[Sunday] Blind Burdens - Kingdom Way - Matthew 23

Jesus calls out the "blind guides" for their selective piety, reminding us that grace surpasses  performative holiness. Matthew Chapter 23

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Blind Burdens

1. What is your favorite parody movie or song?  What do you appreciate about it?

2. Read Matthew 23. Jesus talked about "blind guides" who lead people astray. Who are some voices in our lives (on social media, in the news, or even people we know) that we need to be careful about listening to?

3. When might we be "blind guides" to others. When have we been tempted to insist that our way is the only way, or to place burdens on others? How can we be more aware of these tendencies and practice humility and empathy instead?

4. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for focusing on small details while neglecting important things like justice and mercy. What are some "small details" in our lives that might be distracting us from what truly matters? 

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Kingdom Identity - Sermon On The Mount - Matthew 5:1-16

Wednesday

Potluck Dinner 5:30
Lent Service 6:30PM

Sermon on the Mount This Lent - Kingdom Identity Matt 5:1-16

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Cleansing Mountains - Kingdom Way - Matthew 21-22

Jesus's humble entry dismantles false hope in worldly power and religious ritual, revealing a true faith in His sacrificial love. Matthew Chapter 21-22

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Cleansing Mountains

1. Read Matthew 21:1-22.  What "mountains" (or idols) do we have in our lives that might be keeping us from truly trusting in Jesus? 

2. Jesus welcomed the people that the temple leaders rejected. How can we be more welcoming to those who might feel left out or marginalized in our community? 

3. Contrast the outward 'perfect practice' of religion with the true heart of worship. How do we balance the importance of religious practices with the need for genuine faith and relationship with God? How can we avoid turning our faith into a legalistic process?

4. Jesus, through the cross, 'throws it all into the sea' and brings the 'blind and lame' into God's presence. How does this image give you hope for yourself and the world?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Ash Wednesday - The Greatest - Kingdom Way - Matthew 18-20

Wednesday Noon & 7PM

Live Stream at Noon

- The disciples are seeking greatness. But Jesus points us to the dust. Matthew Chapter 18-20

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Stone- Kingdom Way - Matthew 16-17

- Even though we look for security among the stone, Jesus shows us the heart of the redeemer. Matthew Chapter 16-17

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Stone

1. What is the most amazing statue you’ve seen?  What makes it so amazing?

2. Read Matthew 16:13-28. Peter got it right about who Jesus is, but wrong about how Jesus would reign. When have we, like Peter, misunderstood how God works, thinking he should act with worldly power instead of through suffering? 

3. Jesus said, "Get behind me, Satan!" to Peter when he resisted the idea of suffering. When have we been tempted to avoid suffering, or to think suffering means God has abandoned us? How can we remember that God works through suffering?

4. What practical steps can we take to shift our focus from worldly power to the "Kingdom Way" of love, sacrifice, and service?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Crumbs - Kingdom Way - Matthew 14-16

- God's grace, even in "crumbs," is sufficient for all who believe, regardless of their background or perceived deservingness. Matthew Chapter 14-16a

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Crumbs

1. Have you ever felt like you deserved something good to happen to you because you had been "good" or followed the rules? How does this sermon challenge that way of thinking, and how does it relate to the idea of grace?

2. Read Matthew 15. Jesus interacts with the Pharisees and then the Canaanite woman. How do these two encounters contrast in terms of who they were and how they approached Jesus? What does this teach us about true faith?

3. Jesus initially seems harsh to the Canaanite woman, even comparing her to a dog. Why might Jesus have responded this way? What does her response ("even the dogs eat the crumbs") tell us about her faith and humility?

4. Reflecting on Matthew 14-16, what are some other examples of people's faith (or lack thereof) that we see in these chapters? How do these stories, including the Canaanite women's, help us understand the gift of Jesus’ true faith?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Mustard, Yeast, & Weeds - Kingdom Way - Matthew 13

- The kingdom of heaven is like: Mustard of unexpected value, Yeast of transformative grace, and the surprising truth that weeds may be the pearl of great price. Matthew Chapter 13

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Mustard, Yeast, & Weeds

1. Can you think of something in your own life that seemed negative or difficult at the time, but later turned out to be a blessing?

