Pastor Chris Seay continued our series in Nehemiah; considering his story of faithfulness, focus, and leadership in the face of discouragement and conflict. God is calling us to vital and transformative work, individually and collectively, and we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted from that command. 

Pastor Sean Palmer continues our engagement with the story of Nehemiah; asking us to consider our goals for the "new year", WHY we make resolutions, and what we can expect as we seek to faithfully follow God's will in the months to come. 

Beloved family, we pray blessing and peace upon your Christmas celebrations. As we pause in remembrance of the Incarnation, we're each called to consider anew the implications of Jesus' arrival in our hearts and lives. May this unexpected gift disrupt us. May we be changed in ways that propel us forward in greater faithfulness, hope, and love, throughout the year that lies ahead. God bless you, Ecclesia. Merry Christmas.

Note: No audio this week. Our weekly sermon podcast will return next weekend on 12/31. 

Pastor Chris Seay prepared us for the final week of Advent with a message on the kingdoms vying for our hearts; those consumed with wealth, power, and influence, and that of our true King. Living in a world of "Herods", are we prepared to pledge full allegiance to Christ, knowing that he comes to upend a great deal in our hearts and lives?   

Pastor Chris Seay shares a message from Pucallpa, Peru; just one of the many communities with whom we've been called to partner in this Advent season. As we consider the many stories of those in need, will we enter into them with genuine empathy; truly feeling the burdens that we are called to join God in lifting? 

Teaching Pastor Sean Palmer continued our teaching in this sacred season, offering a message on hope in the midst of darkness; the seemingly improbable triumph of our infant savior standing against the "dragons" of a broken world. 

As we look toward the Advent season, Pastor Chris Seay shares the stories of obedience lived by Mary, Joseph, and the Magi; risking greatly as they embraced God's calling upon their lives. In this "new year", in the season that lies ahead, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to meet Jesus anew and obediently proclaim as Mary did, "Here I am, God's humble servant." 

Teaching Pastor Sean Palmer shared an insightful and personal teaching on the challenge of living a life shaped by gratitude. We have earned nothing, and we are owed nothing. All good things are given to us solely by the grace of God.

Pastor Chris Seay taught through Isaiah 25, and continued laying the groundwork for our ongoing response following this challenging time for so many; a plan for the next two years that will include serving the poorest in our city, the first-responders who worked tirelessly and selflessly through the storm, and our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Maria. We're excited for the healing, the feasting and dancing, the rejoicing to come in this season ahead. 

Pastor Chris Seay examines what it looks like to be a Houstonian Christian during this season of hurricane recovery. Jerusalem is a holy city, but so is our city of Houston. God resides in Houston, Texas and loves the people of Houston. This week, we examine 5 lessons we can learn from the Astros World Series run. As we experienced last week, there are a lot of baseball metaphors. 

Pastor Chris Seay began a conversation that will unfold over the next three weeks; our plan for the coming months as we continue to commit our time, energy, and resources to faithfully love and serve those most impacted by this hurricane season. This week was a reminder of our "job description" as a people in Christ; our commitment to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. There are also a lot of baseball metaphors. 

Teaching Pastor Sean Palmer shared a message on attaining wisdom. God has not made us to walk the paths of this life alone. We are called to learn from the experience of those who have gone before us.

Guest teacher Tracy Wilde taught through the Parable of the Good Samaritan; challenging us to consider if the primary question is not merely, "who is our neighbor?", but instead whether or not we are willing to truly be a neighbor, with compassion put into action. 

Our guest teacher John Ortberg offered an impactful message on the importance of the table throughout scripture, and its vitality in creating and strengthening relationships and community. As a church family, and in our homes, how will we ensure that everyone has a place at the table, and no one is left out? 

This weekend, Teaching Pastor Sean Palmer shared an important message on the purpose of the Church; exploring the nature of division throughout God's story in scripture, and the call of God's people into the ministry of reconciliation.  

This week, Pastor Chris Seay shares with us the opportunity to be present in our pain. He shares 4 simple things to do during this season of lament in our city as we recover and heal. Will you lean in together with our community? Join us this week as we pray the Prayer of Dependence 500 times a day.

Our dear friends, Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Anne Clinton from The Seattle School, joined us to offer vital language and great hope for the unavoidable trauma of this challenging time. We encourage you to share it with others as we seek to not merely rebuild, but truly experience transformation as individuals, as a church, and as a city in this long season of healing. 

Pastor Sean Palmer offered meaningful guidance toward finding peace and faith in a season that is overwhelming in so many ways. As the recovery from Hurricane Harvey has only just begun, how will we center our reliance on God to provide the direction and endurance needed for the long road ahead? 

We were overwhelmed and grateful to gather together as a family in the aftermath of the devastating storm that has rocked Houston and our wider region. Pastor Chris Seay shared a message on our love for this city, how we face with hope and resilience the trauma we've endured, and the call of the Church to lead the way as we rebuild and restore.

Pastor Chris Seay continued our series, The Gospel According To C.S. Lewis; challenging us to combat hatred by making the first step of committing ourselves in significant and tangible actions to care for abused and neglected children in our own community and around the world. If we are to see every child with the eyes of Jesus, as our own, how will we stand defiantly against the darkness for the sake of generations to come?