Triumph
Posted on Mar 27, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 117
Triumph
There are many ironic moments during the week of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the triumphal entry is one. The people shout praises and blessings to Jesus as they welcome him as king and his kingdom. But the triumph they celebrate is not the triumph Jesus brings. As so often happens, the expectations we place on Jesus are not always the reality of Jesus.
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, Mark 11:1-11, as well as Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Isaiah 50:4–9a, and Philippians 2:5–11.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
Hosanna!
He Has Made Me Glad
O God Our Help in Ages Past
It Is Well with My Soul
God Who Comes to Save (Zoe)
Hallelujah, What A Savior!
‘Tis Midnight and On Olive’s Brow
Blessed Be Your Name
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Glorify Your Name
Posted on Mar 20, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 145
Glorify Your Name
In speaking of his death, Jesus reminds us that God honors those who serve and follow Jesus. As we follow Jesus to the cross, we see his willingness to lose his life so that we might have life. In this act of sacrifice God’s name is glorified, and in our service to Jesus God is also glorified.
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, John 12:20-33, as well as Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 and Hebrews 5:5-10.
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Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
Come Let Us Bow Down (Zoe)
Psalm 51 / Have Mercy on Me, O God
Bring Christ Your Broken Life
I Will Change Your Name
My Eyes Have Seen Your Glory
Glorify Thy Name
We Will Glorify
Create in Me
Make Me More Free
Messages from Oscar in Spanish
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Saved Through Christ
Posted on Mar 13, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 158
Saved Through Christ
We know John 3:16, and we know that Jesus saves. But sometimes we grow so familiar with knowing something that we rush through the muscle memory of understanding what we know. It would benefit us greatly with this text to slow down and think through what we know. Yes, Jesus saves, but how, why, and from what?
Our scriptures this week include the passage Mitchell is discussing, John 3:14-21, as well as Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 and Ephesians 2:1-10.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
Give Thanks to the Lord
For the Beauty of the Earth
I’m Redeemed
Lift Him Up
Christ Above Me
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
What Wondrous Love is This?
Victory in Jesus
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Consuming Zeal
Posted on Mar 6, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 163
Consuming Zeal
I often wonder how many causes, fights, and acts of violence have been credited to the story of Jesus clearing out the temple, though I hope no one ever counts. What we typically see as proof, or justification, for acts of anger, is actually a story of zeal that culminates at the resurrection. It is no coincidence that when asked for a sign of his authority to cleanse the temple that Jesus directs them to the cross. There is a deep connection between the two moments, and it has everything to do with zeal.
Peace,
Chess
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, John 2:13-22, as well as Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
The Spacious Firmament
Psalm 19 (The Law of the Lord)
How Firm a Foundation
Hear, O Israel
I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
In Christ Alone
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
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Deny Thyself
Posted on Feb 27, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 143
Deny Thyself
Jesus calls for us to bear our crosses, but he does not ask without also carrying his own. The expectation that we sacrifice for one another is deeply rooted in the example of Jesus. We are warned that following Jesus will lead to rejection and suffering, but let us never forget that he was rejected and suffered first, as our example.
Peace,
Chess
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, Mark 8:31-38, as well as Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 and Romans 4:13-25.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
I Stand in Awe
Christ, We Do All Adore Thee
The Glorious Impossible
Follow Me
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?
Give Me Jesus
Hard Fighting Soldier
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Temptation
Posted on Feb 20, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 150
Temptation
The temptation of Jesus is meaningful for many reasons. The story proves that Jesus was subject to temptation, fully human like us, while also demonstrating that Jesus understands the struggles of temptation that we face. But perhaps even more significantly is the reminder that temptation does not define us. With the help and support of God, we have a real choice in the face of temptation, just as Jesus did in the desert.
Peace,
Chess
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, Mark 1:9-15, as well as Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-22.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
Covenant of Love
Unto Thee O Lord
Had it Not Been the Lord
Great is Thy Faithfulness
When the Night is Falling (Zoe)
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing
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Listening
Posted on Feb 13, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 155
Listening
As Christians, a lot of our talking is to or about Jesus, but how often do we just listen to Jesus. We have flooded the world with doctrinal debates, arguments, opinions, ideologies, and posts about Jesus, but if we do not balance all of that with a desire and practice to listen to Jesus then we have made the same mistake as Peter at the Transfiguration. There are appropriate times to talk, but there are also times when we need to simply listen.
Peace,
Chess
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, Mark 9:2-9, as well as 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Giving is a part of our Worship
Request connection information for our Worship Services
Request prayer or let us know of other needs
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
We Shall Assemble
Lord, Most High
Hilltops of Glory
My Eyes Have Seen Your Glory
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Highest Place
I’ll Live in Glory
Shine, Jesus Shine
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God Keeps Moving
Posted on Feb 6, 2021 in English Words of Encouragement, General | 143
God Keeps Moving
When Jesus arrives at the home of Simon’s mother-in-law in Mark 1 and begins healing those who are sick, everyone naturally wants him to stay and keep healing. However, Jesus invites his disciples to come with him to the next village so that he can proclaim the gospel there also. God and the Kingdom of God keep moving, and we are invited to come along, but would we selfishly rather God stay here with us than move on somewhere else?
Peace,
Chess
Our scriptures this week include the passage Chess is discussing, Mark 1:29-39, as well as Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c and 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.
Our Worship this Week
Suggested Order of Worship for our virtual services.
Hymns for the Week
Be encouraged this week by these songs. You can find our playlist here on Spotify.
Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord
Teach Me Lord to Wait
Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
Seeking the Lost
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
This Little Light of Mine
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