In Modern worship this weekend, Pastor Val preaches a special sermon designed for families and children. This Sunday is Palm Sunday—the start of Holy Week. People cheered for Jesus as he rode into the city, but he knew hard things were coming. Even though it looked like a party, Jesus was feeling many emotions inside. He left the city quietly that night, maybe to keep a promise or to prepare for the days ahead. What if we’re also called to let go of things we’ve been carrying and return to God with open hearts?

Modern Worship Sermon Overview
Have you ever had a moment that completely surprised you—in the best way? Maybe it was a kind word, a beautiful sunset, or an unexpected answer to a prayer that made you stop and say, “Wow, that just made my day!” God is always at work in our lives, showing up in ways we never expect. This Sunday, join Pastor Val in our Modern Worship service. Let’s open our eyes, ears, and hearts to the promise of life Jesus offers—because when we do, we’ll find more hope, joy, and purpose than we ever imagined!

Combined Worship @ 11:00 in Sanctuary
Rev. Val Stewart, Associate Pastor
Have you ever lost something really important to you? Mary and Joseph once lost Jesus, but he wasn’t really lost—he was right where he needed to be! This Sunday, we’ll hear the story of how they found him and what it teaches us about growing in faith and looking for Jesus in the right places. We'll see you Sunday!

This Sunday Modern Worship will be holding a special service of scripture and contemporary Christmas music that tells the story of Jesus’ birth as we prepare our hearts to receive Jesus again. Come experience the nativity story through scripture and song as our Modern Worship band leads the music, and members of our congregation read the scriptures dear to our hearts. Pastor Val will bring a short message, “The Scandalous Birth Story” based on Matthew 1:18-25, and we will go out singing with joy, and filled with the hope, peace, and love of Christ in our hearts. 

Modern

John was waiting for this. He was born for this. He was living in the wilderness and making space for God to come to him. That’s what those wilderness times of life do for us. They fill us up and prepare us for our purpose. That’s what the wilderness had done for John. It had readied him and filled him to carry out his purpose. God had come to John the Baptist in the wilderness. 

Today, the word of God comes to us. God is God, so God’s word comes in whatever way God wants it to come. But the question is worth asking, “What are the ways God’s word comes to us?” John was in the wilderness waiting and making time and space for this event to happen, but what about us? When and how has God’s word come to you and me? What are the interior landscapes of our life today? How do these states of being within us relate to ourselves and others? As we consider the valleys, the mountains, and hills, the rooked, smooth, and rough places of life, we view life with the good news John brings from the wilderness, the good news of Jesus Christ.