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This week, Pastor Will reflects on the challenges of social anxiety and isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He gives personal experiences of going shopping during the early pandemic days and the eerie silence in stores. Drawing from the biblical story of Thomas, Will emphasizes Jesus's message of peace and belonging in community. He encourages listeners to reach out to others and extend invitations to belong, echoing the church's mission of fostering community and making a difference. Pastor Will concludes with an invitation for those seeking belonging and peace to accept faith in Jesus.

From Pastor Will's new sermon series "Where Everybody Knows Your Name".
Pastor Will delves into his personal experience with social media and its impact on feelings of belonging and loneliness. He reflects on the curated nature of online content, which often portrays only the highlights of people's lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy and exclusion. Drawing parallels to the loneliness epidemic, Pastor Will emphasizes the importance of belonging and community, highlighting the biblical story of Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus after his resurrection. Mary's experience emphasizes the transformative power of hearing one's name spoken by Jesus and Pastor Will invites people to turn toward Jesus for belonging and hope. He concludes with a prayer for those who feel called to turn to Jesus and encourages them to take a step forward in faith.

Pastor Will explores the significance of Palm Sunday in the Christian tradition and reflects on Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem. He encourages listeners to focus on their walk with God and explores the fifth essential practice of the Christian life: sharing. Drawing from biblical teachings, Pastor Will emphasizes the importance of sharing one's faith and the transformative power of Jesus' life and death, highlighted by Jesus' own acts of sharing throughout his ministry, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection. He invites listeners to embrace their mission of sharing the good news with others. Palm Sunday serves as a reminder of Jesus' call to discipleship and sharing the message of God's love and forgiveness with the world. Who are you sharing with?

This sermon delves into the topic of money and its relationship with spiritual growth. Using personal anecdotes from tax season, Pastor Will reflects on the significance of money in their life and spiritual journey. Drawing from biblical examples, such as King Solomon and Jesus' teachings, the sermon explores how money can either hinder or enhance spiritual growth. Emphasizing the joy and fulfillment found in generosity, Will encourages listeners to adopt generous habits in daily life and consider giving back to God. Practical steps, like creating a plan for giving or performing five acts of generosity each month, are suggested to deepen spiritual growth through generosity. The sermon concludes with the story of Zacchaeus, illustrating the transformative power of generosity in one's spiritual journey.

Pastor Will uses the metaphor of a toddler learning to walk to explore the concept of spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of listening to God, drawing parallels between recognizing a parent's voice and recognizing God's voice. He discusses general revelation through nature and specific revelation through the Bible, highlighting the importance of studying scripture to understand God's character. Pastor Will gives practical advice for reading the Bible, encouraging listeners to read slowly, consistently, and reflectively. Two next steps are offered: reading five verses a day or reading the book of John one chapter a day until Easter, inviting everyone to take a step towards deeper spiritual growth through intentional study of the Bible.

Join us in listening to this message from Steve Pawel. From Kern Church's service on February 25, 2024.