Echo Church Online Messages

Today we begin our new series looking into two New Testament letters (1 Peter and 1 John) to discover how the apostles stewarded their knowledge, talents, experiences, and faith in Jesus—and commissioned the church to do the same. The first stewardship challenge from 1 Peter is a bit unexpected. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

On this Labor Day weekend we rest between series and take a day to connect the dots between our journey through the life of Jesus and what’s next. Today we consider our role as stewards in God’s Kingdom. (And we find out why the carpool line drives someone in our church leadership over the edge.) Sermon by: Steve Carr, Teaching Elder at Echo Church Connect with us: echochurch.org

WE MADE IT! This is the end of our yearlong journey in the life of Jesus. The first parable from Jesus we've saved for last. We dig in (pun intended) to examine seed, sower, and soil and how this story relates to our own calling as Jesus followers (Luke 8:4-15). Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

What happens when we revisit a parable we thought we knew, but the details are different? We’ll step into the creative realms of Jesus’ parable and compare it to the stories we find in video games today. (Luke 19:11-27) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

POW! Jesus’ longest and possibly most beloved parable packs a punch. We connect comic book storytelling with Jesus’ engaging characters and plot that paints a picture of grace between father and sons (Luke 15:11-32). Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Feel like an outsider? Today’s parables of lost things remind us that Jesus is excited to welcome everyone into God’s family. And when lost people return—parties happen! (Luke 15:1-10). Today our missions partners Johnny, Zandra, Julia, and Sophia Dye from Venezuela will be with us, sharing celebration stories and a song. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Let's take a new look at a very familiar parable: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

This week's parable is causing us to pay attention not only to the story itself but to Jesus, the author, as he tells it (Luke 20). We’re reminded that paying attention is a gift we can offer to others. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

We continue our summer of stories in Luke 14 this weekend as we dig in to two more parables from Jesus. Plus it’s a dinner party! Yep, Jesus is eating again, and we'll be challenged to consider all the perspectives at the table. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Jesus told two parables in Luke 18: both involved characters being courageously honest and characters with work they needed to do on their hearts. Not everything is resolved, but we do find hope for justice and mercy. Along the way, we’ll also peek into a couple of modern-day short stories. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Today’s storytelling comes from Luke 12 & Luke 16, where Jesus reveals things that are out of our control and things that are under our control. We grapple with each, both as citizens in our country and as citizens of God’s kingdom. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Riddle me this: this week we are in Luke 20, where Jesus engages in not one but two riddles from the spiritual & civic leaders of his day. Join us and we will answer a riddle or two of our own. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

This week we look at the end of Luke 17, where Jesus' words often get misinterpreted. We'll consider how people groups navigate collective trauma—participating in both mourning plus renewal. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

This week we look at Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus meets 10 people in need of healing. Through their story, we'll consider the blessings of not just feeling gratitude but expressing it. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Do you have the courage to be unseen? As we listen in on Jesus’ blunt words to his disciples on how they need to live and lead, we consider our own actions and how we shape the lives of those around us. (Luke 17:1-10). Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Jesus told a haunting story to haunt the consciences of the religious leaders in power. It’s a wake-up call for us all: Not caring for those around us is hellish—we should love unconditionally. (Luke 16) Sermon by: Steve Carr, Elder Connect with us: echochurch.org

Jesus gathered the children around him in Luke 18—and we’re gathering Echo Kids with us in main service today as we learn to receive and give like kids. We’ll also read about the rich ruler, who could learn to be more like a kid himself. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

We'll connect the dots between Jesus, paradoxes, widows, and improv (Luke 20:41–21:4). Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Today we meet people who struggled to see and who had to push past the way other people saw them. But their lives changed when they met Jesus, and he saw them for who they truly were. We’re also seen by Jesus—known and loved. Where do you need help seeing him? (Luke 18 +19) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Life doesn’t ever turn out exactly how we expect it to. But if we look beyond our expectations and take in the reality that’s right before our eyes, we will find that Jesus is still present with us. He can redeem what has been broken. (Luke 24:13-35) **Apologies for the technical issues in today’s podcast. The sound didn’t record at its usual quality. Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect wit...

Just as he did for the disciples, the living Jesus invites us to the table—he’s ready for a dinner party, to eat and talk and increase our faith. Jesus invites us into new life. Let’s go and sit at the table together. (Luke 24) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

At a funeral we consider the deceased's contributions, reflect on our relationship with them, and honor them. We have come to Luke 22-23 this week: Jesus' trial and death on the cross. We'll approach this time in the spirit of a funeral: we sit in sorrow for the pain Jesus went through for us. (While we know it is not yet the end.) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Sometimes the darkness outside of us—and the darkness within us—interrupts celebration with accusation. Jesus & his disciples experienced this several times during his final days before the cross. We can learn from Jesus’ responses. (Luke 19 & 22) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Even good things come with a cost. Jesus shares this hard truth with his disciples: following him will cost something. It’s true for us today as well. We grapple with the question: is following Jesus worth the cost? (Luke 14; Luke 21) Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org

Jesus gives two striking plant metaphors in Luke 13: a dying fig tree and a flourishing mustard tree. Like the people who first heard his words, Jesus wants our lives to be healthy: for our own sake, to provide for others, and to share God’s kingdom. Which tree will we be? Sermon by: Kelly Carr, Lead Pastor Connect with us: echochurch.org