Waking

February 12, 2023  Message Big Idea What is the first thing you do upon waking? How does that shape your view of the day? Of yourself? Of God? What we do first thing in the morning says a lot about our true priorities. To what or to whom will we give the first fruits of each day’s time and attention? …

Spiritual Practice of the Week: Morning Routine

Here are four morning routines to help you start your day with God: Invest in a Bible Reading Plan. One of the common reasons why people don’t read the Bible is because they simply don’t know where to start! If you’re having trouble with where to start, don’t fret. Invest in a Bible reading plan. It can be a good way …

The One in the Storm

February 5, 2023  Message Big Idea Sometimes we encounter ‘great’ and powerful storms in our lives which stir up visceral fear and doubt. Yet, there is one who can speak ‘great’ calm into our situations, at a word, bending reality to His divine will. In light of this, how can we not respond in ‘great’ fear and awe at the …

Spiritual Practice of the Week: Gratitude

The Bible reminds us that every good thing comes from heaven above (James 1:17) and the spiritual practice for this week involves recalling to your mind and heart the particular good things you have experienced throughout your day. This practice helps you to see God’s grace in your life even during the tough times and when practiced over time, fosters …

Celebration

January 29, 2023  Message Big Idea Celebration is not typically included among the common Christian practices or virtues. Yet, we have much to celebrate, even within our daily rhythms of ongoing work.  God, in the creation narrative, modeled how to slow down and take pleasure in one’s work. We too should form a habit of celebration, making time daily for …

Selah

January 24, 2023 –  Pastor Bill Yaccino The hurried nature of our day can quickly leave us frantic, anxious and weary. We may end our day wondering where the stillness and peace of the morning went. But consistently planning and experiencing selah pauses throughout our day will do much to break the grip of hurry, remind us of God’s nearness, …

Spiritual Practice for the Week: Breath Prayer

The Breath Prayer can help us learn to pray unceasingly. It is a way to have on our lips what is always on our heart. In Hebrew the word ruach has three meanings: “wind,” “breath,” and “Spirit.” The best known Breath Prayer is called the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” (Luke …

Sabbath

January 15, 2023 –  Pastor Mark Albrecht Message Big Idea – The Sabbath can be a contentious topic in Christian discourse.  It can be implemented as a rigid and laborious practice. On the other hand, it can be rejected as archaic and unneeded.  But Christ specifically notes that the Sabbath was made for our needs. Furthermore, we are still called …

Stillness

January 8, 2023 –  Pastor Mark Albrecht Message Big Idea – Our habits are formative. That is, they determine who we are becoming. So, we must examine our habits through a biblical lens, adapting to firmly keep ourselves in the grooves of grace God has provided for the Christian life. The first habit is stillness. Jesus habitually practiced stillness by …

Still on the Throne

Rest Assured – God Reigns

January 1, 2023 –  Pastor Mark Albrecht Message Big Idea – Daniel 10-12 offers some timely insights as we start 2023. It informs how we should view human conflicts and world events and depicts the horrors of human evil concentrated in the State. Yet, this passage shows how Christians should respond: expectation and prayer. In this way, we press into …