Noah’s Ark is not a children’s story. Let’s read it as adults, and see how the message of Jesus helps us understand a classic story of the Bible.

(This service was recorded live outside under the pavilion, so there was no facebook live video, and the recording sounds a bit different).

Temptation is something everyone can relate to. But not everyone responds the same. It is not a simple as “just say no.” Looking at some great stories from the Bible, we will be seeing how temptation can go really bad, or how we can have hope even when tempted.

It doesn’t have to be summer to go stargazing - but it helps because you don’t have to worry about freezing. But when you look up at the stars, what do you see? Some see points of light, others see flaming balls of fire light years away, but you can also see God’s faithfulness. God invited Abram out of his tent, and to look up and count the stars…

This song was part of the inspiration for the message:

Your faith is not simply a matter of knowledge or feelings. As God’s children, there is so much more. We can look back at the Jewish roots of our faith, and learn a great deal. Hear, O Israel…

It is possible to miss all that God has for you. It isn’t just about missing out on blessings God might want you to enjoy, or that thing God might be called you to do, but it can be missing out on who God is. God comes as creator Father, God comes as familiar Son, but also as the otherly Spirit. On Pentecost we remember the gift to the first disciples, the gift which began the church, and the gift which can take up deeper into the spiritual life God wants us to have. Don’t be content with just part of God.

Sometimes God says wait. For as active and purposeful as God is - waiting is often part of His plan. So how do we deal with this? What does it mean to wait well? The Bible talks about waiting for God. Let us learn to make the most of the waiting and receive the most from God!

How do you discover God’s will for you life? What does it mean to give up your control to God?

Have you ever had plans not go as you expected? Has something happened in your life that changed your course dramatically? You just may be able to relate to Joseph in the Bible. The story of Joseph will help you navigate your new reality with a little more confidence.

In somewhere around 500 sermons, I have never preached a “Mother’s Day” sermon. It is not that I have anything against mothers or mother’s day, and in 2019 things are changing. While mother’s day is not something from the Bible, the idea behind the day certainly is. So let us honor our mothers, and grow closer to God.

What does it take to live together as God desires? While much has changed in the world, the fundamentals are the same. Having just returned from a mission trip with 27 people from 4 different churches, Pastor Dirk shares how biblical truths apply to our lives today.

Power to Forgive the Unforgivable

We long for power to forgive so that both the relationship is healed and justice is served. But where does that kind of power come from? Is it found in the self-care the world promotes, or is it found in the self-giving love and humility born of God's presence in the heart? By examining the life of Jesus before his resurrection we will discover that all the power we need to forgive has already been given to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, we will discover the shocking truth that forgiveness which brings new life is not based on self-care, but self-sacrifice. It's when we're the most humble that we have the most power to forgive for it's in our weaknesses, not perfections that we experience extraordinary measures of grace. Surely, the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is mighty enough to powerfully resurrect our relationship from death to new life!

The inconceivable can seem impossible - but it isn’t.

We use the term worship, but what does worship look like in our lives? Is it an hour or two in a religious service with others? Is it singing? Is it only in the “holy” moments? It can be those things, but it is often more. It can be something that happens at home, in a car, on a walk or in a sanctuary. Sometimes it is all in our minds, other times it comes out our mouth, and results in action. In this message, we will be jumping off from a special worship word, “Hosanna.” It didn’t start out as a worship word, but because of what God did - it became one.

What are you hoping to achieve in life? Most every “expert” will tell you to set some goals. Well, the Bible has been around much longer than our modern day experts - and it talks about goals too. Goals we are to strive toward, work toward, and keep focused on. What are our goals of gratitude? (Sermon 4/7)

It can be nice to give a little thank you gift to a dinner host. God has invited us to the greatest feast ever - do we need to bring a thank you gift? It is complicated by the fact that everything we have is actually God’s to begin with (He made it all, it is all His). So it is impossible to give an appropriate gift, but God offers some guidance for our gratitude. (sermon coming 3/31)

Is your life full of gratitude? Studies have shown the many great benefits of gratitude - but yet so often that is not how we respond. Even if the glass is only 1/4 full - at least it isn’t empty. And the reality is, when we know God our cup is overflowing and we don’t even realize it at times. God’s love is amazing. God’s grace is all we need. God’s blessings come in so many ways - so how do we see this and how can we be grateful enough?

If it is earned, it isn’t grace. Out of God’s love you are offered salvation from all that makes you guilty - this is the amazing grace we sing about. If you want some good news, it is found in this message of hope. (Sermon coming 3/17)

Having guilt in your life is not God’s plan - but God’s plan does involve guilt. Guilt is Good only when you take the steps to make sure Guilt is Gone. It is one of those impossible things that God makes possible. (Sermon 3/10)

God wants you to be complete - and one of the ways God can complete you is your love. The love of our hearts can enrich us in wonderful ways - but when it is not in tune with God’s love and God’s ways (which are completely intertwined) - in can leave a hole or cause a wound. This final sermon in our love series will help you discover and live in a complete love - A love which makes all the difference.

There is so much great stuff in this world - doesn’t everyone love puppies and kittens? God created this good world, and God created humans with the ability to experience pleasure - while maybe not everyone -lots of people love a good massage.

The love of the stuff of now, the things around us everyday, isn’t bad if it is done in God’s way. The love of the things of this world can help us grow into who God wants us to be, or break our hearts - let’s get it right! (Sermon coming 2/24)