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April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Women's Ministry Update
Will we be found faithful? We are in the heart of our spring Bible study series, "Rooted," and week 6 through the book of Ruth does not disappoint. This Tuesday, we're sitting with Ruth 2 – the moment Boaz notices Ruth gleaning in the fields and says, "I've been told all about what you have done." Her faithfulness was seen, even when she thought no one was watching. There is so much in that for us. New faces are always welcome. Bring your friend or family member. Printed study guides are available at the door, and you can jump in at any point in the series. Many women have joined mid-series and said they wished they'd come sooner. If you've been on the fence, Tuesday is your week.Sign Up Here We're thrilled to spotlight Dr. Kezia Addo, one of our Women's Ministry small group leaders, who just successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in public health last week. Kezia, you have juggled leadership, study, family, and faith with extraordinary grace. We celebrate you. Volunteer need: We're looking for women with hospitality gifts to help coordinate light refreshments for our Tuesday evenings. It's a small role with a big impact. You’re suited to do this. 📅 Women's Bible Study – Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM in Room 104 Upcoming: Women's Spring Brunch – Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets available at lifeabundant.la/women.
April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Family & Kids Ministry Update
Spring has sprung 🌸 Spring Carnival is this Saturday and we could not be more excited! We still need about 10 volunteers to help run game booths and assist with face painting from 9:30AM setup onward.Sign Up Here Many hands make light work, and honestly, it's one of the most fun mornings of the year. Bring sunscreen. Our Sunday Kids Church curriculum this month is walking through the story of David. We’re talking about courage, failure, grace, and restoration. Big themes, told in ways that actually land for a 6-year-old. Parents, ask your kids about it on the drive home! This week's lesson focuses on 1 Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." We're teaching our kids early that they are seen and valued for exactly who they are. We also want to spotlight one of our incredible volunteers, Rosa Mendez, who has served in the 4-year-old classroom every single Sunday for the past three years. Rosa, you are the definition of faithful. Our kids light up when they see you walk through that door. Thank you. Is God calling you to take your next step? Join Rosa’s team and start volunteering today. Coming up: Easter Sunday kids programming registration opens April 1. Spots fill fast – mark your calendar.
April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Men's Ministry Update
We sharpen each other This Thursday, Men's Brotherhood meets for the second session of our spring series, "Present" – Being the Man You're Actually Called to Be. Last week's conversation about emotional availability in friendships and marriage hit harder than most of us expected. Several guys stayed an extra hour just to keep talking, and the conversation has continued throughout the week. That's what belonging to this group is all about. This week we're opening up Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We'll be asking honestly: who is sharpening you right now? And who are you sharpening? These aren't easy questions for men who've been taught to go it alone, but they're the right ones. We want to spotlight Tony Guerrero, who quietly organized a work crew of eight men last Saturday to help a widowed church member repair her fence and repaint her front door. No announcement, no social media post — just men showing up. Tony, that's the kind of leadership that changes a neighborhood. Volunteer need: We're looking for two or three men with construction or handyman skills to join our rotating Home Help crew, which serves elderly and single-parent households in our surrounding community once a month.Sign Up Here 📅 Men's Brotherhood – Thursday, March 21, 6:30 AM
Room 201 (yes, we meet at 6:30 AM. Yes, coffee is provided. Yes, it's worth it.) Upcoming: Men's overnight retreat – April 25-26 in Angeles National Forest. Registration now open at lifeabundant.la/men.
April 16, 2026 • 10 Minute Read
Blog Post
Nobody has a perfect family. We know that. But there's a difference between knowing it and feeling it, especially on holidays designed to celebrate what yours was supposed to look like. You scroll through social media and see curated perfection. You sit at the dinner table and feel the weight of everything that was never said. And somewhere in the back of your mind, a question lingers: What do you do when your family is broken and the culture keeps pretending perfection is the goal? Here's the truth that changes everything: God is not looking for perfect families. He's looking for purpose-filled families. And the distance between those two realities is where healing begins. The Family Was Always the Plan From the very beginning, God designed the family as the primary environment for growth, identity, and belonging. Genesis 1:28 records that after creating humanity, God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth." Family was not an afterthought. It was the mechanism. And this isn't just a theological claim. Neuroscience and psychology continue to confirm what Scripture has always taught. People who grow up in healthy family environments are less likely to struggle with substance abuse, have lower incarceration rates, experience greater relational satisfaction, and demonstrate stronger emotional resilience. If that feels discouraging because your family wasn't healthy, stay with this. The same Bible that affirms the power of family also tells the unfiltered truth about how messy families really are. Four Generations of Dysfunction Genesis chapters 30 through 40 trace four generations of one family: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. And if you read their stories, you'll find yourself thinking, "This is really messed up." It is. The Bible doesn't sugarcoat it. It doesn't put its heroes in stained glass. It exposes the brokenness we all recognize. Adam blames Eve. Cain kills Abel. Abraham sleeps with his wife's servant. Isaac favors one son over the other, breeding rivalry and competition. Jacob, whose very name means "deceiver," lives up to it. And Joseph, at the end of the family line, is sold into slavery by his own brothers. Through these four generations, the patterns repeat: favoritism, deception, rivalry, manipulation, passive-aggressive behavior, distorted intimacy. Sin doesn't just separate humanity from God; it fractures families, turning intimacy into blame, siblings into rivals, and homes into battlegrounds. The cycle doesn't break until Joseph. And what Joseph did to reverse the curse his family passed down is the blueprint for every one of us still carrying the weight of what was handed to us.Subscribe To These Posts When Your Family Has Failed You, God Has Not Abandoned You The most remarkable thread running through Genesis is this: God's love is not dependent on your family's dysfunction. God made a promise, and no amount of generational brokenness could nullify it. Abraham failed. God was still with him. Jacob was a deceiver. God was still with him. Hagar was cast into the desert by the very people who used her. God showed up and said, "I am with you." Joseph was betrayed, enslaved, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. God showed up and said, "I'm still with you." Your family background may explain who you are, but it does not have to define who you become. When you read the genealogies in Genesis, name upon name, generation upon generation, God's faithful, loving covenant remains. When God makes a promise, not even your family's dysfunction can rob you of it if you lean into it. God even changed the names of these patriarchs to reflect His transforming work. Abram, meaning "father," became Abraham, "the father of many nations." Jacob, "the deceiver," became Israel, "one who wrestles with God." When you let God do His work, He transforms what looks broken into something beautiful. The Soil of Your Heart Think of it like gardening. If the soil of your life has been deeply compacted by the weight of what happened to you, if it's been stripped of nutrients because no one ever told you "I love you" or "you matter," if toxins have been poured in through words that poisoned your heart, then no wonder nothing grows. Maybe you've been trying to grow really good things. You want to be a good parent, a good provider. You want to show up when it matters. But the soil has been hardened by circumstances you didn't choose. The good news is that God is the great Gardener. If you let Him, He'll begin to till the soil again, softening it so that air and nutrients can be poured in, so that light can penetrate the dark places, and good fruit can grow. The Crucible That Refines You Joseph's story reads like a crucible. A crucible is a container that withstands intense heat. You place raw ore inside it, ore covered in debris, dirt, and impurities. As the heat rises, everything melts. The pure metal sinks to the bottom while the impurities rise to the surface. A skilled refiner scrapes away everything that doesn't belong until only the pure design remains. You and I were created in the image of God. The circumstances of life may feel like they've buried that image. But God uses the crucible of experience not to destroy you, but to refine you. The heat turns up not to break you, but to reveal who you were always created to be. If you skip the process, you get a weakened version. It might look like gold on the surface, but under pressure, it crumbles. Joseph grew up in an environment of survival of the fittest. But he chose generosity. He grew up surrounded by rivalry and pain. But he chose forgiveness. When he stood before the brothers who had sold him into slavery, now the second most powerful man in Egypt, he had the opportunity to continue the family curse or break it. And he looked at them and said, "What you intended for harm, God intended for good." Healing Must Interrupt What Dysfunction Repeats The patterns in Genesis are unmistakable. A father favors one son. Rivalry erupts. Deception follows. Manipulation takes root. And then the next generation inherits it all. The question every generation faces is the same: Will I repeat the pattern that was passed on to me, or will I, with God's help, break it? No matter your family background, there are things that happened to you that should have never happened. But if you let God heal you, He can transform it. That's the story of Joseph, and it can be yours, too. As you look at your own family experience, consider: What did your family teach you about conflict? About love? About generosity? These things may explain who you are, but they don't have to define you. And the harder question, especially for parents and grandparents: What patterns am I carrying forward, and where might God be inviting healing? When my wife and I were first married, we had to work through a lot of crucible experiences. We dealt with conflict in completely different ways. My way of dealing with conflict is to say it straight up. You're not going to have to guess what I'm feeling or thinking. Hers was the opposite. She saw conflict as something negative to be avoided. You can imagine how well that went until we made a decision: How are we going to define, as a family, how we deal with confrontation? How are we going to handle generosity and parenting? We had very different ideas, and we had to work through them with God's help to create a new way forward. How to Build a Healthy Family Today If you recognize these patterns and you want something different, here's what I've learned practically in my own life about becoming the parent and family member God has called me to be. Choose Presence Over Perfection Your kids don't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. It's in being present that the beautiful transformation takes place. You can't script it or plan it. You're just there. When my kids started playing sports, I made a commitment to coach them. Not to be overbearing, but so we could experience everything together. Dance recitals, awards, birthdays. Sometimes it was around a dinner table where we chose to be present, no phones, looking at each other, talking about things we maybe didn't want to talk about. Sometimes it was at bedtime when we would just pray, not out of religious obligation, but out of inviting the presence of God into that moment. "Train up a child in the way that they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). It's embedded into what family is. