This marks the second week of Advent – the theme of which is peace. In our Advent bible study, we discussed the biblical use of the word “peace” (watch the video here to get it – it’s REALLY helpful!).   Peace is more than the absence of conflict.It’s wholeness, completeness, restoration.It is shalom.  As the video said, it’s not just two rival nations no longer at war; it’s the nations now working together. It’s not just letting go of hard feelings; it’s true

Christmastime is here, happiness and cheer!I want to start by saying THANK YOU to all who came out and helped decorate the building for the Christmas season. You are awesome, and the place looks great. We have a lot of exciting events and services through Christmas – so it is so great to have it look the part!The first event is our Light It Up! After Party – THIS SATURDAY – after the Atlantic Highlands tree lighting (at 4PM, so the party

Happy Thanksgiving! I sincerely hope that your Thanksgiving is a good one, filled with delicious food, good laughter, and rest. Take time today to give thanks – to thank God for all that God has given us. When you stop and reflect on all of the reasons we have to be thankful – it can just be overwhelming (in a good way!).  Sometimes we forget that.And so sometimes we need a reminder.  I was reminded of this on Monday when we were

I enjoy writing these weekly emails (well, most weeks…last week, Rebecca wrote it!). It causes me to pause, and reflect on what I’m thinking, on what you (the church) needs to hear, and so on. It gives me a chance to reflect on what’s happening in the world in a non-sermon/speaking form, and that’s important.   But if I’m totally transparent…  Some Wednesdays, I sit down to write – and I can't write - and I think to myself, “I have no ideas

Research being done around Generation Z shows us that Emerging Adults (EAs) primarily care about three core things: identity, belonging and purpose.  The goal of TEAM (The Emerging Adult Mission) is to be a missional community that meets all three of these desires. Before I break down what those three things mean to EAs and how TEAM aims to meet them it's important to define what a missional community is. Very simply a missional community is a group of people who

I’ve been reading a few different authors and their take on The Lord’s Prayer as I’ve prepared for the “We Need to Talk” series. The one I keep coming back to though, is N.T. Wright. So for today’s Central Thoughts, rather than give you my thoughts – I’ll just give you his…because sometimes other people’s thoughts are better than my own.  Talking about what we covered in Sunday’s message (take a moment to read this carefully!),  What then might it mean

During the time of Jesus (and his teaching of the Lord’s Prayer), it was common for sons to learn the trade of their fathers – to be apprenticed in their father’s vocation – so that as they grew, they could follow in their dad’s footsteps, learn the trade, and essentially, establish their vocation in life.As New Testament scholar and theologian, N.T. Wright, points out in his book “The Lord and His Prayer”, for Jesus to address God in prayer as “Father”

If I’m being honest (and I always try to be…sometimes a little too honest!), I’ve never been great with prayer. I pray, and I am ok with it - but it’s never been a ‘strength’ for me. I’ve known people – maybe like you – who are great with prayer, as they have rich, deep, filling prayer lives. That's so awesome.   But it’s not natural. And Jesus knew it.  It’s why he had to teach us to pray. In fact, in Luke’s

Like so many of you, I woke up this weekend to see the news reports of the horrors taking place in Israel, and subsequently, in Gaza. As I’ve read the reports and have seen the images coming out of the terrorist attack and resulting war,   I am reminded of humanity’s amazingly horrible capacity for cruelty.  In the women’s bible study on Tuesday morning, we prayed for those involved in the conflict – and then went on to study the bible. We happened

Yesterday I got the chance to attend the Orange Tour, a conference which brings together thought leaders from all over the country to discuss doing ministry both for and with the next generation. This year the conference was called "See you Tomorrow" and focused on how we can help kids and teenagers build a faith that will last, how we can help a generation become confident enough to keep following Jesus even when their expectations are not met, because "tomorrow