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This Sunday we will begin our work in the book of James. I chose James as our first book to study together because it lays out an extremely clear and practical description of what it means to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is unflinching in its exhortations of what it looks like to live in community and step out into the community.

The Christian church is wildly diverse according to Revelation 5. We differ in race, skin color, culture, language, and gender, in backgrounds and in style, in economics, social structures, wealth and politics. And yet we are to be one. How is that possible? Psalm 133 tells us. Let’s find the answer together!

The Children of God are being restored into that which they have been created to be, to live as witnesses that testify to the glory of the Precious Stone of our Salvation.

This Sunday we will look at Colossians 3:11-17 as we consider why and how we exist in Community. We will also partake in Communion together. Pastor Steve shares more about what is coming up in our Community life here: https://eternalchurch.net/blog/2026/08/13/considering-together

This Sunday we will look at Psalm 115:1–11 as we consider our Worship. As we prepare for our time together, I encourage you to take a moment to be courageous enough to sit in the presence of our Lord and ask a question: What am I trusting for my life? Read more here: https://eternalchurch.net/blog/2026/08/06/considering-our-life

’Tis the season of the Summer movie blockbuster! Last week Christopher Nolan released his modern take on the Odyssey; next week, Spider Man: Brand New Day drops. But this week, our Bible passage has it all! Murder. Suspense. Magic. Death worms. Acts 12 will conclude our To the Ends of the Earth series, but the story is far from over. This Sunday we'll watch the end to the beginning of the early church, and see the setup for the sequel. As they say in the cinema…”To be continued…”

When I went to Furman University back in the early 70s, I was giving the nickname “Kid”. It’s what all the people in the band and music department called me, it was on the back of my Phi Mu Alpha fraternity jersey, even to this day, 50 plus years later, my college friends call me “Kid”. I’m not quite sure how I came to be called “Kid” … but it stuck. Maybe it was because I acted like a kid or looked like a kid, I never really knew. Do you have a nickname? What is it? Who gave you that name? How did you get it?  Nicknames are given for a lot of reasons. Some are given to honor you. Some are given to embarrass you. Some are given because of the way you act, the way you look or the way other people see you. In ancient times, the city of Antioch was famous for creating and giving nicknames to people, places and things. These nicknames could have been given in honor or ridicule.  In Antioch, the Followers of Jesus were given a very distinct nickname based on their passion for, and devotion to Jesus… and it stuck! I encourage you to read Acts 11 as we discover and unpack this nickname and look at how God was active, present and alive in Antioch and how believers changed the entire feel of the city.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “less is more.” But when it comes to vision, that wisdom doesn't always hold up. This week, we’re looking at Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and Peter’s vision of the unclean animals. These are massive stories on their own, but taking them in together reveals something we would miss in isolation. In this case, seeing more helps us see more. Read Acts 9:1-22 and Acts 10:1-16. What ties these visions together?

Andrew Peterson is a great composer and a great theologian. His recent hit —Is He Worthy?—is wonderful. Based on Revelation 5, he reflects in the lyrics about the worthiness of a God who sets a broken world right, whose light cannot be overcome by the darkness of sin and evil, whose faithfulness pursues a faithless people that he loves so very much. If our God is worthy, then we owe him our lives.

In Acts 6:8-7:60, Stephen quickly goes from serving as one of the first deacons of the early church to dying as its first martyr. What happened?  Who did Stephen tick off?  Why was his sermon so revolting?  What can we learn about ourselves, today? Join us this Sunday as we try to figure out what to do with Stephen and his sermon.

I’ve always been intrigued by church names. Post WW II European immigrants often named their churches by numbers: First Presbyterian, Second, etc. Theological names soon became the thing: Grace Church, Faith, Eternal. Scandinavian people favored regal names: Christ the King, Prince of Peace. Catholics honored saints: my neighborhood fave was Saint Ignatius (“Iggy” was where friends served as altar boys). A few were perplexing: "Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows.” (A church for the chronically depressed?) God doesn’t try to be cute. He calls his Spirit-indwelt people by a name that serves as an instruction. “Go tell the people of this life.” Interesting, isn't it? Is “this life” different than “regular life” all around us? If so, how so? Tell you what, when “this life” gathers to meet Sunday at 10, we'll find out. See you in worship! John