Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Frist Apostle - Missio Dei

Mary came to the tomb feeling last and wanting to cry. Peter knew his faith, who was in and who was out. Yet when they both felt last, God sent them to be the first.

Mary came to the tomb feeling last and wanting to cry. Peter knew his faith, who was in and who was out. Yet when they both felt last, God sent them to be the first.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   First Apostle 

  1. When are some times you were beat down by society and made to feel “last?”

  2. Read Matthew 28:1-10.  When Jesus died, how do you think Mary Magdalene would have felt?  How do you think she felt as she runs to tell the disciples about the resurrection?

  3. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of life for Mary Magdalene? How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of life for Peter (Read Acts 10: 34-48)?   

  4. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the plot of your life?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Wilderness Voice - Missio Dei

The voice of one calling, like comfort to us all. That voice of comfort does not come from high pyramids or silver stones or fancy horses but from the wilderness.

The voice of one calling, like comfort to us all. That voice of comfort does not come from high pyramids or silver stones or fancy horses but from the wilderness.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Wilderness Voice

  1. When you think of the voice calling from the wilderness and John the Baptist as that voice, what do you think of when you hear wilderness?

  2. Read Mark 1:1-13. John the Baptist is that Voice from the wilderness, and Jesus goes into the wilderness after being baptized. What do you think the wilderness means at the beginning of the Gospel of Mark?

  3. Read Isaiah 40:1-8. Why do you think this passage begins with “Comfort, comfort” before talking about the wilderness? 

  4. What are those  places of struggle that God can give you a voice of good news for your neighbors?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] First You're Last - Missio Dei

It’s always amazing to see us, workers of God’s kingdom, trying to maintain a pecking order of righteousness in the midst of such great generosity of our God. 

It’s always amazing to see us, workers of God’s kingdom, trying to maintain a pecking order of righteousness in the midst of such great generosity of our God. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   First You’re Last

  1. When do you feel the pressure to be first or the best?  When has that backfired on you?

  2. Read Matthew 20:1-16.  What is the danger of thinking this parable is about compensation for work completed?

  3. What is the danger of thinking you deserve something special if you’re a diligent worker?

  4. What does it look like for you to rejoice in the “denarius” that God gives to you this week?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Kingdom Carol - Missio Dei

Jesus is sitting with Scrooge-like religious leaders when one talks about how great the feast in God’s kingdom will be. But will those scrupulous Scrooges even be there, or will God bring everyone else to the party from all the roads and the countryside?

Jesus is sitting with Scrooge-like religious leaders when one talks about how great the feast in God’s kingdom will be. But will those scrupulous Scrooges even be there, or will God bring everyone else to the party from all the roads and the countryside?

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Kingdom Carol

  1. Describe a time you felt excluded from a party or an invitation to something great.  How did you feel?

  2. Discuss the difference between an invitation of grace and a lightning bolt of judgment.  How do you see those differences in Luke 14:1-24?

  3. When are some times you might use excuses to miss out on Jesus’ grace?  How does Jesus always come back to you and invite you to his party?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] Plans - Missio Dei

Jesus sends his disciples to bring the mission of God to the Children of Israel. But how Jesus sends them out is so much different than our planned expectations.

Jesus sends his disciples to bring the mission of God to the Children of Israel. But how Jesus sends them out is so much different than our planned expectations.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Plans

  1. Read Mark 6:1-13.   Jesus experiences opposition and then sends his disciples out in His mission.  What does that mission look like for the disciples?  What are they to bring?  What are they to do in opposition?  What is the goal of their ministry?

  2. How important is it for us to recognize that the mission of God is not our mission? What false leanings do we succumb to if we believe the mission belongs to us? 

  3. Do you think the great commission is called great because it is so wonderful? Or because it is so huge? Talk about both.   Why is the act of us being sent so wonderful?  Why is the mission so huge?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Born & Light - Missio Dei

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. But how is this light dawned by being born again?

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. But how is this light dawned by being born again?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] Field of Fishermen - Missio Dei

Jesus walks into Galilee, and rather than expecting his followers to come to his level, Jesus calls his disciples right where they are.

Jesus walks into Galilee, and rather than expecting his followers to come to his level, Jesus calls his disciples right where they are.


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Missio dei: The Heart of God: Part 2 (Teaching Series)

From the beginning, God has been sending his spirit out to bring life and beauty in the universe. It's a great sending. In this sending, we can see the heart of God as we join in with God’s mission.

Missio Dei Part 2

From the beginning, God has been sending his spirit out to bring life and beauty in the universe. It's a great sending. In this sending, we can see the heart of God as we join in with God’s mission.

Here is the amazon link for the book we are using.


Reading Plan
Read around the readings for Sunday

  • July 2nd

    • Genesis 12:1-41

    • Corinthians 1:10-17

    • Matthew 4:12-22

  • July 9th

    • Isaiah 9:1-41

    • John 5:7-12

    • John 3:1-8

  • July 16th

    • Ezekiel 2:1-52

    • 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

    • Mark 6:6b-13

  • July 23rd

    • Isaiah 25:1-9

    • Revelation 19:6-10

    • Luke 14:15-24

  • July 30th

    • Exodus 16:2-16

    • Philippians 1:20-24, 27

    • Matthew 20:1-16

  • August 6th

    • Isaiah 40:1-11

    • Acts 11:15-18

    • Mark 1:1-8

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