On patriotic holidays we ask for God's blessing.  God desires to bless more than America, the ancient covenant calls for a blessing on "all the families of the earth."  How does this come about, and what does it mean for our lifes?  

Click on the link below to hear about God's plan.

Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 

AUDIO FILE: Blessed to be a Blessing

When you are facing challenges, criticism, or being picked on - where is the hope?  By finding Jesus in the poetry of Psalm 69, we can realize how close Jesus is; even in our hardest times.  

Click on the link below to hear a message of hope.

AUDIO FILE: Jesus in the Psalms

Can you separate the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New?  What happens when we pick and choose what we think God should be like?  These are important questions which will impact your life.  By starting with the introduction to the Gospel according to John, you can start to have a framework to understand Jesus.  And as we understand Jesus, we know God.  

Click on the link below to hear the sermon from Pastor Dirk

John 1:1-18

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning..."

AUDIO FILE: Essential Jesus Introduction

On Palm Sunday, Pastor Tom DeVries was at ERC to share a message on allowing listening to make a difference.  Pastor Tom is the General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America.

Click on the Link below to listen to the head of the RCA at ERC.

Matthew 21:1-11

The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" 

AUDIO FILE: Sermon - When Listening Makes a Difference

If you are seeking to follow Jesus there is more work beyond forgiveness.  We are called to be ambassadors for Christ and be committed to the ministry of reconciliation.  In this message Jennifer Gieser (pastor Dirk's wife), shares about this call which is placed upon your life when you become a Christian.  

Click on the link below to listen.

John 14:6-21

"Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them."

AUDIO FILE: Sermon - Reconciliation

We are loved by God and offered a brand new life through Jesus - but then life happens.  How do we respond when we are hurt, wronged, or mistreated?  Jesus has some guidance on how to respond - forgiveness.  This is easier said than done.  How do we forgive?

Click on the link below to listen to this sermon from March 30 at ERC.

Matthew 6:5-15  
"When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.  But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.   "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.   Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!   Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.   May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.   Give us today the food we need,  and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.  And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.  
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.   But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

AUDIO FILE: March 30 Sermon - Forgiveness