Church guide

This is the first Sunday with our new interim Pastor, Kevin York. Did a good job. We're trusting God to move through his ministry.

Here's yesterday's message from John 4:43-54. We explore what it means to take God's Word by faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AEWB9ap9MY

This was my final Sunday as Pastor for the time being. Pray for the church as we transition and seek God's Face for His direction moving forward. Pray also for my wife and I in this season of need.

Here's yesterday's message from John 4:1-42. We explore Jesus' real purpose in going through Samaria - more than just winning one soul, He was looking to show His disciples that there was more harvest available than their cultural expectations might lead them to believe. And the same is true today - the harvest is there, if we'll just go after it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5XQVaGujtw

Here's Sunday's message from John 3. We answer the question of who John understood was first in His life, and who needs to be first in our lives - Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTcKPto9wdY

There are days in ministry that are wonderful and joyous - and I have had many of them over these last few years. There are also days that are hard and painful. Such was today. Not to go into detail, but my family has been facing some serious challenges, and at the advice of several friends and trusted sources, ultimately at the advice of our DS, Rev. Metcalfe, I have decided to step away from ministry for a season to focus on getting healthy again. We will be reevaluating in about six months, but as of the end of this month, I will no longer be pastoring this church. Today was the day to tell the congregation. We covet your prayers in this season, and hope and pray that God will bring improvement and healing through this time.

This was a small congregation day, so we did things a little differently. We did a singspiration and devotional time, rather than our usual full scheduled outline of the service. We concluded with a "Thank You, God!" communion service, such as I have only experienced once but remember fondly with Dr. Gene Lain. As each person receives each element, they take the time to express something they are thankful for. Time consuming, but very sweet.

Here's yesterday's message from John 3:1-21 about the core of life - spirit birth and all it means. Be challenged, seek His face, and share this truth with those who don't know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsnW7WrdekI

Here's the link to yesterday's message from John 2:12-17, raising the question how God can be angry when He's perfect love and perfect holiness. Enjoy, and be challenged. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BixF1ax9P0I

Here's Sunday's message from John 2:1-11. We explore Jesus' approach to the miraculous in His first miracle, turning water into wine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPxitPVkOuU

Here's our message yesterday from John 1:29-51. We explore the invitations that were given to check Jesus out from John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, and other disciples, and were reminded of the importance of inviting people ourselves to check Jesus out without waiting to have all the answers together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOuDlF6EjMU

Here's Sunday's message from John 1:1-28. We take a fresh look at who Jesus is, and explore what that means to us. It was great to have Pastor Angela Mcafee-Kress join us with her congregation, Abundant Love Church of the Nazarene. What a PRIVILEGE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyDFGQs8tu4

Next week, we will be beginning a study through the Gospel of John.

Here's our fifth and final message from the "Home Run" series. Once you've gone around the bases to Third, you still need to cross home plate to score, and we do that by doing all that we do for God's glory and intentionally bringing that glory to Him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFaExEZl5tM

Here's the fourth message in this "Home Run" series. Here we explore what has become the major God of our American culture - especially for men - excellence in our work. How often do we find ourselves believing that our excellence is the be-all, end-all of life? The reality is that God calls us to excellence, but only in a proper balance and order of priority. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nynh8M-ArRI

Here's the third message in our "Home Run" series. On the grounds of walking in dependence on God and living in integrity, we can successfully begin to navigate healthy relationships. We consider how that works and why in this message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAwPnpkZrD0

Here's message number two from the "Home Run" series. Once we learn to walk in dependence on God, we next need to focus on our internal life, a walk of integrity and consistent character that is only accomplished with Christ living through us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dCsbr9Bklk

This week we began a new series for the month of May. Based on the book "Home Run!" by Kevin Myers and John Maxwell, we're using Kevin's baseball diamond analogy to explore the priorities of our daily lives. The first one - home plate - is living in utter dependence on God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlSAEBLMU_k

Here's Sunday's message concluding our series on Biblical fellowship. We deal with two major landmines that blow up fellowship - fear and pride - and remind ourselves that humble love is God's Minesweeper to defeat these subtle and all-impacting problems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwADexHTFK0

Here's Sunday's message on the importance of holding one another accountable - being our brother's keeper. I pray that God will challenge each of us on this point - it's hard, but it's worth it. I believe these truths, if we walk them, will help us retain and restore relationships, grow closer to one another and the Lord, and truly create an atmosphere that is positive and beneficial. The video is still processing, so be a little patient. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WknkQK8xSdE&edit=vd