We draw into Luke's Gospel where we see a story filled with unexpected characters chosen as the first recipients of the good news. How does Jesus’ arrival challenge what the world sees as power and influence? What fears might God be inviting you to release as you remember that God is with us? We celebrate Christ, the Savior and Lord.

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:9-14 (second reading, Children’s ministry)

Reflect together:

• Consider the difficult realities surrounding Jesus’ birth: the Roman census, traveling while pregnant and giving birth in a manger. How might these realities help shift the way I endure challenging circumstances in my life? What might the Spirit be birthing in my story?

• All who heard the Shepherds were amazed, but Mary held these things close to her heart and considered them seriously. This advent season, what is the Spirit inviting you to treasure and ponder?

• In what ways has ‘God with us’ been good news and brought great joy in your story? In what ways can your presence, speech and actions embody and extend that same joy to others?

• The angels opened the announcement with "Do not be afraid." What fears or anxieties might God be inviting you to surrender?

Our songs together:

• Peace Has Come - Hillsong

• Joyful Joyful

• All Glory Be To Christ

• Go Tell It On The Mountain

Is it possible to find comfort in discomfort, to cling to hope in despair? When we find ourselves in the wilderness, how might Isaiah’s promises of restoration resonate in our own story of healing and expectation. Join us for the second Sunday of Advent.

Scripture reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

Reflect together:

• Where can I see glimpses of God's comforting presence in the midst of my own wilderness What new beginnings or new possibilities might God be birthing in my story as an outcome from this wilderness?

• What ‘mountains,’ ‘valleys’ or obstacles in my life need to be leveled or raised to prepare for a deeper experience of God’s presence this Advent?

• How have I experienced God’s comfort or transforming power in wilderness seasons? How can I offer God's comfort to others who are walking their own wildernesses? In what practical ways can I embody the comfort that Isaiah speaks of?

Our songs together:

• King of Kings - Hillsong

• Peace Has Come - Hillsong

• Come Thou Fount

• Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight

The Israelites have returned from exile only to find the Temple is destroyed and Jerusalem lay in ruins. In Isaiah 64, the prophet begs that God would tear open the heavens, that he would come down and make things right. In the midst of disappointment and longing, he invites us to look in the mirror and see our collective need for redemption. Join us for this first Sunday of Advent.

Scripture reading: Isaiah 64

Reflect together:

• Isaiah expresses a longing for God to “rend the heavens and come down.” How does this vivid imagery resonate with your own desires for God's intervention in your life and in the world?

• How does the metaphor of our righteousness acts being like “filthy rags” challenge your understanding of personal righteousness and self-sufficiency? In what ways might this prompt you to rely more deeply on God's grace rather than your own efforts?

• The prophet speaks of God as the potter and us as the clay. When God, in his sovereignty, first imagined you - who did he see? What may need to change in your posture or perspective to become more malleable in the hands of the Potter?

Our songs together:

• All Who are Thirsty

• O Come O Come Emmanuel

• It is Well - Bethel

Christ the King Sunday

How do we sing with joy in God's presence while navigating the wilderness of our own doubts and mistakes? Do you often find yourself experiencing the tension of trust and hesitation? Psalm 95 affirms that this is a dance as old as faith itself, the psalmist’s experience echoes the contrasts in our own life.

Scripture reading: Psalm 95

This is the second of two messages on the Psalms to prepare us for the Advent season

Respond Together:

• The Psalm recalls choices made by the Israelites during their wilderness pilgrimage. What lessons can I learn from past experiences where I’ve either trusted God or leaned on my own strength and understanding? How can these lessons shape my future decisions?

• “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts...” What does the 'voice of God' sound like in my life, and how am I responding to it? Are there areas where my heart has become hardened?"

• How do the people around me influence my ability to trust God and surrender? Am I conscious of the ways that I encourage or hinder others in this journey?"

Our songs together:

• King of Kings - Hillsong

• O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship

• Good to Me - Audrey Assad

• From the Inside Out - Hillsong

In Psalm 90, Moses stands at the threshold of eternity and pens a prayer that cuts to the heart of human experience. In this ancient poem we find a reflection on the brevity of our days against the backdrop of God’s eternity. Join us as we unearth wisdom that calls us to live fully here and now.

