost "What I Want You to Know" - Dr. John Dooley Watch | Listen | Sermon Notes June 20, 2021 | Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Immeasurably More - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 13, 2021 | Third Sunday After Pentecost The Kingdom of God Is Like ... - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 6, 2021 | Second Sunday After Pentecost Walk by the Spirit - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 30, 2021 | Trinity Sunday It's Trinity Sunday ... So What? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 23, 2021 | Day of Pentecost Being Filled with the Holy Spirit - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 16, 2021 | Seventh Sunday of Easter How the Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Engage in God's Word - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 9, 2021 | Sixth Sunday of Easter How the Word is Living and Active - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides May 2, 2021 | Fifth Sunday of Easter Trusting the Bible and Living the Gospel - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 25, 2021 | Fourth Sunday of Easter What Does the Bible Say About Itself? - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen April 18, 2021 | Third Sunday of Easter The Great Ending - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 11, 2021 | Second Sunday of Easter The Church: People Living in the Word - Deacon Tom Sweeney Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides April 4, 2021 | Easter Sunday The Resurrection: The Word Is Proven to Be True - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 2, 2021 Good Friday Service Watch | Listen March 28, 2021 Sermon: On a Donkey ... For Now - Pastor John Dooley Watch | Listen | Slideshow March 21, 2021 Sermon: Fall and the Promises of the Word for a Savior - Fr. Dominick Hankle Watch | Listen March 14, 2021 Sermon: Creation: Why Did God Create Us? - Joe Kohm Watch | Listen March 7, 2021 Sermon: Why a Plan? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen February 28, 2021 Sermon: How God Reveals Himself to Us in His Word - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 21, 2021 Sermon: Abiding in the Living Word - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 14, 2021 Sermon: Shaped by God's Word - Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides February 7, 2021 Sermon: The Anvil Versus Hammers of Change - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 31, 2021 Sermon: When Jesus Comes to Church - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 24, 2021 Sermon: Expressing Love - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 17, 2021 Sermon: Invitation to Epiphany - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen January 10, 2021 Sermon: Take Courage - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides January 3, 2021 Sermon: The Visit of the Wise Men - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 27, 2020 Sermon: New Year's Resolution from a Wise Man - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen December 24, 2020 Sermon: Why Are We Here? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen December 20, 2020 Sermon: Why Did the Son of God Come Into the World? - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen December 13, 2020 Sermon: Where Can I Find Peace on Earth? - Dr. Paul Van Valin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides December 6, 2020 Sermon: How Does God Respond to Our Suffering? - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 29, 2020 Sermon: What Is God Like? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 22, 2020 Sermon: It Is Good to Give Thanks - Ken Shomo Watch | Listen November 15, 2020 Sermon: En-Courage One Another - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides November 8, 2020 Sermon: Everlasting Life, Everlasting Hope - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen November 1, 2020 Sermon: An Unusual Blessing - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 25, 2020 Sermon: Our Calling in a Polarized Culture - Bishop John Guernsey Watch | Listen October 18, 2020 Sermon: The Mightiness of the Small and Insignificant - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides October 11, 2020 Sermon: What to Do While You're Waiting for the Wedding - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 4, 2020 Sermon: We Were Created to Love Deeply - Pastor Marty O'Rouke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 27, 2020 Sermon: Our Call to Help Hurting People - Dr. Paul VanValin Watch | Listen September 20, 2020 Sermon: Our Focus: Victory in Christ - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 13, 2020 Sermon: Our Endurance: Overcoming Injury - Rev. Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides September 6, 2020 Sermon: Our Commitment: Get Back Up - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 30, 2020 Sermon: Our Encouragement: Cloud of Witnesses - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 23, 2020 Sermon: Our Attitude: Run with Perseverance - Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 16, 2020 Sermon: Our Team: Not running alone - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides August 9, 2020 Sermon: Our Training: Throw Hindrances Aside - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen August 2, 2020 Sermon: Our Commitment: Finish The Race - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 26, 2020 Sermon: Our Course: Run the Race to Win - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides July 19, 2020 Sermon: The Parable of Weeds - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen July 12, 2020 Sermon: Do Not Leave for Tomorrow What You Can do Today - Angel Pla Watch | Listen July 5, 2020 Sermon: We the Church: The Body of Christ - Pastor Marty O'Rourke & Jennifer Sporl-Palmer Watch | Listen June 28, 2020 Sermon: We the Church: The Family of God - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 21, 2020 Sermon: We the Church: The Temple of the Holy Spirit - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides June 14, 2020 Sermon: We the Church: The Bride of Christ - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen June 7, 2020 Sermon: We the Church - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slideshow May 31, 2020 Sermon: Be Filled with The Spirit - Pastory Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen May 24, 2020 Sermon: The In-Between people of the In-Between time - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen May 17, 2020 Sermon: Are You Living in God's Power? - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen May 10, 2020 Sermon: Never Been This Way Before - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen May 3, 2020 Sermon: Good Shepherd Sunday - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen April 26, 2020 Sermon: Does God Want Us to Go Back to Normal? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slideshow April 19 , 2020 Sermon: Do Not Worry - Dr. Paul VanValin Watch | Listen | Slideshow April 12, 2020 | Livestreamed service Sermon: The Truth of the Resurrection - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slideshow April 5, 2020 Sermon: Palm Sunday - Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen March 29, 2020 Sermon: The Proclamation of the Gospel - Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen March 22, 2020 Sermon: A Demonstration of Power - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen March 15, 2020 Sermon: Cast - Vivian Hayes Listen | Slideshow March 8, 2020 Sermon: Commission and Compassion - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow March 1, 2020 Sermon: Rediscovering Evangelism: Commitment - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen February 23, 2020 Sermon: How Can the Joy of the Lord Be My Strength? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow February 16, 2020 Sermon: Overcoming Fear - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow February 9, 2020 Sermon: Nehemiah: Man of Justice - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen February 2, 2020 Sermon: Nehemiah: Persevering - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow January 26, 2020 Sermon: Nehemiah: Man of Faith Then Action - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow January 19, 2020 Sermon: Christ, Over Passover - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen January 12, 2020 Sermon: Becoming a new creation - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow January 5, 2020 Sermon: The Person God Uses - Rev. David Martin Listen | Slideshow December 29, 2019 Sermon: Wow -- and Again I Say Wow - Deacon Tom Sweeney Listen | Video Link December 22, 2019 Sermon: Love: God Loves - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen December 15, 2019 Sermon: Why is Our Joy so Important to the Lord - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow December 8, 2019 Sermon: The Peace of Christ - Rev. Mark Cartledge Listen December 1, 2019 Sermon: Living Hope - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow November 24, 2019 Sermon: Joseph: Trusting God's Greater Plan - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen November 17, 2019 Sermon: Isaac on the Altar - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen | Slideshow November 10, 2019 Sermon: Our Mission with Jesus - Bishop John Guernsey Listen November 3, 2019 Sermon: Abraham: Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? - Pastor Marty O'Rourke Listen October 27, 2019 Sermon: Are We in the Days of Noah? - Pastor Nile Gomez Listen