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be there. Speak Blessing Instead of Cursing Many of you know the pain of words that were spoken over you. You're dumb. You're ugly. You'll never amount to anything. You're worthless. When those words are spoken into a child's life, they plant seeds that harden the soil. It is never justified to curse your children. Never. Instead, learn to speak blessing. Maybe you'll be the first one in your family line who actually expresses "I love you" on a regular basis, not because someone earned it, but just because. Maybe you'll be the first to speak truth that isn't visible yet: "I see something in you that you don't see in yourself. You are worthy. You are loved. You matter." If you don't know what to say, read the promises of God over them. You are a child of the living God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. When you begin to speak life instead of death, it will break a curse. Practice Repentance and Forgiveness Some of you might need to stand in front of a mirror and say the words: "I was wrong." That is not weakness. That is breaking a curse. I do this now as a grandfather. My grandkids call me Papa. And sometimes I'll say, "Papa shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." You're modeling something. You're breaking something. You're building something. Invite God Into Everyday Life It doesn't have to be weird. Just begin to talk about what God is doing in you and how you're trying. That was maybe the greatest gift my family gave me growing up. They invited God into most everything we did. And inviting God into everyday life begins to shape and form the people around you. You Don't Have to Come From a Healthy Family to Create One You don't control what happened to you, but you do choose how you see it. And that choice shapes everything that follows. In a world that's increasingly lonely, where abandonment and rejection are common experiences, we need to fight for each other. We need to create spaces of belonging, not spaces where you have to think a certain way or behave a certain way before you're welcomed in. You belong because you were created in the image of God. Jesus said, "They will know you are my disciples by how you love one another" (John 13:35). No one has ever been won over by a slick argument. But people have been transformed because someone chose to love them. Today could be the day of transformation. The day you decide, with God's help, to believe that He is present with you and that you will be present with your family. You can't fix what's broken on your own. Only God can do that. But you can keep showing up, keep loving, keep speaking blessing, and keep inviting God into that space. You are loved. You belong. Your family story, however broken or beautiful, is not beyond God's redemptive grace. And with His help, you can create a different kind of family, one marked by presence and blessing, repentance and forgiveness, belonging and hope.
April 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Student Ministry Update
It’s been a week. Middle schoolers, high schoolers – we SEE you. This has been a heavy week for a lot of our students, and Youth Group on Friday is going to be a safe, low-pressure space to breathe, laugh, and talk about real stuff. We'll have food, we'll have some genuinely terrible icebreaker games, and we'll have real conversation. Want to talk to someone before we meet? We’re here. This week's topic is "What do I do when God feels far away?" We're spending time in Psalm 22 – a psalm that opens with "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" – and sitting with the honest, uncomfortable truth that doubt and faith can coexist. No easy answers. Just honest conversation. We also want to celebrate Jaylen Morris, a 10th grader who just got accepted into a competitive summer engineering program at UCLA. Jaylen, we've watched you work for this and we are so proud of you. This community is in your corner. 📅 Friday, March 21, 6:30 PM
📍 The Warehouse (Youth Wing, Side Entrance) Parents – our spring parent info night is Tuesday, April 8. We'll share what we've been teaching, where we're headed, and how you can stay connected to your teenager's spiritual life without losing your mind. We'll also have a counselor on hand to talk through what's showing up emotionally and socially for teens in LA right now. Details coming soon.
April 16, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Devotional
Weekly Devotional – March 19, 2026 "Words For The Valley: A Journey Through Psalm 23" Before You Begin Find a quiet place if you can. Put your phone face down. Take three slow breaths. This devotional is not meant to be rushed – it's meant to be inhabited. Read it the way you'd walk a familiar path you haven't taken in a while: slowly, noticing what's changed in you since the last time you were here. Psalm 23 is probably the most recognized passage in all of Scripture. Most of us have heard it at funerals. Many of us learned it as children. And precisely because it is so familiar, it can slide past us without landing. Our goal this week is to read it slowly enough that it surprises us again. Read the Psalm Aloud The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. A Word to Open David wrote this psalm. The same David who killed a giant, committed adultery, ordered a man's death, and wept so hard over his son that the Bible says the ground was wet. David was not a man who wrote about God from a comfortable distance. He wrote from inside the mess of a full human life. That matters for how we read this. Psalm 23 is not a greeting card. It is a battle-tested testimony from a man who had learned - slowly, painfully, joyfully - that God could be trusted. Every line is earned. Moving Through the Psalm "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Notice that David doesn’t say "The Lord is a shepherd" or "The Lord is the shepherd." He says my shepherd. This is personal. This is a claim. Sheep don't belong to shepherds in the abstract, they belong to a specific one who knows their name, knows their tendencies, knows which ones wander. Pause and ask yourself: Do I relate to God as my shepherd, or as a shepherd in general – present for everyone but perhaps not particularly attentive to me? The promise that follows - I shall not want - is not a promise of abundance in the way we sometimes read it. It is a promise of sufficiency. The sheep under a good shepherd's care lack nothing they truly need. Not nothing they want. Nothing they need. That is a different and deeper promise. "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." A shepherd has to make sheep lie down. Sheep are anxious animals. They will graze past the point of exhaustion if not guided to rest. The green pastures and still waters are not accidental. They are chosen by someone who knows that rest is not weakness. Rest is part of the plan. How often do we resist the places God leads us to rest? How often do we mistake stillness for inactivity, or quietness for being left behind? Spend a moment in this image. Where are your green pastures right now? Where is God trying to lead you to still water, and are you following, or are you still grazing? "He restores my soul." The Hebrew word here - nephesh - is sometimes translated as soul, but it means something closer to the whole self. Your inner life. Your sense of self. Your aliveness. He restores my aliveness. This is a pastoral word for exhausted people. And if you are here in this prayer group on a Thursday morning, there is a reasonable chance that life has taken something from you recently. Grief, disappointment, overwork, worry, loss. The promise of this line is not that God will prevent the depletion. It is that he is in the business of restoration. He gives back what life takes. Pray this line over yourself today: Lord, restore my soul. Say it slowly. Say it more than once. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." This is the hinge of the psalm. Everything before it is pastoral and gentle. Here, the landscape changes. The valley is real. The shadow is real. David does not pretend it isn't. But notice the grammar: I will fear no evil. Not I do not feel afraid. Not the valley isn't dark. The commitment to not fear is an act of the will, grounded not in circumstances but in presence. For you are with me. That's the whole reason. Not because the valley is safe. Because he is there. This is the verse for whoever in our prayer group is in a hard place right now. You don't have to pretend the valley isn't dark. You only have to remember you are not walking through it alone. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." This image has always struck me as almost defiant. God does not remove the enemies before sitting David down to eat. He sets the table anyway. In the middle of opposition, in the middle of threat, there is a feast. There is provision and dignity that the enemies cannot touch. Whatever is pressing in on you right now - fear, opposition, uncertainty, a relationship that's causing pain - God is not waiting for it to resolve before he feeds you. The table is already set. What would it look like to receive God's provision today, even in the middle of what's hard? "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." The word translated follow here is closer in the Hebrew to pursue – even chase. Goodness and mercy are not timidly trailing behind us. They are in pursuit. All the days of my life. Not just the good ones. Not just the ones where I feel worthy of being followed. This is grace at its most relentless. We do not have to earn God's goodness chasing us down. We only have to stop running from it. Closing Prayer Father, you are our shepherd. We confess that we often act like sheep who think they know better – wandering past the green pastures, resisting the still water, grazing until we are empty. Restore our souls today. Lead us through whatever valley we are walking through and remind us that your presence is the point, not the absence of the valley itself. Set a table for us in the middle of our hard places. And let us feel, even today, the goodness and mercy that is chasing us down. We are yours. Amen. For Further Reflection This Week Read Psalm 23 once each morning this week – slowly, one verse at a time. Journal on this question: Which line of this psalm do I need most right now, and why? Pray the psalm over someone in your life who is in a dark valley, and speak their name into each verse. Our Thursday Morning Prayer Group meets weekly at 7:00 AM in The Prayer Room, Building B. All are welcome.Share Your Prayer Request
