One person at a time. One community at a time 3.8.2026 3 Lent [Texts] Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 Lenten greetings to you, the lights of the world. Last Sunday, we left worship remembering that we are lights — like stars in the sky — and that we would keep shining as we returned to our daily lives. Later that afternoon, an image appeared on my phone… a photo taken at an airport. Refugees fleeing war zones, holding suitcases, looking down at their phon

That Stays That Saves Lent 2 — March 1, 2026 Texts: Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17 Lenten greetings to you who shine because God first shines on you. There’s a question at the center of all our readings today, A question that has echoed through every generation of faith: What does it mean to be the people of God? Abram carries it when God calls him to leave everything familiar. (imagine: put yourself in his shoes) The psalmist sings it while sc

1 Lent — 2.22.2026 Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 • Psalm 32 • Romans 5:12–19 • Matthew 4:1–11 Lenten blessings to each of you, beloved Church. Scripture gives us sixty‑six books filled with every kind of story. Some we know by heart. Some we wrestle with. Some we wish weren’t there. And some come alive every time we return to them. Today’s readings hold all of that at once. On Ash Wednesday, we stepped into Lent with Joel’s truth‑telling and striking image: “Before the people of G

Children’s Message February 18, 2026 Have you ever built a sandcastle at the beach? Maybe a tall one with towers, or one with a moat. Sandcastles are so fun to make. But what happens if you try to build a sandcastle with dry  sand? It just falls apart. It crumbles right through your fingers. So what’s the secret ingredient? Water! When you add a little water, something amazing happens. The sand sticks together. It becomes strong enough to build walls and towers. The water hel

Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026 [Readings and Psalm] Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 ⠂Psalm 51:1–17 ⠂Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 ⠂2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 Introduction — The Cross We Wear Today Today we carry a mark that’s hard to miss—a dark cross, right on our forehead, where everyone else can see it before we can. It tells the truth about us: our limits, our humanity, our belonging to God. And into that truth, we hear these rich scriptures from Joel, the psalmist, Jesus, and Paul. Each one urg

Transfiguration Sunday February 15, 2026 [Texts] Exodus 24:12–18 · Psalm 2 · 2 Peter 1:16–21 · Matthew 17:1–9 Epiphany blessings to you. We just heard {read} four powerful texts, each helping us see what Matthew is showing us on the mountain. Moses enters the cloud on Sinai to receive the law, known as the Ten Commandments— words that find their fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of God. The psalm declares, “You are my Son,” a promise that echoes forward to the voice the discipl

Light & Salt 5 Epiphany • February 8, 2026 Matthew 5:13–20 • Isaiah 58:1–12 • Psalm 112:1–10 • 1 Corinthians 2:1–13 Epiphany blessings to you. Each week, it’s my hope and prayer that we discover again and again the many ways we meet a God who chooses how to show up—quietly in our personal lives, and faithfully in the shared life we’re growing into together. Some of you know that, in order to keep worship within a reasonable time, the pastor occasionally has the option to sho

Matthew 5:13-20 No need to pretend Simply to be seen and to be felt Why does Jesus use salt and light? Because both are ordinary, everyday things—and yet both have extraordinary impact when they’re doing what they’re meant to do. Jesus chooses images that: everyone in the crowd would understand don’t depend on wealth, education, or status reveal how small things can change whole environments point to identity, not achievement Salt and light don’t try to be influential. Th

Step by Step in Love Preschool Chapel, 2/3-4, 2026 Texts: Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11 Song: The Wise Men Built His House Up on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27) 1. Opening: Something They Know (1 minute) (Hold up a block or pretend to hold one.)    Friends, have you ever built something with blocks? If you build on something wobbly, it falls down. But if you build on something strong, it stays up. 2. Sing the Song With Motions (2 minutes) Let’s sing a song about a wi

Come & See: A Journey of Faith and Love 1/18/2026 [Texts] Isaiah 49:1-7 The servant brings light to the nations Psalm 40:1-11 I love to do your will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8) 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth John 1:29-42 Revelation of Christ as the Lamb of God Epiphany blessings to you, siblings in Christ. Beloved in Christ, I want to begin with a simple check-in. What’s been weighing on you these days? What lingers with you from morning

Children’s Message: Our Story John 1:29-42 1/18/2026 Today we’re going on a little field trip—right here inside the church. We’re going to visit three special places that help us grow in God’s family. And at each place, Jesus says to us, “Come and See.” As we walk together, let’s look closely, notice what’s happening, and say a few things out loud together. 1. Come and See… the Baptismal Font (Invite the children to walk with you to the baptismal font. Let them gather close.)

God Certifies the Called 1.11.2026 [Readings]    Isaiah 42:1–9 — The servant of the Lord brings justice Psalm 29 — The voice of the Lord is upon the waters Acts 10:34–43 — Jesus’ ministry after his baptism Matthew 3:13–17 — Revelation of Christ as God’s servant God’s beloved, What’s the best love story you’ve ever known? (examples: your own, movies, novels, documentaries, etc.) Whenever I return to the story of Jesus’ baptism, I become more convinced that the Bible is the gre

Children's Message 1/11/2026 ✨ [Texts] Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34 At home, parents are invited to help children hold water in their hands and watch it flow down. Then, they can say: “That’s a little like God’s love—always moving, always reaching us.” When Jesus was baptized, God’s love poured over him, and God said, ‘You are my beloved.’ And God says that to us, too. Dear friend, I want to tell you a story about how we hear God's calls to us—kind

God refuses to look away. Texts for 1.4.2026 Isaiah 60:1-6 Nations come to the light Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 All kings shall bow down before him. (Ps. 72:11) Ephesians 3:1-12 The gospel’s promise extends to all Matthew 2:1-12 Revelation of Christ to the nations of the earth Epiphany blessings to you. Epiphany is the season when the Church celebrates that God’s saving presence becomes visible in the world, not just to a few, not just to one nation, but to all peoples. That's how

The Offering - Our offering Matthew 2:1–12 Children’s Message Dear friends, How was your Christmas ? What was your favorite gift? Today we end the Christmas season with a special Sunday called Epiphany. Epiphany means God’s Secret is shown to us. And today, God’s Secret is shown through three gifts : The gifts the three wise men brought to baby Jesus. Each gift had a meaning. Each gift had a purpose. 1. Gold Let’s start with gold. Gold is like money. It helps people get what