Native American Ministries Sunday April 26th marks the 4th Sunday of Easter. This week, we have a special guest preacher Rev. Tweedy Navarrete "Native American Ministries Sunday". Notes from the Bench Today, we celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday, honoring the rich heritage, faith, and musical voices of Indigenous communities. We are grateful to welcome guest pastor Tweedy Navarrete, whose presence deepens this observance. Our gathering hymn, Amazing Grace, is sung in

The 3rd Sunday of Easter April 19th marks the 3rd Sunday of Easter. This week, in the sermon series " Surprise! The Unexpected Acts of God" Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon "A Surprising Friendship" will focus on Acts 9:1-20. God often brings us the surprising gift of friendships we never expected. Ananias and Saul were natural enemies. They were headed for a collision course, not a bromance. Saul had stood guard over the execution of Stephen, the first Christian martyr and one of

The 2nd Sunday of Easter April 12th marks the 2nd Sunday of Easter. This week, in the sermon series " Surprise! The Unexpected Acts of God" Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon "A Surprising Turnaround" will focus on Acts 5:27-32. The resurrection can spark changes in our beliefs and behavior that surprise even ourselves. What a turnaround! From running away from the cross to standing in the temple courts telling the story of the resurrection. Peter has been surprised by God for so l

Easter Sunday April 5th marks Easter Sunday. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When Mary Magdalene Met Jesus " will focus on Matthew 28:1-10. In the gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is the first to meet the resurrected Christ. Christ reveals himself to her by calling out her name, lifting her out of despair and towards wonder. Ultimately, however, Christ does not allow Mary Magdalene to stay where she is. He calls h

Palm Sunday March 29th marks Palm Sunday. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When Jerusalem Met Jesus " will focus on Matthew 21:1-11. After several weeks in John, this story from Matthew can feel brief and half-finished. Yet Matthew reveals a city in turmoil, half-exultant at Jesus’ approach, half-terrified. Jerusalem meets Jesus with a parade, but quickly turns against him as the week progresses, with “hosanna” t

The 5th Sunday in Lent March 22nd marks the 5th Sunday in Lent. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When Mary and Martha Met Jesus " will focus on John 11:1-45. This is clearly not the first time Mary and Martha met Jesus; scripture recounts that he loved the entire family and was loved by them. Yet Martha and Mary endure the heartbreak of trusting someone who disappoints them; he does not come when their brother is

The 4th Sunday in Lent March 15th marks the 4th Sunday in Lent. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When a Blind Man Met Jesus " will focus on John 9:1-41 . This story begins with a meeting between a blind man and Jesus, although it quickly spirals to include different factions of his community. For the blind man, however, all the theological questions and entrapments are of little use; the salient point is that Je

The 3rd Sunday in Lent March 8th marks the 3rd Sunday in Lent. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When the Samaritan Woman Met Jesus " will focus on John 4:5-42. The Samaritan woman, by all rights, should never have spoken to Jesus. She was a woman, and a member of a despised “heretical” branch of Judaism. Yet their conversation is the longest one recorded in scripture. As she is willing to tell the truth about her

The 2nd Sunday in Lent March 1st marks the 2nd Sunday in Lent. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When Nicodemus Met Jesus " will focus on Matthew JOhn 3:1-17. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader, goes seeking Jesus at night, with questions that reveal a searching soul. Although Nicodemus has built his faith around having the right answers, Jesus opens up a more expansive world to him, where his entry into eternal lif

The 1st Sunday in Lent February 22nd marks the 1st Sunday in Lent. This week, in the sermon series " Face to Face & Heart to Heart," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When Satan Met Jesus " will focus on Matthew 4:1-11. Every year, the RCL begins the season of Lent with the story of Jesus in the wilderness, led by the Spirit but tempted by Satan. Satan’s provocations attempt to drive a wedge between Jesus and the Father who’s will he was sent to do. Yet all of Satan’s questions

