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Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Marcus Lane "Cleopas and a Friend" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "You Walk With Me". Digging Deeper Questions:  Have you ever experienced moments of spiritual desolation where it felt like God's presence was hidden from you? What was it like? What did you do about it?   How does Jesus' response to Cleopas and the other disciple encourage you as you seek God's presence?   How does the moment of Jesus' revelation in this story help you see where he promises his presence today?   Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.     Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "You Walk With Me" Housefires CCLI Song # 7130488   CCLI License # 11254293

As we continue in the Easter season and our Encountering Jesus sermon series, Pastor Marcus preaches on Cleopas and a Friend. Pastor Marcus teaches how we should consider when Jesus is hidden, when Jesus teaches, and when Jesus is revealed.    Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35   Digging Deeper Questions: Have you ever experienced moments of spiritual desolation where it felt like God's presence was hidden from you? What was it like? What did you do about it?   How does Jesus' response to Cleopas and the other disciple encourage you as you seek God's presence?   How does the moment of Jesus' revelation in this story help you see where he promises his presence today?

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Gabe Kasper "The Other Mary" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "There Is A King". Digging Deeper Questions:  The historian John Dickson says, People don't make their minds up about big things based only on evidence…but based on a mix of evidence…assumptions and experiences, preferences and prejudices. Do you agree with Dickson? What determines what you believe about big things?    Have you ever felt like "the other Mary?" What are some of the ways we respond to that feeling?   The angel gave Mary the purpose of proclaiming the resurrection, where are the places you feel God has most given you purpose?   The Marys fall at Jesus' feet and worship him when they encounter him. What does worship look like for you?   Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-10 1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."   Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "There Is A King" Elevation Worship CCLI Song # 7138218   CCLI License # 11254293

As the other Mary encounters the resurrected Jesus she finds her significance, purpose, and hope. As we encounter the resurrected Jesus may we find those same things.

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Marcus Lane "Mary Magdalene" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)". Digging Deeper Questions:  Would you say that you have truly encountered Jesus? Why or why not?    What do you find noteworthy about the way Mary responds to what she finds at the tomb? How might this be instructive for how you are called to live as a follower of Jesus?   How does Augustine's statement that "it is better not to touch [Christ] with the hand and to touch him with faith" make you rethink what it means to encounter Jesus? Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)" Kari Jobe CCLI Song # 7001228   CCLI License # 11254293

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Marcus opens up our new sermon series Encountering Jesus with a message on Mary Magdalene. In this sermon, Pastor Marcus outlines how Mary Goes, Tells, and Sees.    Digging Deeper Questions: Would you say that you have truly encountered Jesus? Why or why not?   What do you find noteworthy about the way Mary responds to what she finds at the tomb? How might this be instructive for how you are called to live as a follower of Jesus?   How does Augustine's statement that "it is better not to touch [Christ] with the hand and to touch him with faith" make you rethink what it means to encounter Jesus?

For our Good Friday gathering, Pastor Gabe, Pastor Marcus, and Pastor Randy reflect on Jesus' final words on the cross.

At Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples, he institutes the Lord's Supper. He does it because he knows who we are and what we need, and he does it because of who he is, the God of self-giving love. We are invited to trust his word and receive the gift of his grace.

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Gabe Kasper "The Rabbit's Foot" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "You've Already Won". Digging Deeper Questions:  Idolatry is a hard and heavy word to contemplate. Do you agree with the assertion that your life is laden with things competing for your ultimate allegiance? Why or why not?   Consider again the quote from William Temple, "Your religion is what you do with your solitude." Where do your thoughts go when nothing else is commanding your attention? What might this tell you about the idols that exist in your life?   Idolatry is about control. The idol is a means to lay hold of God's authority and to get what we want. In which area of life is it most difficult for you to relinquish control to God and to trust in his power and his plans?  Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence    "You've Already Won" Shane and Shane CCLI Song # 7194845   CCLI License # 11254293

So often we are tempted to put our trust in created things rather than the Creator. This is called idolatry. And the problem with idolatry is, it doesn't work. We were made for God and until we rest in him and in Christ's finished work on our behalf we will remain oppressed by the idols of this world.   Digging Deeper Questions:  Idolatry is a hard and heavy word to contemplate. Do you agree with the assertion that your life is laden with things competing for your ultimate allegiance? Why or why not?   Consider again the quote from William Temple, "Your religion is what you do with your solitude." Where do your thoughts go when nothing else is commanding your attention? What might this tell you about the idols that exist in your life?   Idolatry is about control. The idol is a means to lay hold of God's authority and to get what we want. In which area of life is it most difficult for you to relinquish control to God and to trust in his power and his plans?