April 16, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Pastoral Letter
I met God the other night while I was washing my car. I made the mistake of buying a black car. In fact, we have two black cars. It’s not an objective mistake in the sense that black cars are worse than any other colour car by any meaningful metric. The nature of black paint, however, is that it almost never looks clean. Any spot of water, dirt, or pollen (of which there has been plenty lately) seems to be accentuated on a black canvas, and frankly, is a glaring sore to my eye. That’s just me, that’s how I’m wired. You likely don’t care too much if your car is spotless or not and that’s good for you - sincerely, it’s good for you. I’m wired differently though, but thankfully I’m also inclined to enjoy washing my car by hand. So I took a look at the forecast to see how long my labour would be worth, and with nothing but clear skies in sight I set out to wash the car. Our kids were asleep, the evening was clear and cool, it was serene. With supplies in hand I made my move towards the driveway and there was God, waiting to met me. There’s a monkish way of moving through the world called liber mundi - “the world as a book”. It’s a way of living that moves slowly through the created cosmos, with eyes and ears open and attentive to see a story revealed through creation, as if it were a book to read. For us Christians, we believe that the world is the Lord’s, and it is a very reflection of his image. A revelation of sorts. God met me in the driveway in the stillness of being dedicated to one singular task, outside of the office and the home, and in the quiet of the evening. Without any external output or stimulus (and even without my AirPods in my ears plugging up my senses from the world around me), I was able to perceive and receive the peace of God while kneeling in soapy water on the tarmac. I’m not great at this way of living, and I wouldn’t even go as far as suggest that I’m good at it - but I’m trying. I’m trying to see glory in potato flowers and dandelions. I’m hoping to move on my feet and my pedals more often than I do on rubber powered by cylinders. I’m attempting to listen to less information (podcasts, sermons, etc.) and listen more to friends, family, and foes. I’m learning that the world is a book. I want to read it. Grace and peace,
Pastor Johnny
April 16, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Weekly Update
Welcome to the weekly roundup 👋 This is your one-stop spot for everything happening in our church family. From kids to adults, small groups to special events, here's how you can get connected over the next seven days. Sunday, October 19th 9:00 & 11:00am Worship Gatherings - Join us for Sunday
service in person or online. Kids Ministry - Age-specific programming during both services Youth Small Groups - Meeting after the 11:00am service in the Youth Room Monday, October 20th Women's Bible Study - 7:00pm in Room 204 Prayer Gathering - 8:00pm online via Zoom Tuesday, October 21st Young Adults Gathering - Coffee, teaching, and discussion at 7:00pm in the Cafe Wednesday, October 22nd Midweek Worship & Prayer - 6:30 pm. in the Sanctuary. Kids Midweek Club - Games, music, and Bible stories (ages 4-11) Thursday, October 23rd Men's Breakfast & Devotion - 7:00am at the Fellowship Hall. RSVP Here so we make sure we have enough food! Choir Rehearsal - 7:30pm in the Sanctuary Friday, October 24th Community Outreach Night - Serve with us downtown at 6:00pm. If you want to ride-share, let us know. Saturday, October 25th Youth Retreat Kickoff - Meet at the church at 10:00am for departure. Upcoming Events Trunk or Treat - Sunday, October 26th a 5:00pmNew here? We'd love to connect. This Week's Message "Called by Name"
Pastor Debbie Walker | John 10:1–15 What does it mean to be truly known – not just seen, but known? This week Pastor Debbie takes us into the heart of John 10 and the radical intimacy of a God who calls each of us by name. Whether you're in a season of clarity or one of deep searching, this message is for you. Watch last week’s sermon 👇Watch OnlineSubscribe To Our Podcast Community Prayer We carry each other through the spiritual practice of prayer. Here's what our community is lifting up this week: 🙏 David & Lena Reyes – David begins chemotherapy this week. Believing for strength, peace, and full healing. 🙏 The Nguyen Family – Grieving the loss of Grandma Rose, who went home to be with the Lord on Monday. May they feel surrounded by love. 🙏 Our College Students – Spring finals season is here. Wisdom, rest, and perspective over pressure. 🙏 Our City – For the families still displaced after the January fires — continued provision, housing, and hope. Submit your own prayer request here. Giving Your generosity makes our work in this city possible. We’re so grateful for you. New to our community? No pressure. Today, just be our guest.Give Now Here Stay Connected 📩 Subscribe to this Collection to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. 📸 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 💬 Pastoral care or questions? Connect with us here. Services: Saturdays at 5:00 PM · Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:30 AM
4200 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029 Next Week: "Even Here" – Psalm 139:7–12
See you soon ☀️
April 16, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Weekly Prayer Update
A Word Before We Pray Prayer is not a last resort at Life Abundant – it's a first response. Every week this update goes out as an invitation: to slow down, to intercede, and to remember that we are not a collection of individuals navigating life separately. We are a body. What affects one of us affects all of us. Thank you for praying with us. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – Philippians 4:6 🙌 Follow-Up From Last Week – Giving Thanks Before we bring new requests, we stop to celebrate what God has done. These are updates from prayer requests our community lifted up last week: David & Lena Reyes – David completed his first round of chemotherapy on Friday. The medical team reported that he tolerated the treatment better than expected. David's own words: "I felt carried. I don't know how else to describe it." We keep praying for full healing, and we give thanks for every person who interceded this week. The Nguyen Family – The family wanted us to share their gratitude for the outpouring of love following Grandma Rose's passing. Meals, cards, and phone calls came from all over the congregation. Son-in-law Thomas wrote to us: "We didn't feel alone for a single moment. That's because of this church." Please continue to hold them as they move through the weeks ahead, when the initial wave of support often fades. College Students / Spring Finals – Several of our college students checked in this week. The prayers were felt. A few specific notes: Jaylen Morris aced his midterm. Sophia Tran submitted her senior thesis. Marcus Webb - who had been considering dropping a class due to anxiety - decided to stay enrolled and finish strong. Keep lifting our students up through finals season. Pico-Union Neighborhood Drive – Last week we prayed over the logistics and the volunteers. God showed up. Over 400 lbs of food collected, 180 hygiene kits assembled, and as many of you have now heard, a man named George is visiting church this Sunday for the first time in 30 years. Pray he feels at home the moment he walks through the door. 🙏 This Week's Prayer Requests For Our Congregation: 🙏 Elena Sousa – Elena was admitted to Cedars-Sinai on Tuesday following a cardiac event. She is stable and in good spirits, but facing a procedure later this week. Pray for a successful outcome, for peace that surpasses understanding, and for her husband Roberto who is by her side. 🙏 The Patterson Family – James and Nicole Patterson are walking through a painful season of marital difficulty. They have courageously asked for prayer and are committed to working through this together. Please hold them with gentleness and without judgment. Pray for healing, honesty, and hope. 🙏 Pastor Andre Williams – Andre lost his father unexpectedly on Monday morning. He is taking bereavement leave through next week. Please pray for his family as they grieve and make arrangements. Cards can be dropped at the Welcome Table and will be passed along. 🙏 Sofia Castillo – Our Women's Ministry Director is navigating an immigration matter affecting a close family member. Pray for a just resolution, for Sofia's peace of mind, and for the countless families in our congregation and city facing similar uncertainties. For Our City: 🙏 Fire Recovery – Families in Altadena and Pacific Palisades are now eight weeks out from the January fires. The news cycle has moved on, but their need has not. Pray for sustained support, for housing solutions, and for the mental health of children who are still displaced and processing trauma. 🙏 Our Unhoused Neighbors – As temperatures drop this week, pray specifically for the safety and dignity of those living on the streets of Skid Row, Pico-Union, and across our city. Pray for our outreach team as they serve on Saturday. 🙏 Local Schools – Several LA Unified schools in our neighborhood are navigating staff shortages and increased student anxiety. Pray for teachers, counselors, and administrators who are stretched thin and showing up anyway. For Our Global Partners: 🙏 Pastor Hernán & Iglesia Viva, Medellín – Rapid church growth is a blessing and a strain. Pray for wise leadership, Spirit-led delegation, and genuine rest for a team that is pouring themselves out. 🙏 Hope Community Kenya – As the new classroom block opens, pray for the 140 children who will walk through those doors. Pray for the teachers, for the families, and for the seeds of faith being planted in Mathare Valley. How to Receive Prayer Every request we receive is treated with care and confidentiality. You can receive prayer in our community both in-person and online. In-Person – after each service, there’s an open invititaion to receive prayer from a prayer leader near the front of the church. The folks that you rub shoulders with in your seats are also more than willing to pray with you right where you are. Online – we can still stay connected when we’re apart. Submit a prayer request here online at anytime. A real pastor is on the other end of the line.Share Your Prayer Request
