Tag: civil disobedience

The Mechanism of Evil: Strategies and Methods of the Dark Side

From our service on November 7, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


Last month, we began a three-part series on evil. In the first sermon of the series, I began by discussing the reality of evil: what it is and why it matters. Evil is a very real and significant part of our world. Evil pulls people away from unity and harmony with God and each other, into a mindset of separation, discord, exploitation and destruction. Throughout history, people have been falling into this mindset and living according to the impulses of the flesh, which naturally lead us into evil through the competitive instinct of survival of the fittest.

Today, we continue the series by talking about the mechanism of evil: how evil actually works, to influence our behavior and our world. To a large degree, evil is the natural human condition, because of the wiring of our brains. Evil exploits this, and most humans are easy prey. The exploiters who target us may be negative spiritual beings from beyond this world, or human beings here on earth with a negative agenda.

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Chiune Sugihara

From our service on November 7, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of Chiune Sugihara, as recounted by Colin Mills.

TEXT & VIDEO “Chiune Sugihara”

November 7, 2021 Service: “The Mechanism of Evil: Strategies and Methods of the Dark Side”

Last month, we began a three-part series on evil: what it is, how it works, and how to overcome it. Today, we focus on the mechanism of evil. How does evil take over people’s hearts, minds, and lives? What are the ways that evil corrupts our souls and our world, through specific strategies and methods? Evil is constantly at work all around us — and it’s important to understand it, so that we can effectively resist it. In today’s service, we also tell the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who boldly resisted evil and saved the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II.

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer

From our service on May 16, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as recounted by Colin Mills.

TEXT & VIDEO “Dietrich Bonhoeffer”

May 16, 2021 Service: “Ascension”

What is the meaning of salvation? Some say that people are saved if they have the right beliefs. Others say we must live a good life, following the example of Christ. And some believe that in the end, everyone will go to heaven. But how do we really ascend from the sinful world of the flesh to the heavenly world of the Spirit and attain to eternal life with God? In this week’s service we explore these important questions. We also tell the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century minister and martyr who taught that true faith can be costly.

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Desmond Tutu

From our service on April 4, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of Desmond Tutu, as recounted by Colin Mills.

TEXT & VIDEO “Desmond Tutu”

Easter 2021 Service: “He Is Risen!”

Last week, we talked about “The Incredible Power of the Cross.” But as inspiring as the cross can be, it’s not the final chapter of the story — either for Jesus or for our own lives. In today’s service we reflect on the Biblical testimony of the resurrection. We also tell the story of Desmond Tutu, a courageous minister and human rights activist who has devoted his life to the cause of justice, reconciliation and renewal.

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The Incredible Power of the Cross

From our service on March 28, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week — the week when Christians each year commemorate the final days of Jesus’s earthly ministry, culminating in his martyrdom on the cross. Palm Sunday marks the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the festival of Passover, when crowds of people acclaimed him as a great prophet who could deliver the Jews from Roman oppression. They scattered palm branches at his feet, welcoming him as if he were their king, as he humbly rode into the city upon a donkey.

By Friday, Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders as a false messiah and crucified as a rabble-rouser by the Romans.

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March 28, 2021 Service: “The Incredible Power of the Cross”

Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, when Christians each year commemorate the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This week, our theme is “The Incredible Power of the Cross” — why the cross of Christ is such a pivotal event in history and its transformative effect on our lives. We also remember Clare of Assisi, a wealthy young woman who gave up everything, took up her cross daily, and became a living sacrifice for God.

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Two-Minute Message: The Courage to Sacrifice

This week’s short message by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch the video or read text below.

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