Scripture reading: Psalm 90

This is one of two weeks of messages on the Psalms in preparation for the Advent Season

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Respond Together:

• As you navigate the landscapes of profound grief, loss and the fragility of life, how might the assurance of God’s unchanging character and presence as ‘dwelling place for all generations’ offer us grounding peace?

• What does gaining ‘a heart of wisdom’ mean to you in the context of life's brevity? How can this wisdom manifest in habits and practices that can be cultivated over time?

• As Moses ponders the weight of his life, he prays that God would, ‘establish the work of our hands for us.’ How does this prayer shape your perspective of work, creativity, or service?

Our songs together:

• Better is One Day - Matt Redman

• Goodness of God - CityAlight

• Morning by Morning - Pat Barrett

• Only a Holy God - CityAlight

Have you ever had the feeling that you are chasing rest that always seems just beyond your reach? What if that rest was never meant to be chased, but entered—like stepping out of hiding into the open? The writer of Hebrews talks about a rest so rich, so vibrant, it stretches from the creation of the universe right into your own heartbeat. Engage the art of Sabbath and discover a peace that's been available all along.

Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:1-11

This is Week 8 of our series on Sabbath

Respond Together:

• If your life was written as a story, what title would you give to your current chapter? Is it ‘The Pursuit’, ‘Numb,’ ‘Waiting,’ ‘The Striving’, or are you ready to turn the page to 'Embracing Rest'?"

• Bruggemann says “People who keep sabbath live all seven days differently.” How might keeping sabbath shape your daily presence, posture and witness to everyone around you?

• Reflect on the last time you experienced true peace — can you recall the experience, the time, the place? What if that peace was just a glimpse, a shadow of something far greater available to you each day?

Our songs Together:

• O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship

• Build My Life - Elevation Worship

• Simple Gospel - United Pursuit / I Could Sing of Your love - Delirious?

• Nothing With You - The Worship Initiative

Why does God seem to speak so softly in a world that is desperate to hear a thundering voice? In the isolated confines of a cave, Elijah experienced God's presence not in dramatic winds or raging fires, but in a gentle whisper. Sabbath calls us to set aside a sanctuary in time where we can hear the still small voice of God.

Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:9-13

This is Week 7 of our series on Sabbath

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Respond together:

• What do you think of the idea that Sabbath is a “sanctuary in time” How often do I create spaces of stillness? Could the absence of these ‘sanctuaries in time’ be drowning out God's voice in my life?

• Walter Brueggemann sees the question to Elijah as one that shows YHWH’s life and Elijah’s life are “inextricably linked.” How do you see your personal story weaving into the tapestry of God's overarching story?"

• When the beliefs deep in your soul seem to clash with the unexpected, how do you remind yourself of God's unchanging presence, just as He was with Elijah? What are tangible practices that help anchor yourself in the promise that you're never truly alone?"

• What are the rivals to God’s voice in my story? What are the "earthquakes," "winds," and "fires" in my life that drown out God's whisper?

Our songs together:

• Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me - CityAlight

• God with Us - All Sons and Daughters

• Nothing I Hold Onto - United Pursuit Band

“Meh.” While navigating the realities of life, this exasperated sigh captures the all too common state of not necessarily being depressed but not feeling a sense of thriving either. Do you ever find yourself grieving a loss of a future you envisioned? There is a universal longing for wholeness, a rest for our soul. Jesus invites us, not to another appointment, task or errand we don’t want to do; but to the true “unforced rhythms of grace.”

Scripture reading: Matthew 11:28-30

This is Week 6 of our series on Sabbath

Reflect Together:

• The yoke is a symbol of submission and shared work. What does it mean for me, in my current season of life, to take on Jesus' yoke? How is His yoke ‘kind’ and His burden 'light' when compared to the yoke of the world?

• The Greek word for ‘gentle’ communicates a ‘strength under control.’ How can I model the gentle and humble heart of Jesus in our relationships and daily actions?

• In what ways might my understanding of 'rest' differ from the ‘rest for your soul’ that Jesus offers? How does my inner being respond to Jesus’ invitation to find rest in him? Do I feel hard-hearted, resistance, relief, yearning or something else entirely? What might these feelings reveal?

Our songs together:

• O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship

• Whole Heart - Hillsong

• Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight

• Gratitude - Brandon Lake

What if the rhythm of the land, with its seasons of production and rest, mirrors the rhythm that our bodies and souls yearn for? In a world racing forward, God, through the Bible; whispers a timeless secret: true flourishing comes when we, and the world around us, are allowed to breathe. Are we listening?

