When asked how we are, it seems a point of pride to be able to answer that we are sooo busy. Many of us were raised thinking that to be idle, was to be lazy and wasteful. Productivity and efficiency are the name of the game! It's almost shameful to be unproductive. But maybe moving slowly, resting, and nurturing the tired parts of ourselves is more helpful than we think. The gardener knows that letting a plot lay fallow, and giving manure time to work, and waiting patiently for the seeds to sprout are all their own kind of productivity. Maybe we can discover that it's productive enough to do the same for our own souls. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0pL61h89o

Don't you just hate it when people don't behave as you would like, outcomes don't fit your agenda, and the world at large seems to disregard your preferences?! It's like trying to herd cats - none of them seem care at all about what you want, and they certainly aren't going to do what you direct them to do! What if we could let go of needing all things and all people to be “just so” and instead learn to be at peace with the unfolding of that which is not ours to control? Even Jesus was frustrated with others - it's a very human response to life. We all like to have control in our lives, but so much is out of our control. Maybe instead of controlling life around us, we can learn to enjoy improvising alongside God, and be at peace. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePZ0PVa-6b8

We find ourselves hungry for many things that we believe will bring us satisfaction. We are quick to jump at any chance for glory, fame, fortune, and instant gratification. What are the temptations that catch your ear, singing out promises that your life should be more special than it is? What if ordinary life is already holy – as is? Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCJw9l_Qeb8

Message Synopsis We find ourselves hungry for many things that we believe will bring us satisfaction. We are quick to jump at any chance for glory, fame, fortune, and instant gratification. What are the temptations that catch your ear, singing out promises that your life should be more special than it is? What if ordinary life is already holy – as is? Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWMRd6cKAUs

From the First Note: The Journey of a Musician A Morning of Encouragement & Worship with Minister of Music Andy Riggs. Join us for a very special music-filled worship celebration. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ7As8a4DYg

Our own Rhonda Tamulonis brings a message of love, reflecting upon Valentine's Day. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUQy-2R72Dk

Life can be exhausting! All the effort it takes to get ahead, keep up, and move up can wear us down. Even with good self-care and the best of Christian intentions, it really can feel like we live in a rat race. With concern for ourselves, our families, our jobs, our relationships, our security, and our well-being, it is hard to find a moment - much less a place - of rest, belonging, and safety. But indeed, there is such a place. At the table with Jesus everyone has a place, everyone is loved, and everyone can rest easy. Jesus has gifted us his table as a place of welcome, acceptance and renewal, and he invites all of us to join him there. Feeling worn out, stressed, or alone? Come to the table of Jesus. All are welcome, and all means all. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoPD2lPmZcQ

How To Do Hard Things: Together Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel and Online Sometimes we avoid doing hard things because we get overwhelmed by the magnitude and scope of the thing. We convince ourselves that there is no way we can do all things that are required to complete the task. And especially when God calls us to a God-sized task, we are sure we can't do it! But we forget that as members of the Body of Christ (the Church) we are not called to do everything - only those things that God has specifically crafted and equipped us to do. God has crafted and equipped others to do the things we can't do, so that together, we can do hard things! Wondering how to do hard things? 1. Discover what God wants you to do and lean into God's strength, gifts, and purposes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G730s4lc-ds&t=1352s 2. Step outside of your comfort zone. That's where you will find God and God's best for you and the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na2XVOumBIM 3. Don't try to do everything. Do those things that only you can do and let others do what only they can do. God has it all worked out! Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhTesHJbTMY

We all have a comfort zone. What’s your comfort zone? We don’t want to worry about making ends meet, we want to have enough food, clothes, and conveniences to make life, well – comfortable. And we don't want to have hard conversations, face conflict, or work too hard, either. While there is nothing inherently wrong with pursuing security, peace of mind, or well-being, we sometimes place our comfort above the hard things God calls us to do. So what do we do when our desire for comfort bumps headlong into God's call to do hard things? We have to step outside our comfort zones. Wondering how to do hard things? 1. Discover what God wants you to do and lean into God's strength, gifts, and purposes. (See message of January 5, 2025) 2. Step outside of your comfort zone. That's where you will find God and God's best for you and the world. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na2XVOumBIM

Ever heard the rumor, “You can do anything you set your mind to!”? Spoiler Alert: It’s not true. At least not literally. No matter how badly we want to run 100 mph, or read a language we've never learned, or stay awake for 30 days straight, we simply cannot do these things. But we can do hard things, and some things that are seemingly impossible. It's a matter of what those things are and who is providing the impetus, power, and resources to do those hard things. Our own wild dreams that defy physical limits are not the hard things we can do. But when God calls us to do hard things, we can trust that God will supply all we need to get them done. Wondering how to do hard things? 1. Discover what God wants you to do and lean into God's strength, gifts, and purposes. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G730s4lc-ds