October 6, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - The Pharisee in the Room
Summary More - The Pharisee in the Room, part of a series on the "stolen life versus the full life" from John 10:10, tackles one of the most uncomfortable topics in the Christian faith: the Spirit of the Pharisee. Rather than dismissing the Pharisees as obvious villains, we take a deeper dive into the role of a pharisee. They were sincere, deeply religious people whose faith had drifted from genuine relationship with God into performance and rule-keeping. Jesus's seven woes in Matthew 23 are not an attack on obvious evil but a warning against the subtle corruption that can take root in any sincere religious heart. The sermon challenges each person to examine the "inside of the cup," the private reality of their faith, rather than focusing only on the outward appearance. The Pharisee Spirit shows up today when faith leads with rules instead of relationship, performs for a human audience, judges instead of loves, and shuts the door of the kingdom in people's faces. The pastor calls the group to four movements away from this Spirit: ruthless honesty, replacing rules with relationship, moving toward people we tend to categorize, and actively opening doors for others to experience Jesus. Intro Prayer Lord, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to live the full life you came to give us, we ask that you search our hearts with gentleness and truth. Remove any desire to perform or impress one another in this room. Give us the courage to be honest about what is really on the inside of the cup. Holy Spirit, lead this conversation. Speak to each of us in the way we personally need to hear from you today. We want the real thing, Jesus. Amen. Ice Breaker What is one hobby or interest that people who know you casually might be surprised to learn about you? Key Verses John 10:10 Matthew 23:13 Matthew 23:15 Matthew 23:25-26 Matthew 11:28-30 Matthew 6:21 Questions The Pharisees, as a group, were not as obvious villains but as sincere, exhaustingly religious people. Does that change how you relate to the warnings Jesus gives in Matthew 23? Why or why not? Jesus uses the image of a cup that is clean on the outside but filthy on the inside (Matthew 23:25-26, NLT). What does the "outside of the cup" look like in your own life, and what might be hiding on the inside? Pastor Jon shared a vulnerable moment in a room full of pastors where he almost gave a polished, performative answer about his soul before stopping himself. Have you ever caught yourself performing your faith rather than living it? What did that feel like? We see four signs of the Pharisee Spirit today: leading with rules instead of relationship, performing for an audience, judging instead of loving, and shutting the door on others. Which of these do you find most tempting or most present in your own life? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." How does this invitation feel different from a faith built on performance and rule-keeping? Pharisees were "stealing the life of God from people by substituting performance for presence, and rules for relationship, and duty for delight." Where in your own spiritual life have you experienced duty crowding out delight? The sermon challenges us to move toward people we have been categorizing rather than seeing as full human beings. Who in your life might you have placed in a category? What would it look like to genuinely move toward that person this week? Is our version of faith opening doors for people or closing them How would the people in your life who are outside the church answer that question about you personally? Life Application This week, choose one of the three actions from the sermon and commit to it. You could do an honest audit by sitting quietly with God and writing down where you are performing faith rather than truly living it. You could move toward one person you have been categorizing, not with an agenda but with genuine curiosity about who they are. Or you could ask someone outside the church what they honestly think of Christians, and simply listen without defending. Whichever you choose, bring what you discover back to God and ask Him to replace the performance with real, living relationship. Key Takeaways The Pharisees were not obvious villains but sincere religious people whose faith had drifted into performance, and Jesus's warning to them is just as relevant to us today. Pastor Jon uses the image of a cup clean on the outside but filthy on the inside to show that God is far more concerned with our inner reality than our outward religious appearance. The Pharisee Spirit shows up in modern faith when we lead with rules instead of relationship, perform for a human audience, judge people instead of loving them, and make the kingdom feel inaccessible to others. Ruthless honesty is the first and most essential step away from the Pharisee Spirit, because pretense cannot survive in the light of truth. Jesus did not come to give us a better religious performance. He came to offer a living, breathing relationship with himself, one where his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30, NLT). Ending Prayer Jesus, thank you for this time together and for the honesty you have stirred in us. We confess that the Pharisee Spirit is not just a historical problem. It lives in us too, and we need your help to root it out. Wash the inside of the cup, Lord. Where we have been performing, teach us to simply be present with you. Where we have been judging, give us your eyes to see people the way you see them. Where we have been closing doors, make us people who fling them wide open. We choose relationship over religion, presence over performance, and delight over duty. Lead us into the full life you came to give. We love you, Jesus. Amen.
September 23, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
More - Never Alone
Summary In this sermon, Pastor John continues the series "More" by focusing on the reality that God is always with us, even when we feel profoundly alone. Drawing from John 15, he explores the concept of "meno" (abiding or remaining), a word Jesus uses repeatedly to describe the kind of deep, permanent, relational connection God desires with His people. Just as a branch receives everything it needs through its connection to the vine, believers receive life, strength, and fruitfulness through an ongoing relationship with Jesus, not through striving or trying harder. Pastor John also addresses the modern loneliness epidemic, noting that over half of American adults report measurable loneliness, even when surrounded by people. He shares a personal story of feeling utterly alone after receiving a painful letter, and how he eventually found peace not by resolving the situation, but by stopping, opening his hands, and acknowledging God's presence. Supported by Romans 8:38-39 and Hebrews 13:5, the sermon calls believers to move from a distant, duty-based faith into a living, conversational, and intimate relationship with God who will never, never leave them. Intro Prayer Lord, we come together today grateful for the chance to gather and dig deeper into your Word. As we open our hearts and minds, we ask that you would quiet the noise around us and within us. Holy Spirit, we invite your presence into this space right now. Help each person in this group to receive exactly what you have for them today, not just what we expect or hope to hear, but what you want to speak into our lives. Give us open hands and open hearts. In Jesus name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one place or activity where you feel most at peace and why? Key Verses John 15:4-8 Romans 8:38-39 Hebrews 13:5 Proverbs 3:6 Questions Today’s society is described to be in a loneliness epidemic where people feel alone even when surrounded by others. Have you ever experienced that kind of loneliness? What did it feel like? Jesus uses the word 'meno' (remain or abide) repeatedly in John 15. In your own words, what do you think it means to truly abide in Christ, as opposed to just checking in with God occasionally? The sermon compared our relationship with God to a branch connected to a vine. What does it look like practically for you to stay connected to the vine in your daily life? The feeling of being alone is often the most famous lie we believe. What are some of the subtle ways that lie shows up in your own thinking or emotions? Romans 8:38-39 lists every conceivable barrier and declares that nothing can separate us from God's love. Which of those barriers (fear, the future, past mistakes, spiritual opposition) feels most real or threatening to you personally? Pastor John shared a moment where he stopped, closed his eyes, and opened his hands to acknowledge God's presence. Have you ever had a moment like that? What happened? There are four practical ways to abide: talking to God throughout the day, letting God's Word abide in you, acknowledging God in the ordinary, and opening your hands when you feel alone. Which of these feels most natural to you, and which feels most challenging? Abiding in Christ and abiding in community are not separate things. How does your connection with other believers support or strengthen your connection with God? Life Application This week, practice the presence of God by setting three reminders on your phone at different points during the day. When each alarm goes off, pause for 30 seconds and say out loud: 'Lord, I acknowledge that you are right here, right now, and I am not alone.' Additionally, write Romans 8:38-39 on a card and place it somewhere visible for when feelings of loneliness creep in. Finally, choose one person this week and share something you have been carrying in silence. You were not designed to carry life alone. Key Takeaways Abiding in Christ means making a permanent home in Him, not just visiting God in moments of crisis. It is an ongoing, conversational, and relational connection. Just as a branch produces fruit through connection to the vine rather than through effort, believers experience a full and fruitful life through relationship with Jesus, not through trying harder. The feeling of being alone is one of the most common lies people believe, but Romans 8:38-39 and Hebrews 13:5 confirm that nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love, and He will never, never leave us. Acknowledging God's presence, especially in ordinary moments, is a posture of surrender and trust that opens us up to experience what is already true: God is with us. Abiding in Christ and abiding in community go together. We need both our connection to God and our connection to one another to live the full life Jesus described in John 10:10. Ending Prayer Father, thank you for this time together and for the truth that you are always with us. We confess that we have sometimes tried to carry life on our own, feeling dry and disconnected from the vine. Right now, we choose to remain. We choose to abide. Help each person in this group to walk out of here with a deeper awareness of your presence in the ordinary moments of their week. When the feeling of aloneness comes, remind us of your promise: you will never, never leave us, and you will never, never forsake us. May that truth reshape what we feel and how we live. We love you, Jesus. In your name we pray, amen.