Scripture reading: Leviticus 25:1-7

This is Week 5 of our series on Sabbath

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Respond together:

• The act of leaving the land fallow is an act of trust, relinquishing control for a season.

  In what areas of your life are you struggling to let go and trust, rather than trying to constantly produce or control?

• The ancient Israelites saw the land as a direct gift from God. How does this perspective change the way you view and interact with nature? How does it influence your daily choices Every purchase, every choice we make has a ripple effect on the environment. Are there habits or patterns in your life that, upon reflection, might need reconsideration in light of being a steward of creation?

• The Sabbatical year wasn't just for individual farmers but for the entire community. How can we make choices that not only benefit us but also the world around us?

Our songs together:

• Holy Spirit - Jesus Culture

• ‘Tis So Sweet

• Goodness of God - Bethel

• King of My Heart - John Mark McMillan

Have you ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of doing, accomplishing, and striving? The words of the prophet Isaiah and the actions of Jesus help us discover that Sabbath saves us from our relentless self-driven paths. It's a reminder that Sabbath isn't a burdensome command; it's a gift crafted for our wholeness.

Scripture reading: Isiah 58:13-14, Mark 2:23-28

This is Week 4 in our series on Sabbath

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Reflect together:

• What is your 'doing as you please' that keeps you from experiencing the true delight of Sabbath? What self-driven paths have become so familiar that they rob you of the deeper joy God promises? In our world where work follows us with 24/7 connectivity, what would it look like for you to genuinely 'not go your own way' for a day? What might you discover in the quiet, in the stillness?

• "The Sabbath was made for man." God crafted Sabbath as a gift with you in mind. How might you embrace that gift as a habit, not as an obligation, but as an intimate invitation?

• Isaiah speaks of calling the Sabbath a 'delight.' Imagine a week where your Sabbath is the North Star. How would that reshape the other six days? What might you let go of? What might you lean into?

Our songs together:

• What Love my God - CityAlight

• Revelation Song - Kari Jobe

• He Will Hold Me Fast - Shane and Shane

As we explore Exodus 16, we are invited to re-examine the 'Egypts' that we cling to — the unseen chains that keep us enslaved. Join us Sunday as we see how Sabbath is an act of resistance in a world with an insatiable appetite for more. May we reclaim our humanity, learn to trust, to pause, and remember that we are no longer slaves.

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16

This is week 3 of our sermon series on Sabbath

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Respond Together:

• What are the "Egypts" in your life — the habits, environments, or relationships — that you find hard to leave, even though they hold you in bondage?

• How can we support one another in stepping out of our personal "Egypts" and journeying towards the "promised land" God has for us? In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God's provision, similar to the Israelites' fear of not having enough manna?

• How are you currently observing Sabbath in your life, if at all? What changes might you need to make to truly embrace Sabbath as a time of resistance to society's demands? How does the incessant cycle of production and consumption affect your self-worth? Can you envision a life where your value is not tied to your productivity?

Songs Together:

• Tethered to the Cross - Danny O’Callaghan

• ‘Tis So Sweet

• Simple Gospel - United Pursuit / I Could Sing of Your Love - Delirious?

• Gratitude - Brandon Lake

In a world that is quick to bind us with chains of expectation and judgment, imagine a Sabbath that sets people free, free from the weights we bear, and invites us to stand upright. This Sunday, journey with us through Deuteronomy 5 and Luke 13, where Jesus reveals the Sabbath as a day where the broken are made whole, the oppressed are set free, and God's loving-kindness is manifest in transformative ways.

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Luke 13:10-17

This is week 2 on our series on Sabbath

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Reflect together:

• In what areas of your life are you experiencing constraint, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and how can you invite Christ's liberating power into those areas? How can our community continue to grow as a space of renewal and wholeness for people who are bound by various forms of oppression?

• How can you embody the true spirit of the Sabbath, a time set aside for rest and renewal, beyond mere rule-following?

• How does seeing yourself as a "child of Abraham," a phrase Jesus uses to affirm the woman's identity and worth; impact your understanding of your own value and place in the community of faith? How can we foster a community where every member's identity as a child of God is recognized and celebrated, breaking free from any forces that seek to devalue or marginalize?

