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Archives - April 2017

PREPARING our HEARTS for the WORD...

April 20, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
This coming Sunday is our Farewell to Pastor Mark...

Anyone is welcome to join our time of worship, praise and thanks!
10:30 Worship followed by lunch, then worship will continue and will be followed by a dessert social in honor of Rev. Mark Verbruggen.

First Service, led by Rev. Mark Verbruggen | ADULLAM: THE CAVE OF REFUGE | Scripture: I Samuel 22:1-5
Continuing Service, led by Rev. Carl Klompien | PRESSING ON | Scripture: Philippians 3

Bulletin | Order of Service

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 19, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
To "GO and TELL" is to LIVE OUT the Gospel in ways that SHOW you have been TRANSFORMED by the Gospel Narrative. What you LOVE, what you VALUE, what you STRIVE for in life is shaped by KNOWING that you LIVE RIGHT NOW in the LIGHT of ETERNITY. Life DOES NOT END at the grave...so don't act as if it does.

From Easter Sunday's morning sermon | EASTER: ANSWERING THE QUESTION | Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 | Listen to sermon online | Watch a video of the service

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 18, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
To the women who journeyed to the tomb that Sunday morning so many years ago, an angel says, "COME and SEE. GO and TELL." We believe the answer given in the Gospel PROCLAIMS the birth of a New Creation through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead. Death has been DEFEATED in RESURRECTION.  NEW LIFE in a NEW CREATION is possible because the Man who was crucified was RAISED to New Life by the Creator.

From Easter Sunday's morning sermon | EASTER: ANSWERING THE QUESTION | Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 | Listen to sermon online | Watch a video of the service

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 17, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
What we have in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection, is the LIVING and ACTIVE Word that ANSWERS a question that has been with humanity since nearly the very beginning. We ask, "Is all we see and experience ALL THERE IS, or is there SOMETHING MORE?" Is the grave the final destination of everyone or will we LIVE ON? Easter Sunday is the answer to the question.

From Easter Sunday's morning sermon | EASTER: ANSWERING THE QUESTION | Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 | Listen to sermon online | Watch a video of the service

Easter

April 16, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
Since, then, you have been RAISED with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS on THINGS ABOVE, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS on THINGS ABOVE, not on earthly things. For you died, and YOUR LIFE is NOW HIDDEN with Christ in God. When Christ, WHO IS YOUR LIFE, appears, then YOU ALSO will appear with Him in GLORY.

Easter Worship | 9:30am today | Sermon: EASTER: ANSWERING THE QUESTION | Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-6 | New Testament Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 | Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

Good Friday

April 14, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
"He was PIERCED for OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. He was CRUSHED for OUR INIQUITIES. The PUNISHMENT that brought us PEACE was UPON Him, and by His wounds WE ARE HEALED.
We ALL, like sheep, have GONE ASTRAY, each of us has turned to OUR OWN WAY; and the LORD has LAID ON HIM the INIQUITY of US ALL" Isaiah 53:5-6

Good Friday Worship | 7pm tonight | Sermon: GOOD FRIDAY: IT IS WRITTEN | Scripture: John 19:17-30

PREPARING our HEARTS for the WORD...

April 07, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
This coming Palm Sunday's sermon...

PALM SUNDAY: PETTY POLITICS OR A NEW CREATION? | Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Evening sermon...

JOSHUA: FINAL WORDS | Scripture: Joshua 24

Bulletin | Order of service

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 07, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
As Christians, we must "stand firm" in the faith that we have been TAUGHT. And we must also CATCH the VISION of God's COSMIC REDEMPTION in Jesus Christ. In spite of our struggles, division, worries, and failures, we BELONG to a God who has TRIUMPHED for us. The apostle Paul has proclaimed a Gospel that helps us to see SOMETHING BETTER than the empty promises of the world. Belief matters. Life matters. Let's BELIEVE and LIVE for the KINGDOM of God.

From Sunday's evening sermon | A GOSPEL TAUGHT AND CAUGHT | Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9 | Listen to sermon online

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 04, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
The CALL of Jesus echoed through a tomb and brought a dead man back to life. This CALL REACHES US still through the Gospel. The ALL POWERFUL voice of the Lord is calling and will not be ignored. By His Word and Spirit, God is CALLING US to see His GLORY; to see His REVELATION in the Son; to BELIEVE and HAVE LIFE through Him. There are only two possible responses: faith or no faith. Bow now or bow later, but know this: you will bow the knee to the Ruler of the Universe.
Life in this world right now can have meaning in light of eternity. The call is still heard. New Life in a New Creation IS HERE. That's the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel.

From Sunday's morning sermon | JESUS: THE RAISING OF LIFE | Scripture: John 11

CARRYING the WORD into the week...

April 03, 2017
By Rev. Mark Verbruggen
Let's not reduce the Gospel to LIFE INSURANCE for the future. Because Christ IS who He says He is, the Christian believer can ALREADY HAVE eternal life IN HIM. Life will ebb away. Physical death is a reality. But our Lord is teaching us that the ETERNAL LIFE He GIVES comes into this world RIGHT NOW to all who BY FAITH BELIEVE in Him.

From Sunday's morning sermon | JESUS: THE RAISING OF LIFE | Scripture: John 11

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