CityTalk NOVA

What does it mean to be a friend of God ? In this message from Romans 5:6–11, Jeff Shaffer continues exploring how faith brings lasting joy — not fleeting happiness, but a deep and secure joy rooted in reconciliation with God. While we were still helpless and far from Him, Christ came “at just the right time.” Through His death and resurrection, our status changed from enemies to friends. Our rela...

We continue our Going Public series in the book of Acts by looking at one of the most important — and most overlooked — events in history: the ascension of Jesus. Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus left earth and returned to heaven. At first glance, that might seem like the wrong move. Why leave when momentum is building? But the ascension wasn’t an exit — it was a coronation. In this messag...

In this opening message of our new series Going Public , we begin the book of Acts and look at Jesus’ clear priority for His followers. Acts is often described as “the Gospel according to Luke, Part 2” —the continuation of Jesus’ ministry through His people, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1, Jesus gives His disciples everything they need to carry on that mission. In this sermon, we see thre...

One of the last things Jesus commanded His followers was to make disciples—people who follow Him, learn His commands, and live them out. Baptism plays a central role in that calling. In this sermon, Pastor Mark walks through Jesus’ words in Matthew 28 and explains why baptism matters—not as something that makes us Christians, but as a powerful reminder of who we are in Christ, who we’re united wit...

Why does anxiety seem to rise even as our technology, comfort, and standard of living increase? In this message, guest preacher Pastor Blake Dumais ( Cedar Run Community Church ) explores what Jesus says about worry and control in Matthew 6, from the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Blake walks through what anxiety really is, why it has become so pervasive in our culture, and how Scripture...

In this week’s message, Jeff Shaffer , one of our elders, invites us to reflect on a simple but searching question: Does your faith bring you joy? Preaching from Romans 5, Jeff shares personally about seasons when his faith felt more like routine than relationship—and how Scripture and the Christian community helped restore joy, confidence, and peace. Explore with us the difference between fleetin...

As a new year begins, many of us feel the pull toward goals, plans, and resolutions. Taking time to evaluate our lives can be wise and good—but if we skip a crucial first step, even the best intentions can quickly become burdens rather than blessings. As we enter 2026, let us return to the foundation that gives real and lasting strength: the gospel . In the Book of Romans, chapter 1, we are remind...

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate more than a moment in history—we celebrate a victory. In this candlelight message, Pastor Mark proclaims the good news that light has entered the darkness, and darkness does not win. Drawing from the promise of hope foretold in Isaiah and fulfilled in Gospel of John , this sermon points us to Jesus as the true Light of the world—the One who stepped into our brokennes...

The world can feel unbearably dark—marked by sickness, injustice, and violence—and even our greatest advances can’t fix what’s broken. Where can true hope be found? We're continuing our Advent series, **The Dawn of Hope**, tracing God’s promises all the way back to Genesis. From Genesis 49, we see that the child born in Bethlehem is no ordinary baby. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah—a c...

In this week’s message from our Advent series The Dawn of Hope , we’re reminded of a deeply freeing truth: although God’s hope is offered to all, none of us deserve it. Opening Genesis 26, we look at the life of Isaac—an ordinary man, not a spiritual superstar—who nonetheless becomes a key link in God’s redemptive plan. Isaac receives God’s promises not because of his faithfulness, but because of...

In week two of our Advent series The Dawn of Hope , we return to Genesis to see how God’s plan to rescue the world has always been bigger than one person or one nation. In Genesis 12, God calls Abram to take a radical step of faith—leaving comfort, security, and certainty behind—and makes an astonishing promise: through him, all the families of the earth would be blessed . This message traces how...

This Advent, we’re tracing the first flickers of hope that shine out from the opening pages of Scripture. In this week’s message, Pastor Mark takes us back to Genesis 3 , the moment when humanity’s story collapses under the weight of sin—and the moment when God quietly unveils His first promise of a Savior. From Adam and Eve’s fear and hiding to God’s shocking grace (even clothing them Himself ),...

