Friends Church Sacramento

The Gifts We Need Most: Hope | Friends Church Sacramento Jared Reiter Christmas is one of the busiest seasons of the year. Schedules fill up, lists get long, and the pace of life speeds up quickly. In all the noise, it’s easy to miss the very things our souls need most. That’s why Advent has always served the church as a season of slowing down, watching, and preparing our hearts for Jesus. This ye...

Everyone Has A Story | Ruth: Finding God in the Ordinary Jared Reiter At Friends Church Sacramento, we believe every person has a meaningful story — not because of dramatic events or big spiritual moments, but because God is present and active in the everyday details of our lives. This past Sunday, our church continued our series through the Book of Ruth titled “Finding God in the Ordinary,” and w...

The Impact of Faithfulness | Ruth: Finding God in the Ordinary Jared Reiter When people search for a “Christian church near me” in Sacramento, they’re often hoping to find more than a Sunday service. They’re looking for a place where their family can grow, where Scripture feels alive, and where their own stories of hope and struggle are welcomed. This past Sunday at Friends Church Sacramento, we c...

Faith-Filled Action | Ruth: Finding God in the Ordinary Jared Reiter Faith in the Waiting: How God Works Behind the Scenes When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to wonder if God is still working. The story of Ruth reminds us that even in our waiting, God’s hand is quietly shaping our story. In Ruth 3, we see a moment of risk, faith, and unseen redemption. Ruth and Boaz both act with integrity, trus...

What Feels Like Coincidence May be God's Plan All Along | Ruth: Finding God in the Ordinary Jared Reiter Most of us say we believe God is in control—but we live like everything depends on us. We trust that God is sovereign until He actually takes control. In Ruth chapter 2 , we meet Ruth and Boaz, two ordinary people whose faithfulness intersects at just the right time. Ruth “just so happens” to g...

Ruth: Finding God in the Ordinary | When Life Feels Empty Jared Reiter When life feels like it’s falling apart, it can be easy to believe that God has disappeared. That’s how Naomi felt in the opening chapter of Ruth — she had lost her husband, her sons, and her sense of direction. Yet even in her emptiness, God was quietly working. In Ruth 1, we meet two women—Naomi and Ruth—who walk through loss...

A Church That Redeems | The Problem of Church Jared Reiter A Church That Doesn’t Retreat, But Redeems In a world filled with brokenness, it can feel tempting for the church to stay quiet. Anxiety, division, and injustice surround us, and sometimes we wonder if our faith can really make a difference. But Jesus shows us another way. In Luke 4:14-21, we see the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. A...

A Devoted Community | The Problem of Church Jared Reiter When many people search “Christian church near me,” what they’re really looking for is more than a location — they’re looking for a community that feels alive. But somewhere along the way, church has often become more about programs, performances, and polished experiences than about people genuinely loving one another. In Acts 2, we see a pi...

Why the Church? | The Problem of Church Jared Reiter Why the Church Still Matters When many people today hear the word church, they think of buildings, traditions, or even bad experiences. Some see churches as performance-driven—focused on putting on a good show. Others experience them as consumer-driven—offering spiritual goods without asking for real transformation. But according to the Bible, G...

Back to Church Sunday | Friends Church Sacramento Jared Reiter We’ve all had moments when something we’ve poured our heart into falls apart. Maybe it was a project at work, a relationship, or even your faith. That feeling of loss and disappointment can make it seem like there’s no coming back. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet faces a valley full of dry, lifeless bones. At first glance, the situation see...

Sharing Your Faith Without Fear | It's Good to Share Jared Reiter Many Christians spend years learning about the gospel yet struggle to actually share it. In Romans 10, Paul reminds us that the good news of Jesus isn’t reserved for pastors or missionaries—it’s the calling of every believer. This past Sunday at Friends Church Sacramento, we explored three powerful truths about evangelism: God’s wel...

Presence Over Performance | It's Good to Share Jared Reiter In Luke 10:38–42, we meet two sisters: Martha, distracted by many preparations, and Mary, who sits at Jesus’ feet. While Martha’s service was well-intentioned, Jesus gently reminds her that Mary has chosen the “better part” — His presence. This story challenges us to consider: Are we more focused on doing things for Jesus or being with Je...

