Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52| Destruction and transformation. Death and life. Polar opposites, and yet, both are true. Within the past few months, we’ve witnessed how something small – like the COVID-19 virus – has lead to devastating consequences. At the same time, we are told within our Gospel reading this weekend that the kingdom of heaven, though the size of a mustard seed, has the ability to fill us with life. So what is spreading in our hearts? And what is spreading in our world? Death? Or God’s kingdom of life? Join us as we direct our attention to God’s kingdom, and hear again the promise that God’s kingdom will never stop expanding…even where we least expect it. Liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Isaiah 44:6-8| The people of ancient Judah had been exiled for more than two generations. They wondered if they would ever return to Jerusalem and worship again in the temple. In short, they wondered if life would ever return to “normal.” Perhaps today, some of us feel displaced from what we know, from what is normal, and even from what we had hoped for. Things don’t seem to be “the way they used to be.” But even now, we are reminded along with the Israelites that our God is powerful and will not abandon us, and that our God will lead us “home.” Join us in worship to hear a word of Good News and consider how God is leading us on, even if we don’t always know exactly where we are going. Liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23| God’s Word has been implanted within us, and God desires for that seed to grow, flourish, and produce abundantly. God has already begun this work in us, and is committed to cultivating us on our journeys of faith. So now, how are we being called to participate in the work of the Spirit, creating a space for God’s Word to take root? Join us in worship as we hear God’s promise of love, and are challenged to consider how the environments we find ourselves in shape us as people of God. Liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30 | As Jesus addressed the crowds, he challenged them and warned them of not seeing the truths that were right in front of them. As disciples of Jesus today, we are challenged to recognize the truths that are right in front of us, and challenged to see Jesus Christ as our sole truth as we come to him and learn from him as fellow disciples. Liturgy used within worship covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Matthew 10: 40-42 | Some days, we might feel uncertain, not quite knowing if we have been given what’s needed for the road ahead. But in Christ, we have been promised that we will be provided with what is needed for the journey, and that we have received Christ’s gift of welcome. Now, having received that gift, we are sent to extend that same hospitality to others in Christ’s name until there is a place of belonging and welcome for all God’s children – no strings attached. Join us for worship – outside, while physically distancing – as we praise our God for his faithfulness and receive once again God’s hospitality at the table of communion. Music and liturgy covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Jeremiah 20:7-13 | Often, the “Christian life” is referred to as one filled with peace, joy, and comfort. We believe that with Christ, we will find our only source of true and abundant life. But that doesn’t mean that our journeys are always a cakewalk. Rather, sometimes our Lord’s call may take us to places that are downright uncomfortable as we follow the prodding of the Spirit. As we continue to live as followers of Jesus during a time of global pandemic and an ever-changing society, we might feel as though we are being pushed into uncomfortable territory. But the call of our Lord? Is to trust where he leads us, and to join with God in the mission he has already begun. Join us for worship as we hear a bit of Jeremiah’s story, and consider our own response as people called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Matthew 9:35-10:8 | In light of many local and national events, and in light of the realities of our lives, we may get a sense at times that we are like sheep – seeking for someone to provide direction…a way forward. In Christ, we find our leader. And in Christ, we find our direction forward as he gives us our marching orders as people of his kingdom. Join us for worship as we look to Jesus, and as we follow in Christ’s ways of justice and peace. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Genesis 1-2 | In the past weeks, our nation has experienced significant trauma. We have watched injustice against our brothers and sisters of color, and now the church is asking: now what? Though it may seem that we are disconnected from these realities of injustice, as people living in relationship with the Triune God, we are intrinsically connected to ALL creation. Join us for worship as we consider what it means to be “church” in these times, and how our relational God is binding us together as one. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Acts 2: 1-21 | Have you ever felt as though life went from 0-60 in a matter of days? minutes? seconds? That might have been similar to what the disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost. After the Spirit came, thier world turned, as if on a dime. All around us, there are things that are shifting, and we too might feel as though our lives and our world is shifting right now. So what are we to do? What are we to make of everything? Join us for worship as we consider what it means to live as people of the Spirit today. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Acts 1: 1-14 | After Christ’s resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples. But after giving his disciples the promise of the coming Spirit, once again he left them – this time to ascend to the Father. So now what? What were the disciples to do? to think? to be? As we find ourselves amidst “in between” times, wondering what to do next, perhaps we can look to the early church for guidance. Join us for worship as we hear of God’s faithfulness and look in hope for all that is to come. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
John 14: 15-21 | Unfortunately, we fell prey to the Zoom collapse on Sunday morning, along with many other congregations nationwide. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t engage with our Scripture reading! Take a look at John 14:15-21 (and/or the worship bulletin below) and think: Ever desire to have someone “in your corner” or “go to bat” for you? Ever looking for someone to give you the confidence to keep going? Well, that “advocate” is what Jesus promises in the coming Holy Spirit. YOU are inheritors of that Spirit, and YOU are now commissioned as Spirit people to be advocates for others in the world. Be sure to join us next Sunday as we worship again, and we promise, we’ll be able to gather together again!
