Nov 17, 2019
What is Humility?
By: Rev. Bil Hood
Series: (All)

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- Nov 17, 2019What is Humility?
Nov 17, 2019What is Humility?By: Rev. Bil HoodSeries: (All)
Humility is, of course, notoriously elusive. That’s why, of all the hard sayings of Jesus, few are harder than those about humility.
- Nov 10, 2019Are you prepared?
Nov 10, 2019Are you prepared?Series: (All)AS WE GATHER The world is rapidly moving away from a Christian worldview. Are you prepared for this cultural shift? Are you ready to give a reason for your faith? With this passage St. Paul is writing to Christians facing a world like ours is about to become. With this advice he empowers and strengthened the Ephesians to proclaim the Gospel. This empowerment is ours as well in our modern world.
- Oct 6, 2019Spiritual Relationships
Oct 6, 2019Spiritual RelationshipsSeries: (All)AS WE GATHER The gift of faith by which we live one day at a time is something to be practiced, not taken for granted. We are each a mysterious combination of our families, teachers, friends, and experiences. Paul invites us to fan into flame the gifts of God we receive through the people in our lives. Not all gifts feel like blessings. Some are the traumas and losses we inevitably undergo. Even so, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Jesus invites us to let forgiveness, faith, and service become our daily habit. By following in Jesus’ way, we are empowered to freely share that love with every person we meet.
- Aug 18, 2019Watermarked
Aug 18, 2019WatermarkedSeries: (All)
No doubt you know the date of your birthday. But do you know the day of your second birthday- your spiritual birthday? Your Baptism. If you don't, look it up. That's your assignment today and it is important.
- Aug 11, 2019Trusting God – No Matter What!
Aug 11, 2019Trusting God – No Matter What!Series: (All)
The Israel king David wrote in Psalm 27:8: “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” (ESV) As forgiven and beloved children of God who come to close to God our gracious Father with faith in our Savior Jesus and through the power of the Spirit our desire is to glorify God and to genuinely bring God pleasure and joy – instead of selfishly seeking God’s “hand” (symbolically) for some kind of spiritual “handout.” We don’t come to a worship service expecting to “get something” but rather to give ourselves, serve with our abilities, and with our hearts, minds and voices praising and thanking God who comes among us to bless us with His presence, acceptance, forgiveness, love and peace! We celebrate God and His victory for us!
- Aug 4, 2019Meet God
- Jul 28, 2019Abundance
- Jul 14, 2019Involvement
Jul 14, 2019InvolvementSeries: (All)
God’s people have been rescued! The heavenly Father has “delivered us”—rescued us—from the darkness of sin, death, and the power of the devil. He has “transferred us” into the kingdom of grace in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). Against the backdrop of God’s great rescue or deliverance, our Scripture Readings point to the redeeming, restoring work of God. We have been set free to serve God in the power and example of Jesus: He seeks, He loves, He saves.
- May 12, 2019A Matter of Identity
May 12, 2019A Matter of IdentitySeries: (All)As we gather today, we celebrate the gift of our Mothers and hear Jesus describe himself as the Good Shepherd. On this Mother’s Day we remember the healing power of love – God’s love for us and that love lived out in our families. We find our identity in Jesus, the source of that love.
- Apr 21, 2019Consider Jesus
Apr 21, 2019Consider JesusSeries: (All)
Consider that this morning we celebrate a victory - Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was slain for our sins, but He has risen from the dead! Through baptism and faith in His Name we have forgiveness and eternal life. That means that because He has risen, we too will rise. That’s something to celebrate! … Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
- Mar 3, 2019Gracious Giving, Generous Living
Mar 3, 2019Gracious Giving, Generous LivingSeries: (All)
The Apostle Peter is known for “stepping out of the boat” on faith (Matthew 14:22-33). He was able to do that because it was Jesus who was calling Him out of his position of relative security to one of apparent danger. Our leaps of faith aren’t as risky if God is the One calling us to leap. Truthfully, Peter was never in danger because Jesus was right there with him. Likewise, God calls us to step out of our safe comfort zone, into the seemingly dangerous water of generous giving. May we, like Peter, trust God to allow us to do what we ourselves are unable to do – give graciously and live generously!
- Jan 27, 2019I’m Just a Foot
Jan 27, 2019I’m Just a FootBy: Rev. Bil HoodSeries: (All)
The Body of Christ is a common, yet complex term used in the Christian faith. Some may initially think we are talking about the physical body of Christ, as in His human form on earth. But the term "Body of Christ" actually refers to the members of His church, throughout history. Who or what is the body of Christ? Each Christian is a part of the body of Christ. How we work together as this body is up to us.
- Jan 20, 2019Escape from the Past
Jan 20, 2019Escape from the PastSeries: (All)
Right here. Right now. Jesus is present. Take a moment and let that sink in. Jesus—the very Son of God and King of the universe—is present! As He was at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, where He gave the first sign of His glory, He also is present with us today through the Word proclaimed and the “sign” received in His body and blood. The Table will be prepared. The bread and the wine will be plentiful. And you will be invited to come: “Take, eat. Take, drink.” Christ’s true presence is here for you, and you are richly blessed! Savor this hour as we gather and receive Jesus into our midst. What a holy hour this is! Right here. Right now. You are blessed by Jesus’ presence.
- Jan 13, 2019You Are Mine
Jan 13, 2019You Are MineSeries: (All)
Typically when we first meet a new person we'll introduce ourselves by telling them our name, what we do, where we live, etc. But are these outward things the true depth of our identity, or are we much more labels and titles? Who are we...really? Today we'll explore the truth of our identity as Baptized children of God. When we realize how deeply God loves us, giving us his Son Jesus and our true identity, it's as if we hear God say once again "You are Mine". What a great place to begin this New Year, being reminded that you are a "New You" in Jesus Christ Our Lord!
- Jan 6, 2019A Legendary Gift
Jan 6, 2019A Legendary GiftSeries: (All)
Today is Epiphany. It is one of the principal feasts of the Church, formally known as 'The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles'. This festival emphasizes that, from the moment of the Incarnation, the good news of Jesus Christ is for all: Jew and Gentile, the wise and the simple, male and female. Matthew’s account of the Magi is a familiar text. But it is interesting that we have become familiar with the magi - those gift bearers from the east - standing alongside the shepherds in our nativity scenes as if they all belonged there together. It is, in fact, unlikely that these pagan worshipers would be standing alongside Jewish believers. Yet, Christ draws all people to Himself. Epiphany Sunday, therefore, is a great opportunity for us to remember how wonderful it is that Christ has come not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles - which is most of us here today.