“And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’” (Luke 22:15 ESV). This coming Sunday begins what many Christians call Holy Week or Passion Week. It is called “Passion” week because of its connection to the Greek word πάσχω (pas’-kho), which means to feel heavy emotion or passion,
Author: Gary Combs
My mother’s gospel quartet named in the Library of Congress
Over the past year, I’ve been talking back and forth with a man named David Johnson, who has been doing research on the song “Rank Stranger” as performed by the Stanley Brothers. He was doing this research for an article he planned to submit to the Library of Congress. He was interested in understanding where
Rising Up to Make More Disciples
We’re starting a 4-week series called, “Rising Up to Make More Disciples” on Sunday, November 1, 2020. This series is being offered to refresh our Rise Up commitment from January 2019. What is “Rise Up?” RISE UP is our 3-year generosity initiative to make room for more people to come as they are and be
Praying dangerous prayers
Do you believe in the importance of prayer, yet you often feel that your prayer life is missing something? You’re not alone. Many believers today admit that they’re not satisfied with their prayer life. Why? Well, the reasons vary, but here are a few reasons that people offer: I don’t know how to pray. I’m
THREE REASONS YOUR CHURCH ENGAGEMENT IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT NOW
The troubling statistics of declining church engagement combined with the increasing mental health challenges among the individuals and families in our communities, leads to why church engagement is all the more important now.
Our current plans for reopening . . .
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.” –– 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV) “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” ––
How is our church preparing for reopening?
We want you to know that we are already preparing for reopening our church worship services according to the phases that our government leaders have announced. I still remember the last minute work we had to do on a Saturday evening in March after our governor announced his executive order that afternoon, limiting the size
Overwhelmed by Depression
“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” –– Psalm 143:6-8 (NLT) This coming Sunday, we are continuing our
Last Words from the Cross
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37 (ESV) “It was most fitting that every word of our Lord upon the cross should be gathered up and preserved. As not a bone of him shall be broken, so not a word shall be lost. The Holy Spirit took special care that
Passion Week Devotions
Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19 Monday – Clearing the Temple Matthew 21:10-19, Mark 11:12-18, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-22 Tuesday – Teaching in the Temple Matthew 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:27-13:37, and Luke 20:1-21:36 Wednesday – Anointed in Bethany Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1-11, and Luke 22:1-6 Thursday