The Gathering: Weekly Teaching Time

Guest speaker, Paul Woodward, explores why it is that we are to gather together, and what worship is really about. He begins with the questions, why do you go to church when you do go, and why don't you go when you don't go? And what do the Scripture teach us about why we should gather?  Scripture: Psalm 95

As we follow the story of Abram and Sarai we are surprised to observe that God takes what is already impossible (a barren couple promised a child), and makes it even more impossible by waiting until it is biologically impossible for the couple to conceive. What happens next can guide us in understanding how God works to bring about His new kingdom in the world and what it means for us to persevere...

What do you do when the gap between what you believe about God and His promises and what you are experiencing gets large? This Sunday we will continue our journey with Abram and Sarai and consider how God called them to a faith that was almost scandalous.  Scripture: Genesis 15 and Romans 4 Speaker: Brian Wiens

It is one thing to trust God in theory; it is entirely another thing to trust God in practice when things that are important to us are in jeopardy. This Sunday we will follow the story of Abram as he moves from admirable faith in God into anxiety and fear. To keep up with the story you can read Genesis 12 and 13.  Speaker: Brian Scripture Passage: Genesis 12:10 - 13:18 

Genesis is a story of many beginnings, including the amazing account of God's initiative toward one man, his family, and his descendants. The stories that follow are messy but also full of hope and promise. This Sunday we will begin with Genesis 12:1-9 and the story of God's initial call to Abram.  Speaker: Brian 

Change is hard - New Year's resolutions included. In this session, we explore some insights from Romans 12:1-2 that can help us move beyond our own efforts to change to receiving the mercy and help of God.  Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 Speaker: Brian

In a culture where the original story of the advent of Jesus Christ seems distant, we listen again to the amazing encounter between Gabriel and Mary and consider its implications for our lives.  Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 Speaker: BW

With the advent of the internet, the production and use of pornography has exploded. Levi explores the affects of the porn trap and considers how Jesus can enable us to experience sexual faithfulness and wholeness in a pornographic world.  Speaker - Levi Adams Text - Galatians 5:16-25

Irene shares some reflections on prayer and wrestles with the mystery of prayer, how we align our hearts with God's heart, and what it might mean to pray continually.  Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:16-18 Speaker: Irene Climenhaga

How is that the followers of Jesus reveal that they really do know Christ and follow Him? Jesus answered that question in very practical terms that reveal how important our relationships with each other are to our witness in the world.  Scripture: John 13: 1-17 & 33-35 Speaker: Brian

When are you most tempted to doubt God's love and care? In this podcast we explore how it is that we can know God loves us even in suffering and struggle.  Scripture: Romans 8:28-39 Speaker: Brian and Helena

The church is Christ's body, and yet it is so imperfect and at times does things that are very, very wrong. How are we to make sense of that? Text: Matthew 6:13-20 Speaker: Brian Some issues were present during recording, here is the amplified version.

How is it that the church, in all its humanness and imperfection can be called the body of Christ? And how do we experience that as a communities of Christ-followers?  Scripture: Ephesians 1:19-23; 4: 11-16 Speaker: Brian

We live in a time in which the church is being deeply questioned and even criticized. So why church? Why bother? What did Christ have in mind when He gave His life to birth the Church? Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:14-22 Speaker: BW

How is it that we are called to "fear" God and yet God also instructs us, even commands us, to not fear! What can we learn from this about God, ourselves, and how He invites us to live.  Speaker: Karen Block Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7, Mark 5: 21-24, 35-36 

We sometimes miss great opportunities to tell people what Jesus has done for us because we haven't thought about it for a while. In this session we explore the value of knowing our stories and being ready to share them.  Scripture: Acts 4:16-20 Speaker: Brian

Irene shares how she experienced God, how she was changed, and what she learned through some very difficult and painful experiences. Speaker: Irene Climenhaga Topic: Testimony

We can sometimes take communion for granted, but when we consider it's meaning we discover again the profound importance of this practice in the life of individual Jesus followers and the church.  Scripture: Mark 14:12-24 Speaker: Brian

What does faithful witness look like in a culture that knows nothing of the story of God as it is found in the Bible, and knows nothing of Jesus or the hope of resurrection?  Speaker: Brian

In this passage we encounter the dramatic story of two men who seem abandoned by God, but encountered great joy as they trusted God in those circumstances and had opportunity to share the good news of Christ with others. Speaker: BW

What does faithfulness to Jesus and to the Gospel look like, and how do we welcome people, as the Holy Spirit invites people from very different backgrounds into the church? Scripture - Acts 15: 6-21 Speaker - Brian

How does God guide and direct you? Have there been times when the Holy Spirit has given you a hard "no" about something? This week we follow Paul as he sets his course to share the Gospel in Bithynia but the Holy Spirit would not permit him to do so. What can we learn from this example? Passage: Acts 16:1-15 Teacher: David Sauder

As the Gospel spread to new groups of people, the church erupts in controversy over how it is that people are made right with God. In addressing that question the early church clarified for us how it is that we too can be saved by the undeserved grace of Jesus.  Text: Acts 15:1-11 Speaker: Brian

We get to sit in on Paul's preaching to the synagogue in Antioch in which he reveals the wonder of what Christ has done for both Jew and Gentile.  Scripture: Acts 13:13-52 Preacher: Nathan P. 

The church in Antioch sends away two its key leaders. They are launched into a new mission enterprise that changed the world, not by a strategy session, but by a time of worship and fasting. Why can we learn from this example? Scripture - Acts 13:1-12 Speaker - Brian