Politics of Jesus: Part One
Jack Wisdom opened a discussion that will unfold over the next three weeks on how we, as the Body of Christ, are called to engage in a deeply broken political climate as a loving reflection of our Savior. Jesus continually and radically upended earthly expectations of power in ways that cannot be politicized or de-politicized, or claimed by either conservative or progressive ideology.
Transformative Community
Pastor Josh Hilburn concluded the recent walkthrough of our calling and identity as Houston's Holistic Missional Christian Community, and why we believe community is vital to who we are. When we live with vulnerability and honesty, offering our committed presence, and opening our hearts and homes to diverse experiences and viewpoints, God will change us in surprising and remarkable ways.
The World is Not Worthy of Them: Christian Identity
Pastor Chris continued our series, about "living lives of courageous faith" and our call and identity as Houston's Holistic Missional Christian Community. Chris taught on our unique Christian identity and reminded us that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is good news for everyone. In light of that good news we are called to live authentically and seek out those who often feel excluded.
The World Was Not Worthy Of Them: The Mission
Pastor Chris continued our series, about "living lives of courageous faith" and our call and identity as Houston's Holistic Missional Christian Community. Today, Chris spoke about the meaning of missional, and our charge to be the people Jesus sends into the world, never to pull away, but always to lean in; vulnerably engaging all of culture and creation with curiosity, presence, and love.
Podcast for Parents Ep 3
In the third episode of our podcast for parents, Kelly talks with Ecclesians Danny and Tammy Flack, who have 3 adult daughters. They discuss growing up in a legalistic environment and how that affected their early parenting, moving to Puerto Rico, which had great influence on their parenting style, and provide insight into how each of their daughters required different types of parenting.
The World Was Not Worthy of Them: We Are Ecclesia
Pastor Chris continued our series, "The World Was Not Worthy Of Them" with the beginning of a reintroduction of our calling and identity as Houston's Holistic Missional Christian Community. He discussed the foundation of the early church, our unique witness to this great city, God's love for the whole of creation, and how we begin to offer the fullness of our lives in gratitude.
Podcast for Parents Ep 2
In the second episode, Katie Rushing provides insight into how she reconnected with herself after becoming a mom, how she carves out intentional time with God, and prioritizes time for friends and her husband, Davis. Katie and Kelly also discuss battling perfectionist tendencies and how that can affect parenting.
Redefine the Relationship
Pastor Josh Hilburn continued our conversation about living lives of courageous faith, a people set apart. He invited us to consider our misconceptions about the meaning of "blessing", how we might begin to shift our view of sacrifice instead to investment, and grow into greater peace with the often slow and inefficient movement of transformation in our world and relationships.
Podcast for Parents Ep 1
In this episode, Bob and Mel Sutton, who are such kind people and so honest about their marriage and parenting journey, talk about what life was like with a baby who cried for 7 months straight, what marriage looked like before kids and then after kids, navigating through fighting siblings and house rules, and Mel talks about her role as a sex therapist and some of the intimacy issues many couples face.
The World Was Not Worthy Of Them
Pastor Chris entered the scripture in Hebrews, introducing the central thought that will guide us into the fall. How are we, as followers of Christ, called to live lives of courageous, magnetic, truly sacrificial faith, and to be a people willing to meet potential hardship and suffering with joy and obedience for the sake of the kingdom. We also celebrated over twenty-five baptisms of community members.
Hymns: Come Thou Fount
By These Hands
In The Moment
Our guest teacher, Pastor Jason Shepperd, walked through the feeding of the four-thousand in the Gospel of Mark, offering a message on the gathering together of our giftedness and resources, and how we might be more attuned with our call to respond without hesitation and with radical compassion when we see a place of need.
Abre Los Ojos
Call Him Good
Hymns: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Pastor Chris Seay continues our series on the origins and relevance of classic hymns, addressing recent pains in our nation and world, and heartbreak in our own community. Facing the brokenness that surrounds us, our call is never to despair, but to live by sacrifice and generosity as those under the protection of Christ; both lion and lamb.
Hudson Adams Memorial Service
This week, a young brother in our community was taken from us far too soon. Hudson Adams, 19, was serving as a camp counselor when he contracted a rare amoeba that attacked his brain in sudden and aggressive fashion. We stand beside the Adams family in devastation over his loss, and were grateful for the opportunity to host an overwhelming outpouring of love in his memory and for those he has left behind. His joyful, humble, selfless spirit will be deeply missed by the countless lives he has touched.
Practice Resurrection
Guest teacher Gideon Tsang continued his conversation from last weekend on resurrection as a pattern lived out in imitation and participation. Especially following a dark week; a week of loss, fear and anger, how are we called in Christ not simply to receive, but to participate in God's work of resurrection and renewal?