2. Read Matthew 13. Thinking about the parable of the weeds, have you ever been tempted to judge someone quickly, thinking they were a "weed"? Why is it important to be patient and let God be the judge?

3. The treasure and the pearl parables show how valuable the Kingdom of God is. If you had to choose one thing you'd be willing to give up for something truly important, what would it be and why? What does that say about what we value most?

4. How does it make you feel to know that you are so treasured and the pearl that Jesus sought? How should that change the way you think about yourself and others?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Here’s Your Sign - Kingdom Way - Matthew 12

- Jesus' miracles and teachings are clear signs of God's kingdom breaking in, but will we recognize them and demand for a sign. Matthew Chapter 12

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Here’s Your Sign

1. Remember those old classic  "Here's Your Sign" Jokes , what's a time you felt like the answer to a question or problem was incredibly obvious, but someone else completely missed it? How did you handle that situation?

2. Read Matthew 12.  Have you ever been so focused on rules or traditions that you missed the bigger picture of showing love and mercy to others? How can we put people over things in our daily lives?

3. Jonah was reluctant to speak to Ninevites because he was afraid of God’s mercy.  Jesus speaks of the sign of Jonah.  How does understanding the story of Jonah help you see Jesus’ grace more in your life for you? 

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] My Yoke is Rest - Kingdom Way - Matthew 11

- There are just so many burdens we are yoked to, but Jesus offers a different way, a kingdom of love and rest. Take on His Yoke of Rest. Matthew Chapter 11

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: My Yoke is Rest

1. Can you think of a time when you felt tempted to respond to a situation with anger or retaliation instead of love and forgiveness?

2. Read Matthew 11.  Why do you think John the Baptist doubted Jesus while he was in prison? What were his expectations for the Messiah?

3. What does it mean that 'the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' (Matthew 11:11)? How does this challenge our own understanding of greatness?

4. What does it practically mean to "take Jesus' yoke" upon you? What might that look like in your daily interactions?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Cool Cup of Water - Kingdom Way - Matthew 10

- Jesus sends out the disciples amidst a flurry of expectations. But these serious expectations can bring the heat which only a cool cup of water can satisfy.  Matthew Chapter 10

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Cool Cup of Water

1. How does the image of a 'cold glass of water' resonate with you? Have you ever experienced something similar to that kind of refreshing change?" 

2. Read Matthew 10.  The text addresses the seemingly contradictory messages of peace and division. How do you reconcile the idea of following Jesus with the potential for conflict or hardship?

3. Read Micah 7:1-9.  This is quoted in Matthew 10:35.  How does this relate to the challenges of following Jesus in His mission? How can we maintain our relationship with God even when facing opposition or division within our families?

4. The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to offer a "cold cup of water" to others. What does it look like in practical terms to offer compassion and hope to a hurting world in your own context?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Only Jesus Can Save Them - Kingdom Way

- Jesus does not become unclean by touching the afflicted; instead, HE imparts healing and life. It shows the kingdom is for everyone.  Matthew Chapters 8-9

Questions for the Week: Only Jesus Can Save Them - The Kingdom Way

1. Who are the people we have difficulty with Jesus loving today?  How does the grace of Jesus challenge those perceptions? 

2. Read Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. The examples of the woman with the bleeding disorder and the dead girl illustrate how Jesus imparts healing and life instead of becoming "unclean." What does this image tell us about the nature of Jesus's power and His kingdom?

3. The repeated phrase "Only Jesus can save them…you…me" was a key takeaway in the sermon.. What does "salvation" mean to you personally, and how have you experienced or witnessed this saving power in your own life or the lives of others?

4. How can we better reflect Jesus's example of reaching out to the "wrong people" in our community?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] The Kingdom Way - Sermon on the Mount

- From the mount, Jesus reveals the Kingdom Way. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," He proclaims, urging us to "turn the other cheek," and to pray, "Father, Your will be done." For His kingdom is at hand, and through Him, we find the Golden Way.

Questions for the Week: The Kingdom Way - The Sermon on the Mount

1. What does the phrase "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done" mean to you personally? How can we invite God’s kingdom into our daily lives?

2. Read Matthew 5:1-12. The sermon on the mount emphasized the Beatitudes as blessings for the "poor in spirit," the grieving, and the meek. How does this understanding of the kingdom challenge traditional ideas of power and success?

