Pastor Lonnie

In this message, Micah 6:6–8 is used to explore the deeper meaning of freedom from a Christian perspective. While national freedom is a gift to be celebrated with gratitude, the sermon reminds us that true freedom is not only written into laws or national documents; it must also be written into the human heart by God.   The prophet Micah speaks to a people who had religious rituals but lacked just...

This sermon asks a deeply personal question: What role does faith play when we’re sick? It begins with the promise in James 5:15, reminding us that God hears and helps when we pray. But it also acknowledges the hard reality that healing does not always come the way we ask or expect.   The central message is that God has more than one way to heal. Sometimes God gives the miracle of a triumphant cro...

Pastor Lonnie’s message reminds us that the words we speak to our children can shape their hearts for a lifetime. Four simple phrases, when spoken sincerely and backed by action, can make a lasting difference: “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” “I believe in you,” and “I’m praying for you.”   These phrases convey love, humility, confidence, and spiritual care. They help children know they are treasured, t...

Pastor Lonnie’s sermon celebrates God’s faithfulness throughout the church’s life and history. It looks back to the early days, when the church was new, had no permanent home, and was unsure whether the city would approve land for church use. The sermon connects this story to biblical examples of people who faced situations too big for them, including Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Mary, and the e...

This message from Pastor Lonnie reflects on Matthew 25:31-40 and the call to live out our faith in love, compassion, and service. It reminds us that Congregational faith is not only something we believe but something we practice through everyday acts of mercy: feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, visiting the lonely, and noticing Christ in those around us. The message i...

In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we are reminded that a faithful community is built not on control or quick agreement, but on humble listening and shared discernment. Drawing on Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council, the sermon explores how the early church navigated deep disagreement by gathering, listening, praying, and remaining open to the Spirit’s leading through unexpected voices. The message...

Pastor Lonnie’s message explores covenant as a lived promise rather than merely a church concept, inviting the congregation to see faith as a shared commitment to walk together in Christ. Drawing on the Mayflower Compact and the example of the early church, it highlights how communities are shaped not by hierarchy but by mutual care and responsibility. Covenant is described in practical terms: sho...

In this message, Pastor Lonnie invites us to a deeper understanding of Christian freedom, not as license to believe anything or as blind obedience to authority, but as a Spirit-led journey of discernment. Rooted in the Congregational tradition, the message affirms radical trust that God speaks through the interplay of Scripture, the Spirit, and community. Drawing on the story of Elijah and the ima...

This message by Pastor Lonnie concludes the “Something Happened” series, focusing on the transformation of Jesus’ followers from fearful, hidden individuals into those who actively serve others. After Jesus’ death, the disciples were afraid and uncertain, but everything changed when they encountered the risen Jesus, who greeted them with peace and then sent them out. Their shift from silence to se...

In this passage from Luke 24:13–35, two discouraged disciples walk away from Jerusalem, carrying fear, confusion, and shattered hope, yet on that ordinary road, the risen Christ comes alongside them, though they do not recognize Him at first. As He opens the Scriptures and later breaks bread, their hearts burn, their eyes are opened, and everything changes. What begins as a retreat becomes a retur...

Doubt isn’t the end of faith but often the beginning of something deeper. After the disappointment of Jesus’ death, Thomas struggled to believe in the resurrection without seeing proof for himself. Instead of rejecting him, Jesus met Thomas in his doubt and invited him into faith, leading to a life-changing declaration: “My Lord and my God.” The message reminds us that we all face moments of uncer...

Palm Sunday highlights the gap between what people expected and what Jesus came to do. The crowd wanted a powerful king to fix their problems, but Jesus arrived humbly on a donkey, showing his mission was to change hearts, not take control. That same tension remains today. We often want a Jesus who aligns with our preferences and operates on our schedule. Like the crowd, we celebrate when things g...