Radically Ordinary Hospitality | It's Good to Share Jared Reiter Radically Ordinary Hospitality: How to Truly Love Your Neighbor At Friends Church Sacramento, we’ve been walking through a teaching series called It’s Good to Share , rediscovering what it means for the church to live sent. This week, we looked at one of Jesus’ most famous stories: the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37....

People of Peace | It's Good to Share Jared Reiter If you’ve been searching for a Christian church near Sacramento that’s more than just a place to attend on Sundays, we’d love to invite you to Friends Church Sacramento. We believe church isn’t just about a building — it’s about people who are following Jesus together and living out His mission in everyday life. Our services are welcoming, Christ-c...

The Power that Changes Everything | It's Good to Share Jared Reiter If you’ve ever searched “church near me,” chances are you’re looking for something more than just a location. You might be looking for a sense of belonging, a fresh start, or a reason to hope again. The early followers of Jesus knew that feeling. In Acts 1:1–14, they were facing an uncertain future. Their leader, their friend, the...

How Humility Protects the Church | 1 Peter 5 Jared Reiter If you’ve ever been disappointed—or even hurt—by church leadership, you’re not alone. This week at Friends Church Sacramento, we explored 1 Peter 5, where Peter speaks directly to elders, followers, and everyone walking through difficult seasons in the church. Peter acknowledges what we’ve all seen: that power can corrupt, and leadership ca...

Anchored | 1 Peter 4:1-11 Jared Reiter What if I told you that—for millions of people—the most honest conversation they’ve had all week wasn’t with a person, but with a machine? That was our starting point in this week’s message from 1 Peter 4. We talked about the rapid rise of AI and how it’s no longer just being used as a tool for trivia or productivity—it’s become a therapist, life coach, and i...

When Doing Good Still Hurts | Anchored Jared Reiter Let Your Life Preach | 1 Peter 3:13–22 Suffering is something we all face—whether it’s rejection, loss, or injustice. But what if your suffering had a greater purpose? In our latest sermon at Friends Church Sacramento, we unpacked 1 Peter 3:13–22, a passage written to early believers facing persecution. Peter’s message wasn’t “try harder,” it was...

Anchored | 1 Peter 2:13-17 Jared Reiter Respect Over Resistance: How to Reflect Christ in a Divided World | 1 Peter 2:13–17 At a time when headlines are filled with political tension, division, and distrust, the words of 1 Peter 2:13–17 speak a surprising truth: “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority…” In last Sunday’s sermon at Friends Church Sacramento , Pastor Jared Reiter led us t...

Anchored | 1 Peter 2:1-12 Jared Reiter

Anchored | 1 Peter 1:13-25 Jared Reiter

Disenchanted with Community | Friends Church Sacramento Jared Reiter How to Build Real Community in a Curated World In a world where algorithms shape our relationships and convenience defines our commitments, Jesus invites us into something radically different—kingdom community. This week at Friends Church Sacramento, we looked at Matthew 5:43–48, where Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for...

Mother's Day 2025 | Friends Church Sacramento Jared Reiter A Mother's Strength: What 1 Peter Teaches Us About Resilient Faith Mother’s Day is a time of gratitude, celebration, and reflection. At Friends Church Sacramento, we opened the pages of 1 Peter to explore what resilient faith looks like—especially in the lives of the women who shape our homes, our communities, and our church. In his letter...

Disenchanted | Why Friendship Can't Fill Your Soul Jared Reiter Why You Need More Than Just Friends Have you ever wondered why you still feel lonely, even when you're surrounded by people? You're not alone. According to recent research, loneliness has become a national epidemic—even among those who appear to have vibrant social lives. At Friends Church Sacramento, we believe there's a reason for t...

A Celebration of Hope | Easter 2025 Jared Reiter He Didn't Stay Dead – And That Changes Everything This past Sunday, we gathered to celebrate the most important truth in human history: Jesus is alive. At Friends Church Sacramento, Easter isn’t just a holiday — it’s the heartbeat of our hope. And in Luke 24:1–12, we see the moment that changed the world. The women came to the tomb expecting death....