Faith Lift

The Christmas story doesn’t end in calm—it moves into danger. In Matthew 2:13–15, the Holy Family flees to Egypt, becoming refugees in order to protect their child. In Pastor Craig's message, we explore how fear can either destroy or protect—and how, when grounded in love, fear can become fuel for justice. What does it mean to follow Emmanuel, God with us, in a world where fear and injustice s...

On Christmas Eve, we gather in a world where fear often feels overwhelming—and dare to proclaim a deeper truth:  good news is louder than fear .Drawing from Luke 2:1–20, Pastor Craig's message explores a Christmas story that is anything but silent. Angels interrupt the night with proclamation. Shepherds tremble and then run to share what they’ve seen. God’s good news doesn’t erase fear—it ente...

Fear often teaches us to pull back, to stay quiet, and to face things alone. But what if fear doesn’t have to lead to isolation? In this final week of Advent, Pastor Craig reflect's on Joseph’s story and the courageous love that moved him to stand in solidarity with Mary. Through Scripture, theology, and sacred art, we explore how faith does not eliminate fear—but allows us to move forward any...

Pastor Craig's message for the Third Sunday of Advent explores how Mary and Jeremiah stepped into God’s calling even while feeling afraid and inadequate. Their stories remind us that courage/faith isn’t the absence of fear — it’s trusting God’s presence in the midst of it. Join us as we reflect on the small, quiet acts of faith that move us forward, one trembling yes at a time.

When We’re Running Out of Hope, God Is at Work: In this week’s Advent message, we meet John the Baptist at one of the most vulnerable moments of his life. From a prison cell, weary and discouraged, he sends Jesus a question that echoes through every age:  “Are You the One… or should we look for another?” Jesus responds not with rebuke, but with reassurance. This is a message for anyone feeling tir...

Advent 1: In a world that still feels like “the time of Herod,” we begin our Advent series entitled: "What do you fear?" This week, Pastor Craig looks at Zechariah’s encounter with the angel and the promise that even in our deepest worries, God hears our prayers and breaks into our fear with hope.

This week Pastor Craig looks at one of the most surprising passages in the Gospels: Jesus reigning from a cross. As Elvis, Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, Buddy Holly, and Abraham Lincoln shaped the world and left it too soon, we ask a deeper question— What does it mean that Christ alone is the King who never falls? Drawing from Luke 23:33–43, we explore the criminal’s simple prayer, “Jesus, remember...

Discover the hope of  prevenient grace —God’s love that moves ahead of us, preparing the way before we even call. Through Isaiah 65 and Psalm 98, we explore how God is already renewing creation and inviting us into new beginnings. This episode includes two practical faith challenges to help you join God’s grace in the real world.

In this week’s message, Pastor Craig explores the prophet Haggai’s call to courage — and how God’s Spirit empowers us to rebuild what seems broken. Through stories of Frederick Douglass’s bold step toward freedom and the faithful persistence of those who rebuilt the temple, we learn that courage isn’t the absence of fear but the confidence that God is with us. Discover how  God’s presence still bu...

When life feels uncertain and prayers seem unanswered, how do we keep faith alive? This All Saints Sunday, Pastor Craig explores the prophet Habakkuk’s honest cry —  “How long, O Lord?”  — and God’s invitation to live by faith even when the finish line isn’t visible. Through stories of perseverance and the witness of the saints, we discover that faith under pressure isn’t fragile — it’s forged. Th...

n the final week of our  Called to More  series, we explore Jesus’ promise of abundant life from John 10:10. This message weaves together scripture, real-life stories, and a call to live joyfully and purposefully—today and for eternity. Discover how faith in Christ leads to a life that overflows with meaning, mission, and everlasting hope.

In Week 2 of our  Called to More  series, we explore what it means to be  sent to serve . Through the Great Commission and words from Jeremiah and 1 Peter, we’re reminded that God has a purpose for each of us—and our gifts were never meant to sit on the shelf. Discover how to live with purpose, serve with joy, and follow Jesus into a life that makes a difference.

