Text: Luke 9:51-62

Series: Messy Spirituality

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” These are hard words from Jesus in today’s gospel reading, because the truth is, none of us is fit. We all look back. Our lives are a messy mix of competing priorities. This hard word causes us to run to him once again. Recognizing we can never do it on our own, we fall on the mercy of the one in “whose presence there is fullness of joy, and in whose right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16).

Something a bit different this week. We pray that what this recording gives you matches its sound: hope that is raw, honest, and alive.

You can watch the whole service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0Gap3c0Uo&t=2276s

Texts: Psalm 46, Psalm 40:1-5, Mark 1:9-15, Philippians 4:4-9, Acts 1:1-11

Music, in order: "It is Well With My Soul" arranged by Jason W. Krug

“My Feet Are On the Rock” Shadie Halwani, soloist Originally recorded by I Am They

"Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson

"Rejoice" Becky Anderson, song leader. Originally recorded by Keith & Kristyn Getty

“The Commission” Gabriena Halwani, soloist. Originally recorded by Cain. Arranged by Jeff Tincher.

The doctrine of the Trinity has caused a lot of controversy – even violence – in the history of the church. Does it really matter if we get it exactly right? Here Pastor Matt Anderson makes the case that it does. The point is not knowing about God, but knowing - and being known - by the God who is love itself.

Text: John 14:18-27

Here on Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday, our prayer over our Confirmands becomes a prayer for renewal for all of us: “Stir up once again in us the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.” The same Spirit that came down on Pentecost – the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! – beckons us to join God's movement of bringing healing and wholeness to the world.

Text: Luke 24:36-53

Today we read the final post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, and find there a summing up of all the answers we have seen so far to our question: Jesus is risen! Now What? Now at last, the disciples will be ready to share and be his presence in the world, because they will finally understand more fully the radical message Jesus is calling them to share.

Series: He is Risen! Now What?

Text: Luke 24:13-35

"But we had hoped..." These words from this Sunday’s gospel reading, from the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, express an aching and longing that all of us feel at some point in our lives. We had hoped that things would be different than this. We had hoped for a different sort of future than the one we’re getting. A sudden diagnosis. The loss of a loved one. In a moment, our outlook on the future can be radically changed. When these two disciples open themselves to community with a stranger, they unexpectedly find that the risen Jesus has been walking with them all along, gently guiding them to a new future.

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

When people think of the message of Christianity, they most often think of something like, "You are a sinner, and you need to believe Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins in order to be saved." That message talks about what we're saved from, but says nothing about what we're saved for. The message of Jesus is so much bigger.

Text: John 21:15-19

Is it possible for shame to be a good thing? As the scene with the risen Jesus and the disciples on the beach continues, Jesus has some business to take care of with Peter. The last time he stood by a charcoal fire, he denied he even knew Jesus. Now Jesus re-establishes the relationship - and so much more - turning Peter's shame into a moment of growth.