Entries for December 2009

Luke 1:39-45 (Pastor Neuendorf) Christmas artwork often portrays a radiant Mary. Christian writing sometimes suggests that neighbors and friends would have been able to see something profound in her eyes. But even though God was working the greatest miracle of his creation in the bodies of Mary and Elizabeth, his work was completely invisible. That's important to remember - because you must ask yourself, am I missing what God is doing in my own life just because it's hidden from sight? Do I look for glorious things - and fail to see God's real miracle?

Luke 7:18-35 (December 13, 2009 - Pastor Neuendorf) We love to follow celebrities - and when they fail we love to follow their decline. Do we do the same with pastors? Jesus challenged his listeners for their shallow celebrity-type interest in John the Baptist, and perhaps in him also.

Philippians 1:2-18 (Pastor Wentzel, December 6, 2009) Paul preached to his jailors when he was imprisoned, and even the Roman guards came to know about Jesus Christ and many came to faith. Pastor Wentzel, a chaplain in the Ann Arbor Police Department, and 4 other men connected with police or fire work, traveled to Panama to witness to those who put others in jail. This sermon included a number of photos that we can't post here, and also two short video segments. You can see those here... The Flat Stanley video... and the witness video (starting with one officer speaking in Spanish which was cut out of Pastor Wentzel's presentation).

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (Pastor Wentzel) Paul wants to come to the Thessalonians to give them "what is lacking in [their] faith". But what could that be? And if he were coming here to preach to us, what would he consider lacking in OUR faith?