Posted on

Let Justice Roll Down: The Words of Amos // Injustice Invalidates Our Worship // Kate Murphy

Last Sunday, we met Amos—an outsider prophet who loved God and people enough to tell the truth, even when it was painful, risky, and had very little chance of producing change (you can watch and listen to the message on Facebook Live!). This Sunday, we move from who to what. What was so terribly wrong in Amos’ day? What are the similarities to life today?

Listen in to hear the fiery words of this prophet who speaks into our culture just as clearly as he did to his own. This isn’t scripture that will soothe or settle us, rather it could be the refining fire that cleanses and restores us to faithfulness. They may not be the words we want, but they might just be the words that we need.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

The Art of Neighboring // It’s All About How We Do It // Kate Murphy

This Sunday, we wrap up “The Art of Neighboring” worship series. But this ending is really a beginning, because it’s an invitation to take what you’ve heard and put it into practice. In your building, on your street, at your job—anywhere you are.

We’re focusing on Romans 12 and teaching about how we neighbor because, at the end of the day, it’s isn’t the what that brings change, it’s the how. There are one million good ways to bless your neighbor, but the way you do those things matters. More often than we’d like to admit, it’s actually possible to do a good thing in the wrong way. Listen in as we talk about our opportunity to create a culture of neighboring that is filled with the Spirit of Jesus.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

The Art of Neighboring // It’s Okay To Love a Little // Kate Murphy

We’re deep in our quest of learning how to be good neighbors, and this week we’re learning the importance of loving our neighbors…a little.

Let’s be honest. Most of us end up doing nothing because we are unwilling to do a little.

It’s not that we don’t care! We’re excited to make a difference, change a life, save the day. But loving our neighbors rarely looks like being a hero. It looks like showing up, doing what we can, and sharing what we have. And in the face of the depth of suffering and pain in the world, what we do can often look…little.

What’s the point of that? How could the little that we have to offer even matter?

In John, we see the gospel truth. Our little acts to love our neighbors actually do matter—not because of our power, but because of God’s power.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

The Art of Neighboring // It’s Going To Cost Us Something // Kate Murphy

At some level, everyone who is trying to live a little bit more like Jesus wants to be a good neighbor.  But even though we won’t often admit it, sometimes we’re looking to be a neighbor in a way that it doesn’t cost us very much. This week we look back at what God taught the ancient Hebrew people about neighboring and think about how it applies to us today.

Before the Hebrews even entered into the promised land, God laid out boundaries, limits, and customs so that his people would know how to live well together, as a holy community. Through these limits and customs, God teaches his people that good neighboring doesn’t happen spontaneously. It requires intentionality and, let’s be real, it will always cost us something. This week, we learn about the ancient and holy practice of gleaning—and how we don’t have to be wealthy landowners to incorporate this practice into our lives.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

The Art of Neighboring // It’s About Action // Kate Murphy

This Sunday, we launch our new worship series called “The Art of Neighboring” with a story you’ve probably heard:  The Parable of The Good Samaritan.   In fact, it’s a story that many of us know so well that we’re now in danger of not knowing it at all.

Sometimes, in the church, we can confuse knowing with doing; we can trick ourselves into thinking that simply knowing what is required of us, is all that is required of us. It isn’t. We are a people called to love those closest to us in tangible, sacrificial, restorative, life-giving ways. This is the timeless truth that we will lean into, even if you’ve already learned about the good Samaritan one hundred times over.

Listen in as we re-commit ourselves to not just knowing what we believe, but also living it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

This Is Us // Diversity // Kate Murphy

This week we bless the backpacks of our students and teachers of many ages, cultures, and ethnicities as they embark upon a new school year. Watching everyone stream forward from the pews, dragging their bags behind them—from tiny preschoolers to seasoned teachers and administrators—is an amazing example of what is so wonderful about our community and how we aim to resemble God’s people gathered in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fittingly, we also wrap up our worship series “This Is Us” with a celebration of our core value of diversity and a discussion about what we’re willing to sacrifice fighting for it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

This Is Us // What it Means to “Come Alive in Christ” // Kate Murphy

This Sunday, we continue our “This Is Us” worship series, which is all about the unique mission and culture God is calling (and equipping) us to create here at The Grove. We’re doing a deep dive into our mission statement—Inviting All to Serve and Come Alive in Christ—because we can’t be on a mission together unless we understand it and believe in it.

This week we look at the story of Jesus delivering the Gerasene man from his demons and talk about what it means to “Come Alive in Christ”  We’ve all got demons—every one of us—and they threaten to fill us up to make it hard to receive the new life Jesus has for us.  Listen in as we talk about how to do something about it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

Freedom School Sunday // True Freedom // Kate Murphy

This week we celebrate Freedom School Sunday—a time set aside to welcome our Freedom School interns and scholars (and their families) to celebrate the incredible gospel-ministry happening on our campus during these six weeks.

This Sunday might just be my favorite. Why? Because Freedom School is more than a summer camp or an intensive reading program. It’s a place where kids discover that they are already enough, already beloved, and already worth celebrating. It’s a time when kids learn to silence the voices that limit them with lies or tell them that they’re broken or bad. In other words, Freedom School is the gospel in action—it is a real life example of truth walking off the Bible’s pages and into the hearts of children where it will dance and flourish. Freedom School is a jubilee-deliverance-welcome-to-the-Kingdom-of-God-miracle kind of party. And, I don’t know about you, but I could use some more of that in my life.

So join us and our Freedom School family, and learn how Jesus is still in the business of healing and setting us free.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

At the Table: The Meaning of Communion // Kate Murphy

This Sunday, we gather for worship and communion. We gather to have communion—connection with God and with one another. And we gather to take communion, to share the Lord’s supper together. Before coming to the table, we turn to Matthew’s gospel and read the story of Jesus sharing the bread and cup with his friends. Together, we ponder the meaning and power of the meal Jesus invited us to share.

Please listen in, and bring your doubts and curiosity. If you’ve ever wondered what communion means, why it matters, or if you (or your neighbor) really belong at the table—this is for you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Posted on

In the Middle // Pushing Past Opposition // Kate Murphy

This week we dive into the story of Nehemiah and how he began to rebuild the city walls. Even while facing opposition and insult, he prayed and continued to persevere. This was no easy mission. For the people, it seemed impossible and even pointless to build the walls—they were tired, their strength from all the labor was giving out, and they began to believe the insults of their enemies. For them, it seemed easier to just let things stay the way they were.

Often times, we go through life feeling like this, too. We become used to the way things are and indifferent to the real effort and sacrifice required of every generation to renew and repair what is sacred. And friends, everything that we are called to restore and rebuild is as holy and essential as the work of rebuilding the temple, and even the city walls.

Listen in and be encouraged as we discover that all work done to the glory of God is holy work.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS