Urban Village Church

11/10/24 | Rev. Jonathan Grace | Stewardship: Tithing and Discipleship | Matthew 25: 14-30

The parable considers how fear and a scarcity mindset keep us from using our resources for God. This week we explored how to shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and how to actually engage with the world in faith that our resources will grow.

11/3/24 | Rev. Jonathan Grace | Stewardship: What Does the Bible Say about Giving? | 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15

We can never outgive God. It often feels like giving is a tough requirement, especially when we have limited resources. However, when we give we find that God takes our giving and creates abundance.

10/27/24 | Rev. Jonathan Grace | Stewardship: What We Give to the Church | Leviticus 27: 30

This Sunday we begin our Stewardship sermon, What We Give to the Church. We dive into Leviticus 27:30 as our Scripture reminds us that all things belong to God. Giving back to God is an acknowledgement of the righteousness, goodness, and the lordship of God over all creation. The need to give back also creates a just society in which serving God and keeping God’s commandments create a mindset of giving rather than greed. 

10/20/24 | Dr Pamela Lightsey | Rest Along the Way | Hebrews 4:1-10

This week we join Dr Pamela Lightsey. Our sermon series on Rest dives into Creation as not a one-time act. It is ongoing, though God rested on the seventh day. Similarly, our ability to produce this or that should not be an end goal by which we gauge when we can/should rest. Rest should be our vision for our everyday lives; part of our dreams for the best possible future. Rest is not an end goal but an ongoing reality.

10/13/24 | Jonathan Grace | Imago Dreamer | Hebrews 4:1-10

You are made in the image of a God who rested. And maybe when God rested on the 7th day of creation, God dreamed—of you, me, and the best reality for all. 

What would it look like for all of us to rest and dream like God? Join us Sunday as we share from Hebrews 4:1-10.

10/06/24 | Darren Calhoun | Free to Rest | Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Rest is a form of liberation that should be integrated in our personal and societal lives. We also celebrate World Communion Sunday and celebrate liberation in God's community. Join us as we dive into Deuteronomy 5:12-15.

9/29/24 | Jonathan Grace | I Will Give You Rest | Exodus 33:12-14

This Sunday we are continuing our sermon series on rest. We have discussed God's intentions for our rest, but how do we find rest when our lives are not in line with God's hopes for us? Let's discuss how God provides rest when we are restless. See you on Sunday! 

This week's scripture will be Exodus 33: 12-14.

9/22/24 | Jonathan Grace | Rest Is Divine | Psalm 132

Psalm 132 shares that Rest is anything that grounds us in God and keeps us focused on the divine task.

9/15/24 | Jonathan Grace | Who We Meet Along the Way | John 4: 5-26

On Sunday we explored the story of the Samaritan Woman whom Jesus encounters at a well. We also considered the people God invites us to meet along our journeys, and how each encounter is a chance to grow closer to God and to grow in understanding of our neighbors.

 

Our scripture: John 4: 5-26

8/25/24 | Jonathan Grace | Ally or Freedom Fighter? | Esther 4: 9-17

Allies have the liberty (and have often exercised this liberty) to come and go as they please in the work of liberation. It’s easy enough to put up signs or wear clothing stating, Black Lives Matter. But what sacrifices are we willing to make to learn about these Black lives and to ensure their true liberation? Historically, those who claimed to be freedom fighters stayed the course, even to the point of personal harm. Liberation is a dangerous endeavor. We're excited for this sermon as we dive into scripture from Esther 4: 9-17.