A message from Pastor Tim Phillips preaching; Text: Mark 7:14-23
August 29, 2021

In this season when the pandemic has caused us to be obsessive about cleaning our hands and careful about what and who we touch, we may be a little more sympathetic to the crowd Jesus takes to task for their ritual of hand-washing in Mark 7.

Eating with “defiled hands,” doesn’t seem like something we can just dismiss these days. But what is the ultimate impact of never being willing to get our hands dirty? How do our spirits suffer from a “do not touch” policy? Is there a way to care for our neighbors without risking something for them? These seem like very live questions for us today.
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So, join us for worship as Jesus takes on the human urge for purity and the risk of getting your hands dirty. ​

Last Sunday's Message from Pastor Patricia L. Hunter on Ephesians 6:18-24

Last Sunday's message, Ephesians 6:10-20 with Pastor Anita Peebles August 15, 2021 

Pastor Anita will preached on Ephesians 6.10-20. Instead of using the warring imagery of armor and weapons, Pastor Anita will lead us in considering what tools we already have and what skills we can nurture that help us live a life of intentional and engaged faith in the Way of Jesus.

A message from Rev. Margie Paynton based on Ephesians 5:15-20. August 8, 2021. The people in Ephesus aren’t the only ones that Paul encourages to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving in their hearts. His letter to the believers in Colossae contains the exact same words, in the same order: “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” How are these three specific types of singing different and do we need all three in our worship of God? What are their equivalents today? Scholars tell us that both Ephesians and Colossians were written by Paul from prison. In Acts, we read that Paul and Silas were “singing hymns to God” from their prison cell when a great earthquake occurred, shaking the foundation, opening the doors and unfastening everyone’s fetters. What are the benefits of communal singing? Join us as we consider the power of congregational song.

A message from Pastor Tim Phillips August 1, 2021 

Ever tried to find that perfect gift? Hard as I try, it’s amazing how many times I can get it wrong. And, anyway, is there such a thing as a “perfect” gift? The letter to the community of Jesus in Ephesus follows up its affirmation of a variety of gifts with instructions about how to be the gift you are - the example being Jesus who “offered himself… a gift of pleasing fragrance.” We are God’s work of art, Ephesians says, and Jesus is God’s perfume. Sounds perfect. Or is it? James says, “every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” Join us as we wonder together about gifts.