Tag: mental health

This Beautiful Planet We Share

From our service on April 18, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


This Thursday, April 22, is Earth Day, a global holiday for celebrating the Earth and the importance of environmental protection. Earth Day was first proposed in 1969 by peace activist John McConnell, who was the son of a Pentecostal preacher. Since then, it has grown to be observed each year by more than one billion people in nearly 200 countries.

In the Gospel of Thomas, an ancient collection of saying of Jesus that many people believe should have been included in the Bible, Jesus describes the mystical presence of God in nature: “Split wood, I am there. Lift up a rock, you will find me there.” [Thomas 77b]

MORE TEXT & VIDEO “This Beautiful Planet We Share”

April 18, 2021 Service: “This Beautiful Planet We Share”

The coming of spring brings joyful reminders of new life, but science tells us our modern lifestyle is risking the future of our planet. As Christians, how should we see the natural world and our place in it? This Thursday we celebrate Earth Day — a time to reflect on the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting the environment. In this week’s service we also tell the story of John Muir, who felt called to explore the wilderness and became an influential conservationist.

WATCH VIDEO “April 18, 2021 Service: “This Beautiful Planet We Share””

Two-Minute Message: Rejoice!

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

WATCH VIDEO “Two-Minute Message: Rejoice!”

Rejoice!

From our service on March 14, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


Today is Laetare Sunday, a special day in the Christian liturgical calendar when we pause during the austere season of Lent for a joyful celebration. The word laetare in Latin means rejoice! — and it comes from a verse in the Book of Isaiah that is traditionally read on this day:

MORE TEXT & VIDEO “Rejoice!”

March 14, 2021 Service: “Rejoice!”

In this week’s service, we focus on the theme of Joy — rejoicing even despite our troubles and afflictions, which is made possible by faith in a God who loves us with infinite compassion. In the middle of Lent, we pause for celebration of a God who cares for us and uplifts us as our perfect Mother and Father in Heaven, fortifying our souls for the journey to the cross of Christ that lies ahead. We also tell the story of Fanny Crosby, who overcame severe disability and became one of the most prolific hymn writers in history.

WATCH VIDEO “March 14, 2021 Service: “Rejoice!””

Transformation

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


Many centuries ago, when the light of Christ was just beginning to dawn forth upon the earth — after the man Jesus Christ had left this world and left the responsibility to spread the light of God in the hands of his disciples — a church planter named Paul wrote to one of the earliest Christian churches that “we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” [2 Cor. 3:18].

MORE TEXT & VIDEO “Transformation”

February 7, 2021 Service: “Transformation”

Life is a journey of becoming, and in the course of our lives we must deal effectively with change and accept patiently the times of adversity and uncertainty. Although we can’t always control our circumstances, we have the freedom to choose how to interpret the struggles we experience — and by doing this, we can become our best selves, being transformed in the divine image.

In today’s service, we focus on the theme of Transformation. We also honor the patient dedication of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who persevered in teaching ideas that were ahead of his time.

WATCH VIDEO “February 7, 2021 Service: “Transformation””

January 31, 2021 Service: “The Light of the World”

In the midst of a dark winter, let us look to the light of Christ and find it shining within ourselves. This week, we celebrate the light of God that enlightens our world through Jesus Christ, and our calling to join Jesus in spreading the light through our own actions. We also recognize the important contributions of Barnabas, who worked with Paul to spread the faith as a devoted apostle.

WATCH VIDEO “January 31, 2021 Service: “The Light of the World””