MARCH 20 WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS. PLEASE WATCH FOR UPDATED INFO.

Seasons of Planting and Harvest Women's Ministry Fall Potluck Brunch Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; y ou will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 Saturday, September 28 | 9:30 - 11:30 am Messiah Fellowship Hall For ALL women | Bring a guest & a dish to share | Sign up in the foyer We will be collecting items to benefit the women at H.E.R. Shelter in Portsmouth. Help and Emergency Response provides intervention, advocacy, and shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. These women are often forced to leave their homes for safety with little more than the clothes they have on. Please consider helping another woman feel strong, empowered and loved by bringing in new personal items such as soaps, lotions, shaving gel, razors, body spray, deodorants, make-up, nail polish, inc. Filling a make-up bag is always a nice touch. If you would like, you can include a note of encouragement or scripture that would bless and comfort a woman in crisis. Tidewater Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline: 757-251-0144

The Daily Office from the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer Prayer of General Thanksgiving Prayer to Become Like Christ Who I Am in Christ Morning Trinitarian Prayer Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee Father's Love Letter Names of God Personal & Corporate Pentecost Prayers Prayers & Meditations Online & printable versions

Lent: A Time for Breakthrough (Based on Mark 2: 1-12) Lent starts on Ash Wednesday with a call to self-examination and the imposition of ashes as a tangible reminder that our life on earth is temporary. Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is (Psalm 39:4). Lent ends with Good Friday, then Resurrection Sunday - a celebration of the victory over sin and death we share in Christ. Remembering the shortness of life on earth, Lent is an opportunity for us to seek our Lord about where He is calling us to contend for a breakthrough - by repentance, fasting, receiving help, and perseverance in seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. Our purpose is that we may use our remaining time on earth to make tangible the life-transforming power of God's love so that all may come to know Christ. February 14 Where is Christ Calling Me to Contend for a Breakthrough? Pastor Marty O'Rourke February 21 Why Is It Hard To Accept Help? Pastor Jim Brown February 28 How to Persevere In Seeking Christ Pastor John Dooley March 6 The Power of Christ's Forgiveness Ashley Plunkett March 13 Living Without My "Mat" Pastor Jim Brown March 20 The Return of the King Reverend Mark Cartledge March 27 Resurrection Breakthrough Pastor Marty O'Rourke

Our Call to Reconciliation " We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20) To be fully reconciled to God we must first be fully reconciled to each other. This sermon series looks to God’s Word for His wisdom and to His Holy Spirit for His counsel on those areas of life that so easily divide us. Our desire is to be effective ambassadors proclaiming the message of reconciliation, not only in the words we speak, but in the life we live individually and corporately. September 3, 2017 Introduction: What is the Purpose of a Memorial? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation September 3, 2017 Where Do I Start? Pastor Jim Brown Slideshow Presentation September 10, 2017 Listen with Understanding Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation September 17, 2017 Battle Preparation for Reconciliation Dr. Marsha Staples Bulletin Insert September 24, 2017 God's Word on Politics Pastor Jim Brown Slideshow Presentation October 1, 2017 God's Word on Racism Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation Testimony from Tom Rohrer October 8, 2017 God's Word on Religion Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation October 15, 2017 Confronting Evil Pastor Jim Brown Slideshow Presentation October 22, 2017 Are You Pushing Back? Rev. Mark Cartledge Please reload

Father's Love Letter MY CHILD… You may not know me, but I know everything about You … Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up … Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways … Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered … Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image … Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being … For you are my offspring … Acts 17:28 I chose you when I planned creation … Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake … Psalm 139:15-16 For all your days are written in my book … Psalm 139:15-16 You are fearfully and wonderfully made … Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb … Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born … Psalm 71:6 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you … Simply because you are my child and I am your Father … 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could … Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father … Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand … James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs … Matthew 6:31-33 Because I love you with an everlasting love … Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore … Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing … Zephaniah 3:17 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart … Psalm 37:4 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine … Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager … 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles … 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you … Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart … Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth … Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus … John 17:23 For in Jesus my love for you is revealed … John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being … Hebrews 1:3 And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you … Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you … 1 John 4:10 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me … 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again … Romans 8:38-39 Love, Your Dad Excerpts from Father’s Love Letter compiled by Bany Adams © 1999. Visit the interactive website at www.FathersLoveLetter.com. Father's Love Letter MY CHILD… You may not know me, but I know everything about You … Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up … Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways … Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered … Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image … Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being … For you are my offspring … Acts 17:28 I chose you when I planned creation … Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake … Psalm 139:15-16 For all your days are written in my book … Psalm 139:15-16 You are fearfully and wonderfully made … Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb … Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born … Psalm 71:6 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you … Simply because you are my child and I am your Father … 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could … Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect Father … Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand … James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs … Matthew 6:31-33 Because I love you with an everlasting love … Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore … Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing … Zephaniah 3:17 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart … Psalm 37:4 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine … Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager … 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles … 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you … Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart … Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes and take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth … Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus … John 17:23 For in Jesus my love for you is revealed … John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being … Hebrews 1:3 And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you … Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled … 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you … 1 John 4:10 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me … 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again … Romans 8:38-39 Love, Your Dad Excerpts from Father’s Love Letter compiled by Bany Adams © 1999. Visit the interactive website at www.FathersLoveLetter.com. PRINTABLE VERSION

