First Congregational Church of Essex

At the heart of Ephesians are two central themes: identity in Christ and unity in Christ. From the very opening of the letter, Paul’s familiar greeting — “grace and peace” — shines light on both: grace is how we receive a new identity , and peace is how we live together in unity . Ephesians 1:1-2 Ephesians Background Credit:  @TheBibleEffect  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfIE2jS7-k

As we turn the page on the past year and begin a new one, we are invited into a guided practice of prayer and reflection—designed to create space to notice, to be honest, and to receive.

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In chapter 1 of Luke’s Gospel, we read about two unexpected birth announcements: one for John the Baptist and the other for Jesus, the long-awaited Savior of the world. As we look at verses 26-56 together, we’ll see how God gives Elizabeth and Mary incredible peace. This is the same peace we need as we live in a sin-torn world with all its heartache. It’s a peace that can only come from God himsel...

In Luke 2:8–20 we discover that God’s good news of great joy arrives in the most unexpected ways: it comes to unexpected recipients, announces an unexpected royalty, and ultimately leads to an unexpected ending—what begins in a wooden manger will culminate on a wooden cross.

Join us on the second Sunday of Advent as we step into the long story of God’s faithfulness—how He met His people in their centuries of waiting for Christ’s first advent, and how that same faithfulness steadies our hope as we wait for His return.

Join us as we wrap up Galatians and begin our journey through Advent. The greatest expression of God’s love—given to us in Jesus—compels us to extend that same love to those around us.

Galatians 5 reveals two opposite but equally enslaving extremes: the slavery of rule-keeping and the slavery of self-rule. Paul warns that both keep us from loving our neighbor. Join us as we discover the true freedom that comes from walking in step with the Spirit, who transforms us and produces His fruit in us. Galatians 5:16-25

"For freedom, Christ has set us free." True freedom isn't self-indulgence, but Spirit-empowered love that serves our neighbors and builds unity in the church. Galatians 5:1-15

Paul concludes his case for freedom from the law’s slavery by painting a vivid picture of our new identity in Christ. Through the story of Hagar and Sarah, he shows that life under the law is marked by striving and bondage, but life in Christ is marked by promise and freedom. When we cease relying on our human efforts to bring about God’s work, His grace supernaturally steps in to do what only He...

Paul pleads with the Galatians not to slip back into bondage. The gospel invites us to live in freedom, with Christ formed deeply in us. Galatians 4:8-20

The law was never meant to give life but to point us to the One who could. This was God's long game: to bring the imprisoned home as sons & daughters. Galatians 3:19 - 4:7

On the cross Jesus bore the curse we deserved and gave us the blessing promised to Abraham. The promise was never about borders or bloodlines—it was always about Christ, who gathers one people, united by faith, to share in the same inheritance. Galatians 3:10-18

[Apologies for the choppy audio in this sermon—there are a few moments where it cuts in and out] We are accepted by God not because of our works, but through the finished work of Christ — this is justification. And we grow and mature in God not by our own effort, but through the ongoing work of the Spirit — this is sanctification. From start to finish, the Christian life is rooted in the gospel of...

We are justified not by works or tradition, but by faith in Christ who gave himself for us. This gospel of grace frees us to live new lives in him. We are justified not by works or tradition, but by faith in Christ who gave himself for us. This gospel of grace frees us to live new lives in him. Galatians 2:15–21

Peter’s actions in Antioch show how easy it is to confess Christ with our lips but deny him with our lives. Paul reminds us that the gospel of Jesus calls us to integrity — shaping not only what we say, but how we think, act, and treat others. True unity grows when our whole selves are aligned with the truth of Christ. Galatians 2:9-14

Paul shows that the gospel is not a human invention but a revelation from God himself. And yet, while divine in origin, this gospel is meant to be lived out in real community — with accountability, unity, and shared mission. Galatians 1:10 - 2:10

When other voices compete for our loyalty, Paul reminds us there is only one gospel — the good news of grace in Jesus Christ that anchors our faith and renews our life together. Never stray from grace! Galatians 1:1-9

Cullen Capehart 1 Peter 4:7-10

Dan Challapalli John 17:20-23

Dan Challapalli 1 Corinthians 15:1-6