Scripture:  Mark 8:34, Mark 1:16-20, Mark 2:13-14, Mark 10:21 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: This message introduces 2026  as a year focused on rediscovering what it truly means to follow Jesus.  Everyone is constantly being formed by something, and the church must move beyond attendance and information toward genuine spiritual formation. Using Jesus’ invitation to “follow me,” a call to discipleship that means becoming an apprentice of Jesus — being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. The goal of faith is not simply being right or religious, but being transformed into the character and life of Christ through an active relationship empowered by the Holy Spirit.  This challenge is for each person to consider who or what they are following and to commit their lives to following Jesus as their rabbi.

Scripture:  John 1:1-18 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:   The apostle, John’s “Christmas card” in John 1, shows us that Christmas is the miracle of God stepping into the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Word made flesh. It highlights three gifts Jesus brings: He is the Light that overcomes darkness and reveals truth, He gives believers a new identity as children of God, and He offers inexhaustible grace. Christ's coming is not about human effort to reach God but about God descending to reach humanity and bring humanity into relationship with God. Through Jesus, God becomes present with us and offers rescue.  The invitation of Christmas is to receive the Light, accept our identity as God’s children, and live from grace instead of guilt.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: Luke’s Christmas story is written for those who feel overlooked, excluded, or left out, showing that God intentionally enters ordinary, difficult, and uncomfortable realities. Jesus is born not in glitter or comfort, but amid bureaucracy, travel, poverty, and a manger, revealing that God meets people right where they are. The first announcement of Christ’s birth is given to shepherds—outsiders and nobodies—proclaiming that the gospel is for all, especially the marginalized. Through Jesus, true peace (shalom) becomes possible: peace with God, with others, and within ourselves, regardless of circumstances. Christmas, therefore, is not just a story to admire but a Savior to seek, respond to, worship, and joyfully share with others.

Scripture:  Mark 1:1 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The sermon presents Mark’s Gospel as a Christmas “card” that proclaims not a sentimental birth story but a bold headline: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.” Mark’s nativity is framed as a decisive announcement that something world-changing has happened—God has acted in history, not merely offered an idea or feeling. The good news is that Jesus, whose name means “God saves,” is the promised Messiah who fulfills every hope and promise of Scripture by coming as a Savior first. By calling Jesus the Son of God, Mark declares that God is not distant but has stepped into our broken world and our personal stories to rescue us. Christmas, therefore, is a proclamation of victory and hope, inviting us to receive and boldly declare that Jesus has arrived for us.      

Scripture:  Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary:  Scott introduces the Advent series by comparing each Gospel’s account of Jesus’ birth to a unique Christmas card, beginning with Matthew’s perspective. Matthew highlights Jesus as the long-promised King by tracing His genealogy and openly presenting the difficult, even dark, realities surrounding His birth—especially Joseph’s initial crisis and courageous obedience. Joseph’s story shows that Christmas is proof God keeps His promises, both globally to the world and personally to individuals, even when circumstances feel disappointing or confusing. The visit of the wise men contrasts those who welcome Jesus with joyful worship against those, like Herod, who resist Him out of fear and self-protection. Ultimately, listeners are called to respond to Jesus' arrival with worship and trust, especially in the places where they feel fear, brokenness, or uncertainty.

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, bring the 5th message in the series.

Scott Seela, Community Impact Minister, brings the 4th message in the series.

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, brings the 3rd message in the series - Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi.

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, brings the 2nd message in the series- Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi.

Scott Meyer, Lead Minister, begins a new series- Jesus: The Relationship Rabbi.

Scripture:  Acts 26 Speaker:  Grant Perkins Summary:  Grant reflects on personal experiences of feeling inadequate compared to others, describing this as “imposter syndrome,” a feeling many also have when it comes to sharing their faith.  Using Acts 26, he highlights Paul’s example of simply telling his story—who he was, how he met Jesus, and how his life changed—rather than relying on eloquence or persuasion.  Paul demonstrates that faithfulness is not about guaranteeing conversions but about boldly sharing his story regardless of the outcome. Even in limiting circumstances such as imprisonment, Paul continued to share, showing that God uses our weaknesses and constraints as opportunities to spread the gospel. The sermon concludes by encouraging believers to share their own stories faithfully, trusting that God can do “immeasurably more” with them than we could ever imagine.