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Marcus Lane "The Party Hat" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "Made For More".   Digging Deeper Questions Do you feel pressure to find and maintain a certain level of happiness in life? If so, where do you believe the pressure is coming from? Is it an instinctual urge, or is it fueled by outside forces, such as the stories told on social media or the manufactured discontent of modern marketing?   Do you struggle to believe that there can be purpose in pain? Can you think of any good things in your life that have been borne out of incredible difficulty? If so, what are they?   How does the idea of holiness as a higher goal than happiness make you feel? Do you have any concern that, should your focus shift to higher aims, you'll somehow miss out?     Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence   "Made For More" Josh Baldwin CCLI Song # 7207758   CCLI License # 11254293

Pastor Marcus continues our Junk Drawer Jesus with a message on The Party Hat. Pastor Marcus walks us through how the writer of Hebrews tells us to look to Jesus, cling to the Father, and see the bigger picture.    Digging Deeper Questions: Do you feel pressure to find and maintain a certain level of happiness in life? If so, where do you believe the pressure is coming from? Is it an instinctual urge, or is it fueled by outside forces, such as the stories told on social media or the manufactured discontent of modern marketing?   Do you struggle to believe that there can be purpose in pain? Can you think of any good things in your life that have been borne out of incredible difficulty? If so, what are they?   How does the idea of holiness as a higher goal than happiness make you feel? Do you have any concern that, should your focus shift to higher aims, you'll somehow miss out?

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Gabe Kasper "The Whistle" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on "No Longer Slaves". Digging Deeper Questions: Which of the two extremes are you drawn toward the most? Are you tempted to be a pietist, looking to obey all of the rules; or a party animal, finding ways to bend and break them?   A life of faith in Jesus Christ is not about what we can or cannot do, but about loving God and our neighbor in all that we do. Is this a new concept for you? If so, how others-oriented have you been when making moral decisions, prior to this?   Do you feel that being "set free to focus on love" as you navigate life will add clarity or complexity to your decision making?  Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence   "No Longer Slaves" Bethel Music CCLI Song # 7030123   CCLI License # 11254293

So often we can fall into the trap of thinking that God exists as a divine referee. That we're just trying to enjoy ourselves in our few short years, and he's up there just waiting to blow the whistle and call foul. When, in fact, God has made us for freedom and joy in Him. Thanks to the love and grace of Christ we have access to that joy and freedom even now.   Digging Deeper Questions: Which of the two extremes are you drawn toward the most? Are you tempted to be a pietist, looking to obey all of the rules; or a party animal, finding ways to bend and break them?   A life of faith in Jesus Christ is not about what we can or cannot do, but about loving God and our neighbor in all that we do. Is this a new concept for you? If so, how others-oriented have you been when making moral decisions, prior to this?   Do you feel that being "set free to focus on love" as you navigate life will add clarity or complexity to your decision making? 

Join us as we dig deeper into last Sunday's sermon from Pastor Marcus Lane "The Ruler" and hear from Amy Duncan and Nate Zuellig on Nate's new song "You Will Find Me There (Psalm 139)". Digging Deeper Questions: When have you felt the closest to God? What was the circumstance surrounding that sensation and how would you describe that feeling to others?    In times of difficulty and struggle, where do you go, spiritually? Do you get angry with God, or do you blame yourself?   How open are you to the idea that our performance, and our circumstances, have no bearing on our proximity to God and his attitude toward us?  Intro/Outro Song: "Only One" Nate Zuellig ULC Artist In Residence   "You Will Find Me There (Psalm 139)" Nate Zuellig   CCLI License # 11254293