September 16, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - Freedom
Summary This sermon, part of a series called "More: You Were Not Made for Ordinary," focuses on the foundational component of the abundant life Jesus offers: freedom. The biblical and historical context for this passage is important to consider when reading Galations 5:1. During this period, in which the letter was written, false teachers called, ‘Judaizers’ were convincing new believers that faith in Jesus alone was not enough and that they needed to come under and follow the Mosaic law. Paul's response is clear: Christ set us free for the purpose of actually experiencing freedom, and returning to a system of rules and human effort is like putting a heavy yoke back around your neck. The sermon challenges listeners to honestly examine whether they are truly walking in freedom or simply declared free while still living in bondage. Today people carry four common yokes: guilt, shame, fear, and old identity. Walking in genuine freedom starts with four practical steps: name what you are still carrying, bring it into the light by confessing to a trusted person, renew your mind with truth, and stand firm when old burdens try to return. Freedom in Christ is not a license to do whatever you want, but the power to live as God designed and called you to live. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and discuss what it means to truly walk in freedom, we ask that You soften our hearts and open our eyes. Remove any distractions or defenses that might keep us from hearing what You want to say to each of us personally. Give us the courage to be honest with You and with one another, and let Your Spirit lead this conversation. We trust that You are here, and we invite You to do something real in each of our lives today. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you have finally let go of in life, whether it was a bad habit, a worry, or a physical item, and how did it feel once you put it down? Key Verses Galatians 5:1 John 8:32 John 8:36 Psalm 103:12 Romans 8:1 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Corinthians 5:17 Romans 12:2 James 5:16 Questions There is a gap between freedom that has been declared and freedom that is actually experienced. In your own life, where do you sense that gap most? Are there areas where you know you are forgiven but do not feel free? Paul told the Galatian church that returning to the law after receiving grace was like putting a yoke back on. What are some modern-day 'yokes' that Christians can slip back into, even with good intentions? The sermon drew a parallel between freed slaves who became sharecroppers and Christians who are declared free but continue living in bondage. Why do you think it is so hard for people to actually live in the freedom they have been given? Four common yokes people carry today are guilt, shame, fear, and old identity. Which of these resonates most with you personally, and why do you think that one tends to linger? Psalm 103:12 says God has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. What does that image mean to you, and does it change how you think about guilt you may still be holding onto? Romans 8:1 says there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. How does internal shame or self-condemnation conflict with that truth, and what does it look like practically to believe it? Genuine freedom is not the license to do whatever you want, but the power to do what you ought to do. How does that definition of freedom challenge or reshape the way our culture typically thinks about freedom? James 5:16 calls us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. What makes that kind of vulnerability so difficult, and what would it take for your community to become a place where that happens naturally? Life Application This week, take a few quiet minutes alone and ask God honestly: what am I still carrying that Jesus already paid to remove? Write down one specific thing, whether it is guilt about a past decision, shame tied to your identity, a fear that is driving your choices, or an old label someone placed on you. Be specific rather than vague. Then find one person you trust and speak it out loud to them. Ask them to pray with you. You do not need to have it resolved before you share it. Simply naming it to a safe person begins to break its power. Let this be your first step toward actually walking in the freedom that has already been declared over your life. Key Takeaways Freedom declared and freedom experienced are two different things. Many believers are legally free in Christ but are still living under the weight of guilt, shame, fear, or old identity, much like freed slaves who continued living as sharecroppers. Returning to human effort, performance, or rule-keeping as a means of standing before God undermines the sufficiency of grace and the cross. Paul's message in Galatians is that grace through faith in Christ alone is the only foundation for true freedom. The yokes people carry today look different from the Mosaic law, but the weight is the same. Guilt, shame, fear, and old identity are real burdens that Jesus came to remove, and Christians do not have to keep picking them up. Genuine freedom in Christ is not the absence of boundaries or the license to do whatever you want. It is the power to live as God designed you to live, free from what was controlling you and free to love, serve, and become who God made you to be. Walking in freedom is an active, ongoing choice. It requires naming what you are carrying, bringing it into the light with a trusted person, renewing your mind with truth, and standing firm when old burdens try to return. Ending Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You purchased for us at such a great cost. As we leave this conversation, we do not want to walk out the same way we walked in. We confess that we have sometimes carried things You already removed, and we have lived smaller lives because of it. Today we choose to believe what is already true: we are forgiven, we are free, and we are new creations in You. Give us the courage to name what we have been carrying, the humility to bring it into the light with someone we trust, and the strength to stand firm when old guilt, shame, fear, or identity tries to return. Let the freedom You died to give us be the freedom we actually live in, every single day. In Your name we pray, amen.
September 10, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - You Were Not Made for Ordinary
Summary This sermon opens a new series called "More: You Were Made for More Than Ordinary," centers on Jesus's promise in John 10:10 that He came to give life "to the full." Using the story of a boy who gave his only dollar to a parade clown thinking he had seen the circus, this story illustrates how many Christians settle for a shallow version of faith that was only ever meant to point toward something greater. The core message is that Jesus offers an overflowing, abundant life, not just forgiveness or a ticket to heaven, but a present reality marked by freedom, joy, purpose, and genuine connection with God. People tend to live three versions of life: the stolen life (numb, going through the motions), the dead religious life (outwardly correct but inwardly empty), and the full life that Jesus actually came to give. Drawing from John 10 and the Greek word "perissos," meaning overflowing and more than enough, the sermon challenges listeners to honestly assess which version they are living and to open themselves to the abundant life God intends for every believer, not just a select few. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to live the abundant life you promised, we ask that you quiet our minds and soften our hearts. Holy Spirit, we invite you into this conversation. Help each of us to be honest about where we are, open to what you want to show us, and willing to receive more of what you came to give. May this time together not just be an exchange of ideas, but a genuine encounter with you. In Jesus name, Amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you were really looking forward to as a kid that turned out to be even better than you expected, or maybe a little disappointing when you finally experienced it? Key Verses John 10:7-10 Psalm 23:1 Ephesians 3:20 1 Peter 5:8 Questions The pastor used the story of a boy who gave his dollar to the clown and went home thinking he had seen the circus. In what ways do you think Christians today might be settling for the parade instead of the real thing Jesus offers? Jesus says in John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The pastor mentioned that this theft is often quiet rather than dramatic. What are some subtle ways you have seen joy, peace, purpose, or identity quietly stolen in your own life or in the lives of people around you? The pastor described three versions of life: the stolen life, the dead religious life, and the full life. Which of these resonated most with you, and why? The Greek word translated 'to the full' in John 10:10 is 'perissos,' meaning overflowing and more than enough. What would it look like practically for your everyday life to be described as overflowing rather than just adequate? The pastor shared that he was living both the stolen life and the dead religious life at the same time at age 22, going through the motions while feeling a deep disconnect. Have you ever experienced that kind of disconnect between your outward faith and your inner reality? What did that feel like? The pastor described his turning point as a literal act of repentance, turning around on a walk around a lake. What does genuine repentance, turning around and moving in a new direction, look like in your own spiritual journey? Jesus says in John 10 that the sheep who enter through Him will find pasture, a place of nourishment, abundance, and rest. What does it mean to you personally to find that kind of rest and nourishment in your relationship with God? The pastor challenged the group to name specifically what has been stolen from them that Jesus came to give. What is one thing you feel has gone missing in your faith life, and what might it look like to begin reclaiming it? Life Application This week, set aside some quiet time to sit honestly with this question: What part of the abundant life Jesus promised has gone missing in my life? Is it joy, peace, freedom, purpose, or a sense of God's presence? Name it specifically, either in a journal or out loud in prayer, because you cannot begin to reclaim what you have not yet identified. Then read all of John 10 slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the contrast between the thief and the good shepherd. Let the words of Jesus move from your head to your heart this week. Key Takeaways Jesus came to give life that is overflowing and more than enough, not just forgiveness or a future hope, but a present, abundant reality available to every believer right now. The thief's work is often subtle, quietly stealing joy, peace, purpose, identity, and freedom while leaving people feeling that ordinary and empty is simply all there is. There are three versions of life people tend to live: the stolen life, the dead religious life, and the full life. Jesus calls us out of the first two and into the third. Genuine repentance means turning around and moving in a new direction toward God, who is already pursuing us, and it is the starting point for stepping into the abundant life. You cannot reclaim what you have not identified. Naming what has been stolen is the first and necessary step toward experiencing the life Jesus promised. Ending Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise that you came not just to save us, but to give us life that overflows. As we leave this discussion, we ask that your Holy Spirit continue to work in each of our hearts. Where life has been stolen, begin the process of restoration. Where we have been living a performance rather than a relationship, draw us into something real and genuine. Give us the courage to turn around wherever we need to, and the faith to believe that you are already running toward us when we do. May we stop settling for the parade and step fully into everything you came to give. In your name we pray, Amen.
