Easter 2021: Rising from the Ashes [John 21:9-19]
How does the resurrection even matter today? We end our Lenten series by talking about how Jesus rose from the ashes with miraculous power that we still see all around us each day. Join us as we conclude our “Rising from the Ashes” series on Easter Sunday!
Caterpillars and the Book of Revelation [Rev. 21:1-5]
Caterpillars and the Book of Revelation? What do these two have in common? Pastor Mike walks through the process of caterpillars as a hint to the transformation God is doing within us.
The Demand of Grace [Exodus]
Grace. It’s a “churchy” word. And many times, those in church think it’s only found in the New Testament. Mike walks through God’s grace in Exodus, and also talks about how many of Jesus’ closest followers were thugs. Grace’s demand is not a burden, but a blessing.
Redeeming Repentance [Psalm 51]
Guest Pastor Jack Doorlag walks us through the biblical understanding of repentance. While it has been misused, repentance is a major teaching in the Scriptures, and Pastor Jack walks through the posture of repentance and how it’s significant to living the flourishing life.
Does God Have Too Much Earwax? [Psalm 122]
Does God listen to us when we’re struggling? Sometimes it feels like His ears are plugged up. Mike walks through a text that reminds us that even when we feel God isn’t listening, He is closer than we think.
Homesick [Gen. 2:4-15]
As much as we love to talk about Sin (The “S” word) and the Fall, Genesis 2 paints a picture of humanity’s fundamental longings, that for the Garden of Eden. Pastor Mike walks through how this intersects with our everyday lives, and how we can let go of the hopelessness of this world’s ways by connecting with our basic longings for Eden.
The “S” Word [Gen. 3]
Mike starts our Lenten sermon series talking through a word that has been abused by the church, yet also is important in the story of Scripture, the “S” word. Mike reflects on the story of the first humans and what they did when they chose to go against the way humans were designed, and it is a familiar story to us even now.
What is the Point of Words? [Ecc. 12:9-14]
Pastor Mike concludes our Meaning(less)? series in Ecclesiastes as the author reflects on the Teacher’s words to his own son, talking about how the words of Scripture matter, and how we tend to domesticate the Bible from some of the harder words that seem painful.
The Theology of “I Dunno” [Ecc. 11:1-6]
Mike continues our series in Ecclesiastes as the Teacher talks about the benefits of not knowing everything and how wise living is not based on success, nor taking our lives too seriously.
The Limits of Wisdom [Ecc. 7:1-14]
Mike talks about the pendulum of wisdom and escapism, and talks through how the Teacher in Ecclesiastes shows way we like to escape wisdom, including the dangerous posture of nostalgia in our everyday lives.
Throwing the Bible to the Byrds [Ecc. 3-4]
Mike continues in Ecclesiastes as we look at chapters 3-4, with 2 passages well known from a 60’s song and and a statement on friendship, but have much different meanings when engaging the biblical text on the Teacher’s understanding on what we strive for may be the wrong focus.
Let’s Stop Pretending [Ecc. 1-2]
Mike opens up a new series on Ecclesiastes challenging the typical assumptions that this book is “meaningless.” Instead, he offers challenges and encouragement of why this book is considered wisdom literature, with the first two chapters providing an alternate perspective on living life.
Epiphany [Matt. 2:1-12]
Join us for a special gathering about the season of Epiphany, which means, “revelation.” Join Rev. Sayuri Kist-Okazaki, the first ordained female minister in Japan for the RCA as she walks through its meaning. Make sure you check out the entire service by the RCA Global Board on Missions at our YouTube or Facebook page.
A New Way to Serve [Rom. 7:1-13]
Guest Jon Sherrill joins us as he walks through the murky waters of understanding how to approach sin in our lives. He navigates the difficult tension of the extremes of legalism and license and the heart of what the Apostle Paul is communicating during his time…and ours.
Reflecting on 2020
Pastor Mike reflects on the past year, and shares some stories of others in community on how God has been present during a difficult 2020, in addition to what we’re looking forward to in 2021 at New Ground.
Hope’s Incarnation [Luke 2:22-33]
Pastor Mike wraps up our Hope Sings series on Christmas Eve talking about the when hope decided to show up in the Christmas Story. It may be more relevant to our current situation in 2020 than anyone ever thought.
Hope’s Revolution [Luke 1:67-80]
Mike continues our Advent 2020 series talking about the deeper revolution of hope in Zechariah’s song, one of the heart.
Hope’s Demand [Luke 1:39-65]
Mike walks through the events before, during, and after Mary’s “Magnificat,” the first song of our “Hope Sings” series. While it may seem odd, hope has many demands on the way we live now, as displayed by both Mary and Elizabeth.
Hope’s Promise [Luke 1:26-38]
Pastor Mike walks through the archangel’s Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, the mother of Jesus, showing how God chose all the wrong ways for the Messiah to show up, and that hope is in places where might not have expected or even desired to look.
From Hateful to Grateful [Jer. 30:1-22]
Pastor Mike walks through the importance of a posture of gratitude during this moment, and shares stories from several people in our community on how they are journeying from hateful to grateful during this pandemic.