Inherited Identity

This Sunday we will continue with our sermon series “Diving Deeper.”  We’re currently on the second part of the series which focuses on knowing and loving self. Loving ourselves requires self-awareness, and an important perspective of self-awareness is understanding our family history. We all have ties that connect us across generations. And these ties shape our lives and actions. Remember that family history doesn’t guarantee outcomes, but it empowers us to make informed choices about our health, finances and lifestyle. In Genesis 20 the story of Abraham's deception to Abimelech is seen playing out in Isaac's life too (Genesis 26). Jacob, Isaac's son also lives a life filled with deception, which is seen in his sons. We can clearly see a web of lies trickling down from one generation to the next. This clearly reveals the power of inherited identity! The good news is that God's work is not limited by the flaws in our family history. Through faith in Jesus, we are made into a new creation. Self-awareness in Christ allows us to identify the inherited identity that we are unconsciously living so that we can be set free to be who God created us to be.

See you in-person or online at 10:30am Sunday,

and if you haven’t already- be sure and register for our All In event this Saturday on our events page!

Peace,
Pastor Mark Nsimbi

Loving Too Much

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) says, “The Lord your God …will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Can we ever love too much? Probably not, if that love is rooted in God or from healthy motives. We all know that what we deem to be love can become an unhealthy force, rooted in co-dependency, selfishness, or a sense of control.

Most of us have been blessed by having mothers who loved us, protected us, stood up for us, forgave us when we made mistakes, and tried to teach us to live in a healthy way. That’s how God’s love is for us. He nurtures us and delights when we come to Him. We are the apple of his eye!

When our youngest daughter was preschool age, she had several dolls that she mothered over with all her heart. I remember that one was called “Laughing Baby,” and another one was named “Coach Prince.” What a weird name! She fed them, kept them swaddled and took them with her every place she’d go. One day she came in the house with a large, wounded grasshopper. I had always thought that grasshoppers looked creepy, and this one was no exception. Well, she made a little bed for it, put a band aid over it then wrapped it snuggly in a miniature blanket. She would talk to it and sing to it. The next morning, however, the grasshopper had died. She had loved it too much!

How can we avoid “loving” in unhealthy ways? 1. By looking at others’ needs and not just our own. 2. By not spoiling our children -easier said than done, right? 3. By choosing our relationships carefully, seeking counsel from God and others who are spiritually mature. 4. By trying to balance our lives so our hobbies or work don’t overpower our lives. 5. And living by 1Corinthians 16:14, “Doing everything in love.”

We can never love God too much. He is the source of our joy, strength, and “mothers” over us by sending His Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to counsel us, to intercede for us, and teach us.

Join us this Sunday in-person or online to expand your view of how God works in our lives.

Pastor Jackie White

Connection

Good morning Church!

Today I thought we could go through a devotional together to prepare our hearts for worship tomorrow. One of Mark's sermon reflection questions is, "What imperfections or weaknesses have you learned to accept in yourself? How has this acceptance impacted your relationships with others?" and it reminded me of Dr. Brene Brown's TED talk on shame and vulnerability. Let's watch it together:

Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability | TED Talk

I love that as she reflects on her research she finds that the people who have a strong sense of love and belonging, believe they are worthy of love and belonging. And that she says the thing that keeps us out of connection is the fear that we are not worthy of connection. 

"And so here's what I found. What they had in common was a sense of courage. And I want to separate courage and bravery for you for a minute. Courage, the original definition of courage, when it first came into the English language -- it's from the Latin word "cor," meaning "heart" -- and the original definition was to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart. And so these folks had, very simply, the courage to be imperfect."

Let's look at Pastor Mark's question again: "What imperfections or weaknesses have you learned to accept in yourself? How has this acceptance impacted your relationships with others?"

As we reflect on this question, let's remember the characteristics of God. We can remember the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22&23 which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is what God feels like, and sounds like. As we think on our imperfections we can remember that God does not shame us, but wants us to have connection with us and with one another. And, in our own spiritual formation, we recognize that God loves us despite our imperfections- but it's God's goodness that leads us to repentance. Not shame. Let me repeat that again: it's God's goodness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4).

So if we really let Dr. Brene Brown's research affect us, we can turn to Jesus. We can turn to the cross. We can be courageous in seeking connection with one another by being vulnerable, and we can create space for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts- connecting with God's presence and allowing God to transform us. 

