Embrace the Ordinary

Even as we come to terms with the fact that there is no “normal” in our future, we can embrace the idea of ordinary time, the long season on the Christian calendar without major holidays or festivals. Because after all, we believe that God can and does meet us in the course of everyday life!

Message line-up:

6/6

Mothers, Brothers, and Kings

Pastor Scott Austin

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The readings this week contain a prophet’s warning against earthly kings and Jesus’ apparent rejection of his earthly family. Are these the natural result of Paul’s observation that “what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal”, or is there something else going on?

Psalm 138; 1 Samuel 8:4–10; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:31–35

6/13

Seeds, Trees, and Faith

Pastor Scott Austin

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The readings this week contain spiritual teachings using agricultural metaphors. Any gardener can affirm Paul’s claim that “we walk by faith, not by sight”—and Jesus’s hopeful reminder that “the earth produces of itself”.

Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15; Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17; Mark 4:26-34

6/20

Questions at Sea

Pastor Scott Austin

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The story of Jesus calming the storm while on a boat with his disciples is famous for his declaration to the wind and the waves: “Peace! Be Still!”. Yet there are four questions in this short passage, and these also hold much meaning for us.

Mark 4:35–41; Psalm 107: 1–3, 23–32

6/27

Love and Lament

Pastor Scott Austin

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In the midst of grief and pain, it is natural to ask the big question: WHY? And as people of faith, we want to know where God fits in all of it. The book of Lamentations offers us no tidy answers for our pain, but it does point us toward Love.

Lamentations 3:22–33

7/4

B.Y.O. Backyard Brunch

No service today. Join us for our B.Y.O. Backyard Brunch.

7/11

Every Spiritual Blessing

Pastor Scott Austin

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The opening paragraph of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is rich with poetic language about the blessings of God. Adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, riches, and more! Each reader will resonate more deeply with certain parts than others—and this is part of the beauty of Christian community!

Ephesians 1:3–14

7/18

Sheep and Shepherds

Pastor Scott Austin

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From the most famous of all the Psalms to Jesus having compassion on a crowd, the scriptures are full of shepherding language. But it’s not always idyllic and peaceful. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus reveals a God who is closest to us in our time of deepest need.

Psalm 23; Jeremiah 23:1–6; Ephesians 2:11–22; Mark 6:30–34

7/25

Always Near

Matt Nightingale

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We are always in the presence of God, and we can cultivate an awareness of that presence through simple practices and the ordinary moments of life.

Psalm 145:10–18

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