In Week 1 of our  Called to More  series, we begin where all mission begins—with friendship. Jesus calls us not servants, but friends. Through John 15, Ecclesiastes 4, and Psalm 133, we explore how community is more than support—it’s sacred. Discover how friendship is a holy calling, and how God uses real relationships to build the Beloved Community.

In this week’s message from our  Living the Call  series, we reflect on what it means to  lead with courage in a world that longs for justice . Drawing from Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27, and Ephesians 6:10–13, we explore the step of faith it takes to lead, the strength it takes to stand firm, and the courage it takes to resist evil and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.

In this week’s message from our  Living the Call  series, we explore what it means to  serve with joy and humility , following the example of Jesus who knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. How do we bring glad hearts and willing hands into a world in need? Join us as we reflect on  John 13:14–15 ,  Psalm 100 , and the call to serve not out of duty, but from a deep place of joy.

What does it look like to love like Jesus? Not just politely, not just occasionally—but boldly. In this episode from the second sermon in our series Living the Call: Love Boldly , we explore how Jesus' radical call to love one another changes everything. This isn’t a love that plays it safe—it’s a love that moves, serves, forgives, and includes. Come rediscover the power of love that doesn’t s...

What is the Church really here for? In this episode, we launch our new series  Living the Call  by exploring Jesus' Great Commission and how making disciples isn’t just part of what we do — it’s why we do everything. Discover how you’re being sent and shaped to change the world.

In a world that often rewards arrogance and self-promotion, Jesus turns our expectations upside down with a call to humility and radical hospitality. Drawing connections from the NFL’s “Hall of Fame” to what might be called a “Humility Hall of Fame,” this message challenges us to rethink honor, status, and what it means to truly welcome others — especially those who cannot repay us.

In this week’s message,  Called and Kept , we hear how God’s call is deeply personal and rooted in His eternal knowledge of us. From Jeremiah’s story, we learn that God knew us before we were born and equips us even when we feel unworthy or unprepared. Psalm 71 reminds us that the Lord has been our refuge from the very beginning and will continue to sustain us through every season of life. Buildin...

Faith is never about staying comfortable — it’s about trusting God enough to move beyond the status quo. In this week’s message, we explore how Abraham, Sarah, and the heroes of Hebrews 11 stepped out in faith toward a “better country,” and how Psalm 84 reminds us that our hearts are set on pilgrimage. What does it mean for us today to be pilgrims and not settlers?

In this week’s message,  "Ready Hearts, Living Sacrifice,"  we explore Jesus’ call to live watchfully and without fear, grounded in His promise:  “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”  (Luke 12:32). Discover how keeping your spiritual “lamp lit” can transform ordinary days into acts of worship, and hear two practical faith challenges to help you live with a ready he...

In this episode, we explore Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12:13-21 and the powerful reminder of Psalm 107:1-9, 43:  "God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." What does it mean to be  "rich toward God" ? In a world obsessed with possessions and "bigger barns," Jesus redefines what true wealth looks like. We’ll talk about the difference between  posse...

What happens when love is betrayed—and how far will God go to bring us back? In this episode, we explore the story of Hosea and Gomer, from Hosea Chapter 1. It is a powerful picture of God’s relentless, redeeming love. Through Hosea’s heartbreak and restoration, we see a glimpse of grace that points to Jesus, who redeems us fully and freely. Through Pslam 85 we are reminded that “love and faithful...

In this episode, we explore a powerful word from the prophet Amos and a psalmist’s deep-rooted trust in God. What happens when a society abandons truth and neglects justice? Amos warns of a coming famine—not of food or water, but of hearing the Word of the Lord. Yet even in the midst of spiritual drought, Psalm 52 reminds us that those who trust in God's unfailing love are like olive trees—sti...

In this episode of  Faith and the Piano Man , we explore how our everyday stories—shared around tables and over meals—can become sacred ground. Inspired by Billy Joel’s “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” we reflect on the Emmaus Road story from Luke 24, where two disciples discover Jesus in the breaking of bread. Drawing from Psalm 34 and Leonard Sweet’s  From Tablet to Table , this message invi...