"The other thing that they had in common was this: They fully embraced vulnerability. They believed that what made them vulnerable made them beautiful. They didn't talk about vulnerability being comfortable, nor did they really talk about it being excruciating -- as I had heard it earlier in the shame interviewing. They just talked about it being necessary."-Brene

Take some time to reflect and pray. Take some time with the Lord and allow God to work in you. I will do it with you. 

Peace be with you friends,

Chelsea Maitland,

Worship Leader

"Quick rhythm, small breath

The gift of life- Against my neck. "

I wrote this on a whim while holding my first baby. Sitting in a rocking chair in his attic-like nursery- with newborn poop sprayed on the wall- I felt his heartbeat rapidly moving my skin, his uneven breath on my neck, and I wrote this poem. Four wild years later, I stand in a new house, with a third baby against my chest- feeling his uneven breath and his rapid heartbeat. His body and face fast asleep- ear pressed against my chest- breathing into my chin so close I can feel his tiny breath on my skin. And it occurred to me: is this what it looks like to remain in Jesus? To be face to face. Ear pressed against the heart of Jesus. To be looking at who Jesus really is and what Jesus stood to love, defend, speak for, do. To listen to what Jesus said so closely we can feel the very pulse of His heart? 

On Sunday Pastor Linda is preaching from John 15, when Jesus said, "  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I love the Message version of this passage because it says, "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you." John 15:4. 

As an artist, this passage makes me think about writer's block. If I'm trying to write music, lyrics, a poem, and I don't have any inspiration- it's because I'm not listening to music, reading books, reading poems, following artists, etc. that inspire me. In the same way, if we want to remain in Jesus we need to seek Him. Not that Jesus is just here to inspire us- unless we are looking at the root of the word, "inspire"- which means, "breathe",  In which case yes! Jesus is with us to breathe into us. To breathe life into us. 

To remain in Jesus is to live the words and life of Jesus and to follow what Jesus did then, and what God is doing now. And we can know what God is doing now by seeking God and trusting that by seeking God, God will reveal God's self to us. 

Let's do that, shall we? Let's press our ear to the heart of Jesus because we trust that God holds us like a parent holds their child. Let's turn our faces to Jesus so close that we could maybe just feel the breath of God on our face. What does God look like? What does God sound like? We can find out by living in Jesus, by listening for God's voice, by living the way of Jesus, and by expecting that God's presence- the Holy Spirit- is with us now. Abide in God. Remain in Jesus. Expect the Holy Spirit. 

See you in-person or online at 10:30am Sunday friends,

Peace be with you.

Chelsea Maitland

Listening with Expectancy

Happy Saturday, Church!

This Sunday Pastor Mark is taking us through 1st Samuel 3:1-11 to talk about hearing God's voice and continuing our sermon series, Diving Deeper. I found some things about the first 7 verses that I love and wanted to share with you today, so let's start by reading them together:

Samuel 3:1-7

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.”

There are three things that stand out to me about this passage:

1. that God speaks to everyone. Even people who do not know God. Verse 7 says, "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him." God was speaking to Samuel even though Samuel did not know God's voice.

2. Eli is expectant that God will and is speaking to his son, Samuel. After the third time Samuel goes to Eli thinking Eli was calling for Samuel, Eli does not send Samuel back to his bed. He doesn't discount that Samuel is hearing his name. Eli believes Samuel- believes that his son is hearing God call Samuel's name- and sends him back to listen to God's voice. Eli is expectant that God will speak to his son. Wow. 

3. Sometimes, God's voice sounds like other voices. In this instance, Samuel thought God's voice was his dad's. When I hear God's voice, sometimes it sounds like my own voice. That being said, it's so important to check in with how you feel when you are listening, and check what you hear with what we know God is like. We know God is good, loving, kind, patient, and just. We know God is not condemning, God is not shame, anxiety, fear, and we know God does not hide from us. So if we hear something that makes us feel what God is not, then it is likely not God and we can have peace in the fact that we know what God is like and who God is. In the same way, if we hear something that makes us feel the things that we know God is, then it's quite possible that God has spoken. 