Scripture:  Acts 20 Speaker:  Scott Meyer, Lead Minister Summary:  Using Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 as a blueprint for finishing well in faith, Scott emphasized that steadfast discipleship begins with living humbly and visibly among others, not just speaking truth but modeling it. Paul’s example shows that obedience to God may lead into storms and hardships, but God’s presence and mission remain constant, even when leaders must let go and trust others to carry the work forward. Steadfast leaders give sacrificially, guard the flock from spiritual danger, and are not afraid to show deep emotion, loving and leading with both strength and tenderness. The message closed with the encouragement that no matter how one’s story began, by God’s grace anyone can choose to run faithfully now and finish well, leaving a legacy that glorifies Christ.

Scripture:  Acts 19 Speaker:  Everett Reichardt, Youth Ministry Intern Summary: This sermon uses the story of John Newton’s transformation and Acts 19 to show how the gospel disrupts culture and changes lives. Paul’s preaching in Ephesus challenged the worship of Artemis, disrupting the city’s economy, religion, and traditions, which led to a riot fueled by blind cultural loyalty. In this message, Everett draws parallels to modern culture, which promotes self-serving attitudes, following one’s heart, and defining success by wealth—values that conflict with the gospel’s call to selflessness, following Christ, and storing treasures in heaven. Believers are urged to boldly confront and challenge cultural norms with the truth of the gospel, living as visible witnesses of Christ’s love. The message concludes with an invitation for those blinded by culture to let God’s amazing grace transform their lives, just as it did for Newton and Paul.

Scripture:  Acts 17 Speaker:  Grant Perkins Summary: The sermon begins by highlighting that many people today identify as “religious nones,” but most still believe in or seek a higher power, showing our culture’s deep spiritual curiosity. Grant  connects this to Acts 17, where Paul finds himself in Athens, a city full of idols and curious philosophers, much like today’s spiritually searching culture. Paul uses the Athenians’ altar “to an unknown god” to introduce the one true God who is powerful, personal, and gives us everything though He needs nothing from us. The message reminds believers that God is knowable and near, even when we sometimes feel uncertain. The sermon closes by challenging everyone to respond like some Athenians did — by choosing to truly know and worship the God who has made Himself known.

Scripture:  Acts 17:1-9 Speaker:  Grant Perkins Summary: This sermon explains how Paul and Silas preached the gospel in Acts 17, boldly declaring that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus is King instead of Caesar, and that Jesus rose from the dead — claims that disrupted the established religious and political order. Their message angered some Jews, leading to accusations that they were “turning the world upside down,” but the Grant clarifies that Jesus is actually turning the world right side up. The sermon shows how humanity lives in an “upside-down” world because of sin, but Jesus’ life, teachings, and resurrection reveal the way life was always meant to be. Believers are challenged to live “right side up” now by boldly proclaiming who Jesus is, following his radical teachings, and serving like he did, even when it clashes with cultural norms. Ultimately, Christians are called to embody this gospel way of life as a glimpse of eternity here and now.

Scripture:  Acts 10 Speaker:  Scott Meyer Summary: The sermon uses the childhood memory of playing games at recess to illustrate how people draw lines of “in” and “out,” which we often use to judge and separate others. It focuses on Acts 10, where Peter learns through a vision and his encounter with Cornelius that God’s grace breaks down these human-made divisions. Peter, who once saw Gentiles as “unclean” outsiders, realizes God calls no one unclean and extends the same Spirit to all. The message challenges believers to move toward people they might normally avoid and not withhold grace where God has already extended it. Ultimately, it reminds us that we should see people not by their past or present but by what God’s grace can make them become.

Grant Perkins, Preaching Intern, brings a message from Acts 9:1-19 in the Steadfast series.

Grant Perkins, Preaching Intern, brings a message from Acts 8:26-40 in the Steadfast series.

Scripture:  Acts 6 Speaker:  Grant Perkins Summary:This sermon emphasizes the importance of the church staying true to its mission: sharing the gospel and caring for each other. Using examples like Kodak’s failure and Chick-fil-A’s success, Grant illustrates how knowing and living out a clear mission keeps an organization relevant. Acts 6 is used to show how the early church corrected "mission drift" by addressing neglect of Greek-speaking widows, empowering culturally different leaders, and uniting across divides. The message challenges the church today to break barriers—whether of race, politics, age, or ideology—by showing real, active care across those lines. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to embody Christ’s example of love that transcends division to become a transformative presence in the world.

Chris Stephens, Preacher from the Avenue G Church, brings us a message in the Steadfast series from Acts 5.