Jesus Called Disciples - Matthew 4; 9; Mark 13; Luke 56 Jesus came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. This is great news! Jesus told His disciples to tell others about Him, and we are Jesus' disciples when we trust in Him. Everyone in the world needs to hear the good news about Jesus. Key Passage "He must increase but I must decrease" ...

I live by myself. It can be difficult sometimes to not feel lonely or outright believe I am alone, especially in a quarantined world. The most guaranteed, in-person human interaction I have is my weekly trip to the grocery store. Seeing my neighbors, particularly those that are a part of the church, has been a big encouragement to me. But honestly, sometimes this feels a b...

Download a PDF of the full Study Guide Galatians 1:6-10 6I am astonished that you areso quickly desertinghim who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel7not that there is another one, butthere are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.8But even if we or anangel from heaven should preach to you agospel contrary to ...

Download the full study guide PDF Galatians 1:1-5 Main Idea:God the Father initiates our salvation, and God the Son accomplishes our salvation Overview:In this section, Paul seeks to establish his apostolic authority by claiming that it was given to him through Jesus Christ, whose resurrection from the dead proves his claim to be the son of God. After establishing his...

John Pointed To Jesus - Matthew 3; John 1; 3 John the Baptist told people to get ready for Jesus, the promised Messiah. Now that Jesus was on earth, John's mission was complete. Jesus was greater than John, and John joyfully stepped aside as Jesus began His earthly ministry. Key Passage "He must increase but I must decrease" - John 3:30 He (Point up with both hands) ...

While there are many things Katherine and I miss about gathering with others, the most profound loss that we have felt is the loss of shared meals. It is no small point that in Isaiah 58:1-14, inviting the needy into our homes and sharing food with them is listed among the acceptable fasts to the Lord. There is something about sitting down to a meal with someone that creat...

Revealing Our Hearts There is one thing God has continually been teaching me over the last few weeks, and it is this: I am a far worse sinner than I could have ever imagined, and that God is far more gracious than I believed Him to be. There is something about changing our daily rhythms that reveals what is in our hearts. As a creature of habit, I have felt off and disori...

Jesus' Temptation - Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4 Jesus was tempted, but He trusted God and never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take away sin. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to free us from sin and to give us the power to say no to temptation. Key Passage "He must increase but I must decrease" - John 3:30...

A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Steve Heron asked me to write a note describing what is happening with the COVID-19 outbreak from a physician's perspective. For those that do not know me, my name is Noemi Pagan, MD, and I am an outpatient family medicine physician here in town. The following is meant to give you a few ways to pray for health care professionals and not meant ...

Is it just me or is this starting to feel old? Life today looks so different from what it looked like a month ago. Many of us may feel trapped in our homes, feeling unproductive, confused, and hungry for face-to-face community. And we may find it challenging in this new season to know how to love and serve God and others. In the story of Elisah and the widow's oil (2 King...

Readings The Resurrection - Matthew 28:120, John 20:131 Video Reflection Jesus is alive! As you worship God today, reflect on these Christ's resurrection by reading these lyrics from Christ is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed by Keith and Kristyn Getty. How can it be, the One who died,Has born our sin through sacrificeTo conquer every sting of death?Sing, sing hallelujah.F...

Reading The Chief Priests and Pharisees Place Guards at the Tomb -Matthew 27:6266 Video Reflection Living In-Between Holy Saturday is the day in between the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It was a day of Sabbath as Jesus was in the tomb and his disciples were experiencing the aftermath of Good Friday. They were living in between the darkest day in history a...

Readings Jesus is Betrayed by Judas and Arrested - Matthew 26:4756; Mark 14:4352; Luke 22:4753; John 18:212Jesus has an Informal Hearing before Annas - Matthew 26:57, 5968; Mark 14:53, 5565; Luke 22:6371Peter Denies Jesus - Matthew 26:58, 6975; Mark 14:54, 6672; Luke 22:5462; John 18:1518, 2527Pilate Questions Jesus and Sends Him to Herod Antipas - Matthew 27:1114; Mark 1...

Readings Passover and the Lord's Supper - Matthew 26:2029; Mark 14:1723; Luke 22:1430Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet - John 13:117:26Jesus and the Disciples Sing a Hymn Then Depart to the Mount of Olives - Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39Jesus Predicts Peter's Denials - Matthew 26:3135; Mark 14:2731; Luke 22:3134The Garden of Gethsemane - Matthew 26:3646; Mark 14:32...

Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection - Matthew 2628; 1 Corinthians 15 Jesus' death and resurrection is the center of the gospel. In Adam, we were spiritually dead in sin, but Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus is alive! God gives new life to everyone who trusts in Jesus. Key Passage "He must increase but I must decrease" - John 3:30 He (Point up with both hands) M...

Readings Jesus Continues His Daily Teaching in the Temple -Luke 21:3738The Sanhedrin Plots to Kill Jesus-Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:12 Video Reflection What About Wednesday? Wednesday is the day of Holy Week that can often escape us. As I was preparing to write this reflection, I found myself thinking, "Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday...what happen...

Readings The Lesson from the Fig Tree -Matthew 21:2022;Mark 11:2026Jesus Teaches in the Temple -Matthew 21:2323:39;Mark 11:2712:44;Luke 20:121:4Jesus Predicts the Future -Matthew 2425;Mark 13:137;Luke 21:536 Video Reflection It's Tuesday and Jesus has entered Jerusalem, his imminent death just four days away. His encounters with the religious leaders and conversation...

Readings Jesus Curses a Fig Tree - Matt. 21:1819; Mark 11:1214Jesus Cleanses the Temple - Matt. 21:1213; Mark 11:1518; Luke 19:4548 Video Reflection Jesus Presses Forward Today Jesus continues his march to the cross with a "not my will, but yours be done" resolve.The path is clear. The end is decided.The kingdom is at hand.With a clarity of purpose and a heart of obed...

About This Devotional Today isPalm Sunday,the first day of the week leading up to Easter, also known asHoly Week. Our goal is to help you reflect each day of this important week - both on what happened and why it is important to you today. Each day's devotional will consist of the scripture readingsfor the day, a video describing the day's events,and a reflection from one...

Jesus' Baptism - Matthew 3; Mark 1;
 Luke 3; John 1 Jesus never sinned, but He obeyed God and was baptized like sinners are baptized. Baptism reminds us of Jesus' death and resurrection. It reminds us that when we trust in Jesus, we turn from sin and start a new lifea life lived for Jesus. Key Passage "He must increase but I must decrease" - John 3:30 He (Point up ...

As we enter into another week of social distancing and adjusting to a new normal, I wanted to write to you all and share some personal reflections. With isolation measures firmly in place, we all are trying new ways to connect with one another and maintain a sense of consistency with those we are close to. Maybe you're using zoom calls for the first time like I am or tryi...