As we listen for God's voice, let's also remember that God can speak differently to each of us. And God will speak differently to each of us because we are God's children and God knows us better than we know ourselves. Let's try it out. 

Place yourself in an environment where you find peace. Go for a walk. Pick up a pen and paper. Paint. Lie down. Listen to worship music. Go for a run. Do what gives you peace, because God is peace. Say to God what Samuel says: "Here I am Lord, you called me. Speak." Recognize the first thing you hear. Check with how you feel, and what you know God is like. Be expectant that God will and is speaking, and know that God will speak in a way that you will hear God, because God loves you. It may not be right away, it may not even be tomorrow. But you will hear God, you just have to listen. 

See you tomorrow in-person at 10:30am or online friends,

Chelsea Maitland

Worship Leader

Listen

This week we are continuing our sermon series called, “Diving Deeper” and Pastor Mark will preach out of Matthew 14, when Jesus calls to Peter to come out and walk on the water with him. One thing I love about this passage is that Jesus sees that the disciples are terrified- and he calls out to them and says, “Take courage! It’s me, Jesus. Don’t be afraid!”. And then Peter tests him out and says, “If it’s you Jesus, call me out to come with you on the water.” And Jesus obliges him and calls Peter out on the water.

We can do the same thing Peter does, when we are praying. We can remember that God is not fearful, anxious, angry, or condemning. We can remember that Jesus says to us, “Don’t be afraid! It’s me Jesus!”.

The following is a prayer from Pastor Jackie designed to help us listen for God’s voice. As you pray and read this, remember Peter: “If it’s you Jesus, call me out to come with you!” Check how you feel as you are praying- am I feeling anxious? God is not anxious, so if you feel anxious while you are praying you can say to God, “God speak truth to me as I listen.” Am I feeling scared? Jesus says, “take courage! It’s me Jesus! Don’t be afraid”. So you can pray, “Jesus, call out to me and give me your peace as I listen for your voice.”

Remember God is good, and God is love.

Here is Pastor Jackie’s prayer:

“There are many types of prayer, and this type focuses on quieting our own thoughts to be receptive to God’s voice. As we do this prayer the way to know that we are hearing from God and not just our own thoughts is that it will align with Scripture. And if we don’t hear from God during this prayer, we can relax in his presence, being still and knowing He is God.

Lord, we come to you today with open minds and hearts, ready to receive your words of love and life. Holy Spirit, will you rest on us and help us quiet our minds and still our hearts? Jesus, just like you asked Peter to “Come”, when the waves were treacherous, you are asking us to come into your presence. To trust you to calm the storms in our lives. You want to speak to us so we can experience your peace. When we are with you, our fears and worries fade into the distance because the light of your love is shining on us.

We want to sit with you now, while listening for your voice, finding strength in your embrace.

Take 5 minutes to listen and talk with God. Write down what you hear.

Thank you for drawing us closer to a place of peace with you. Holy Spirit, will you help us practice stealing these quiet moments with you? We want to dive deeper into the life-giving relationship you have for us. When we listen to you will give us clarity in your purposes for our lives. You give us discernment so we can make better choices. Lord, listening for your voice in our life takes patience and practice. You are constantly speaking to us. Will you help us be patient with ourselves as we strive for deeper intimacy with you through listening?

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”

Come dive deeper with us this Sunday at 10:30 am in-person or online.

See you Sunday church,

Chelsea Maitland

Worship Leader

Diving Deeper

I resonate with the saying that "There's always room for growth." As disciples, maintaining this attitude is crucial on our faith journey. There's endless opportunity for growth in three key areas: 1. our relationship with God, 2. our understanding of ourselves, and 3. our interactions with those around us. The upcoming sermon series, "Diving Deeper," will dig into these aspects, highlighting how God is calling us to deepen our roots and mature in our faith. Stepping out and diving deeper requires courage and faith. Just as Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water, Jesus invites us to embark on this transformative journey. Let us journey together into new experiences with God on our faith journey. 

Join us in-person or online this Sunday at 10:30am,

Pastor Mark Nsimbi

Christ With Us

Easter Sunday holds a special place in my heart, and this year, I'm excited for what's ahead. I look forward to the joy of seeing both familiar and new faces at church, as the diverse family of Christ gathers to worship and celebrate together. Enjoying a delicious breakfast and fellowship adds to my excitement. I look forward to witnessing the children from our community eagerly searching for Easter eggs on the field—a moment filled with laughter and joy.

