Knowing God With Heart and Mind

The Love of God

The entire bible is a love story. Christmas reminds us that God so loved His creation that He did everything He can do to redeem it. 

Adventus: The Same But Different

Christmas is an easy time to think too much about the times gone by, especially this year when so much has changed so fast. Subtle majesty underlies the birth story of Jesus and his gentle, desperate parent’s attempt to find shelter for his birth when we think of the star that lighted their way and the multitude of angels who attended them unseen. Unseen until they spoke to the shepherds and then sang the LORD’s glory. Those plain shepherds saw the first glimpse of what Jesus’ glorious return will be like when the barrier between Heaven and Earth opened before them like curtains. When Christ returns it will be like his birth in some ways and very different in others. 

Adventus: The Kingdom is at Hand

The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Philippians that “the Lord is at hand.” The dictionary definition of the term, “at hand” breaks it down in three ways: a.)Nearby; physically within one's reach b)Currently in need of addressing c)Impending or imminent. An examination of Paul’s declaration in light of this definition suggests that the Lord is physically present, must be attended to, and also imminent (definitely expected). What does this mean and how does it impact our lives?

Adventus: Sooner Than You Think

These days we all know what it's like to look forward to something that we can only imagine. We want to see an end to the pandemic and its consequences but we can't know for sure when that will be and what exactly it will look like. Some have died while awaiting the cure and return to prosperity. Their hope was not in vain, it just wasn't time yet. That's what it is like as Christian Believers await the return of Christ.

Adventus: The Day of the Lord

It is the first Sunday of Advent (proper). It is officially the first Sunday of the new Christian Year. The Church marks the new year by remembering that Christ is coming again soon. What about "the rapture"? What is it? When does it happen? Who will be left behind?

Adventus: The Wedding

Have you ever been in love? If so, what was it like to be physically separated from your lover? Was it hard to hang up the phone when you got to talk? What about precious cards, letters, and gifts? When you heard that your love was coming to you, did your heart leap? Were you counting down the days, hours, and minutes? What was it like to see the love of your life coming toward you? Now, is that how you feel about Christ's return?

Adventus: The 2nd Coming of Christ [11:00 a.m. service]

Christ came once as prophesied and Christ will come again, as prophesied. That's the premise of the latest worship and learning series. Scripture will inform our observations and the Spirit will open our hearts and minds. We will learn that Christ’s return and the prophecies surrounding it are a source of inexpressible hope and joy for Christian Believers since they give understanding and purpose to the trials and temptations we presently endure.

Adventus: The 2nd Coming of Christ [9:00 a.m. Service]

Christ came once as prophesied and Christ will come again, as prophesied. That's the premise of the latest worship and learning series. Scripture will inform our observations and the Spirit will open our hearts and minds. We will learn that Christ’s return and the prophecies surrounding it are a source of inexpressible hope and joy for Christian Believers since they give understanding and purpose to the trials and temptations we presently endure.

Acts: Knowing God with Heart and Mind

How many decisions have you made without really thinking? What about really important decisions? Like, who to vote for, or even whether to trust Christ as your Savior and Lord? In this episode, we will meet the Bereans, "nobler" hearers of the Word because they listened with open minds and enthusiastically "fact-checked" the claims they heard. They applied a vital skill called, critical thinking.

Acts: When the Spirit Says "No"

Ever wonder how to know God's will or direction for your life? In this week's Scripture reading from Acts 16 we read that Paul and his associates were directed by the Spirit and were even told, "no." How does a Christian Believer tap into that kind of divine guidance? We'll talk about it on Sunday and we'll celebrate the Lord's Supper as we remember the saints who rest in His presence.