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

[Sunday] Christ the King Sunday 2022

Just as Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” at the close of every liturgical year, we look forward with a renewed hope in Christ’s coming again in glory to reign as Lord forever. In the same way, we look forward to our own resurrection and the time of a new earth — an earth that is no longer broken by sin and groaning. Christ will come again in glory just as surely as He came the first time — when He was born. So we have “transition” at the end of the “long green season” into the Advent season, the new beginning of the liturgical year.

Jesus, who called his disciples, now sends them on their first mission trip, to tell that the kingdom of God is at hand. Is that threatening language from Jesus a clue that we better shape up, or is it a promise of hope for all those who feel like a sheep without a shepherd?



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] The Kingdom is at Hand - Triple H

Jesus, who called his disciples, now sends them on their first mission trip, to tell that the kingdom of God is at hand. Is that threatening language from Jesus a clue that we better shape up, or is it a promise of hope for all those who feel like a sheep without a shepherd?

Jesus, who called his disciples, now sends them on their first mission trip, to tell that the kingdom of God is at hand. Is that threatening language from Jesus a clue that we better shape up, or is it a promise of hope for all those who feel like a sheep without a shepherd?



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] Cares of the Heart - Triple H

For all those whose hearts have been hurt, to those who have been thrown away and told you don’t belong here, we see that Jesus comes into the midst of them to change and heal hearts.

For all those whose hearts have been hurt, to those who have been thrown away and told you don’t belong here, we see that Jesus comes into the midst of them to change and heal hearts.



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] Use Your Head - Triple H - Reformation

Whether we are as dense as Derek Zoolander or as smart as Stephen Hawking, we can all have the same problem: a lack of being curious and a neglect of learning the voice of the Good Shepherd. But as we engage the voice, we will find our actions and activities will sound like the Good Shepherd.

Whether we are as dense as Derek Zoolander or as smart as Stephen Hawking, we can all have the same problem: a lack of being curious and a neglect of learning the voice of the Good Shepherd. But as we engage the voice, we will find our actions and activities will sound like the Good Shepherd.



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] Head, Heart, Hands - Triple H

Stewardship is a process of growing in your head, heart, and hands. Following Jesus helps us learn how to be a disciple in all parts of our life.

Stewardship is a process of growing in your head, heart, and hands. Following Jesus helps us learn how to be a disciple in all parts of our life.



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] Choose Church - Being Challenge

Choosing church brings consistency into our lives. And the consistency that it brings is the good news of Jesus into your lives. The church is the consistent place where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed.

Choosing church brings consistency into our lives. And the consistency that it brings is the good news of Jesus into your lives. The church is the consistent place where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed.

Days This week.

  • Tuesday Was Day 29 in your book.

  • This Sunday is Day 34

Home Group Video and Questions



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] Seek Solitude - Being Challenge

It seems like the church just wants doers, people who will do things for God, which is good, but we also need to be people who abide with the creator, who sit in sabbath knowing God does enough for us.

It seems like the church just wants doers, people who will do things for God, which is good, but we also need to be people who abide with the creator, who sit in sabbath knowing God does enough for us.

Days This week.

  • Tuesday Was Day 22 in your book.

  • This Sunday is Day 27

Home Group Video and Questions



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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

[Sunday] Prioritizing Prayer - Being Challenge

Praying to God gives us direction in a confusing world. That means it helps me on the inside. It doesn’t only help internally but also externally because it spills over into this world. And what goes into the world has an amazing chance of changing it.

Praying to God gives us direction in a confusing world. That means it helps me on the inside. It doesn’t only help internally but also externally because it spills over into this world. And what goes into the world has an amazing chance of changing it.

Days This week.

  • Tuesday Was Day 15 in your book.

  • This Sunday is Day 20

Home Group Video and Questions



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] Commit to Community - Being Challenge

Remember how he burst into the room for the disciples and opened up the Scriptures, explained it to them, then sent them on their way? As we open up and explain the Scriptures, they help us to realize that everything else in this world falls short of knowing Jesus and being with Him

Remember how he burst into the room for the disciples and opened up the Scriptures, explained it to them, then sent them on their way? As we open up and explain the Scriptures, they help us to realize that everything else in this world falls short of knowing Jesus and being with Him

Days This week.

  • Tuesday Was Day 8 in your book.

  • This Sunday is Day 13

Home Group Video and Questions



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] Commit to Community - Being Challenge

We will get tripped up, make mistakes, and annoy one another at times, but we are better together. Let’s commit to one another, let’s let His example guide us, His grace compel us, and His love transform our lives.

We will get tripped up, make mistakes, and annoy one another at times, but we are better together. Let’s commit to one another, let’s let His example guide us, His grace compel us, and His love transform our lives.

Days This week.

  • Tuesday Was Day 1 in your book.

  • This Sunday is Day 6

Home Group Video and Questions



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[Sunday] Keystone Habits- Being Challenge

The challenge begins this week as we introduce 5 keystone habits which are found in Jesus' teachings and life. The hope is for the habits to become part of who you are and that they would deepen your "being" with Jesus.

The challenge begins this week as we introduce 5 keystone habits which are found in Jesus' teachings and life. The hope is for the habits to become part of who you are and that they would deepen your "being" with Jesus.

Days This week.

  • Tuesday is Day 1 in your book.

