New Year – Renewed You, Part 7: Wounded Hearts

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:17-21 looking at three ways to show love by not responding according to our human impulses but relying on the Holy Spirit’s grace to live in a way that is different than the world.

• Do not repay evil for evil.

• Do not take revenge.

• Do not be overcome with evil.

When we choose to love, accept, and forgive, we can live at peace with all who come into our lives.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

New Year – Renewed You, Part 6: Three Qualities that Build Relationship

On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:14-16 looking at three qualities that will help us build stronger relationships. The first is to practice blessing those around us, including those who are against us. The second is to practice compassion, entering into the present emotional reality of those close to us. Lastly, the third is to walk in humility, pursuing harmony over knowledge or being right. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:14-16 (NIV)

New Year – Renewed You, Part 5: Three Exhortations for a New Day

On Sunday, January 31, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:11-13 looking at three exhortations from Paul. The first is to have a heart of enthusiasm in loving one another. The second is to make sure we maintain spiritual practices to keep our hearts full of faith. Lastly, the third is to look outside of ourselves by practicing hospitality to those the Lord brings into our lives. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:11-13 (NIV)

New Year – Renewed You, Part 4: Perfecting Love

On Sunday, January 24, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:9-10 to help us recognize what Christlike love looks like, which begins with seeing others and ourselves like Jesus does by separating people from their actions. We are then encouraged to connect our affection to one another, feeling their joy and pain. Finally, we are to be guided with honor in how we interact with one another.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:9-10, New Living Translation

New Year – Renewed You, Part 3: Where Do I Fit?

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:6-8 to help us recognize that we are uniquely gifted by God to help one another by seeing ourselves as God’s masterpiece and finding the grace to walk in that gifting, understanding that this is God’s plan so that we can reflect the love and life of Jesus to those we encounter in our daily lives.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

New Year – Renewed You, Part 2: Transformed Thinking

On Sunday, January 10, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:3-5, encouraging us to think clearly, purposefully, and in a unifying way.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:3-5 (NIV)

New Year – Renewed You

On Sunday, January 3, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:1-2 and how we will choose to live our lives in the new year. He encourages us to make a fresh presentation of ourselves to God, to strive for a renewed way of thinking, and to discover new paths the Lord has prepared for us.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

A Year in Review

On Sunday, December 27, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in an evaluation of how we live our lives this last year in light of the coronavirus and the political season we find ourselves in. This year in review evaluation utilizes Galatians 5:22-23 as a rubric to bring some self-examination, so that we can come before the Lord with what we find, inviting the Spirit’s freedom so we can walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, NIV

A Corona Virus Christmas: Lessons from Anna

On Sunday, December 20, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues our Corona Virus Christmas series by looking at Anna, who was a prophet and a widow and continually worshipped the Lord in the Temple. What we can learn from Anna’s life is that there are no insignificant people, that we can embrace transitional times and roles that we experience, and celebrate the moments the Lord puts in our lives.

Luke 2:36-38, NIV

http://bit.ly/Luke2_36-38NIV

A Corona Virus Christmas: Behold Jesus

On Sunday, December 13, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues our Corona Virus Christmas series by looking at Simeon and how he embraced God’s promise that he would see Israel’s salvation, that he was faithful in waiting, and how his heart rejoiced when he finally beheld Jesus. Even though we’re challenged with how 2020 has unfolded, we can follow Simeon’s example and behold Jesus this Christmas.

Luke 2:25-25, NIV

A Corona Virus Christmas: The Journey to Worship Jesus

On Sunday, December 6, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues our Corona Virus Christmas series by encouraging us to dedicate ourselves to worshipping Jesus. While on this journey to worship Jesus we will pass through centers of power, just like the wise men did when they came to worship him. Every journey needs follow through. Pastor Stuart encourages us to commit ourselves to the practices that bring us closer to Jesus and that shows God’s love to one another.


Matthew 2:1-12, NIV

A Corona Virus Christmas: Walking Through the Unexpecteds

On Sunday, November 29, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart reminds us of the backstory of the arrival of Jesus to his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary. The encouragement for us this Christmas is to embrace the Lord’s assignment, keep our focus on what we can control, and to fulfill our role in God’s purposes.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Cultivating Gratefulness in an Uncertain World

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart encourages us to cultivate a heart of gratitude by actively reflecting on the people in your life, praying for them, and putting our trust in what only God can do in our lives.

Philippians 1:3-7 (NIV) 
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

After the Storm: Encouraged, Hopeful, and Grateful

On Sunday, November 15, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with our in-person congregation and our online members via Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart encourages us to find hope in the phrase “yet not,” encouragement in the body of Christ, and gratitude for the life that God continues to provide for us.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NIV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

After the Storm: Returning to Mission with Our Eyes on Jesus

On Sunday, November 8, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with our in-person congregation and our online members via Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart encourages us to recommit to the mission of loving one another and the world through serving.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

After the Storm: Putting Our Eyes Back on Jesus – Praying with the Psalms: Psalm 46, Relaxing in Jesus

On Sunday, November 1, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with our in-person congregation and our online members via Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues the discussion on prayer, this time focusing on relaxing in Jesus by being still before, during, and after the Lord works on behalf of God’s people.

Psalm 46, NASB

After the Storm: Putting Our Eyes Back on Jesus – Praying with the Psalms: Psalm 73

On Sunday, October 25, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with our in-person congregation and our online members via Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart continues the discussion on prayer, this time focusing on making Jesus the center of our perspective by remembering the end from the beginning, recognizing that understanding comes from being in God’s presence, and when it feels like we’re losing perspective, get close to Jesus.

Psalms 73:1-3 (NIV)
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalms 73:16-17 (NIV)
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Psalms 73:28 (NIV)
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Prayer that Builds Relationship – Lesson 6: Thy Kingdom Come – Walking with Others of Opposing Views

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message on YouTube Live. In our discussion this week, he continues the discussion on prayer this time focusing on the kingdom dynamic of loving our neighbors amidst a polarized political environment. Through this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to adopt the perspective of God’s kingdom as our own and respond to those around us with unconditional love.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Luke 11:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer that Builds Relationship – Lesson 5: Family Prayer

On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message on YouTube Live. In our discussion this week, he continues the discussion on prayer this time focusing on the kingdom dynamic of covenant family. Through this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to receive God’s interaction, bringing us into sacred relationships to practice communion and fulfill God’s mission.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father…”
Luke 11:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer that Builds Relationship – Lesson 4: Building Intimacy

On Sunday, September 27, 2020, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message on YouTube Live. In our discussion this week, he continues the discussion on prayer this time focusing on building an intimate relationship with God as Father. Through this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to discover prayer as a secure environment that we can be vulnerable with the Lord and experience intimacy with the family of God.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Luke 11:1-2 (NIV)
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father…”

Luke 15:20-24 (NIV)
So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.