WOMEN'S LUNCHEON AUTUMN 2015 GUEST SPEAKER BETTE LAWRENCE Many times when we see bad things happen to good people, we bemoan our lives and say this shouldn't be. He was a good person, or they are good people, or she was only a teenager. And we secretly question God's plan. Maybe we think how? Why? Yet in the Bible, we read about Stephen, who in Acts is described as "full of grace and power, and was doing great wonders and signs among the people," who was just beginning his ministry. Yet he was violently stoned by his neighbors. Paul, a man complicit in the crime, watched. But we say, well, Stephen knew God, and his vision probably mitigated his horrible death. It probably wasn't so bad. Even John the Baptizer, a cousin of Jesus and a holy man, languished in prison, perhaps hoping for Jesus to rescue him. In times of isolation and waiting, we wonder, like John, what is going on. Did I really hear God? Have I placed my hope in the right person? Is God real? He sent his friends to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3) Maybe his unspoken question was, "Are you going to get me out? Do you know where I am? Hey Cuz, how can you heal others and not help me????" Jesus tells his disciples: "Tell John what you see and hear: the blind see and the lame walk. Lepers are cleansed; the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. AND BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED BY ME." (Matthew 11:4-6) In other words, John, you are blessed if you are not disappointed in me. (Wow. . It's not just about me.) Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways, my ways For as the heavens are higher than the earth So are my ways higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. When we come to a place like John's, we come to a crossroads. My mother was the youngest of nine living children. Her mother had five others who did not live to adulthood--not unusual for those times. My mother had five brothers--all of whom, as she would say, were cursed with alcoholism. Her response was not to drink, EVER! She prayed. She would make different choices and would save her family from this curse. Yet my brother did not escape. A neighbor of mine confessed to being an unbeliever after his son was born with cerebral palsy. His anger expressed itself in saying, "How could a loving God curse an innocent baby to go through life like that?" All of us come to similar crossroads. Even in secular literature, we see the same principle operating. In Greek drama, Oedipus is prophesized over at birth that he will kill his father and marry his mother. So, he is sent away. Later, unbeknownst to him, he kills who he thinks is a beggar and marries the queen, his mother. So in trying to escape, he fulfills the prophecy. In fantasy, we read about Aurora in Sleeping Beauty , who at birth is given many gifts except for an evil prophecy which foretells her death in the prime of her life when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Unfortunately, getting rid of all the spinning wheels does not protect her from her FATE. Even unbelievers are aware of their inability to escape the human condition. They tried to make sense of it by calling it Fate. We Christians do not have to wonder. We know it as original sin. If that were the full measure of our knowledge, we would be no better than unbelievers. We would be aware of the harshness of life, and our inability to escape from it. So God, in His mercy and great love for all He has made, revealed Himself to us. The law made us aware of our sin; the blood sacrifices made us aware of our continual propensity to sin, and our inability to not sin. We realized our need for a Savior. At this moment in our own lives, we have a choice: Will we be the seed on rocky places with no root that falls away and says, "Live for today, for tomorrow we die," or will we be the seed that seeks God and the richness of His love? So this is the time in which Jesus must enter our lives as a person , not an idea, not a law. However, God has to prepare our hearts. He must get us ready. Jesus, after relating the parable of the seeds to his disciples, explains his reasons for speaking in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; Though hearing, they do not understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; You will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; They hardly hear with their ears, And they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears. Understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:13-15) So, we are in a state of blindness and deafness, and we are not aware that we are. Like newborn animals, we are born with our eyes shut. Our problem is worse than we know, and it cannot be remedied by any worldly means. For it is a spiritual problem . Proverbs 4:19: "The way of the wicked is like deep darkness. They do not know over which they stumble." Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8, "At one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Today, many of us would equate depression with darkness. Yet this is not a new experience. Even Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-6) experiences the hopelessness that accompanies a great downturn in his life: "I have had enough, Lord, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." The Lord does not strike him dead or remove His presence from him. He allows him to sleep and sends an angel to feed him. God knows our needs. Perhaps this is an experience we all need so that God can reveal himself to us. Elijah arrived at his crossroad. David expresses his feelings more emotionally: "For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me, the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From the temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears." (2Samuel 22:5-7) When my grandparents were dying and my mother was driving from Baltimore up to Cumberland, Maryland every weekend to nurse them, she reached the end