John 14: 1-14 | During the past few weeks, we’ve likely spent a lot of time in various “rooms,” and perhaps have even begun to go a bit stir crazy within those “rooms.” So what does it mean to have yet another “room” prepared for us by Jesus? Join us in worship as we consider how Jesus dwells within us in the rooms of our lives, even when isolated, and how his presence connects our rooms together as one house. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
John 10: 1-10 | “The Lord is my shepherd…” might be some of the most familiar words to many in Scripture. Often, we take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who leads and guides us. But what does that mean in our world today? Join us for worship as we dwell as one in the house of the Lord – gathered at Christ’s banquet table. Message provided today by Bishop Michael Burk, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
Luke 24: 13-35 | As the disciples were unable to recognize Jesus walking along with them on the road to Emmaus, at times it may feel as though Jesus is absent. Yet, Jesus continues to walk alongside us, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, reveals to us the promise of Christ’s resurrection in everyday, ordinary ways. Join us as we celebrate communion together in our Zoom worship service! Music covered under CCLI License #1141706.
John 20: 19-31 | Our journey through the Easter season continues as we encounter the risen Christ in our midst. As Christ appears to his disciples behind locked doors, Christ also appears to us – wherever we are at – and breathes his peace into us. Music covered under CCLI Licenses #1141706.
Matthew 28: 1-10 | Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Though we may not be shouting our praise with brass and Easter lilies, we still gather with the women at the empty tomb to marvel at God’s life given for the sake of the world and dare to proclaim that all things WILL rise again. Music covered under CCLI License #11141706.
John 3:1-21 | Ever felt as though God’s promises were great to hear, but hard to understand? Well, meet our good friend Nicodemus, who has similar trouble when he meets with Jesus at night. Looking for “answers,” he comes up dry. But after talking with Jesus, what he does recieve is an invitation: an invitation to trust Jesus, and an invitation to experience the depth of God’s love. Though we might find ourselves scratching our heads a bit when thinking about faith, and though we may not always understand the movement of the Spirit, Jesus’ invitation to us is the same – trust – no matter where the wind might blow.
Matthew 4:1-11 | Jesus found himself in the wilderness for 40 days and nights after his baptism. In that barren wasteland, Jesus was stripped of all modern comforts and was withheld even very basic needs. But, in that space, Jesus is emptied of all else that surrounds him, leading him to find what he needs most. For us, as we journey into the wilderness this Lent, the path ahead might not sound very appealing. But as we venture into the desert, we too, just might find what our hearts, our lives, and our world needs most: the very breath of God, providing for us, and protecting us.
Matthew 17:1-9 | In our Gospel, we hear of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on top of a mount as he is transformed before them. Today, we might not experience flashing lights and a grand display of God’s power, but there are still places that God shows up to us in powerful ways. So then what? We could be thankful for those moments and then just “move on.” But what Jesus asks of us? It’s to hold those encounters close, to allow it to transform us, and to be open to how it shapes our journey ahead as his people.