Our songs together:

• Holy Spirit - Jesus Culture

• Come as You Are - Crowder

• No Long Slaves - Bethel Worship

• Another in the Fire - Hillsong (Baptism)

Since the beginning, the universe has pulsed with a rhythm that continues to this day - work and rest. Movement and stillness. Dive into the Scriptures as we explore the 'why' behind our work and the beauty of rest. Join us this Sunday as we begin a series on Sabbath and what it means for the people of God to embody rest in a restless world.

Scripture reading: Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11

This is Week 1 of our series on Sabbath

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Reflect together:

• In Genesis, God rested after the work of creation: How does this divine rhythm of work and rest challenge the way you approach your own work and rest each week?

• The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, valued only for their labor. When God commands rest in the form of Sabbath, it was a radical shift from this. How does the idea that your value isn't solely based on your productivity resonate with you?

• By observing the Sabbath, the Israelites had to trust that God would provide for their needs. In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to trust that if you rest, everything will still be okay? The Sabbath wasn't just an individual practice; it was a communal one. How might the concept of shared rest strengthen our connections to one another?

Our songs together:

• Graves Into Gardens - Elevation Worship

• Come as You Are - Crowder

• Lord I Need You - Matt Maher

• Rest On Us (response) - Maverick City Worship

What if transformation was less about trying harder but about surrendering more? Romans 12:1-2 invites us into a life where our hearts and minds are shaped, not by the noise of the world, but by aligning ourselves with the way of Jesus. A renewed mind, a transformed life - it's closer than you think.

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Respond together:

1. What if your life became your offering, your true and proper worship? Where are you holding back, and where are you giving everything? Where is the line between the sacred and the everyday, or is there a line at all?

2. How's your mind and heart conforming to the noisy patterns of this world? Can you feel it happening in certain areas? How can you swim against the cultural flow and what practices can help you resist? Do you have regular habits that draw you into prayer and community? (ie. Formation Groups, spiritual disciplines, a rosary liturgy or specific times of prayer)  

3. The wisdom literature reads: “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” 

Do you make a habit of giving thought to the direction you are heading? Take some time in prayerful reflection this week.

Our songs together:

1. God with Us - All Sons and Daughters

2. Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle

3. Speak O Lord - The Gettys

4. Remembrance - Hillsong

Guarding your heart and mind isn't just about protecting yourself; it's about preserving the essence of who you are meant to be and the path you walk. Join us for this week's sermon on Proverbs 4:20-27, where we'll explore how the heart is the wellspring of life, and why our influences echo in our actions, our relationships, and our outcomes. Let's discover how to cultivate a heart that aligns with wisdom and the Spirit of God, and see how it transforms every aspect of our lives.

Scripture passage: Proverbs 4:20-27

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Respond together:

1. How do you discern which influences in your life are healthy, and which ones might be harmful to your spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being? Are these influences drawing you closer to God or leading you away from Him?

2. When have you experienced a positive change in your heart or mind as a result of a deliberate effort (ie. Lent, uninstalling apps, fasting, sabbath, Common Rule)? What actions might you take today?

3. What does an 'undivided heart' mean to you? In what areas of your life might your heart feel divided, and what steps can you take to pursue a more wholehearted devotion to God?

4. What role does transparency and honesty with fellow believers play in helping you keep your heart aligned with God's will?

Our songs together:

• Speak O Lord - The Gettys

• Build My Life - Pat Barrett

• Thy Word

• Be Thou My Vision

The image of God in humanity is not lost, it’s distorted. As we engage with the Scriptures we’ll see how God is making things right again. The Holy Spirit breathes life into our relationships, our purpose, and our very identities. Through this renewal of the image of God, we're empowered to cultivate the fruit of God’s character in order to better reflect God's image in a world so in need of His love and grace.

Scripture passage(s): 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25

This is week 5 of our sermon series “Made in the Image of God”

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Respond together:

1. Paul says that followers of Jesus "are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory." Reflect on your journey of faith so far. In what areas of your life can you see evidence of this transformation in your life?

2. The church in Galatia (and us) are called to  "walk by the Spirit." The metaphor of the natural activity of walking is applied to life in the Spirit. In what tangible ways can you foster a deeper sensitivity to the Spirit's guiding in your thoughts, postures, daydreaming, stewardship, giftings and more?

3. How might understanding the fruit of the Spirit as a single, interconnected fruit affect the way you approach spiritual growth? What priority that has ‘no deadline’ might God be calling to your attention right now?

