Christ City Church, Washington DC

As we celebrate six years as a church (planted in 2013 as the East Side parish of The District Church and then launched in 2017 as Christ City Church), Matthew Watson helps us consider the call and the challenge of Christ to our congregation by looking at Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus. [ Revelation 2:1-4 ]

On the weekend of July 4th, Justin Fung considers the very first words of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel—”The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news”—and what that means for us as Christians in America. [ Mark 1:14-20 ] Resources Book: James Cone,  God of the Oppressed Video:  Chadwick Boseman’s tribute to Denzel Washington

Marisa Stubbs closes out our Theology of Place series by talking about what it means and looks like for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth — and on our streets — as in heaven. [ Revelation 21:3-5, 22-27; 22:1-5 ]

Continuing our Theology of Place series, Dana Cunliffe talks about a theology of unbuilt spaces — creation itself — and how we are invited into a relationship of care for what God has made. [ Genesis 1:20-2:9 ]

The redemptive story of God begins in a garden but it ends in a city. Pastor Matthew Watson preaches on the idea of new heavens and new earth breaking into our city and how we can be a part of it. [ Isaiah 65:17-25 ]

Place matters. Because Jesus took on flesh and blood, lived in a neighborhood and identified with a people – we also root ourselves in neighborhoods and identify with people. Our place is Washington, DC. While many come to this city to consume it and to use it, we want to be among those who love it. On Pentecost Sunday, we considered the indwelling of the spirit in our particular geography. [ Acts...

Where are you using your gifts in the church? Where are you using your gifts for the city? Pastor Matthew Watson encourages us to examine the purpose and use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. [ 1 Corinthians 12:4-31 ]  

Just as there is a Holy Spirit, there are unholy spirits. Pastor Matthew Watson helps us understand spiritual warfare by shedding light on the ways the enemy works and the ways the Holy Spirit works.   [ Ephesians 6:10-12 ]

What does it mean to have freedom in the spirit? Andrea Ackermann explores Galatians 5 by looking at what we are free from, what we are free for, and how we know we are walking in freedom.  [ Galatians 5:13-26 ] Resources: Derrek Webb – A New Law

Are you curious about the Power & Possibility of the Holy Spirit and how to live a spirit-filled life? Pastor Matthew Watson looks at the ways that the Spirit has worked throughout the biblical narrative: Creation, Revelation, Redemption, Guidance, and Commission. Which of these modes of the Spirit’s work are you in need of today?  [ Acts 1:4-11 ]

We say goodbye to our series on John and hello to a series on the Holy Spirit. Pastor Matthew Watson opens up Jesus’ promises for an Advocate, a Comforter, and Helper – the promised Holy Spirit. [ John 14:15-18 ]

We are nearing the end of our “Life, Death, and Life Again” series on John as we reach John’s final chapter. Pastor Matthew Watson offers questions and prayers that can move us forward as we come face to face with a resurrected Jesus. [ John 21 ]  

“Christ is Risen; He is risen indeed! It is a reminder that because of Christ we can have life and we can have it abundantly.”  Pastor Matthew Watson preaches on the Resurrection of Jesus from John 20 on Easter Sunday. We also heard a spoken word piece from Mazaré Rogers.  [ John 20:1-10 ]   Resources: Mazaré Rogers – Raw Honey on Bandcamp  

As part of our contemplative Good Friday service, observing the Way of the Cross (also known as the Stations of the Cross), we hear from Amy Sawyer, Tommy O’Keefe, and Tiffany Pyen. [ John 19:13-30 ] (Some elements of the service were not able to be included in the podcast for copyright reasons.)

Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to shouts of adoration and acclamation. Andrea Ackermann examines how the different responses to Jesus challenge us to examine our own responses. [ John 12:1-19 ]

The idea of unity in the church can seem like a pipe dream when we look at all of the different Christian churches and denominations, all of the ways we section ourselves off, all of the issues we’ve splintered and separated over, all of the ways we’ve forced others out or made folks feel so unwelcome that they had to start somewhere new; it’s easier to name situations where we’ve failed than wher...

On our first Kids City Sunday, Jaemin and Nathan read our Bible passage, and Brian Lomax, one of our Kids City volunteers, gives the message about Jesus’ promise: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [ John 16:16-33 ]

Dallas Willard describes joy as “a pervasive and constant sense of well-being that is infused with hope because of the goodness of God.” Jesus promises that that joy is available to us and that he will make our joy complete. Justin Fung unpacks how Jesus gets us there. [ John 15:1-25 ]

Elder Marisa Stubbs delivers the word of John 13:21-38 which predicts both Judas’ and Peter’s betrayals. She speaks of real pain of betrayal while pointing to the glory, grace, and mercy of Jesus. [ John 13:21-38 ]

Guest Preacher, David Bailey, brings us into the wilderness of Deuteronomy as he speaks those who seek justice, but don’t always see it. God’s provision is for those who are flourishing and for those under the weight of oppression. How we view God determines how we make sense of the wilderness walk.  [ Deuteronomy 8:1-3 ]

As we journey through John, we’ve reached the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet as a example of servant leadership. Lisa Watson teaches on the love, knowledge, and vulnerability behind servanthood and the marks of a servant. [ John 13:1-17 ]  

In order to fulfill one’s purpose, one must have a process for getting there. Matthew Watson unpacks how Jesus’ purpose — bringing life, light, and salvation — necessitated a process that involved going through death, darkness, and isolation; and how that gives us hope. [ John 12:20-50] Resources: The Gospel of John: Life, Death, and Life Again Reading Plan

We rejoin the story after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and find him facing tremendous pushback from the religious leaders. Why does he encounter such opposition for doing good? Andrea Ackermann explains the threat that Jesus poses — to systems and structures … and to us. [ John 11:45-57 ] Resources: The Gospel of John: Life, Death, and Life Again Reading Plan

As we rejoin the Gospel of John, Matthew Watson tells the story of Jesus and his friend Lazarus, and reminds us that God is with us in our disappointment and grief, and that it isn’t about how we start that counts. [ John 11:1-44 ] Resources: The Gospel of John: Life, Death, and Life Again Reading Plan

Even as we come to the end of the first month of the year, the rest of 2019 stretches out before us. Who will we become this year, and how do we get where God wants us to go? Justin Fung introduces the SPIRES Plan tool and reminds us that love is the framework for our lives. [ Mark 12:28-31 ] Download an e-version of the SPIRES Plan card here . Prayers Maya Angelou: Father, Mother, God, Thank you...