Connections Church

Rev. John Byker joins us with a message titled “Hearts Refreshed,” based on Philemon 1:1–7 and the verse, “Because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people” (v.7). His message will explore how God renews and refreshes our hearts through His Word, the call to repentance and glimpses of eternity. Want to learn more about Connections Church? Visit our website: https://myconnection...

Pastor Rob Byker joins us with a message from Isaiah 61, titled “A Planting To Display His Splendor.” God’s people were in exile and in despair. They felt like ashes. Their life had fallen apart. Sometimes we can feel that way too! In Isaiah 61, God promises to restore us and give us beauty for ashes. He will give us the beauty of a righteous character. Indeed, we will be called “oaks of righteous...

Pastor Evan Kim joins us with a message from Mark 1:1, titled “Worthy to Follow.” Humans are wired to be followers; the question is, who will we follow? While the world might offer many options, Christianity is a call to be followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. As we look at the introduction to the Gospel of Mark, we will see why Jesus is truly the only one worth following.

Pastor Ruth Febriana joins us with a message from Ruth 1:1-22, titled “May the Lord Be with You: A New Hope for Mental Health.” This May 4th—Star Wars Day—we’re shining a light on Mental Health Awareness Month through the powerful story of Naomi and Ruth. Let’s explore healing, friendship, and a steadfast faith that never lets go—offering hope and restoration, even in life’s darkest chapters.

Pastor Evan Kim joins us with a message from Genesis 22:15-18, titled “The Assurance of Faith.” Christians might feel their faith ebb and flow as they continue to grow in Christ. Doubts and questions may lead us to seek assurance of our salvation. We’ll be looking at Abraham, the father of faith, to learn how it was that he (and we) might find the assurance of our salvation.

Pastor Paul Jorden joins us with a message from Luke 24:36-48, titled “The Surprises of Easter.” The Easter story begins in a cemetery where a handful of grieving women come out to pay their last respects to a friend and mentor. But something HAPPENED there. Something completely unexpected, so SUPRISING , so REMARKABLE that they would have a hard time believing it. And so would everyone else who h...

Pastor Kelly Vander Woude joins us with a message from Mark 11:1-11, titled “Palm Sunday.” It's "Palm Sunday" - the day we celebrate Christ's glorious entrance into Jerusalem to celebrate and commemorate Passover. And yet, on this massive celebratory day - when we zoom in (and out) - we find a day full of contradictions. A day, not unlike our lives today: one of contradictions. Want to learn more...

Pastor Josh Speyers joins us with a message from John 11:38-44, titled, "A Joy Worth Sharing". One historic Christian tradition for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is to focus on the Resurrection of Lazarus, since this miracle took place in the days directly preceding the Triumphal Entry. This story in John 11 includes the shortest verse in the Bible about Jesus weeping at the tomb of Lazarus. Why would...

Yvonne Biel joins us with a message from Matthew 8, titled “Jesus is in your Boat.” Storms of life happen to even the bravest of disciples, but it often takes us until we hit a point of desperation before we realize the presence and power of Jesus available to us. As we study Matthew chapter 8, we will remember who Jesus is and what he can do for us in the midst of the storm. Want to learn more ab...

Pastor Tim Spykstra joins us with a message from John 17:20-26, titled “To the Place I Belong.” We are always searching for the place we belong, our true home. Jesus ends His prayer by asking His Father to make His love known to His children. Our true home, the place where we belong is knowing the Father's love for us. Want to learn more about Connections Church? Visit our website: https://myconne...

Pastor Rob Byker joins us with a message from Matthew 25:1-13, titled “Keeping Your Love Real.” The foolish bridesmaids do not bring reserve oil to welcome the groom with lamps to light His path. The groom comes when they least expect it and they are not prepared for him. Jesus says that He is the groom and we must always be ready for His return. We will be wise to prepare for His coming by keepin...

Pastor Evan Kim joins us with a message from Colossians 2:6-7, titled “Rooted in Christ.” Paul exhorts Christians to be rooted in Christ, another way of saying to be established in the faith. We’ll learn how faith provides the foundation for Christian living and flourishing, and consider how we are to understand and exercise our faith. Want to learn more about Connections Church? Visit our website...

Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Exodus 24:9-11, titled “A Meal with God.” What would it be like to see God? Exodus 24:9-11 tells us that the leaders of Israel saw God. And we will see why they are not destroyed when doing so. Then we will also see how they had a beautiful meal with God. Celebrating communion on Sunday will give us a foretaste of seeing God and having a meal with hi...

Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Luke 6:43-49, titled “Hypocrisy.” What’s the solution to hypocrisy? How do we get our actions, words, and feeling all in sync? This Sunday we conclude our series on the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:43-49. Jesus’ solution is to raise all our actions, words, and feelings to a higher level. What a challenge and joy to follow Jesus. Want to learn more a...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Luke 6:37-42, titled “Judging Others.” You’re not allowed to judge,” many will say as they defend their immoral actions. That’s what Jesus seems to say in Luke 6:37-42. But we’re also told by Jesus and in other parts of Scripture that we must judge immoral behavior. As we look at this passage, it will help us to...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Luke 6:27-36, titled “Love for Enemies.” Is there anyone you don’t like? Anyone you can’t stand to be with? In Luke 6:27-36 Jesus calls us to love these people, to do what’s best for them. We’ll also find out how to carry out this virtually impossible mandate. Visit our website: https://myconnections.church/

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Luke 6:17-26, titled “How Are You Really?” How are you really? Jesus answers that for us in his “sermon on the plain,” similar to his “sermon on the mount.” As we start this series, we see in Luke 6:20-26 that our true situation may be different that we’re going through right now. If we follow Jesus, we are bless...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Job 19:25-27, titled “My Redeemer Lives.” Is it OK to desire honor? To be well-thought-of in the community and respected by family, classmates, coworkers, and others? But there are times in our lives when we lose our honor: rejection by family or friends, failure in a school or work project, false rumors spread,...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Matthew 16:27, titled “Jesus’ Return to Judge.” A final court date has been set for all of us. Matthew 16:27 and other passages show that we all will stand before Jesus as judge. This is the third of our series on Jesus’ return to earth. We will see what the Bible says about that sobering final day of human histo...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Revelation 22:7-21, titled “When Will Jesus Come Again?” When is Jesus coming again? Christians celebrate Jesus’ first Advent (coming) as a baby. Christians also look forward to Jesus’ second Advent. We will go through a short series on the second coming of Jesus. We begin by looking at Revelation 22:20, reflecti...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Psalm 121, titled “Where Our Help Comes From.” What are your deepest fears about the future? As we reflect on this past year and we look ahead to the New Year, what - or who - do we ultimately rely on to take care of us? Psalm 121 points us the eternal Creator as our personal security. Visit our website: https://...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Matthew 1:1-17, titled “Jesus’ Roots.” Ashamed of someone in your family? In Jesus’ ancestry see a number of failures and scandals. In this passage we notice that God unashamedly uses all these ancestors to prepare for Jesus’ birth. Visit our website: https://myconnections.church/

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Luke 2:1-3, titled “Governments Prepare for Jesus’ Birth.” How do we know what events today will be in the history books later? How are government leaders used to bring in God’s kingdom? Lukde 2:1-3 illustrates how God uses governments to prepare for Jesus’ birth. And it shows what God’s people do in preparation...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor Paul Jorden joins us with a message from Galatians 4:4-7, titled “The Hopes and Fears of All the Years.” What does it mean that Christmas fulfills the hopes and fears of all the years? Paul’s letter to the Galatians offers a glimpse into how God’s perfect timing, remarkable plan, and profound purpose came together in the birth of His Son. Could this mom...

Welcome to Connections Church Online! Pastor John Gorter joins us with a message from Micah 5:1-5a, titled “The Savior in Bethlehem.” Where do we look to find someone to make things better? We all live by the hope that someone somewhere will fix life for us. This Sunday we start an Advent series seeing how God prepared for the birth of his son. Micah 5:1-5a points to where we are to look. Visit ou...