Service Archives

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “There Go I”, part of the ongoing Sermon Series, “I’m Just Trying to Help”.  We will be reading from John 7:53-8:11 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 112.

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “The Bible Says…”, part of the ongoing Sermon Series, “I’m Just Trying to Help”. We will be reading from Matthew 4:1-11 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 19.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 19)
Leader: The law of the Lord is perfect,
People: Reviving the soul;
Leader: The decrees of the Lord are sure,
People: Making wise the simple;
Leader: The precepts of the Lord are right,
People: Rejoicing the heart;
Leader: The commandment of the Lord is clear,
People: Enlightening the eyes;
Leader: The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
People: The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Leader: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
People: Sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Leader: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
People: Be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus and Satan both use scripture to make their points.
What role does humility play in reading the scriptures?
How can we use the scriptures to lift others up?

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “More Than You Can Handle”. We will be reading from 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 123.

Brothers and sisters,

I wanted to briefly write about our upcoming sermon series, where the inspiration came from, and what I’m hoping we can do over the next four weeks. The sermon series is titled, “I’m Just Trying to Help” and, in this series, we’re going to take a look at some phrases that Christians will say that might not be as helpful as we think they are. In other words, we’re going to look at some cliches that get thrown around in casual conversation and ask ourselves, “Ok, but what does it mean to say that?”

Over these next four weeks, we’re going to look at four phrases. The first is a classic, “God will never give you more than you can handle”—a phrase usually said to folks going through some sort of trial. The second is, “The Bible says…”—something you typically hear when a person wants to make a more generic point about some-thing they believe. Third, the phrase, “But for the grace of God, there go I”—one that a person will sometimes say when they recognize how fragile life can be. Finally, the big one, “Everything happens for a reason”—when someone is going through the unthinkable, we Christians are quick to reach for this one.

In this series, we’re going to talk about why these phrases are not as helpful as we might initially think. But I do not want this to be a negative series. In other words, I don’t want anyone to think this is a series in which we’re going to dogpile anyone who has ever said any of these. Instead, I want this to be a series in which we acknowledge what the phrases are trying to say and how they can unintentionally be hurtful. But, in each sermon, we’re also going to take the time to talk about a better phrase that we can use in place of the four I just listed. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to help each other. If we have better language to use, I think we can help each other more effectively.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Praise and Joy”. We will be reading from Luke 13:10-17 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 71.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 71)
Leader: In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
People: In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
Leader: Incline your ear to me and save me.
People: Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
Leader: For you are my rock and my fortress.
People: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
Leader: From the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
People: For you, O Lord, are my hope,
Leader: My trust, O Lord, from my youth.
People: Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
Leader: It was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
People: My praise is continually of you.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus heals a woman. Her immediate reaction is praise and adoration.
How does God remove obstacles to our joy?
How can being joyful be faithful?

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “A Word like Fire”. We will be reading from Jeremiah 23:23-29 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 80.

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Listen to Your Heart”.  This message is part of an ongoing series titled, “Summer Traditions”.  We will be reading from Luke 12:32-40 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 100.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 100)
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
People: Worship the Lord with gladness;
Leader: Come into his presence with singing.
People: Know that the Lord is God.
Leader: It is he that made us, and we are his;
People: We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
People: And his courts with praise.
Leader: Give thanks to him, bless his name.
People: For the Lord is good;
Leader: His steadfast love endures forever,
People: And his faithfulness to all generations.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus challenges His disciples concerning what they treasure.
What are the things you treasure in this world?
How can you be sure you don’t value them more than God?

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Summer Break”.  This message is part of an ongoing series titled, “Summer Traditions”.  We will be reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 98.

Call to Worship Psalm 98
Leader: O sing to the Lord a new song,
People: For he has done marvelous things.
Leader: His right hand and his holy arm,
People: They have gotten him victory.
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
People: Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Leader: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
People: With the lyre and the sound of melody.
Leader: With trumpets and the sound of the horn
People: Make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Leader: Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
People: The world and those who live in it.
Leader: Let the floods clap their hands;
People: Let the hills sing together for joy
Leader: At the presence of the Lord,
People: For he is coming to judge the earth.

Questions for Further Reflection:
Think back to your own summer breaks.
What was it that made them feel so special?
How can those feelings help you connect with God?

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Vacation”.  This message is part of an ongoing series titled, “Summer Traditions”.  We will be reading from Genesis 1:26-2:4a and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 8.

Questions for Further Reflection:
So often when we go on vacation, we take in the beauty of Creation.
Why might it be so relaxing to be surrounded by nature?
What does that comfort tell us about who God is?

We look forward to joining you in Worship, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Baseball”. This message is part of an ongoing series titled, “The Power and the Glory”. We will be reading from Acts 2:42-47 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 23.

Call to Worship Psalm 23
Leader: The Lord is my shepherd
People: I shall not want.
Leader: He makes me lie down in green pastures;
People: He leads me beside still waters;
Leader: He restores my soul.
People: He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Leader: Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
People: I fear no evil, for you are with me;
Leader: Your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
People: You prepare a table before me,
Leader: In the presence of my enemies;
People: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Leader: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
People: All the days of my life.
Leader: And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
People: My whole life long.

Questions for Further Reflection:
When Luke tells this story, he emphasizes the communal aspect of church.
Why is community so important for church members?
Why is church community so important for outsiders?