Lectionary C

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This message, based on the familiar story of Mary and Martha, address the issue of busyness and multitasking in our culture, leaving us little time for real leisure. Pastor Mark takes us back to the Greek word for leisure (scholia), and defines leisure as a time for growth and development. He explores many occassions in the Gospel of Luke when Jesus called people away from work. He provides a time for contemplation, and listening to Jesus, toward the end of the message.

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Pastor Mark speaks of five different attitudes toward our neighbors, and the real foundation for the motivation to love our neighbors.

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In this message, Pastor Mark outlines the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in the life of a believer, and offers practical help to life a victorious Christian life.

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In this message, Pastor Mark shares three powers that come from the Holy Spirit, based on the Pentecost gifts of wind, fire and tongues. He also issues a special challenge to the congregation regarding VBS, and reveals an unexpected commitment from Carrie Fisher, Director of Children and Family Ministries, concerning reaching our community.

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This message from Acts 16:16-34 deals with the familiar story of Paul and Silas singing after being beaten with rods and put in stocks. Pastor Mark points out four lessons about trials from this passage, which can help us gain perspective and gain hope for our trials to bring others to faith.

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This message tells the story of the Gospel message spreading from first the Jews in Jerusalem, then to the Greek speaking Jews, and then beyond Jerusalem to Ethiopians, Samaritans and Gentiles. Pastor Mark explores the adjustments that the church made in getting out the messsage, as God does a "new thing" in the 1st Century Church. He also suggests "new things" for our evangelistic efforts as we reach out to a post-Christian culture.

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Pastor Mark delivers this first person message from the Apostle John, three months after the Resurrection of Jesus. He speaks of Jesus' appearances to Mary, the disciples, Thomas and Peter, and shares hope for modern people who are experiencing the same struggles as these friends from the 1st Century.

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The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem began Jesus' final preparation for Redemption through his death, burial and resurrection. Pastor Mark takes elements of this familiar story and asks the congregation to consider how they might prepare for Easter in the year 2010. This sermon contains some brand new statistics from Barna Research, revealing that only 42% of people in America know that Easter has to do with Resurrection. It also encourages the congregation to tell others about the miracles and peace Jesus has created in their lives.

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This message offers timely instruction for parents and grandparents on how to handle discipline in the home. Based on Jesus' Parable of the Two Sons (The Prodigal Son story), Pastor Mark encourages us to deal with our children the same way the Heavenly Father deals with us.

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In this sermon, Jesus answers questions about two tragedies that happened in his time. Why does God allow suffering? What is Jesus' teaching on suffering? Do our personal choices cause our suffering? What does it mean to repent?