Entries for July 2009

The Hubble Ultra Deep Field Study (Look Here)  is an unlikely place to get sermon inspiration, and yet the contrast between our problems (which we might picture as a tiny, hard lump) and God's power is striking. (Pastor Neuendorf 7/26/2009)

Jeremiah 23:1-6  from July 19, 2009

A rose smells like a rose no matter what you call it. A rotten ruler still smells rotten even if he's called "Prince Charming." In Jeremiahs's prophecy, the name for the Messiah fits like a perfectly-sized glove... "YHWH Zedekeynu: Yahweh Our Righteousness." What a blessing for us that His name is synonymous with His identity and character. (Pastor Wentzel)

Mark 6:7-13  from July 12, 2009

When Jesus sent his disciples out to share the good news, He told them to take nothing along. But did He really mean nothing? Or did He only mean a little bit? Maybe it's time for us to take another look at our own packing - and what keeps us from answering God's call to go out with the Good News. (Pastor Neuendorf)

2 Corinthians 12:1-10  from July 5, 2009

Jesus was rejected by His hometown. Ezekiel is called to prophesy to obstinate and stubborn people. Paul has to minister with a thorn in his flesh. What is your particular burden? How do you overcome it? (Pastor Wentzel)

Mark 5:21-43  from June 28, 2009

We all want preferential treatment. When we eat out, we insist on good service as well as good food. I even read about a woman who called the police on a Burger King employee that couldn't get her order right! How do we deserve to be treated as God's children? How does God decide to treat us anyway?

2 Corinthians 6:12-13  from June 21, 2009

Paul uses his example of open-heartedness as a pry bar to open wide the hearts of the people of Corinth to receive him as their pastor. Why are our hearts so closed, and to what aspect of God's calling? If they are closed, what will it take to get them open?

Mark 4:26-34  from June 14, 2009

Jesus told a whole bunch of parables that start with, "This is what the kingdom of God is like..." But is that where we live each day? Or do we live in a kingdom of our own design? What would a parable be like if it described the kingdom of your life? (Pastor Neuendorf)

Acts 2:28, 33  from June 7, 2009

Why must we make the concept of God so difficult? What's all this about a "trinity"? But the beauty of the Bible's teaching about God's nature is that it reveals the origin of God's love and relationship with us. (Pastor Wentzel)

Acts 2:1-21  from Pentecost Day, May 31, 2009

When we want to be with God, we often think of going off alone somewhere. But God calls us into community, into the Body of Christ. We think about our ministry of "small groups" and want to invite you to be a part of growing together. (Pastor Wentzel)

Acts 1:1-11  from Ascension Day, May 24, 2009

(Pastor Wentzel)