It was a deep joy to gather and celebrate together at White Oak Music Hall. We extend our gratitude to all who took part, especially those who joined us so generously in serving the community, and our love to the entire Ecclesia family, wherever your Resurrection celebrations may have found you. Here, you can revisit our online service, including an encouraging message from Pastor Chris Seay. Our audio podcast feed will resume on its regular schedule next Sunday. He is risen!
Ukraine and The Bread of Life
On this Palm Sunday, as we enter into Holy Week, Pastor Chris Seay teaches from Lviv, Ukraine. We have connected with local pastors, and are identifying ways we can partner with efforts to care for those fleeing violence, and those continuing to defend their homeland. As we engage with Jesus’ story, today and throughout the week, we are reminded that the Body of Christ is always called to move towards in these times of extreme trial.
Hope in Action
Ericka Graham continues our Lenten series utilizing Mike Mantel’s Thirsting for Living Water as a resource to help us consider our stories in light of God’s greater movement of redemption for all people, places, and things. Ericka invites us to look at the story of Noah’s Ark with fresh eyes; as an invitation into a hope grounded in the reality of covenant.
The Dark Night of the Soul
Pastor Sean Palmer continues our Lenten series utilizing Mike Mantel’s Thirsting for Living Water as a resource to help us consider our stories in light of God’s greater movement of redemption for all people, places, and things. Sharing insights from his journey, and the wisdom of the Apostle Paul, Sean invites us to consider that even while doubt and despair may be agonizing to experience, God is always shining through in the midst of it.
A Story to Tell & A Gift to Share
Pastor Chris Seay continues our Lenten series utilizing Mike Mantel’s Thirsting for Living Water as a resource to help us consider our stories in light of God’s greater movement of redemption for all people, places, and things. Chris invites us to make an honest assessment, and ask if we are fully living into the gifts that God has given us to use and share in the world for his glory.
Living A Great Story
Throughout the six weeks of Lent, we are looking to Mike Mantel’s new book Thirsting For Living Water as a companion to guide our reflection. Mike serves as the CEO of Living Water International, and invites us to consider our stories in light of God’s BIG story of redemption and renewal. Continue to join us throughout this series of teaching as we seek God’s direction and the ways we are being urged into transformation during and beyond this sacred season.
Beginning Our Lenten Journey
Pastor Chris Seay invites us into the observance of a sacred and transformative season of Lent, and introduces the new series which will guide us through this season. Join us in the coming weeks as we seek to grow in awareness for the ways that God has been orchestrating in the midst of our stories; helping us to gain perspective for the ways we are uniquely called to participate in the larger narrative of God’s redemptive work.
Together Again
Pastor Chris Seay concludes our series in the story of Joseph, speaking from Cúcuta, Colombia. For the first time in over two years, we have had the opportunity to connect directly with missional partners abroad, and are excited to share updates about the work God has been doing in a region beset by significant economic devastation in addition to the pandemic. Chris encourages us toward renewed intentionality in generosity and community connection as we continue to live out this important dimension of our calling as a church; serving the needs of our global family.
Back, and Forth
Pastor Mike Yager brings us to the closing episode of Joseph’s story, which has guided us over the past several weeks. As we witness an encounter of repentance and forgiveness between brothers, God is calling us to examine the places in our own past that reveal how God has been working throughout our stories to heal, shape, and urge us forward in faithfulness.
Setting Aside The Mask
Taking The Step
Pastor Chris Seay continues our journey through Joseph’s story in the Book of Genesis. Though we will all face disappointment, or be forced to navigate frustrating and long seasons of waiting, there are critical rhythms that help us to remain attentive and ready to respond when God’s appointed time arrives.
Stuck
Continuing our mini-series on navigating disappointments and setbacks, Pastor Sean Palmer guides us to seek insight in the unfolding story of Joseph. Wrongly imprisoned, Joseph perseveres in faith; trusting in the presence of God which sustains us in hope during endless seasons of waiting and circumstances beyond our control.
Our Unmet Expectations
How You Show Up
Pastor Sean Palmer continues our series on navigating setbacks and disappointments, as we seek guidance from the life and winding tale of Joseph. The obstacles and circumstances we face are so often beyond our control, and we are not immune to the effects brought on by the destructive choices of others, but we always have our own choices to make in response. May God bless and direct you in the choices in front of you today.
Dealing With Disappointment
As we begin this new year of possibility, we find ourselves navigating yet another Covid surge; which continues to disrupt our present realities and our dreams for the season ahead. Pastor Chris enters the stories of Nicodemus and Joseph to ask us to consider how the setbacks we experience may be God urging us into a time of soul rebirth.
By Another Route
Ericka Graham teaches from the Epiphany story of the Magi; led in faithfulness to follow a mysterious course toward the infant Christ. So much of our story in recent seasons has been unlike anything we could have anticipated. We pray that Ericka’s message will be of deep encouragement as you seek to see and follow the star guiding you along unexpected paths into and throughout this new year of hope, liberation, and renewal.
Labor and Delivery
Pastor Mike Yager leads in our continued celebration of the season of Christmastide; asking us to consider what happens after the decorations are put away, and after those gathered at the manger have departed. What happens after Christmas when we feel as though little in us has changed? Mike invites us to be attentive to the new life God is growing within us as we look ahead in hope.
Advent: Week Four - At All Hours
Throughout Advent and in celebrating the Christmas season, we have sought to be a community who Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. Teaching Pastor Sean Palmer leads the final week; urging us to embrace and embody Jesus’ directive regarding the demands of love. Then, Community Pastor Mike Yager offers a final invitation to participate as we look to gather our best gifts for Jesus as a family, joining in the work of bringing clean water to communities desperately in need around the world. You can make your Advent offering HERE.
Advent: Week Three - Not The Christmas You've Been Sold
As we continue observing this sacred season of anticipation, our hope is to be a people who Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. Pastor Chris leads us in helping to dispel the myth of a Christmas best celebrated by extravagant consumption and debt, and invites us instead to consider thoughtful, prayerful gifts of our time and loving presence as a more meaningful reflection of God’s gift to us in Christ Jesus.
The Worship Table: Online Liturgy
Live Teaching Podcast
Scripture & Reflection
Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 25:28
Exodus 20:17
1 Timothy 6:7-10
Psalm 51:11
1. Be Thoughtful, Not Impulsive
2. Abandon Signs of Status
3. Embrace Your Place in Life
4. Give People What They Really Crave
Advent: Week Two - Lavish Praise
In this second week of the Advent season, Pastor Chris Seay invites us to consider the story of a particularly extravagant gift extended to Jesus, and our call to generosity as springs from hearts of genuine worship. Our hope is that the whole Ecclesia family would join together in offering our very best gifts to Jesus in these weeks; partnering with efforts to bring clean water to vulnerable communities around the world. Continue to take part as we seek to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. Visit ecclesiahouston.org/advent to learn more, and to give toward that community offering.