Blog https://www.mercyhillbcs.org Fri, 29 Mar 2024 04:30:38 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - March 24, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-24-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-24-2024#comments Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0500 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-24-2024 03.24.24. Sermon Graphic

How would you answer this question: "Who, in your opinion, was Jesus of Nazareth?" 

There are a number of ways to answer this question, but one of the descriptions of Jesus found  the New Testament is this, "...the great Shepherd of the sheep..." (Hebrews 13:20).

Do you often think of Jesus as your shepherd? If so, how often? If not, why not? 

In our study this Palm Sunday, we'll consider Jesus' claim to be "the good shepherd" who lays down his life for the sheep in the context of  (1) the danger that bad shepherds present, (2) the assurance the Good Shepherd brings, and (3) the depths to which the Good Shepherd goes.

We hope to see you Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

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03.24.24. Sermon Graphic

How would you answer this question: "Who, in your opinion, was Jesus of Nazareth?" 

There are a number of ways to answer this question, but one of the descriptions of Jesus found  the New Testament is this, "...the great Shepherd of the sheep..." (Hebrews 13:20).

Do you often think of Jesus as your shepherd? If so, how often? If not, why not? 

In our study this Palm Sunday, we'll consider Jesus' claim to be "the good shepherd" who lays down his life for the sheep in the context of  (1) the danger that bad shepherds present, (2) the assurance the Good Shepherd brings, and (3) the depths to which the Good Shepherd goes.

We hope to see you Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - March 17, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-17-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-17-2024#comments Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0500 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-17-2024 03.17.24 Sermon Graphic

In this final study in our series on Psalm 23, we'll look at the final verse: 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This verse gives us both an unforgettable picture and an unshakable perspective -- it's where the whole psalm has been leading us. 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

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03.17.24 Sermon Graphic

In this final study in our series on Psalm 23, we'll look at the final verse: 

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This verse gives us both an unforgettable picture and an unshakable perspective -- it's where the whole psalm has been leading us. 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - March 10, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-10-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-10-2024#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-10-2024 03.10.24 Sermon Graphic

In this week's study of Psalm 23, we'll examine the words of verse 5:

"You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows."

These words of praise for the Good Shepherd highlight the role of the Shepherd in serving us, his sheep, and give a foreshadow of the ultimate way he served us by loving us and giving himself up for us and for our salvation. 

We hope you can join us this Sunday at 10am at the Rourk’s home. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

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03.10.24 Sermon Graphic

In this week's study of Psalm 23, we'll examine the words of verse 5:

"You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows."

These words of praise for the Good Shepherd highlight the role of the Shepherd in serving us, his sheep, and give a foreshadow of the ultimate way he served us by loving us and giving himself up for us and for our salvation. 

We hope you can join us this Sunday at 10am at the Rourk’s home. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - March 3, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-3-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-3-2024#comments Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---march-3-2024 03.03.25 Sermon Graphic

Our next study in Psalm 23 involves perhaps some of the most well known words in the book of Psalms: 

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...."

In many ways, our experience of life this side of the Fall (Genesis 3) and this side of the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21) is lived in the valley of the shadow of death.

What does it mean for us to fear no evil, especially when death is viewed as an enemy--an intruder in God's good creation? 

And how does this tie in to the Good News of Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, who laid down his life in death for us? 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn as we continue our series on "The Good Shepherd." Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

We hope to see you then,

Pastor John

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03.03.25 Sermon Graphic

Our next study in Psalm 23 involves perhaps some of the most well known words in the book of Psalms: 

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...."

In many ways, our experience of life this side of the Fall (Genesis 3) and this side of the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21) is lived in the valley of the shadow of death.

What does it mean for us to fear no evil, especially when death is viewed as an enemy--an intruder in God's good creation? 

And how does this tie in to the Good News of Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, who laid down his life in death for us? 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn as we continue our series on "The Good Shepherd." Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

We hope to see you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - February 25, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-25-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-25-2024#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-25-2024 02.25.24 Sermon Graphic

In this week's study of the 23rd Psalm, we'll focus in upon these assuring words, 

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

We hope you can join us as we gather to worship our great Shepherd and to reflect upon how the Lord shepherds us in these ways. 

As usual, we'll gather at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder. See you there! 

