In The Beginning…of the Church
A guest blog, by Next Generation Pastor Rebecca DeLucia In our Discipleship Essentials book and our Step-Groups these past few weeks, we have spent time reading and reflecting on Genesis 1-2 - the creation narrative. In today’s Bible Reading Plan we read Acts 1, the beginnings of the early church. It is amazing to read these two passages of Scripture back to back and see the themes woven throughout both. In Genesis we read the role of humanity in stewardship of creation, “God blessed
A Royal, Revolutionary Calling
This past Sunday, we continued our winter series called “Step In: Taking In the Message of Christ”, all about “taking in” the big ideas of Christian faith so that we can believe – and live – differently. Last week, we asked the BIG question (who is God?), and this week we asked perhaps an even more asked question: Who are we? We talked about what it means that we’re made in the “image of God”. Basically, just as an idol or statue (or image)
Time
A guest blog from Shawn Blythe, looking at a reading from last week! As we enter a new year, it is not uncommon to think about time. We think about the things we did during the last twelve-month period, and the things we will do differently in the next twelve months. However, I must admit that my thinking about time goes well beyond what some might consider healthy. I am obsessed with time. What time is it? When does it start?
The Tragedy of Christmas Trees
Two Sundays ago, I spoke about my family's Christmas tree – how it fell, shattered a bunch of prized ornaments, and dispersed irremovable blue glitter forever into my world…some of you have asked me how it’d doing – and I’m happy to report it is still standing, crooked, leaning backwards, a bit pathetic, but it’s there lighting up our living room! But it is dying. Christmas trees, from the moment they’re cut down, are either dead or dying (however you want to
Mary’s Steps of Faith
Throughout December in the women’s bible study, we’ve been taking a careful look at the story of Mary in Luke 1, and have had some fantastic discussions. It’s a perfect Advent bible study to focus on with the women – especially in a year where we are focusing on discipleship, taking steps of faith, and learning to follow Jesus. Mary’s faith – among many other things – is a model for each of us to grow from. Before I go on, take a
The Bible is So Cool!
A blog by Rebecca DeLucia, Next Generation Pastor "The bible is so cool!" I wish I could have captured the look on the child's face as they said this on a Sunday morning. We had just finished our November series called “Unsung Heroes” which covered the book of Ruth. If you aren’t familiar with the Central Kids curriculum we use, called GROW, it has a big idea each week. For the November series the four big ideas were: God gives us companions, God gives
Visions…
A guest blog by Shawn Blythe. Our Bible reading for this week takes us to the book of Revelation. It is a book centered around the vision John experienced while exiled on the island of Patmos. Although I have personally never experienced a vision that I would attribute to God (most of my visions are likely attributable to eating entirely too much before bedtime), the use of visions in the Bible to communicate important information from God is well documented. Old
Survival of the Fittest
I usually find our Wednesday morning men’s bible study conversations fascinating. Today was no different. So much so that it inspired what I wanted to share with you today.With the men’s bible study, we’ve been slowly working our way through Paul’s most ambitious letter – Romans. Today, we spent a lot of time on two deep, challenging, and rich verses from Romans 12: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living
How Beautiful Are the Feet
Hopefully you are following along with our Central Reads bible reading plan, because today’s reading is a beauty. It’s Isaiah 52 – a VERY important passage for how the New Testament writers understood Jesus and all God was doing through him. It begins the oft-read “Suffering Servant” song (which continues into chapter 53…he was pierced for our transgressions…by his wounds we are healed…) that forms so much about how we understand Jesus’ life and death for us. Beautiful and powerful. But it’s verses
The Most Politically Radical Thing You Can Do
The book of Revelation has been on my mind recently. In part, because I knew I’d be preaching from it last Sunday, but also, in part, because I know of a large bible study organization that is focusing on it this year and it’s come up in conversation a lot. As I said on Sunday, it tends to be a book that scares people and/or is just so hard to understand, so people just kind of shy away from it (or