Come join us for worship each Sunday at 10:25 a.m. – in person or online

Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday) | The Gift of Misfits

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives and trust this good news!” — Mark 1:14-15

As Lent in the Dark Wood begins to end, we look around us to acknowledge the kingdom — the family — that has always been and is already right here with us. Sojourners in the Dark Wood do not go it alone but are blessed with the presence of others who help us see, reflect with us, and discover together with us the riches of a life lived with intention. As Jesus comes into Jerusalem at the beginning of that fateful week, he is surrounded by those who will live the uncertainty, temptation, and emptiness right alongside.

Thursday, March 28 (Maundy Thursday) | The Gift of Disappearing

6:30 p.m. FCCU

Scripture selections for this Maundy Thursday service are dramatized by six characters from the Holy Week story: Mary, friend of Jesus; Simon Peter; Judas; a Roman soldier; Mary, mother of Jesus; and Salome.

When searching in the Dark Woods, pride and shame can lead us into thinking more or less of ourselves than we ought. We begin to build false images rather than trusting that God knows deeply who we really are and wants us to live fully into our highest identity. The Gift of Disappearing comes when we “disappear” for a while into a “thin place” where the human and divine seem particularly close. We re-emerge after re-discovering who and whose we are.

Sunday, March 31 Easter Sunrise | Where We Go from Here

6:45 a.m. at Andrew Brown Park East (260 E. Parkway Blvd., Coppell, TX)

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” — Mark 16:1-7

On Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of our trek into the Dark Woods, we heard of Peter’s sinking failure as a spiritual gift. Even towards the end, Peter fails to keep his promise to his beloved Jesus, denying any association with him three times when the going got rough. But again, it is this utter failure that will guide and strengthen him for what came next. Upon this sinking rock, the church was built and expanded to include others considered “other” or “unworthy.” The story of all those who surrounded Jesus parallels our own failures, fears, and missteps. Where do we go from here? We journey into our fulness, continuing to embrace the Gifts of the Dark wood where the Spirit beckons us into extraordinary life.

Resurrection Stories

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” — John 11: 25-26

The Easter Season is a time of celebrating all the ways in which resurrection is possible in our lives. We can be in need of rising out of the depth of imprisonment, addiction, poverty, illness, and oppression — not just physically and literally, but also spiritually. What keeps us locked up inside? What holds us back from the joy of life? What binds us, keeping us from the fullness of who God created us to be? Join us for powerful testimonies of courage, kindness, strength, and overcoming — Resurrection Stories — from those who have found “resurrection” in their lives. It might just inspire you to unlock your own rising up!

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Raised

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she swept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there…

— John 20: 1-18

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” — John 11: 1-45

“Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of the people God will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.” — Isaiah 25: 6-9

The ultimate message is this: no matter how dead you feel inside, or how dead your life dreams may feel, God is making a way for you! Easter kicks off our “Resurrection Stories” series with the Story of all Stories and the reason why there is always hope. Can you turn your life around? Can you find new life when everything feels lifeless? Can light shine in what feels like a dark tomb? Yes. Yes. Yes!

April 7, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Freed

…creation itself will be set free from its bondage and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God… — Romans 8: 12-25

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “We’re not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” — Luke 24: 13-32

…About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened… — Acts 16: 16-34

We may be imprisoned by many things. Jesus’ declaration that he had come to “set the prisoner free” can be interpreted for all of us, whether or not we’ve ever experienced being behind literal prison bars. This day, we will hear a Resurrection Story that moves from chains to freedom. We will reflect on how we can each step into freedom from whatever binds us.

April 14, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Released

I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth… — Psalm 121

…you led them by day with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire, to give them light on the way in which they should go. — Nehemiah 9: 9-15

… Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. — John 20: 19-23

In 12-step programs, the first step is admitting powerlessness over anything that threatens to destroy our connection to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to others. This week, we consider the variety of ways addiction occurs in our lives. We will celebrate the Good News that we can refocus our lives onto things that lead us to life and connection to the Holy.

April 21, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Found

…Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God… — Psalm 84

“Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. — Luke 24: 36-43

“…Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them…” — John 14: 18-28

What is it like to literally not have a home, a place to lay your head at night? “Homeless” can also mean a sense of not feeling “at home,” lacking a feeling of belonging, feeling alone even in the midst of others. So many in this world are isolated. How can we find, and offer each other, “home” with the assurance of the presence of God and a beloved community?

April 28, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Healed

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. — John 21: 1-8

“…Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed…” — Mark 5: 24b-34

…the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, but you have striven with God and with humans…So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed, limping because of his hip…

— Genesis 32: 24-32

Illness of mind, body, or spirit can sap us of our life passion and energy. Sometimes illness can change the course of our lives forever, asking us to adapt in ways we never imagined. And while illness is not visited upon anyone by God’s design, sometimes limitations open our eyes to other possibilities. We will look for a different perspective on how we deal with any life-altering situation.

May 5, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Liberated

Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them…” — Exodus 3: 1-15

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. — Psalm 146

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” — John 21: 9-19

This country is made up of so many who escaped to the “promised land” from oppressive regimes. Throughout history, people have had to flee situations of horror. Even within our country and in our own time, there are those who live with oppression and fear. We seek to widen our understanding of what we must do to continue to work for liberation on so many fronts.

Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Calmed

“… remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28: 16-20

…May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15: 4-7, 13

…Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God… Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4: 4-9

Mental illness is one of the most common, devastating, and yet stigmatized maladies of our time. If this is an “Age of Anxiety,” we must be a church of healers and hope-givers. We will pray for those who deal with various forms of trauma and the consequences of mental illness, those who care for them, and open compassion for our own struggles.

Pentecost, May 19, 2024 – Resurrection Story: Transformed

“… I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
— Matthew 16: 13-20

…All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability… — Acts 2: 1-21

…be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God… For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individual we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ… — Romans 12: 1-16

The Spirit is alive and moves among us as it did in the early church! The end of our series will offer us an opportunity to commit ourselves to some important and concrete goals for our mission in the world. We are a church called to mobilize to alleviate suffering and proclaim resurrection hope through power of the Holy Spirit!

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Our Mission

We are a simple, friendly church, and our mission is simply stated: “We will show how we love God by how we love our neighbors.”