The message centers on three temptations of Jesus. First, turning stones into bread represents the desire to fulfill important needs in the wrong way or on our own terms. We are tempted to address discomfort immediately rather than trust God’s timing. Second, throwing himself from the temple illustrates the temptation to prove our identity, perform, and demand visible signs. Jesus resists by resti...

In this message, Pastor Lonnie emphasizes how, in a world full of constant noise and distractions, Lent calls us to choose something different: silence. Not just the absence of sound, but a deeper stillness where we can listen to our own thoughts and hear God’s voice.    As Fox River prepares to celebrate 25 years as a congregation, this season feels especially meaningful. Lent isn’t just a time t...

The Light That Still Shines focuses on a simple truth: even a small light can dispel darkness. Through the familiar struggle of tangled Christmas lights, the message shows how hope doesn’t require everything to be perfect. One working bulb is enough to make a difference. The world offers many temporary lights—success, relationships, achievements—but they fade. Jesus’ light is different. It doesn’t...

This message by Pastor Lonnie reminds us how the first Christmas was marked by stress, uncertainty, and less-than-ideal conditions. Mary is exhausted and ready to give birth, Joseph is scrambling for a place to stay, and the only space available is a barn. Yet that’s where Jesus enters the world. The point is simple: God’s peace doesn’t wait for life to settle down. It meets us in the middle of th...

This message from Pastor Lonnie emphasizes that hope speaks louder than fear. Mary had many reasons to panic, but she chose to anchor her faith: she did not know the plan, but she trusted the One behind it. Mary faced risk, judgment, and the unknown, yet she still said yes. Hope moves forward because it trusts that God is not finished. The message concludes by centering everything on Jesus. Hope i...

This message by Pastor Lonnie highlights the struggles of the Pilgrims and Abraham Lincoln's honesty to demonstrate how gratitude has always helped people endure hardship and find unity. It challenges us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, to recognize God’s work in our limitations and mistakes, and to give generously from the heart. The message encourages us to practice daily, r...

This message invites us to see stewardship in a different light, not just as a financial duty but as a spiritual opportunity. In Luke 12:15, we're reminded that life isn't about possessions but about purpose. The "dinosaur" symbolizes anything we cling to out of fear, pride, or the illusion of control, things we think we need to survive but that actually hold us back from living freely in God's pu...

Konstantin Efimov was born in 1958 in St. Petersburg, Russia, the elder (by 10 years) of two sons born to Igor Efimov, well-established movie actor, and his wife, Irina, whom he met while attending Moscow's prestigious Maly Theater School.  Irina performed on stage until a few days before Kostia's birth.  "That must be why I enjoy being on stage so much," says Kostia, who goes by his childhood nic...

This message challenges the idea that gratitude is only for good times and instead calls us to practice thankfulness even when life gets tough. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, it clearly distinguishes between being thankful for all circumstances and being thankful in them. The message reminds us that although we can't always control what happens, we can choose our outlook. Gratitude becomes an a...

Life can crash unexpectedly—plans fall apart, emotions spiral, and nothing seems to go right. But faith isn’t built in comfort; it’s shaped in chaos. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we’re reminded that God uses life’s messes to strengthen our faith. True joy isn’t pretending everything’s fine; it’s trusting that God is still at work, even in the broken pieces. With practical steps and real-life...

The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has left many grieving, fearful, and overwhelmed. In his message, Pastor Lonnie urges the church to face this pain honestly while grounding our response in the gospel. In a world quick to speak and quick to divide, we are called to slow down, listen carefully, and use our words to heal rather than harm. While grief is heavy and real, hope in God is greater because...

In Built to Last: Storm-Proof Faith , Pastor Lonnie draws from Matthew 7:24-29 to show that resilience and the ability to withstand life’s storms come not from intentions or appearances, but from obedience to Jesus Christ. Like the wise and foolish builders who faced the same storm, our lives stand or fall depending on where we build: on the solid rock or shifting sand. Storms are inevitable, but...