How should we respond when those in authority are unkind, unjust and disrespectful? The Apostle Peter saw Jesus live beautifully when He was revered and reviled. Peter then relayed what he learned in 1 Peter 2:13-3:7. Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. as we learn more about Jesus’ beautiful way when those in authority increase the chaos through unjust suffering.
The believers Peter was writing to were experiencing persecution and rejection from the world and culture around them. They had been dispersed throughout the ancient world and were living as exiles in foreign lands. Peter understood persecution and rejection, as he had personally been beaten, threatened, punished, and put in prison for preaching the Word of God. Here in chapter 2, Peter encourages the church to continue living a lifestyle worthy of Jesus by recognizing that they have been called and chosen by God. Though the world around us may reject our lifestyles and faith, God considers us His special people and promises us assurance on the day of visitation whereby God will judge the living and the dead. As followers of Jesus, we can live out our faith without fear of hell or rejection and instead with full assurance that we are saved by God’s grace and that nothing and no one can snatch us out of our Father’s hand.
What can you do when you feel overwhelmed by the chaos around? On Sunday, January 7, we discovered Jesus’ guidance in 1 Peter 1:1-2 to meditate on God’s grace and peace. Join us this Sunday as we discover a second insight to help us remain peaceful within and gentle toward others from 1 Peter 1:3-25!
What does faithfulness in this 2024 election year look like amid our diverse, divided and chaotic world? What should you say or not say when others declare ideas that are opposed to God’s ways revealed in the Bible? How should you love your neighbor, co-worker or classmate when they are openly hostile toward Christ? A first-century-bold proclaimer faced similar tensions in his generation. So, Jesus trained Peter to be strong amidst opposition with a Christ-like presence. Join us this Sunday January 7 to worship God as we begin our new study, “Gentleness – a beautiful way in a chaotic world” through Peter’s first letter!
Bulletin
Bulletin
When God created the world, it was completely aligned with his will. But, when humanity sinned, it became misaligned, resulting in pain, death, and war. Throughout history, godly leaders have helped us realign our wills with God’s and have helped reestablish peace but it has never been complete nor permanent. Individually and collectively, we alternate between more and less alignment with God’s will but we never achieve perfect or lasting peace. Often, it seems like there will never be a leader capable of achieving it and that thought is truly devastating. However, it’s wrong. There is in fact a leader who can and will enact God’s redemptive plan for the world and such a leader is worthy of all the worship the world can muster.
The Christmas Holiday is full of many traditions, emotions, memories and gifts, which make it “the most wonderful time of the year.” All of this celebration is fitting because we are celebrating the greatest news to ever be uttered at anytime on this planet. The angel who originally announced this great message described it as “good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Why is the gift of Jesus to cause such great joy? Do we live in the joy we were meant to have? What are the implications of this joy for each of our lives? Join us as we explore the great joy of this Christmas Season!
In 700 B.C. it was announced, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” If Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy, where is the increase of His influence? Where is unending peace? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. to sing, pray, light Advent candles and consider what the promised gift of Christ’s governance looked like in the 1st century, what it looks like today and what it will look like in the days to come.
Description: C. S. Lewis wrote, “We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him.” Yet the fast pace of December can easily crowd out our experience of God’s presence. May this year be different! Join us at 9 a.m. each Sunday this month as we greet one another, sing praise, light candles, pray, rest in silence, come to the table and ponder a few of the gifts that Jesus brings to us. This Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Advent, Lead Pastor Dean Wertz will facilitate the ministry of God’s Word as we marvel at the exceedingly undeserved gift of God’s presence!