Grace in Community

Texts: Matthew 13:31-32, Isaiah 11:6-9, Romans 8:18-23
Did you know that your care for your pet is actually an expression of our ultimate human vocation? Here on Animal Blessing Sunday, Pastor Matt expands on the role human beings are called to play in the Community of Creation. Think of this as part II of that sermon from September 6. 
October 4th is also the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a 12th/13th century monk who came from a wealthy family before taking a vow of poverty to serve the poor. Considered the patron saint of animals, Francis loved all of God’s creation, and legends developed about his close communion with animals of all kinds. Today is an appropriate day to pronounce God’s love for all creatures great and small, as we look forward to the day when creation is restored to the goodness God intended!                       

Texts: Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13
Series: Under Construction
As our Under Construction theme draws to a close, Pastor Matt asks, "Does changing your mind mean you lack conviction?" In today's gospel reading Jesus seems to advocate for changing your mind! He tells the religious leaders that even after they witnessed lives turned around and repaired, “you did not change your minds and believe.” Recognizing that we are always under construction means we should be open to learning and to the unexpected. If the cross shows us anything, it’s that you never know how God might show up! Perhaps changing your mind can be a sign that you are actually strongest in your convictions that matter the most. 

Texts: Matthew 20:1-16, Jonah 3:10-4:11, Luke 15:11-32
Series: Under Construction
What is the "Older Brother Syndrome," you ask? The Bible continually displays God’s character as “gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love.” So gracious, in fact, that humans get mad about it. Like the older brother in the Prodigal Son parable, we pout and grumble when God’s favor is revealed for those we don’t think deserve it. When have you fallen prey to the older brother syndrome? The good news: God’s mercy applies even to those of us who try to limit it.  

Text: Matthew 18:(15-)21-35
Series: Under Construction
We've been talking about how we are always "Under Construction", never having fully arrived. This Sunday we turn that focus to relationships, and we hear THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP ADVICE EVER GIVEN! - and it applies to every type of relationship. The relationships in our lives never get to a "perfect" state. But if we follow the way of Jesus in our relationships, they will continue to be built sturdily.  

Texts: Genesis 2:4b-9,15-25; John 1:1-5
What is the proper relationship between human beings and the earth? Today we take a break from our Under Construction series to celebrate a brand new festival day in the church calendar, years in the making. It’s called Creation in Christ. On this day we celebrate the ongoing creation of the world in and through Christ, and we explore what it means that we have a part in reigning over creation with him. On second thought, creation is always under construction too, so maybe it’s not a break from our theme after all!

Text: Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:9-21, Jeremiah 15:15-21
Series: Under Construction
For the past couple weeks, we've seen a progression: we wrestle with God's truth, we wander - only to be found by Jesus. What then? We have said the questions and doubt can be good. But do they ever end? Do we ever settle into faith? Jesus' tense interaction with Peter in this Sunday's gospel leads us to explore this question as he challenges us toward a trust that will cost us everything. 

Text: Matthew 16:13-20
This sermon is a kind of part II of last week's, when we discovered that our questions, doubts, and wanderings can be a good thing, leading to deeper faith. Today we ask the question: in the midst of those questions and wanderings, is there anything that anchors us? Through a vulnerable telling of part of his own story, Pastor Matt proclaims that we do have a firm foundation - not because of anything we do to make it so, but because of what Jesus has done for us. 

Texts: Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 56:1-8, Rom 11:1-2a, 29-32
Series: Under Construction
What if the questions and doubts you've been afraid to voice are actually the very heartbeat of faith? Pastor Matt unpacks a striking encounter where a bold Canaanite woman challenges Jesus himself—and her audacity is celebrated as *great faith*. Like Jacob wrestling with God through the night, we're invited into a raw, tenacious relationship with God that holds nothing back. You don't need perfect belief to belong—you need honest engagement. If you've ever felt too questioning for church, this message is for you. 

Texts: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52; Romans 8:37-39
Series: Under Construction
Just like our campus is in need of ongoing revitalization, so are our hearts. Sometimes God’s work in our lives comes after an unwelcome disruption, like the work in the corner of our Sanctuary earlier this year. Other times it comes as we proactively evaluate what needs to change, like the repaving of our parking lot. Whether you've walked with Christ for decades or are just beginning, none of us have fully arrived; we are all learning, growing, and being shaped by love. No matter what, God is faithful to work transformation in us by the power of the Holy Spirit! Trust the process of love. 

Texts: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; Rom 8:12-25
Series: Jesus the Great Disruptor
Why are there mosquitos - and so many other bad things - in the world? Together with Romans 8, Jesus' parable of the wheat and weeds helps frame this question in the larger cosmic history of the world. God's project is to disrupt the darkness and free all creation from bondage and suffering, and we have a vital role to play in that story! Listen to find your part.