October 21, 2007 "Don't Lose Heart"

Prayer is difficult for many modern people. Today Pastor Steve Cook talks about this reality. Preaching from Luke 18:1-8 we learn that we just "lose heart" in the promise of God who has overcome in Jesus. The heart of prayer is always the petition "Your Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven."

Texts:
Genesis 32:22-31
2nd Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8

Sermon Audio

October 14, 2007 -- "Total Healing"

In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus heals 10 lepers; only one returns to give thanks. It's really a story about three kinds of healing: healing for bodies, healing of vision - giving eyes of faith, and healing of hearts - that reach out to reach others.

Texts:
2nd Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
2nd Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19

Sermon Audio

October 7, 2007--"More Please"

The role of a disciple is no walk in the park. Pastor Janine Olson reminds us that as disciples of Jesus Christ we are called to care for God's people and God's world in ways that can sometime seem daunting. We are not left alone in this task, however. God has richly poured into us the gift of faith, with which we can do the seemingly impossible.

Texts:
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
2nd Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:1-10

Sermon Audio

September 30, 2007--"The Good Life"

In today's sermon Pastor Dee Pederson asks: "Which is it easier to do: clench your hands and say, "Mine, mine!" or to open your hands and share?" The rich man in today's story exemplifies what we and our world would call "The Good Life," but he is bound by his need to feed his greed and his comfortable lifestyle. Lazarus exemplifies those who are on the outside, who are bound because their needs are forgotten and ignored. When those who are comfortable figure out ways to open their hands and bridge the gaps that exist between us, two wonderful things happen: The giver experiences the joy of giving while living, and the recipient is freed to live. This is the life for which Jesus freed us when he opened his hands to the nails of the cross and gave it all - his very life - so that we would know the REALLY Good Life.

Texts:
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31

Sermon Audio