This week we wrapped up our “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Technology” series with a brief look at AI. Pastor Mark showed how Scripture gives us a clear framework for thinking about emerging technology — grounding ourselves in God’s Word, valuing the dignity of work, and remembering our humanity in a world shaped by rapid innovation. Rather than fear AI or embrace it uncritically, we’re called to appr...

2007 was a year with massive implications for how we think, relate, and do life. The rise of modern smartphones made powerful technology widely accessible and brought with it incredible potential for both good and evil. It’s changed how we live in ways few could have predicted. But over 3,000 years ago, the Bible already offered wisdom and warning for navigating this kind of technology. In this me...

In an age of deepfakes, misinformation, and competing “truths,” where can we turn for something trustworthy? Continuing our series *Ancient Wisdom for Modern Technology*, Pastor Mark shows why the Bible remains the sure foundation for discerning what’s true and what’s good. When everything else shifts, God’s Word stands firm. Outline and discussion questions attached . Speaker: Mark Seager Series:...

We’re launching a new 4-week series, Ancient Wisdom for Modern Technology . The Bible is thousands of years old — but can it really help us navigate smartphones, social media, and AI? Absolutely. In this opening message, Pastor Mark lays a foundation from the book of Proverbs, reminding us that while knowledge keeps growing at lightning speed, true wisdom still comes from God. He explores how bibl...

Note: This message was recorded on October 5 and published later than planned due to a recording issue. We’re glad to be able to share it now as part of our “Five Ships” series. We’re in a preaching series on five essential “ships” for a thriving church. We started with worship , because what you worship will drive your life. Next was discipleship , because worshiping Jesus should lead to followin...

As Virginians prepare to vote, we turn to Micah 6:8 for a clear, God-centered framework for wise civic engagement: doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God. Scripture reminds us that the Lord defines what is good, calls us to uphold human dignity, and invites us to use the privileges we have for the sake of others. This message encourages believers to approach public life wi...

We’re wrapping up our “5 Ships for CityView” series with PartnerSHIP this Sunday. Partnership ties together the previous 4 “ships” Worship, Discipleship, Fellowship, and Stewardship. Outline attached . Speaker: Mark Seager Series: Five Ships CityView is a church family that God is building to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the heart of Loudoun County and around the world. Check us out at CityVi...

Jesus called his followers to be influencers long before social media existed. In this message, guest speaker Pastor Blake Dumais (Cedar Run Community Church) unpacks Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:13–16 — showing how we’re meant to bring God’s flavor, light, and grace into every part of life. Discover what it really means to be “the salt of the earth” and how to live with lasting influence in a worl...

We’re doing a series called “Five Ships for CityView” discussing 5 essential “ships” for us to be a thriving church. We started with worship because what you worship will drive your life. Next was discipleship, because worshiping Jesus should lead to discipleship. This Sunday its fellowship , one of the most overused but under-practiced terms in churchworld. Now stop and think about this, in our d...

We’re doing a series called “Five Ships for CItyView” discussing 5 essential “ships” for us to be a thriving church. When talking about “Worship” a few weeks ago, we left off by saying true worship demands a death. Most of us are fine with that as long as it is something else that dies. But the message of the next ship we’re getting on, discipleship , is that what has to die is us. We’re called to...

News of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has grabbed the public’s attention. It’s undeniable that he had immense influence on our country and beyond. Some thought he was great, others did not. Yet whether or not you agree with all of his politics, he often proclaimed his faith in Christ. So, how should we as Christians process and respond to an event like this? We must bear in mind that truth matters,...

We’re starting a series, 5 “ships” for CityView to climb on board, and it starts this Sunday with worSHIP. We are made to worship, so the defining question for all of us is, “Who or what will you worship?” Because what you worship drive how you live. So, what is worship, and does it matter Monday – Saturday? An outline and discussion questions are attached . Speaker: Mark Seager Series: Five Ships...

Our mission at CityView Church is to point people to Jesus Christ. Why does CityView Church exist and why are we called “CityView” when we’re in the ‘burbs ? Its intentional. After merging and acquiring our building, we felt we needed a fresh start. We wanted a name that acknowledged the history of our building but also got us looking upward and outward. When we hear the name “CityView Church” we...