May you find restoration in Him,

Pastor John

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02.25.24 Sermon Graphic

In this week's study of the 23rd Psalm, we'll focus in upon these assuring words, 

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

We hope you can join us as we gather to worship our great Shepherd and to reflect upon how the Lord shepherds us in these ways. 

As usual, we'll gather at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder. See you there! 

May you find restoration in Him,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - February 18, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-18-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-18-2024#comments Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-18-2024 02.18.24 Sermon Graphic

Churches across many denominations and around the world set apart the six Sundays leading up to Easter as a time of special preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. 

This year, our spring series will focus on Psalm 23, one of the most loved Psalms in the Scriptures. 

Join us each Sunday as we examine this well known poem and all that it teaches us about the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, as we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep who laid down his life for us and for our salvation.  

February 18: Psalm 23:1

February 25: Psalm 23:2-3

March 3: Psalm 23:3-4

March 10: Psalm Psalm 23:5

March 17: Psalm 23:6

March 24 (Palm Sunday): John 10:1-18

We hope to see you at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

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02.18.24 Sermon Graphic

Churches across many denominations and around the world set apart the six Sundays leading up to Easter as a time of special preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. 

This year, our spring series will focus on Psalm 23, one of the most loved Psalms in the Scriptures. 

Join us each Sunday as we examine this well known poem and all that it teaches us about the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, as we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep who laid down his life for us and for our salvation.  

February 18: Psalm 23:1

February 25: Psalm 23:2-3

March 3: Psalm 23:3-4

March 10: Psalm Psalm 23:5

March 17: Psalm 23:6

March 24 (Palm Sunday): John 10:1-18

We hope to see you at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn. Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - February 11, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-11-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-11-2024#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-11-2024 02.11.24 Sermon Graphic

"What do you do when there is nothing you can do?"

This question asked by a pastor by the name of Andy Stanely found its way to my ears and my heart in September of 2014, the worst year of our lives. 

After some tough times in my family, I was granted a brief sabbatical and I was on a roadtrip to Vancouver to meet a mentor, fully determined in my heart to resign my position as pastor of our beloved church in Calgary.

As I drove through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I somehow found myself listening to this message on 2 Corinthians 12, the well known passage about the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh." 

It would not be overly dramatic to say that a key verse in this passage saved me--not in the eternal sense of salvation--but in the temporal sense of saving my sanity, saving my marriage, and restoring my soul. And kept me going in my calling to be a pastor. 

We'll look at this passage together on Sunday as we witness how the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his suffering, only to be met with the answer bewildering yet hopeful words, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What my wife and I learned to desperately depend upon through this difficult time was God's all-sufficient grace that he gives to us--one day at a time--even when nothing else changes. 

Join us this Sunday as we learn to live by "Grace for Today." We meet at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
02.11.24 Sermon Graphic

"What do you do when there is nothing you can do?"

This question asked by a pastor by the name of Andy Stanely found its way to my ears and my heart in September of 2014, the worst year of our lives. 

After some tough times in my family, I was granted a brief sabbatical and I was on a roadtrip to Vancouver to meet a mentor, fully determined in my heart to resign my position as pastor of our beloved church in Calgary.

As I drove through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I somehow found myself listening to this message on 2 Corinthians 12, the well known passage about the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh." 

It would not be overly dramatic to say that a key verse in this passage saved me--not in the eternal sense of salvation--but in the temporal sense of saving my sanity, saving my marriage, and restoring my soul. And kept me going in my calling to be a pastor. 

We'll look at this passage together on Sunday as we witness how the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his suffering, only to be met with the answer bewildering yet hopeful words, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What my wife and I learned to desperately depend upon through this difficult time was God's all-sufficient grace that he gives to us--one day at a time--even when nothing else changes. 

Join us this Sunday as we learn to live by "Grace for Today." We meet at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - February 4, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-4-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-4-2024#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:59:01 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---february-4-2024 02.04.24 Sermon Graphic

In this Sunday's study of the New Testament writings of James, we'll see the wise pastor and caring physician of souls give some strong medicine to his congregation about the way they use their words as weapons. 

He asks the stunning diagnostic question, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?"

