Losing It All: Losing Power
Today, the incredible depths of grace are on full display. No one deserves God’s love, no matter what they think they have done or not done. God’s love is undeserved, unearned, and unconditional.
Losing It All: Losing Suddenly
Today’s worship focuses on God’s patience. Often times we observe tragedy in our world and in our lives and wonder why did God allow this all to happen? How can he just sit back and watch all this?
Losing It All: Losing Perspective
Christ is in control of all things— even his death. By his sacrifice we are saved. By his power we are transformed— body & soul.
Losing It All: Losing Heart
Lent is a time for reflection and repentance. Our great need of salvation is driven home during this season. Much like the warriors of Israel, we are frightened by the powerful, boastful, and evil figures that taunt us and blaspheme our God.
Salvation Unfolds: With Surpassing Glory
The glory of God’s chosen and beloved Son is different than the glory of Moses. Moses reflected God’s glory, but the glory was never his own—so it faded. The glory of Jesus is different and it has always been Jesus’.
Salvation Unfolds: Overcoming Evil
We live in a world always looking out for number one—ourselves. Sometimes that means we play nice with others. But many times, we find ourselves competing with one another for the same things.
Salvation Unfolds: With Sufficient Grace
During the season of Epiphany, we are getting to know Jesus better and better. Today, he presents the differences between a life built on faith in him and one built on faith in created things, including ourselves.
Salvation Unfolds: Through Proclamation
Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to be his disciples. But why these men? According to Peter’s self-assessment, it was not because of his own righteousness. Jesus doesn’t argue with his evaluation. But the Lord still calls these men.
ALA Sunday: Living God’s Love
ALA is committed to serving its federation and community by providing an exceptional education, preserving a Christ-focused school culture, promoting spiritual growth and Christian service, and preparing life-long disciples of Jesus Christ.
Salvation Unfolds: Despite Direct Rejection
Throughout the Sundays after the Epiphany of our Lord, we are getting to know Jesus better. Today in our Gospel text, we meet Jesus in the early stages of his public ministry.
Salvation Unfolds: Through Washing
Today’s readings and songs focus on Christ’s baptism. At first glance, it seems like such a strange thing! Why was Jesus baptized?
Salvation Unfolds: To the Nations
The star is a prominent symbol of the Christmas season. We make star-shaped cookies. We hang lighted stars outside our homes. We often adorn the tops of our Christmas trees with stars. The star is important because it led wise men to see the Savior.
Messy but Marvelous: Marvelous Adoption
Few things challenge a believer’s faith like silence. Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed earnestly for a child, without any response. Finally, the Lord sent a message of hope—they would have a special son. Zechariah was floored.
Messy but Marvelous: Marvelous Hope
At the birth of Christ, the angels announced good news and great joy meant for all people, but not everyone saw it that way: Herod reacted to the birth of Jesus with fear, opposition, and abhorrent violence.
Messy but Marvelous: Marvel at God’s Glory
Today we take a deeper look at the birth of Jesus. It is not just the details of his birth that are remarkable. Rather, the reason he was born—what he came to do and be—is most marvelous to the hearts and minds of sinners like us.
Messy but Marvelous: Marvelous Peace in the Mess
This evening's worship is an adaptation of “The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” first introduced at King’s College in Cambridge, England, on Christmas Eve of 1918.
Messy but Marvelous: Mercy in the Mess
Christmas is right around the corner. Are you ready? For so many of us, we have lists that are not finished, homes that are not quite ready, and lives that feel frenzied and frantic.
Messy but Marvelous: Joy in the Mess
The season leading up to Christmas can be filled with all kinds of messiness—especially relational tensions and conflicts. Many people grow frustrated when the most wonderful time of the year devolves into something mostly draining and exhausting.
Messy but Marvelous: Discernment in the Midst of the Mess
The last thing anyone wants this time of year is another thing to do. So today, when we hear John the Baptist preach a fiery message about repentance, we may not be real excited to be hearers and doers of God’s Word.
Messy but Marvelous: Confidence Despite the Mess
How do you get ready for Christmas? Many begin to prepare their homes and hearts with music, decorations, and all kinds of baked goods. These traditions help us mark a shift in the season and prepare us for the joy of Christmas.