September 1, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Reach One - The Most Underrated Skill in the Room
Summary In this final message of the "Reach One" series, the often-overlooked practice of listening one of the most powerful tools for sharing faith. We live in a world-wide listening crisis, where everyone is broadcasting but no one is truly hearing others. Drawing on research and Scripture, the case is made that listening and love are functionally the same thing, and that when we genuinely listen to the people in our lives, we are performing one of the most evangelistic acts possible. Jesus modeled this pattern throughout the Gospels, asking 307 questions and listening deeply before speaking. Using passages from James 1, Proverbs 18, and 1 Corinthians 13, four practical habits of a real listener emerge: being fully present, asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to fix, and listening for what God is already doing in someone's life. The sermon closes with a personal story about how 30 minutes of genuine listening at a wedding reception moved someone more than any sermon or spiritual expertise could, reminding the church that the most powerful thing we can do for our "one" this week is simply to make them feel heard. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and reflect on what it means to truly listen, we ask that You quiet our minds and soften our hearts. Help us to set aside our own agendas, our prepared answers, and our distractions, and to be fully present with You and with one another right now. Holy Spirit, speak to us not just as individuals, but as a group. Show us what You want us to take away from this time together. May our conversation today draw us closer to You and closer to the people You have placed in our lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one person in your life who you feel truly listens to you, and what is it about the way they listen that makes you feel heard? Key Verses James 1:19 Proverbs 18:13 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Mark 10:51 Luke 21:3 Questions We heard that listening and love are 'essentially the same thing.' Do you agree with that? Why or why not? Think about the last time someone truly listened to you without trying to fix your problem or redirect the conversation. How did that make you feel? Jesus asked 307 questions in the four Gospels and directly answered only eight. What does that tell us about how Jesus engaged with people, and how does it challenge the way we typically share our faith? James 1:19 says to be 'quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.' Which of those three do you find most difficult in your everyday relationships, and why? Pastor John described the difference between 'listening to respond' and 'listening to understand.' Which mode do you find yourself in most often during conversations, and what makes it hard to shift? Pastor John shared that 30 minutes of genuine listening at a wedding reception moved someone more than any sermon or spiritual expertise. Has there been a moment in your own life where simply being heard changed something for you or for someone else? There are four practices of a real listener: being present, asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to fix, and listening for what God is already doing. Which of these four do you feel is your greatest area of growth, and what would it look like to practice it this week? How does the idea of 'listening for what God is already doing' in someone's life change the way you might approach a conversation with your 'one'? What might you be missing if you go into conversations with your answers already prepared? Life Application This week, commit to having at least one conversation with your 'one' where your only goal is to listen. Do not offer advice, do not steer the conversation, and do not try to fix anything. Ask genuine questions that follow what they actually say, make eye contact, put your phone away, and let your whole presence communicate that they matter to you. Afterward, take a few minutes to journal or pray about what you noticed. What did they share? What might God already be doing in their life beneath the surface? Let that listening be your act of love this week. Key Takeaways We live in a listening crisis, and the simple act of genuinely hearing someone is both rare and extraordinarily powerful in today's world. Listening and love are functionally the same thing. According to 1 Corinthians 13, everything done without love is in vain, which means listening to your 'one' is one of the most evangelistic things you can do. Jesus modeled a pattern of listening first and speaking second throughout the Gospels, asking questions and entering people's worlds before offering truth or healing. There is a critical difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. Real listening means paying attention to what is underneath the words, not forming your reply while the other person is still talking. When you listen to someone, you are not just building a relationship. You are paying attention to where God is already at work in their life, and you become a bridge to the God who is already present and active in them. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that love often looks less like a well-crafted argument and more like a quiet, attentive presence. Forgive us for the times we have talked more than we have listened, and for the times we have prepared our answers before we ever heard the question. As we leave today, give us ears that truly hear. Make us people who slow down enough to notice what You are already doing in the lives of those around us. Help us to love our 'one' the way You love them, with patience, with curiosity, and with genuine care. May our listening open doors that no sermon or strategy ever could, because it reflects Your heart. Go with each person in this group this week, and let our conversations be filled with Your presence. In Jesus' name, amen.
August 26, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Reach One - Your Story Is Enough
Summary In this fourth week of the "Reach One" series, we focus on the power of personal testimony, arguing that every believer's story is enough to share with others. Drawing from John 9, where a man born blind is healed by Jesus and then faces intense questioning from the Pharisees, showing that a genuine encounter with Jesus does not require theological expertise or debate skills. Like the healed man who simply said, "I was blind, now I see," followers of Jesus are called to be witnesses, not attorneys. Personal testimony can generally be broken down into three parts: before (what life was like before Jesus or before a specific work of God), what happened (the encounter or change itself), and after (what is different now). This emphasizes that a powerful story is honest, specific, humble, and brief, ideally around two minutes. Every believer is encouraged to write out their story, look for connection points with their "one" (a specific person in their life who may not know Jesus), and invite that person into a safe space to explore faith. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and reflect on what you have done in our lives, we ask that you quiet our hearts and minds. Help us to set aside any distractions or preconceived ideas, and make us open to whatever you want to speak to us today. Give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts that are willing to respond. We trust that you are already at work in each of us and in the people around us. Lead this time together, and may everything we discuss draw us closer to you and to one another. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one unexpected or funny moment from your past that you love telling people about, and why does that story stick with you? Key Verses John 9:1-3 John 9:6-7 John 9:16-17 John 9:24-25 John 9:27 Questions The healed man in John 9 could not explain the theology behind his healing, but he could say, "I was blind, now I see." What does this tell us about what God actually requires of us when we share our faith with others? The difference between being an attorney (arguing and debating) and being a witness (telling what you know) is significant. In your own life, have you ever felt pressure to be an "attorney" for your faith? How did that feel, and what would it look like to simply be a witness instead? Personal testimony includes three parts: before, what happened, and after. Which of these three parts feels the most difficult or uncomfortable for you to talk about, and why? Do you agree we don’t need to "polish up" our stories too much? Does it seem the rawer a story is, the more identifiable it becomes to others? Have you ever heard someone's honest, unpolished story that moved you more than a perfectly packaged one? "A changed life is the most compelling argument there is in the world." Do you believe that? Can you think of a time when someone's changed life made you curious about God, or when your own story made someone else curious? The healed man showed remarkable boldness and even humor when facing the Pharisees, despite having no formal training. Where do you think that boldness came from, and how can we cultivate that same kind of confidence in our own faith conversations? The pastor shared a story about a brief, unplanned conversation with a man named Paul that led to a meaningful moment of prayer and life change. Have you ever had a moment like that, where a short, honest conversation opened a door you did not expect? What happened? Who is your one, and is there anything in your story that might connect with something they are going through or searching for? Life Application This week, set aside 20 to 30 minutes to write out your personal testimony using the three-part structure: before, what happened, and after. Keep it to two minutes when spoken aloud. Do not polish it into a performance. Just tell the truth. Once you have written it, practice saying it out loud, and if possible, share it with a trusted friend or spouse to get their feedback. Then, think about your "one" and ask God to show you a natural connection point between your story and theirs. Pray for an opportunity this week to share even a small piece of your story with that person. Key Takeaways Jesus calls believers to be witnesses, not attorneys. You do not need to have all the answers or win every debate. You simply need to tell what you have personally experienced. Every personal testimony follows a basic three-part structure: before (what life was like before Jesus or a specific work of God), what happened (the encounter or change), and after (what is different now). The most powerful testimonies are honest, specific, humble, and brief. Cleaning up your story too much removes the raw authenticity that makes it relatable and compelling to others. A genuine encounter with Jesus produces a boldness and confidence that is not rooted in credentials or training, but in the reality of what He has done in your life. Your story is not too small, too ordinary, or too messy. It is exactly what someone around you needs to hear, and two minutes of honest sharing can open a door that no amount of theological argument could. Ending Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder today that you do not ask us to be experts. You simply ask us to be honest about what you have done in our lives. Thank you that our stories, with all their mess and imperfection, are exactly the kind of stories you love to use. As we leave this time together, give us the courage to open our mouths and share what we know. Help us to see the people around us the way you see them, with compassion and hope. Bring to mind our "one," and open doors for us to share our story in a way that points them to you. May we never forget that you are the author of every good thing in our lives, and that our story is ultimately your story. We love you, and we trust you with the people we love. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
August 18, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Reach One - Love is the Language
Summary In part three of the "Reach 1" series, this week focuses on the foundational role of love in sharing faith with others. The central message is simple but profound: before you open your mouth, open your life. Drawing from John 13:34-35 and 1 John 3:16-18, the challenge is for the believer to love their "one" (a person they are praying for and building a relationship with) in ways that are visible, costly, and genuine. The most common mistake in outreach is to lead with sharing the gospel with only words and not demonstrating the gospel in every action and thought towards others; made visible through love. Love is defined, not as a feeling, but as a decision rooted in agape, a self-giving, sacrificial, unconditional love that contends for the highest good of others in every situation. This love expresses itself through justice, truth, and grace. Using a personal story about a pastor named Steve Nicholson who invested in him during a painful season of failure, Pastor Jon illustrates how practical, costly acts of love open doors in people's hearts toward God. The conclusion is clear: people are not argued into the kingdom of God, they are loved into it. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and reflect on what it means to truly love the people around us, we ask that You soften our hearts and open our eyes. Remove any distractions or preconceived ideas we may have brought into this room. Speak to each of us in the way we personally need to hear from You today. May this time together not just be about gaining knowledge, but about being transformed by Your love so that it flows freely through us to others. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker Think of a time when someone did something unexpectedly kind for you. What did they do, and how did it make you feel? Key Verses John 13:34-35 1 John 3:16 1 John 3:17-18 Leviticus 19:18 Questions A little girl named Ruth asked a question: 'If God is bigger than us and lives inside of us, wouldn't He show through?' How would you honestly answer that question about your own life right now? Agape love is described as love that 'contends for the highest good in every situation until it is present tense.' How does that definition challenge or expand the way you normally think about love? Jesus called love a commandment, not a suggestion. What is the difference between treating love as a feeling you wait for versus a decision you make? How does that shift change the way you approach relationships? 'The most common mistake in outreach is leading with the message before the life behind the message is visible.' Have you ever experienced this, either as the person sharing or the person receiving? What happened? John 13:35 says the world will know we are Jesus' disciples by our love for one another. What do you think the people around you, especially your "one," would say about the love they see in your life and in this church? Love is described as expressing itself through justice, truth, and grace. Which of these three comes most naturally to you, and which one do you find most difficult to live out? Why? Steve Nicholson, who loved Pastor Jon through a painful season with a phone call, a plane ticket, a prayer meeting, and a teapot. What stands out to you about that story, and what does it teach you about what love actually looks like in practice? Think about your "one." What do you know about what they are currently carrying? What is one specific, practical, and possibly costly act of love you could offer them this week? Life Application This week, choose one person in your life, your "one," and take a step toward loving them in a way that costs you something. Start by slowing down enough to ask them a real question, such as "How are you really doing?" or "How is your soul?" Then listen without trying to fix anything. Based on what you hear, identify one specific act of love you can offer, whether that is bringing a meal, following up on something they mentioned before, sitting with them in a hard moment, or simply showing up. Let the love you extend this week be visible, intentional, and rooted in a genuine desire for their highest good. Key Takeaways If God truly lives in us, His love should be visible to the people around us before we ever say a word about our faith. Jesus raised the standard of love from 'love your neighbor as yourself' to 'love one another as I have loved you,' a sacrificial, unconditional agape love that has no limit and never gives up. Love is not a feeling to wait for but a commandment and a decision. It is the primary witness we bring to the world, and it is the proof that we are disciples of Jesus. Love expresses itself in three visible ways: justice (showing up for the overlooked), truth (honest and genuine care), and grace (continuing to show up even when it is not earned). People are not argued into the kingdom of God. They are loved into it. Practical, specific, and costly acts of love open doors in people's hearts toward God. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that love is not just a nice idea but the very proof of Your presence in our lives. We confess that we often move too fast to notice the needs of the people right in front of us. Slow us down. Open our eyes to what our "one" is carrying. Give us the courage to ask the deeper questions and the patience to truly listen. Fill us with Your agape love, the kind that contends for the highest good of others even when it is costly, even when it is not returned. May the people in our lives see something in us that they cannot fully explain outside of You, and may that draw them closer to You. We trust You with the pace and the outcome. In Jesus' name, amen.
August 14, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Reach One- Partner With God
Summary This sermon, part of a series on sharing faith naturally, focuses on Acts 8 and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. This passage especially illustrates that God is already at work in the lives of people around us, and our role is simply to notice what He is doing and join in. Philip did not follow a program or a script. He followed the Holy Spirit's specific prompting, asked one good question, and started where the man already was, leading to the gospel reaching the ends of the earth. Through the story of Philip and a personal story about a college roommate named Timmy, Pastor Jon paints a picture of organic, relational, friendship-based evangelism. The key posture is not manufacturing spiritual conversations but paying attention to what God has already been doing in someone's life. We are called to be bridges, not converters, trusting that God has been preparing the people around us long before we ever showed up. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and discuss what it means to share our faith naturally and relationally, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to what You want us to receive. Help us to set aside our own agendas and truly hear what Your Spirit is saying to us as a group. Give us eyes to see what You are already doing in the lives of the people around us, and give us the courage to join in. We trust You, Lord. Lead this conversation. In Jesus' name, amen. Ice Breaker Think of a time when a random or unexpected conversation turned into something meaningful. What happened, and how did it make you feel? Key Verses Acts 8:26-40 Isaiah 53:7-8 Isaiah 56:3-5 Deuteronomy 23:1 Questions God was already at work in the Ethiopian eunuch long before Philip arrived. Can you think of a time in your own life when you could look back and see that God had been preparing you for something before you even realized it? Philip received a very specific prompting from the Holy Spirit to go to a particular road and approach a particular chariot. How do you personally recognize or discern the nudges of the Holy Spirit in your everyday life? We often have random intruding thoughts that we dismiss, but some of those might actually be the Holy Spirit prompting us. How do you tell the difference, and what would it look like to act on those promptings more often? Philip asked just one simple question: 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Why do you think one humble, curious question can be more effective than a prepared presentation or a rehearsed pitch? We are described to have the posture of salt and light as joining a conversation that is already happening rather than imposing one. What does that look like practically in your relationships with people who are not yet connected to faith? In the story about Timmy, Pastor Jon said he just joined in what God was already doing, and so did Emma. What barriers, fears, or habits keep you from joining in what God is already doing in the lives of people around you? 'You are a bridge. Bridges do not decide who crosses. They just connect two places.' How does thinking of yourself as a bridge rather than a converter change the way you approach sharing your faith? Who is your 'one'? What do you already know about what God might be doing in that person's life, and what is one practical step you could take this week to pay attention and show up for them? Life Application This week, choose one person in your life who is not connected to a church community. Pray daily and ask God, 'What are You already doing in their life, and how can I partner with You?' Then take one simple step toward them. Send a text, make a call, or ask them one deeper question like, 'How are you really doing?' Do not overthink it and do not wait for the perfect moment. Just show up, listen well, and trust that God has been preparing them long before you arrived. Key Takeaways God is already at work in the people around you. Your role is not to manufacture spiritual moments but to notice what He is doing and join in. The Holy Spirit gives specific promptings and directions. Paying attention to those nudges, rather than dismissing them, is central to living a life of organic, relational witness. One good, humble, curious question can open a door far more effectively than a rehearsed presentation or a confrontational approach. Effective witness starts where the other person already is, listening to the questions they are actually asking and meeting them there rather than imposing a script. You are a bridge, not a converter. Your job is to connect people to Jesus and trust Him to do what only He can do in their hearts. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You are already at work in the lives of the people around us. We confess that we often overthink it, hold back out of fear, or wait for a perfect moment that never comes. Forgive us for that, and give us fresh courage. Help each of us to carry the posture of Philip into our week: open eyes, give us attentive hearts, and a willingness to ask one good question. We lift up our 'ones' to You right now. You know their names, their stories, and the questions they are quietly carrying. Go before us, Lord, and prepare the way. We trust that You have been working in their lives long before we ever thought to pray for them. Use us as bridges, and may the people we love find their way to You. In Jesus' name, amen.
August 4, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
Reach One - You Don't Have to Be Weird
Summary This sermon opens a new series called "Reach 1," focused on helping everyday Christians share their faith in natural, relational ways. The pastor addresses the three most common fears that keep believers silent: looking weird, not knowing enough, and damaging relationships. Rather than promoting a scripted program or formula, the message calls people to simply be who they already are in Christ, because Jesus declared His followers to be salt and light, not as a goal to strive toward but as a present reality to live out. The theological foundation of the series is that God is already at work in the lives of the people around us. Our role is not to manufacture spiritual conversations or pressure anyone, but to notice what God is already doing and join it. The pastor challenges each person to identify "their one," a specific person in their life who is not connected to a church, and to commit to building a genuine relationship, loving that person like Jesus, sharing their personal story of faith when the time is right, and eventually inviting them into community. The goal is a relationship with intention, not a campaign or a program. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, we come together grateful for the truth that you are already at work in the world around us. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to be salt and light, we ask that you quiet our fears and open our hearts. Holy Spirit, speak to each person in this group in the way they most need to hear today. Let this time not just be about information, but about transformation. Show us who you are calling us toward, and give us the courage and the love to step into that. In Jesus name, amen. Ice Breaker What is one food that you think tastes completely different without salt, and why does salt make such a big difference to it? Key Verses Romans 10:14 Matthew 5:13 Matthew 5:14 Questions Pastor Jon named three common fears that keep Christians from sharing their faith: looking weird, not knowing enough, and damaging the relationship. Which of these fears resonates most with you personally, and why? Jesus declared in Matthew 5:13-14 that His followers ARE salt and light, not that they should try to become salt and light. How does that distinction change the way you think about sharing your faith? Pastor Jon said that God is already at work in the lives of the people around us, and our job is simply to notice what God is doing and join it. How does that idea shift the pressure you might feel about evangelism? Think about the story of the neurologist named Nick in the coffee shop. What moment in that story stands out to you most, and what does it teach you about stepping through awkwardness? The pastor said that sometimes "I don't know" is one of the most beautiful things you can say to someone who has a hard question about faith. Do you agree with that? Why or why not? The "Reach 1" approach is described as organic, relational, and friendship-based rather than scripted or programmed. What does a relationship with intention look like practically in your everyday life? The pastor suggested praying differently for the people we care about, shifting from "Lord, save them" to "Lord, show me what you are already doing in their life." How might that kind of prayer change the way you see and interact with your one? Is there a person whose face came to mind during this sermon as your one? Without sharing more than you are comfortable with, what feels like the most natural next step you could take toward that person this week? Life Application This week, identify one specific person in your life who is not connected to a church community and write their name somewhere you will see it every day, whether on a card on your fridge, in your Bible, or as a note on your phone. Then do one simple, no-agenda thing to show up in their life. Send a text, invite them to coffee, or follow up on something they mentioned recently. No script, no pressure, just salt showing up. Pair that action with a new kind of prayer: ask God to show you what He is already doing in that person's life and to help you notice the open doors. Key Takeaways Jesus declared His followers to be salt and light right now, as a present reality, not as a future goal to work toward. You already are what you are called to be in Christ. The number one reason most Christians do not share their faith is not theological but social. Fear of being awkward, pushy, or weird keeps people silent, but awkwardness is almost always on our side and not as threatening as we imagine. God is already at work in the lives of the people around you. Your role is not to start something new but to notice what God is doing and simply join it. You do not need a theology degree, a script, or all the answers to share your faith. You only need your own story of what God has done in your life. The Reach 1 challenge is about choosing one specific person, loving them like Jesus, sharing your story when the time is right, and inviting them into community. It is a relationship with intention, not a program or a campaign. Ending Prayer Lord, thank you for this time together and for the reminder that you have already gone ahead of us into the lives of the people we love. We confess that fear has sometimes kept us quiet when your love in us was meant to shine. Today we choose to say yes to being salt and light, not in our own strength, but because that is who you have already made us to be. We lift up our ones to you right now. You know their names, their struggles, and the exact work you are already doing in their hearts. Give us eyes to see it, courage to step into it, and love that feels genuine and real to the people around us. May your kingdom grow through ordinary people who are simply willing to show up. In Jesus name, amen.
September 30, 2026 • 6 Minute Read
More - You Are A Jar
Summary In this sermon, Youth Pastor Matt explores what it truly means to pursue "more" in the Christian life, challenging the cultural tendency to live under the gaze of others and constantly compare ourselves to those around us. Using the history of lawn culture and the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses," he illustrates how deeply ingrained our desire to perform and appear impressive really is. The central question he poses is: under whose gaze do we live? Do we orient our lives before the face of God (coram Deo) or before the face of the world (coram mundo)? Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4:6-18, he unpacks Paul's paradoxical vision of the Christian life, where weakness and suffering are not obstacles to experiencing more but are actually the very context in which God's power is revealed. Paul's image of "treasure in jars of clay" reminds us that our value is not found in how impressive we appear but in what God has placed within us. The road to experiencing more, is paved by becoming less, fixing our eyes not on the seen and temporary but on the unseen and eternal, grounded in the hope of resurrection. Intro Prayer Heavenly Father, we come before You today as ordinary jars of clay, aware of our fragility and our tendency to seek approval from the world around us. As we open Your Word together, we ask that You quiet the noise of comparison and performance in our hearts. Holy Spirit, we invite You into this space. Help each person in this group to be open to what You want to speak to us today, not what we expect to hear, but what You long for us to receive. May our eyes be fixed on Your face rather than on the faces of others. In the name of Jesus, amen. Ice Breaker What is one thing you owned or did as a kid simply because everyone else had it or was doing it? Key Verses 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Questions Coram deo (living before the face of God) and coram mundo (living before the face of others) are two phrases that easily describes how people lived then and today. Which of these most honestly describes how you have been living lately, and why? Paul describes himself and other believers as "jars of clay" that hold an extraordinary treasure. What does this image stir up in you personally? Does it feel freeing, humbling, or something else? "The road to becoming more is paved by the hard work of becoming less." What do you think he means by that, and where do you find it hardest to embrace in your own life? Paul calls his suffering "light and momentary," not because it does not hurt, but because he is comparing it to the eternal glory that awaits. How does the hope of resurrection change the way you think about the difficulties you are currently facing? Many Christians know what they have been saved from but do not fully understand what they have been saved into. How would you describe the Christian hope in your own words, and how does it shape your daily life? Identify one area of life where we have been performing for approval. Without needing to share the specific area, what does "performing for approval" feel like in your experience, and what does it cost you? Paul writes that we fix our eyes "not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." What are the visible, temporary things that most easily pull your attention away from God's eternal promises? The pastor encouraged us to bring areas of genuine weakness into the light, either through confession to God or by sharing with a trusted friend. What makes that kind of vulnerability difficult, and what might make it easier in a community like this one? Life Application This week, choose one of the following three challenges and commit to it. First, identify one area of your life where you have been performing for approval and spend time in prayer asking God what it would look like to live that area before His face instead. Second, bring one area of genuine weakness into the light by confessing it to God and, if possible, sharing it with a trusted friend or mentor. Third, sit down and honestly audit how you are spending your time. Ask yourself: if I truly believed Jesus is making all things new, what would I change about my priorities? Come back next week ready to share what you discovered. Key Takeaways We are all shaped by cultural pressures to perform, compare, and keep up appearances, but the Christian life calls us to live primarily before the face of God rather than the face of others. Paul's image of "treasure in jars of clay" teaches us that our value is not found in our strength or impressiveness but in the extraordinary God who dwells within ordinary, fragile human beings. The Christian life is inherently paradoxical: we are wasting away outwardly while being renewed inwardly, and it is often through weakness and suffering that God's power is most clearly revealed. Paul's ability to endure suffering without being overcome by it was rooted in a hope bigger than his circumstances, specifically the hope of bodily resurrection and the coming kingdom of God. Experiencing more in the Christian life begins not with becoming stronger or more successful, but with taking our eyes off ourselves and fixing them on the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Ending Prayer Lord, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You have chosen to place Your extraordinary glory inside ordinary, fragile jars of clay. Forgive us for the ways we have spent our energy performing for others rather than resting in Your gaze. As we leave today, help us to carry the truth that we are already known and already loved by You. Give us the courage to embrace our weakness, to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal, and to live our lives before Your face above all others. May the hope of resurrection anchor us when suffering feels heavy, and may we find freedom in simply being who You made us to be. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
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