The Christmas-Easter Connection, Part 2

Good morning!

With our current year drawing to a close, pondering the beauty and hope of the Christmas-Easter connection seems a fitting way to anticipate the year to come, and so we return this morning for part two of Pastor Ralph’s sermon about the two greatest events in history.

May God bless our meeting.

First Song: All Creatures of Our God and King

Offering

Online giving information is available here.

Second Song: Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)

Message

Scripture readings

Luke 2-4

Third Song: I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)

Closing thought

“Satan devotes 168 hours a week trying to deceive you. Do you think you can maintain a renewed mind with a ten-minute glance at God’s book once a day?”

John Piper

The Christmas-Easter Connection, Part 1

Good morning, church!

It’s been a long and difficult year, and we turn gratefully this morning to consider the hope we celebrate at Christmas, now only days away. Our message today reflects upon the magnitude of the birth of Jesus as well as its connection to Easter when we celebrate His sacrificial death on the cross. In this first part, Pastor delves into scripture surrounding Christ’s miraculous birth.

First Song: Joy to the World

Offering

Online giving information is available here.

Second Song: Silent Night

Message

Scripture readings

Luke 1:26-28, 2:8-14

Third Song: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

Closing thought

“Faith is not a bargain with God—I will trust You if You give me money, but not if You don’t. We have to trust in God whether He sends us money or not, whether He gives us health or not. We must have faith in God, not in His gifts.”

Oswald Chambers

Choose Life

Having talked last week in our Bridge to God series about life and death, this week focuses on life in its true fullness: to have sins forgiven, peace with God, and assurance of eternal life. This means trusting Christ to be your Bridge to God.

First Song: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Offering

Online giving information is here.

Second Song: Joy Has Dawned/Angels We Have Heard on High

Message

Scripture readings

1 Peter 3:18
Genesis 2:15
Please also read Genesis chapters 1, 2, and 3.

Third Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Final thought

“Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins.”

Thomas Brooks

Life and Death

We’re entering a busy time of year, made bittersweet by the unusual circumstances of our times. Let’s pause this morning to reflect upon the truth that gives us hope now and in every season.

Continuing his series on the bridge to God, Pastor Ralph delves into the ultimate meanings of life and death. He considers the separating aspects of death and the fullness of life that is available only through faith in Christ.

See the previous messages in this series: The Bridge to God and Christ, the Way.

First Song: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Offering

Online giving information can be found here.

Second Song: Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)

Message

Here’s a helpful illustration of the bridge to God (message below).

Scripture readings

1 Peter 3:18
Psalm 23
Isaiah 59:2
Ephesians 2:8-9
Revelation 4:8
1 John 4:8

Third Song: Joy to the World

Final Thought

“When the Word is preached, the great God is giving us his charge. Do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death? This is a good sign that we love the Word.”

Thomas Watson

Christ, the Way

This week’s message builds on our message last week, The Bridge to God, explaining how Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is that bridge, offering the one and only way to get to God.

First Song: To the Praise of His Glorious Grace

Offering

Online giving information is here.

Second Song: Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

Message

Scripture readings

1 Peter 3:18
Isaiah 59:2
Ephesians 2:8-9
Revelations 4:8
1 John 4:8

Third Song: Now I Belong to Jesus

Closing thought

O Jesus, for this you died! That you might reconcile hopeless, hostile people to God and to each other. You have done it for millions by grace through faith.

John Piper, “The Sorrows of Minneapolis: A Prayer for Our City”

God’s Covenants: Arrangements

Pastor Ralph continues his series on covenants (sworn solemn oaths or engagements) between God and humankind. In this week’s Bible study, he brings us to the very beginning of the Bible to introduce the arrangements and conditions God created for humanity at the beginning, setting the stage for all subsequent events and covenants in the Bible.

Scripture readings

Genesis 1 & 2

Message

A.C.T.S.

Pastor Ralph continues a series on prayer, describing the importance of a deeper and more mature prayer life and how we can cultivate one. Last week he introduced us to the A.C.T.S. model of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. We continue to look at A.C.T.S. this morning, focusing in particular on rightly understanding supplication.

May God bless our worship.

First Song: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Offering

Click here to learn how to give offering online.

Second Song: His Mercy is More

Message: A.C.T.S.

Scripture reading

1 Peter 1:3-2:10
Revelation 1
Revelation 5

Third Song: Be Thou My Vision

Final thought

“Comfort is the God of our generation, so suffering is seen as a problem to be solved, and not a providence from God.”

Matt Chandler

The Grace of Christ’s Sacrifice

As we commemorate Remembrance Day today, Pastor Ralph digs deeper into the oft-quoted verse, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) to discuss the uniqueness of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Scripture reading:

John 12:15-17, focusing on verse 13

Message

In accordance with current public health measures, Calvary is returning to exclusively online services. You can read our full statement here.