  • Sunday is Day 6

Home Group Video and Questions



What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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[Sunday] The Staff- Missio Dei

God came into the world not in power but as a baby born in poverty. When God set his people apart, he did not find a powerful ruler but a man who had no son. When God looked for a new king, he picked the one that was left in the field. And when God was asked how "How will they know I came from you?" He said, "Bring your staff, Moses."

God came into the world not in power but as a baby born in poverty. When God set his people apart, he did not find a powerful ruler but a man who had no son. When God looked for a new king, he picked the one that was left in the field. And when God was asked how "How will they know I came from you?" He said, "Bring your staff, Moses."

Questions for the week

  1. What causes you to groan in life? What is your staff of Moses?

  2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.   What does a ministry of reconciliation look like in your life?

  3. Focusing on verse 21, what assurance do you have from Jesus in the middle of groans and sins of life?

  4. How might you encourage someone in the groans of life?



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[Sunday] The Reset - Missio Dei

The head Pharisee yelled at the guard for not capturing Jesus, “Has the whole world gone after Him?" Frustrated, this head Pharisee desperately needed a win, but not just a win; winning was his entire goal, and that goal blinded him to the heart of God in the world. We are no different. We need a reset.

The head Pharisee yelled at the guard for not capturing Jesus, “Has the whole world gone after Him?" Frustrated, this head Pharisee desperately needed a win, but not just a win; winning was his entire goal, and that goal blinded him to the heart of God in the world. We are no different. We need a reset.

Questions for the week

  1. Think of a time when you took wanting to win too far.  How did that affect you and the relationships around you?

  2. Read John 8:21-20.  Jesus speaks of “being lifted up.”  What does this mean?  Why would that be divisive?

  3. As you read through the gospel of John, how does Nicodemus understand what it means that Jesus is lifted up?

  4. How has Jesus reset and restored you?



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[Sunday] Look & See - Missio Dei

We stepped out of the car all awestruck at what we were looking at. Even though all were already looking, we still encouraged each other to look and see. This is how John tells his story of hope for the creation.

Questions for the week

  1. Describe a time when you were amazed and said, “Look and see!”

  2. Read John 1:19-36. Who are the priests and levites looking to see? How does John the Baptist point them to someone even greater?

  3. Like John the Baptist, how can you help prepare the way for people to see Jesus as the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God?”

  4. How is your life influenced by looking and seeing that Jesus is the Savior and King of the World?



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[Sunday] Famous Expectations - Missio Dei

We can sure be nasty when our expectations are not met. But would you throw someone off a cliff if they failed to meet your famous expectations? Let's see how God creates a new creation outside of our famous expectations.

Questions for the week

  1. The people of Nazareth thought they were entitled to receive Jesus’ gracious words and deeds because they were his friends and relatives. What things cause us to feel entitled to receive God’s grace and mercy?  How do we counteract that sense of entitlement?

  2. Read Luke 4:14-30.  Nazareth was a thoroughly Jewish community.  As such, the people labored non-stop to keep themselves pure from spiritual uncleanliness of the Gentile world surrounding them.  Their penchant for personal purity, however, blinded them to God’s compassion for the world and their participation in his mission.  How do we do similar things today that get in the way of our participation in God’s mission to the world?

  3. How has Jesus liberated you to serve in his mission?  Who might you bring this Good News of Jesus to this week?



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[Sunday] Feather In The Wind - Missio Dei

It seems like chaos as Jesus is arrested. It’s like He’s a feather in the wind, being blown around into beatings and shame with a crown of thorns placed on his head. But what if the wind is not chaos but more like a cloud in the wilderness?

Questions for the week

  1. How have you seen God work in the middle of chaos in your life?

  2. Read John 12:27-36 (and John 18 and 19 for extra credit). How do you see God in control at all times, even in chaos?

  3. How can we be more effective as witnesses in presenting the cross as a sign that God is in control of the chaos?


Bollywood Remake of Forrest Gump Trailer

Opening Scene From Forrest Gump Featuring the Feater


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[Sunday] Constant Christmas - Missio Dei

Just like our favorite gifts we have received at Christmas, God's gift of the Messiah is a better gift than Peter could ever have imagined.

Questions for the week

  1. Describe a time when you’ve misunderstood Jesus or a teaching of His.

  2. If someone were to ask you “Who is Jesus?”, how would you answer?

  3. Read Matthew 16:13-20. How does Peter appear to get it all correct but also get it all wrong about Jesus at the same time?  

  4. How does knowing that Jesus came even for “the Peters” of the world, give you hope?  



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[Sunday] I Am Sending - Missio Dei

Jesus breathes that same spirit that hovered over the waters of creation, that same breath that animated and bright life into Adam's nostrils, that same wind that hit the church and put all over us that same mission of bringing life and beauty to everywhere we go.

Questions for the week

  1. How "Sent by Christ" do you feel? That is, how aware are you each day that Christ has sent you on His mission to proclaim the forgiveness of sins?

  2. What does it mean to you that the risen Christ came back for Thomas? What does this say about Jesus, about Thomas, about you?

  3. As a mission-hearted Christian, give your best answer to the question, “Where do you come from?”



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[Sunday] 2 Corinthians 12:9 - Richer

What do you mean power is made perfect in weakness? Perhaps it has something to do with the man who saw the third heaven.

Questions for the week

  1. No Questions this week.



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