What follows is a well of wisdom for us in not only knowing ourselves better, but in knowing the ways in which our Lord Jesus the King wants to lead us in paths of right living before God and with others. 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
02.04.24 Sermon Graphic

In this Sunday's study of the New Testament writings of James, we'll see the wise pastor and caring physician of souls give some strong medicine to his congregation about the way they use their words as weapons. 

He asks the stunning diagnostic question, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?"

What follows is a well of wisdom for us in not only knowing ourselves better, but in knowing the ways in which our Lord Jesus the King wants to lead us in paths of right living before God and with others. 

Join us this Sunday at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - January 28, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-28-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-28-2024#comments Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-28-2024 01.28.24 Sermon Graphic

What does a beautiful life look like? 

For some it looks like having a dream vacation. For others it looks like having all the money one could ever spend. For still others, it is having the perfect body or look. 

According to the James, the writer of the New Testament document bearing his name, a beautiful life is seen by the fruit of good works done in humility that comes from a spiritual, divine wisdom.

In our study this Sunday, we'll examine James' instructions to 1st century followers of Jesus who are living by a kind of wisdom that is earthbound, unspiritual, and even devilish, and the fruit of such "wisdom" is not very pretty. 

So what is the connection between a beautiful life and what James calls "wisdom from above?" 

That's what we're going to talk about this Sunday at Mercy Hill Church as together we apprentice with Jesus in a new way of being human. 

We hope you can join us at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

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01.28.24 Sermon Graphic

What does a beautiful life look like? 

For some it looks like having a dream vacation. For others it looks like having all the money one could ever spend. For still others, it is having the perfect body or look. 

According to the James, the writer of the New Testament document bearing his name, a beautiful life is seen by the fruit of good works done in humility that comes from a spiritual, divine wisdom.

In our study this Sunday, we'll examine James' instructions to 1st century followers of Jesus who are living by a kind of wisdom that is earthbound, unspiritual, and even devilish, and the fruit of such "wisdom" is not very pretty. 

So what is the connection between a beautiful life and what James calls "wisdom from above?" 

That's what we're going to talk about this Sunday at Mercy Hill Church as together we apprentice with Jesus in a new way of being human. 

We hope you can join us at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
Mercy Hill Sunday Gathering - January 21, 2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-21-2024 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-21-2024#comments Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0600 https://www.mercyhillbcs.org/blog/post/mercy-hill-sunday-gathering---january-21-2024 01.21.24 Sermon Graphic

"No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world." -- John Keating

Words are powerful. We hardly need to be convinced of this. 

They have the enormous power to uplift, create, and capture the hearts and minds of their audience. 

But words can also be destructive, tearing down worlds as quickly as they are spoken. 

In this Sunday's study of the New Testament letter of James, we're going to see how Jesus' half-brother tried to communicate this truth to his original audience who had been scattered because of threatening words of persecution. 

James wants them to understand the spiritual significance of words, and what that means for these first followers of Jesus from the church in Jerusalem. 

If following Jesus is an apprenticeship in a new way of being human, what does this mean for the way we think about our words and the power of the tongue? 

Could it really be the case that Jesus wants us to bring the very words we speak under his lordship? 

Join us this Sunday in a study of James 3:1-12 we're calling, "The Dangerous Power of the Tongue," as we explore what it means to bring the very words we speak under the lordship of Jesus the King. 

We hope to see you at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>
01.21.24 Sermon Graphic

"No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world." -- John Keating

Words are powerful. We hardly need to be convinced of this. 

They have the enormous power to uplift, create, and capture the hearts and minds of their audience. 

But words can also be destructive, tearing down worlds as quickly as they are spoken. 

In this Sunday's study of the New Testament letter of James, we're going to see how Jesus' half-brother tried to communicate this truth to his original audience who had been scattered because of threatening words of persecution. 

James wants them to understand the spiritual significance of words, and what that means for these first followers of Jesus from the church in Jerusalem. 

If following Jesus is an apprenticeship in a new way of being human, what does this mean for the way we think about our words and the power of the tongue? 

Could it really be the case that Jesus wants us to bring the very words we speak under his lordship? 

Join us this Sunday in a study of James 3:1-12 we're calling, "The Dangerous Power of the Tongue," as we explore what it means to bring the very words we speak under the lordship of Jesus the King. 

We hope to see you at 10am at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Here’s a copy of the worship folder.

See you then,

Pastor John

]]>