3. The sermon contrasted different approaches to bringing about God's kingdom (Pharisees, Sadducees, Rome). In your own life, what are some "modern-day" equivalents of these approaches where we try to cover up our insufficiencies to make ourselves look more powerful?  Why ultimately is there no hope in this approach?

4. Jesus calls us to be salt and light, bringing His kingdom to others. Who in our lives might be like the “little children”-- those feeling scared or lost? How can we bring God’s love and balance to them this week?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Tempted - Kingdom Way

- For Jesus is not some high priest who has no sympathy for our weaknesses and flaws. He has already been tested in every way that we are tested; but He emerged victorious, without failing God.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Baptism of Our Lord - Kingdom Way

- Jesus comes out of the water as Emmanuel, experiencing a baptism like our own.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Christmas Day] Christmas Light - Kingdom Way

- When the world was darkest, the light came in bringing hope to the creation.

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

Christmas Eve - The Pageant

Candlelight Service 4&7
Live Stream 4PM

God’s Story Shines
Through Our Imperfect Pageants

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Those Whos - Kingdom Way

- This Christmas, let’s see Jesus as the one who came for us and is with us, and let our hearts grow—just like the Grinch’s—so we can go out, celebrate, and share this good news with all “those” people.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Those Whos

1. Why do you think it’s so easy to point at others and say, “Don’t be like those people?” Have there been times when you felt tempted to do this?

2. Read Matthew 3:1-17.  What does John the Baptist seem to be doing?  How do people respond?  How does Jesus respond?

3. The sermon talked about hearts "growing three sizes," like the Grinch. What would it look like for our hearts to grow in love toward others this Christmas? Who are the “those people” in your life that you might need to love or celebrate with?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Bells On Christmas - Kingdom Way

- Listen to the bells being rung, God’s promise of peace, hope, and salvation breaking into the world, even in the midst of suffering.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Bells on Christmas

1. Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you felt like you could hear "bells" breaking through a time of pain or despair? How did that moment impact you?

2. Read Matthew 2:13-23  (See also Exodus 1:1-13). What similarities do you see in Matthew to what God’s people went through in Exodus?  How is God always at work saving His people in both accounts?

3. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day during the Civil War, a time of personal and national struggle. How can we find hope in difficult circumstances, even when it feels like there is no peace?

4. The sermon compared the despair at the cross with the hope of Jesus’ resurrection.  How does knowing that Jesus was raised give you hope when facing struggles or brokenness in your life?

Notes for the Sermon

Information on Charles Longfellow

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Guiding Light - Kingdom Way

- The Magi following the light of a star mirrors how God has always worked, giving a light to follow through the wilderness, away from the darkness that holds us down.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Guiding Light

1. What do you have on top of your Christmas tree?  A star?  An angel?  Something else?  Why is that important to your household?

2. What do you think the star represented for the Magi in the story? How does it compare to the angels' role in other parts of the Christmas story?

3. Read Matthew 2:1-13. People often get too focused on the power of earthly rulers like Herod. What are some examples of times when we might be tempted to focus more on worldly power than on God's true power?

4. The sermon talks about how the Magi were “unlikely” people to be part of the story. How does this remind us of God’s ability to use anyone, no matter their background, for His purposes? Can you think of examples from your own life where God brought an unexpected person into His family?

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What Had happened at Grace this week. 

[Sunday] Named Expectation - Kingdom Way

- Christmas expectations are often Joshed. Yet the name Emmanuel breaks all expectations as Jesus comes to be with us.

Questions for the Week: Kingdom Way: Named Expectation

1. Can you think of a time when you had high expectations for something, only to be disappointed? How did you feel? How did you cope with the disappointment?

2. Read Matthew 1:18-25.  Joseph faced a situation that completely shattered his expectations. Can you think of a time when your expectations were not met, but looking back, you saw how God worked through that situation?

3. Jesus was an ordinary name in the days Matthew wrote his Gospel.  Emmanuel was not an ordinary name.  How does the idea of the ordinary connected to the extraordinary of God coming to be with us (Jesus & Emmanuel), change our understanding of how God works?

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What Had happened at Grace this week.