Mars Hill

The building is complete, but the formation of God's people continues. We explore the people's encounter of God's Law and how we might choose to be formed as a people today.

As the Israelites behind rebuilding the city, we are invited to see how they are pointing towards a different set of values. Generosity, Hospitality and Mercy rise up over Self-protection, Scarcity, and Selfishness. 

After Nehemiah prays for four months - but before rebuilding the city begins in chapter three - there's chapter two. What does the in-between look like? What characterizes "Chapter 2" formation?  Nehemiah 2:17-18

It is striking that this Old Testament book, which celebrates the leadership of Nehemiah, begins with an extended prayer. Perhaps there is something instructive in this person's decision to prioritize "some days" in prayer and fasting before jumping into problem-solving. Nehemiah 1:5-11 

What does Jesus' raising of Lazarus tell us about how we can live in the power of Christ's resurrection? We also celebrated baptisms and look to Paul's insight on how to life as a whole church in light of this new identity and calling!

Every culture has epic stories. For God's people, the epic that guides and animates our life is summarized in the surprising attitude and life of Jesus, who descends and is then exalted by God the Father.  Philippians 2: 5-11

In the wilderness, in this Lenten season, God is doing a new thing. Can we perceive it? We take a look at the Israelites' Old Testament journey, as well as New Testament texts to talk about perceiving what God is doing in our midst - and what we might need to leave behind. Isaiah 43: 16-21

In this familiar story from the Bible, our attention is directed to two other characters to see what we might learn about ourselves and God.  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

What does it feel like to thirst in the wilderness? What satisfies? This third week of Lent, we look at David's experience in the wilderness and the hope we have in God. Psalm 63:1-8

For the second Sunday of Lent, this teaching puts Genesis 15 and Psalm 27 forward as sources of good news: faith and questions can be held together; there is presence (God's) in the waiting; and God is serious about fulfilling promises. Genesis 15:1-6

Much like the Israelites, God gives us a physical home and a spiritual home. In the season of Lent, we are invited through God's generous love to make our home once again in Jesus' story. Deuteronomy 26:1-11

What are we supposed to do with the broken circumstances around us, the crumbling places in our midst? As a Jesus people, how do we move forward amidst injustices, violence, oppression and inequity? Despite how we might feel, we're called to the work of repair.  Isaiah 58: 9b-12

We believe that God is alive and active and encounters us when we gather to worship. This conviction drives us to structure our worshiping life around the pattern of revelation and response.  Isaiah 6:1-8

Although silence can serve us well, sometimes silence can be used as a cover for violence. Leah's story is drenched in violence in a text filled with mostly silence. She uses her only source of power to break the silence, the naming of her children which reminds her that God sees, hears, and gives hope which will someday lead to praise. Genesis 29:15-28a

God's abundant generosity is mind-blowing. Our invitation is to be loved, provided for and ever more deeply formed in the image of Christ; now and for eternity.  Matthew 20, Isaiah 61

A reliable pathway toward being more like Jesus runs directly through the middle of a localized body of believers. Though the church continues to come under scrutiny and question, we can confidently be grounded in the church because we can be confident in Jesus. Ephesians 2:19-22 

Scripture invites us to be grounded and content in God's reality. Paul invites the Philippians to consider contentment as the pathway to participation with God's love with the people and places we've been called to. Philippians 1 + 4, John 4 

What does it mean to be rooted in a city or place, even if it’s not your favorite? We look at God’s charge to the exiles in Babylon as we explore why place matters to God and for us as the body of believers today. 

The book of Ruth guides the way as we explore what it means to be grounded in community and what community is for.  Ruth 1:15-18

The human heart is restless and ultimately wants to be grounded in God. Psalm 1 encourages a being united [planted], marked by certain intentional practices, that leads to flourishing.  Psalm 1:1-3

Luke 2: 41-51

In the season of Advent we "trust in a minor key" through lament by naming our place of trust, voicing our pain, and asking God to respond with God's presence. Psalm 80:1-7

Whether within our own lives or as we look around us, how in this world do we wait with joy? We’ll take a look at the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah’s final chapter as an encouragement.  Zephaniah 3:14-20