of herself and cried out, "Lord if you don't stop this, I'll never go to church again!" Her mother died that night. Later, in telling me this story, she said she was filled with dread. But she knew God had heard her. I believe, when we are honest with God, He acknowledges our heartfelt cry because it is a cry of utter pain and true hopelessness in our own abilities. David says again in Psalm 51, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." So what is this personal truth God wants to impart to us? Jesus tells Nicodemus we must be born again, because without it we cannot see the kingdom of God. Without it, we cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-8.) The water, we know, is Baptism. So we must know, believe, feel, and experience God's forgiveness. It is a state of being , not only knowing. For ten years I worked with a woman who had been severely abused as a child. She enjoyed coming to therapy; she was a member of a church; she sent her kids to Christian school. Yet she could not experience God's forgivenss because in some way, she would not admit that the person who had abused her was evil in his actions. Conversely, another person who had also been abused very early in her life did admit that what happened to her was evil and was able to process it emotionally, confront those responsible and experience freedom from shame. She believed that God had a purpose for her, and it was not to be cast aside. So, as John (1:5) writes, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." He also states that some people prefer darkness to light becuase their deeds are evil (John 3:19). Then again, (lest we exclude ourselves from this population), Paul says "For at one time, you were all in darkness, but now you are the light of the Lord." So, we need the Baptism of water. Jesus, very emotionally cries out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture (Isaish 58:11) has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water!" (John 7:38) So what are these rivers of living water if not continual conviction, confession, forgiveness, and cleansing. We may know they flow out of Jesus, BUT DO THEY FLOW OUT OF YOU AND ME? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book, Studies in The Sermon on the Mount describes the Christian as always a person who walks in the fear of the Lord, always aware of her own limitations. He says there are always two sides to the Gospel: there is the pulling down and the rising up. You remember the words of the ancient Simeon, concerning the infant Jesus as He was presented in the temple: "The child is set for the fall and the rising again of many." The one who is poor in Spirit is the one who is emptying self. Conviction must always precede conversion. (One's attitude toward oneself.) Martyn says Jesus is speaking of humility. This is not a natural state. It comes from a sense of one's own sinfulness. Isaiah 57:15 says, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." The way to become poor in Spirit is to look at God. Those who are to be converted, and who wish to be truly happy and blessed, are those who first of all mourn. As I confront God and His holiness, and contemplate the life that I am meant to live, I see myself in utter helplessness and hopelessness. A person who truly faces oneself, and examines onself and his/her life is a person who must of necessity mourn for his/her sins also for the things he/she does. {paraphrased} We need the Holy Spirit. Who is this Holy Spirit? Jesus says, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8). It sounds like a wild ride to me! What we can't be, if we are to allow the Holy Spirit in us, is controlling or bossy or unforgiving or lazy or self-righteous or stingy or critical. When you give God full reign, He will sprinkle water on you, and you will be clean. "And I will give you a new heart." (He will bind up our broken hearts. He heals us while we seek His face.) And He will put a right Spirit within us. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) He will DO IT. We just need to ask Him for His Spirit, and He will give it to us, and He will enter our hearts and have an intimate meal with each one of us. We don't need to search for a person filled with His Spirit. One of our Messiah family who recently went to be with the Lord said: "I am beyond all limits. God has opened up my eyes to all the limitations I have previously perceived. There is a hidden place in Christ of protection, of provision, of every good and perfect gift from God. We don't have to seek it. It seeks us. We step out on it, and it is there, waiting for us. God's love is eternal, everlasting. Although fear might try to rear its ugly head, God's might overcomes. I would encourage each of you to find a place to look for Him; do not fear Him." Karen Brockman Paul, in Romans 6, writes: "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. . . Offer yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, for you are not under the law, but under grace." We can live a victorious life because Jesus lives in us. Our relationships with others must reflect His relationship with us, characterized by forgiveness and change, becoming more like Jesus every day. Bette Lawrence October 10, 2015 All Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version

Prayer of General Thanksgiving Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. From The Book of Common Prayer PRINTABLE VERSION

Ladies' Christmas Dinner Monday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. Join us for a time of food, fun and fellowship! Ladies ages 13 to 113 are invited, so bring a guest to enjoy a delicious potluck dinner, music, and a talk! Please bring a dish to share (see the sign-up sheet in the foyer) and a toy gift for Sanctuary of Hope. (It's helpful if the gifts are in gift bags, marked "boy" or "girl" and an appropriate age range.) Please contact Elizabeth McGinnis with any questions, and we hope to see you there!