The Feast of the Transfiguration February 15th marks the feast of the Transfiguration. This week, in the sermon series " When You See Jesus Clearly," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " When You See Jesus Clearly " will focus on Matthew 17:1-9. On a mountaintop, three disciples witnessed Jesus blazing with divine glory. Peter wanted to build shelters and stay there, celebrating what God had done. But God interrupted: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Because Jesus wasn't st

The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany February 8th marks the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. This week, in the sermon series " I Can See Clearly Now," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " You Are Saltier Thank You Think " will focus on Matthew 5:13-20. Notes from the Bench Today’s service is framed by music of the French Romantic symphonic organ tradition, performed by our guest organist Yun Wei Yu. The prelude, Cantabile by Alexandre Guilmant (1837–1911), offers a lyrical, singing

The Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany February 1st marks the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. This week, in the sermon series " I Can See Clearly Now," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " Blessed Are Those We Miss " will focus on Matthew 5:1-12. Notes from the Bench Music has a wonderful way of helping us see—sometimes before we even realize what God is revealing. Our Prelude, “Jesus Calls Me,” opens worship with a gentle reminder that clarity often begins with listening. Before

The Third Sunday After the Epiphany January 25th marks the third Sunday after the Epiphany. This week, in the sermon series " I Can See Clearly Now," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " (Re)Casting Your Nets " will focus on Matthew 4:12-23. Notes from the Bench Epiphany is the season of light—of eyes opened and hearts awakened to who Christ truly is. Our theme this Sunday, “I Can See Clearly Now,” reflects that moment when fog lifts and God’s call comes into focus. The Offertory,

The Second Sunday After the Epiphany January 18th marks the second Sunday after the Epiphany. This week, in the sermon series " I Can See Clearly Now," Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon " A Star Is Born " will focus on John 1:29-42. Notes from the Bench : Today’s music invites us to move from gentle trust to bold clarity of faith. The prelude, Lead, Kindly Light , arranged by Robert Manookin, is a quiet prayer for guidance—music that leans into hope when the path ahead is still u

The First Sunday After the Epiphany January 11th marks the first Sunday after the Epiphany. This week, in the sermon series I Can See Clearly Now, Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon "Don't I Recognize You" will focus on the accounts of Jesus's baptism in Matthew 3: 13-17. Worship Service will also include the hymns Fairest Lord Jesus, Wade in the Water and Be Thou My Vision. God of all Universes, we come today into the presence of your mighty power      to worship and to open our

The Feast of the Epiphany January 4th marks the second Sunday of Christmas after Christmas , a season of hope, waiting, and divine interruption. Our Advent theme, “What Do You Fear?"  reminds us that even in times of uncertainty or darkness, God’s light still dawns. Rev. Dr. Sam Parkes' sermon, " The Feast of the Epiphany " will focus on Matthew 2:1-21. Worship Service will also include the hymns There's a Song in the Air, As with Gladness Men of Old, Rise Up, Shepherd and

Worship Service on Sunday, December 28, 2025 will be held in the Fellowship Hall. The Lackores and the Tongrings will lead us in Worship that will include Prayer, Carols and Table Discussions over breakfast. Feel free to wear your favorite Christmas pajamas or Christmas sweater and enjoy a breakfast buffet, beautiful music and great company and conversation. Sunday School for children and adults will meet as usual. 📺 Watch the full service here:   Link 📖 Download the bullet

Join us for a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Christmas is all about THE STORY! In this service, we will celebrate the birth of Christ through scripture, hymns, prayer and communion and candlelight. We will sing lots of carols and gather at the table for Holy Communion as we prepare to welcome Jesus into our homes and hearts! 📺 Watch the full service here:   Link 📖 Download the bulletin:   Link

Join us for a Family-Focused Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Christmas is all about THE STORY! In this service, designed with families and children in mind, we will hear about a lonely couple ready to welcome their baby into the world who are surrounded by shepherds, angels, and wise men ready to welcome him, too.  We will sing lots of carols and gather at the table for Holy Communion as we prepare to welcome Jesus into our homes and hearts! 📺 Watch the