Our songs together:

• Holy Spirit - Bryan and Katie Torwalt

• What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong

• Lord I Need You - Matt Maher

The writer of Hebrews proclaims: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Paul says it this way, “The Son is the image of the invisible God.” Join us in our ongoing exploration of what it means to be made in God’s image and how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reshapes how we view ourselves and the world.

Scripture passages: Colossians 1:15-16, Hebrews 1:1-4

This is week 4 of our sermon series “Made in the Image of God”

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Respond together:

1. Relationship with God:  Since Jesus is the true image of God, and we are made in his image, how does his life shape our understanding of how we are intended to live in union with God? In what ways can we adopt the same spiritual practices, cadences, and yielding?

2. Relationship with Others: Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God. Are there areas of our life where we need to better reflect God's image in the way we interact with others? How does this understanding influence the way we respond to conflict, injustice, or those who are different from us?

3. Relationship with Creation: In what ways can our relationship with the natural world be aligned in harmony with creation? How might our habits, purchases, and actions towards the environment reflect or distort the image of God?

Our songs together:

• Come Thou Fount

• Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle

• Goodness of God - Bethel

• Turn Your Eyes

In a world fixated on power, control and status, we turn to John 13:1-17, where Jesus, God in flesh, radically subverts these notions by washing His disciples' feet. In this sermon, we'll explore the profound depths of Jesus' humility and love, challenging us to redefine true leadership as service and to dare to follow in His transformative footsteps. Join us as we introduce and commission our Deacons this Sunday.

Scripture passage: John 13:1-17

This Sunday is our commissioning service for our Deacons

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Respond together:

1. Jesus, who lived with full awareness of His divine identity; habitually chose to serve rather than be served. How does being confronted with Jesus' humility challenge your perception of power, status, and dignity?

2. Peter initially resisted having his feet washed by Jesus due to his understanding of social norms and respect. Are there ways that cultural expectations or your own upbringing may be hindering you from receiving what Jesus wants to do in your life?

3. With the knowledge that Judas would betray him, Jesus washed his feet. How does this unconditional love speak to you in your interactions with those who may have hurt you, are challenging to love, or have let you down?

4. In what ways can the act of foot washing—serving others in the most humble, caring, and practical ways—be embodied in your family, workplace and community?

Our songs together:

• Build My Life - Pat Barrett

• A Thousand Hallelujahs - Brooke Ligertwood

• Lord I Need You - Matt Maher

• More like Jesus - Kristian Stanfill

We continue our exploration of being 'Made in the Image of God'. Join us as we engage an often overlooked passage in the Torah. These ancient laws of Leviticus 19 reveal God’s heart for shaping a distinct people and bringing renewal to neighbourhoods and cities.

Scripture passage: Levitcus 19:118

This is week 3 of our sermon series “Made in the Image of God”

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Respond together:

1. Holiness goes far beyond ritual purity, what does it mean to live as a distinct people of God in a world that longs for renewal and restoration?

2. The attraction to idols was not necessarily the physical idol but the greed, lust or practices that they represented. What are "idols" in your life that are harmful to you, the people around you and detract from your relationship with God? How can you move away from those idols?

3. How can you apply the gleaning law to your own context? Do you consider the needs of others with the margins of your wealth? How do our practices, policies and purchases affect those who are vulnerable? Are we part of the solution or part of the problem?

4. How can you obey the central command of loving your neighbours? How can you display more compassion in your interactions with others, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized?

Our songs together:

• Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me - CityAlight

• Great are Your Lord - All Sons and Daughters

• Cornerstone - Hillsong

We continue our exploration of being 'Made in the Image of God'. We dive into Genesis 3, while this passage reveals the distortion of God's perfect image within us, we remember that the divine imprint is not lost, only marred. We'll grapple with how that affects our relationship with God, with others and with creation and to navigate our daily realities with the hope of restoration and the relentless pursuit of embodying God's likeness in a world longing for renewal.

Scripture passage: Genesis 3

This is week 2 of our sermon series “Made in the Image of God”

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Respond together:

1. Are there societal systems or structures that you unknowingly participate in that degrade the image of God in people? What steps can you take to actively resist and reform these?

2. What steps can we take to better see and honor the image of God in others, despite our and their fallen nature?

3. What actions can we take to better fulfill our role as stewards of creation in a fallen world?

Our songs together:

• I Don’t Wanna Go - Chris Renzema

• Build My Life - Pat Barrett

• Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle