Marysville Nazarene

From our "Stitches" series. As seen through the example of Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas, we either bring God glory...or we don't. God is glorified through the faithful hearts of his people. We are ONE BODY, stitched together to glorify Him. Are you--intentionally or unintentionally--a glory-taker? Or a glory-giver? Ref: 1 Samuel 4:12-22

From our "Stitches" series w/ Pastor Brian Richardson. The Church is a patchwork of different preferences, styles, and personalities. Each patch, or pattern, or block, is stitched together by God into this body, but apart from Christ, we are unable to see the beauty in what God brings together. The good news is, our quilt is not yet finished, as God takes our offerings and stitches a tapestry of ministry and mission together. 

The trinity points us to the idea of the unity and community of God, as seen in Romans 5:1-5. But what does that mean for a congregation? Unity and Community. The hope of the glory of God--justification by faith, grace--is the great equalizer that allows us to live into the image of the trinitarian God.

Pentecost is an invitation to leave our comfort zones and to find our new congregations.

We conclude our series on letting go of "dead things" with this: Unfulfilled expectations leave us lost and angry, while Jesus invites us to find a new focus and a new vision. 

This morning we honor our high school graduates, celebrating their achievements and the next season in front of them. At the same time, we take a look at what it means to let go of--or to loosen our grip on--our plans in exchange for what God has in store for us. 

Our past experiences can serve as a reference for future decision-making, but can equally cast doubt and bind us in the present. God's desire is for us to lean into His way of seeing our past for the food of our present and future. Ref: Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 12:1-2

Shame causes us to hide from God. In many ways, shame is connected to pride. We refuse to reveal and acknowledge our sins and failure. Conviction is meant to draw us to God. Confession is the way forward. Ref: John 16:8-11, James 5:16, and Hebrews 10:19-25

Sin, shame, and self are "dead things" that separate us from what God wants for us. But as we learned last week, Lazarus was in the tomb for four days--nothing is impossible with God! If we confess, and keep confessing, forgiveness and transformation are available. May we let go of our past sins, and our propensity to sin, and grasp hold of something far greater--life. 

Easter is an invitation to new life, not just life after death. Unfortunately, we sometimes cling to dead things. This 5-week series examines some of the things we hold onto that keep us from experiencing life as God intends. This morning, we review the well-known story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus brings life in the here and now, and invites the church to help others "take off the grave clothes" (a.k.a. remove the dead things from their life.) Ref: John 11

Sometimes we hold on to lesser things and miss God's call to grab onto something better...but Easter means we get to have life BEFORE death, through reconciliation with God and with each other.

We're excited to welcome back Dr. Doug Van Nest this morning as we wrap up the weekend's services with today's message regarding what it looks like to live a life of worship.

Welcoming Dr. Doug Van Nest as he shares a message about discipleship in the ordinary rhythms of life: friendship, conversations, Sabbath, etc.

Baptism is a declaration of the new life we find in Christ. As we witness and celebrate baptisms on New Life Sunday, we should also reflect on our personal relationships with Jesus. Does my life reflect new life?

Unity is the key concept of Ephesians 1-3, and the challenge that follows in Ephesians 4-6 is to walk like who(se) we are. Dr. Geoff Kunselman, District Superintendent for the Northwestern Ohio Church of the Nazarene, joins us this week for a special message regarding the grace, ground, gifts, and goal of unity and what that means for us in the Church.

The conclusion of our series on finding our identity in the Sermon on the Mount. Being a disciple of Jesus is more than learning about Jesus, it's leaning into the way of Jesus. Disciples look more like Jesus than their culture--we are called to be salt and light! What opportunities will you have this week to let God's light shine through you?

From our series on finding our identity in the Sermon on the Mount. Discipleship is relationship. And a correct understanding and application of Biblical instruction will build relationships, not harm them. Our morals serve a purpose--are yours creating connections or barriers?

From our series on finding our identity in the Sermon on the Mount. When we're proactive with God, He is proactive with us--and we see this in relationships. Matthew 7:12 says, "...do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets." We can't follow this command by being inactive.  Disciples ask not what they have to do. They ask, "What can I do?"

From our series on finding our identity in the Sermon on the Mount. The point of discipleship is not knowing about God, it's knowing God. It's relationship! And vulnerability is essential to strong relationships with God and others. Our ability to ask is connected to our willingness to be vulnerable. What do you need to ask God today?

From our series on finding our identity in the Sermon on the Mount. What does it mean to be a disciple? Relationship is the answer! But...to judge or not to judge, that is the question.