Above all, I anticipate the powerful reminder- through songs and scripture- that our Savior is alive and present among us. Just as He met the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He meets us where we are, breathing hope and life into our lives. His death and resurrection have transformed our outlook on ourselves and our interactions with the world. "He is risen indeed!"—this truth fills me with gratitude and anticipation for the amazing worship experience we will share together.

Join us this Easter in-person or online at 9am & 11am.

-Pastor Mark Nsimbi

Walking With Jesus

Hello Church!

Hope you are having a great week. This Sunday we will be hearing a message from Pastor Mark on Matthew 21:1-11 as we worship with the choir and have a visit from a mini horse!

Here is a summary of this Sunday's message from Pastor Mark:

"Each individual had their own perception and hopes for Jesus. Some viewed him as a miracle worker, others as a political savior, and still others saw him as a threat to their religious beliefs. The disciples, crowds, and Pharisees all had differing views of Jesus. Considering these varied expectations, it's likely that no one wanted to follow Jesus to the cross. Instead, everyone hoped to follow him to victory, expecting him to overthrow the Romans. If they had known that Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem would lead to the cross, they wouldn't have cheered for him as they did.

Although the journey to the cross may seem like defeat, in the Kingdom of God, it represents the path to overcoming sin and darkness. It is the path that brought us salvation, freedom, and a loving relationship with God. Therefore, as we welcome Christ this Palm Sunday with cries of Hosanna, let us be prepared to walk with Him towards the cross."

See you this Sunday at 10:30am in-person or online!

Chelsea Maitland

God Meets Us, Too

Lately when I put my kids to bed I've been praying with them that God would reveal God's self to my kids in their dreams. That when they dream something scary, they would remember to look around for Jesus and say, "God, where are you?"

This morning I walked out of my room and groggily asked one of my toddlers how he slept. He very casually told me that when he was about to have a scary monster dream, he found Jesus.  Jesus came up to him and invited him to kill the scary dream, together. He said they both put up their hand, palm facing outward, and "killed the scary dream". 

I have been waiting for this moment. The moment that my kids call on Jesus and find that Jesus meets them in their fear, in their vulnerability, in their joys and in their sadness. And here we are in my kitchen and my son is recounting a moment when he was vulnerable and scared, and he quite literally found Jesus. What a joy.

This Sunday we have the privilege of hearing from Pastor Linda Skinner in a message on Luke 4, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. In her sermon notes she says, "Everything that Jesus does and did is an act of love... we can come boldly to Him because He knows what it’s like to be alone, powerless and hungry in the wilderness."

When I read Pastor Linda's notes it reminded me of this painting by Kelly Latimore called, "Christ in the Wilderness". One reason I love it so much is if you look at Jesus' face He is looking vulnerably toward where I imagine God would be in this picture. Jesus looks like He is desperate for God. And he was! Jesus, in His vulnerable, hungry, probably physically uncomfortable state, leaned heavily on God- and God met Him.

God meets us too. 

Christ in the Wilderness – Kelly Latimore Icon

When my son finished telling me about his experience with Jesus and God, I asked him, "What did Jesus and God look like?" I'm curious, what does Jesus and God look like to a toddler? He responded with a shrug: "They just look like Jesus and God." His answer made me want to dive into Pastor Linda's discussion questions this week.

What are my pictures of God? 

Is my picture drawing me closer to God or pushing me away?

Who and what have be instrumental in forming my picture of God?

As I reflect on her questions I add this prayer.  "God, will you reveal who you are to me? Not who I think you are, or a picture of who I think you are, but who you truly are. Thank you that you are already doing this and forgive me for the ways I neglect you and create my own vision of you. I want to know you. Amen" 

Friends, as you go about your week may you know that we get to lean into God and God will meet us. May you know that God -and Jesus- invite us to face our scary dreams with Him and empower us, equip us, and send us- but never leave us.  May you remember that in your vulnerability- in your fear, in your maybe uncomfortable state, in your joys and in your sadness, in the scariness- to look around for Jesus, because He will meet you. 

May it be so. 

Peace be with you church,

See you this Sunday at 10:30am in-person or online.

Chelsea Maitland

Worship Leader