This past Wednesday our nation celebrated “Juneteenth”! The holiday, with it’s name derived by combining the month “June” and the ordinal number “nineteenth”, became a national holiday in 2021. While Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day and Jubilee Day has only been celebrated nationally for a few years, it has actually been celebrated since 1866, starting one year after General Gordon Granger publicly read “General Order Number 3” in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. General Order Number...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
In this Father’s Day message, Pastor Joe Still will take some moments to honor and pray for dads. As little children, many of us grew up thinking of our dads as strong and powerful. They could lift us over their heads and throw us up into the air, evoking laughter and shouts of joy. It was a trait, for which we were grateful. While we now realize the source of that power was their muscle mass ratio, at the time it seemed almost supernatural! While muscle mass is one source of masculine power, th...
Jun 19, 2024•53 min
Where are your roots? You might have been asked that question a time or two by someone wanting to get to know you a little bit better. How did you respond? Did you tell them your hometown, your college alma mater, or maybe even your neighborhood? Did you share about your family? The Bible speaks about our roots and also a seemingly unrelated concept of wings. We will explore our connection to roots and wings during our time together. This week, we will also acknowledge and celebrate the graduati...
Jun 13, 2024•39 min
The Apostle John included many truths and statements JESUS made about the PERSON of the HOLY SPIRIT. One of those recurring truths that JESUS points His followers to is a need one must have if they long to see the HOLY SPIRIT moving and growing in their lives, their church, and their community. If your heart is heavy to see a great movement of GOD in you life, I encourage you to listen to this message, as JESUS reveals to us the HOLY SPIRIT He knows and loves! Pastor Joe Still
Jun 05, 2024•56 min
About ten years ago, news outlets began reporting on an outbreak of “Identity Theft” scams targeting the IRS and our tax returns. In that season the office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report that “confirmed IRS identity theft cases, and these returns accounted for additional losses estimated to be more than $5.2 billion.” That was for just one year. While the IRS has gotten better at detecting and prosecuting these false tax returns, “Identity Theft” conti...
May 29, 2024•52 min
While I’m not a slave to what may be known as the orthodox “church calendar”, I do keep up with it, knowing that millions of my brothers and sisters in Christ live closely tuned into it. With PENTECOST Sunday approaching, I went back and reread a short, but wonderful book by A.W. Tozer entitled, HOW TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. In my opinion, it is a Christian classic and I believe every follower of JESUS can find encouragement and challenge from reading it. In it Tozer states: “The Holy S...
May 22, 2024•55 min
Proverbs 31:28 tells us something incredible about Godly Mothers. It says, “Her children stand and bless her.” The verses just before, tell us why that would happen: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.” (Proverbs 31:25-27) This is not just some “honorable mention” thrown into the bible...
May 15, 2024•56 min
In our verse-by-verse journey through the Epistle of James, I am so grateful that the LORD arranged for us to study this passage on the Sunday following the National Day of Prayer. This gratitude exists, because any deeply thoughtful praying, over the serious problems that plague our nation, can sometimes leave one feeling confused, depleted, and maybe even a bit discouraged about the effectiveness of prayer. For “spiritual seekers” that join us on Sundays, or even those new in our faith, our ti...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 7 min
“How do we navigate the Hard times in our life” Jesus said in John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We are warned that we will have trouble in this world. As we continue in the book of James, we note that the Bible does not shy away from hard topics. James recognizes that we will all face hardship in one form or another. He then offers practical advice for how to walk through...
May 01, 2024•45 min
Since the beginning of 2024, we have been digging deep into our study of the book in the Bible written by JESUS’ little brother James. James can pack a “literary punch to the gut” at times. He uses very practical, but very challenging words to call us to a FAULTless FAITH! (Which is the name of our series.) In this message, Pastor Joe Still looks at what many Bible commentators say is James’ hardest hitting group of verses. In fact, several commentators agree that, next to the recorded warnings ...
Apr 24, 2024•52 min
As we’ve seen from our study through the first four chapters, James was teaching Christ-followers how to develop a faith without cracks or weakness, a FAULTless FAITH! In this message, Pastor Joe Still turns our attention to the last five verses of chapter four, learning from James how to step into the future with a strong faith!
Apr 17, 2024•55 min
In this message from Pastor Joe Still, we continue our celebration of the Resurrection of JESUS, as we look at final moments Jesus spent with His followers before ascending into Heaven. The Gospel writer Luke records some of the most exciting and hope-filled words ever spoken by angels to humankind! We'll take time to reflect on three incredibly beautiful words from GOD, delivered by Angels at the Ascension of Jesus, “THIS SAME JESUS…”
Apr 10, 2024•51 min
This service is a meaningful and sobering prelude to the Easter weekend, commonly called Maundy Thursday. It is solemn and focuses on Jesus’ last supper with His disciples and His subsequent arrest, rejection, and death. It’s a truly different kind of worship experience that allows us to live out the teaching that Jesus gave His followers to “remember”. This service encourages us to celebrate the Resurrection with greater joy and deeper thankfulness!
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 8 min
The Friday before Easter Sunday is known as “Good Friday”. It is a day recognized and celebrated by followers of JESUS all around the world! Some might think, “well it wasn’t such a good day for JESUS”, and while I understand that line of thinking, it truly misses the heart of the Gospel and the heart of our Savior. The scriptures tell us: “FOR THE JOY SET OUT FOR HIM HE ENDURED THE CROSS, DISREGARDING ITS SHAME…” Hebrews 12:2 (NET1). God’s Word doesn’t say that JESUS “enjoyed” the mockery of th...
Apr 03, 2024•51 min
HOPE is not a frivolous nicety to have; it is an essential human need! This message from Pastor Joe Still takes the first step on “THE ROAD TO RESURRECTION HOPE”.
Mar 28, 2024•53 min
The story is told that Winston Churchill was once attending an official ceremony in London in his later years. Two men sitting behind him recognized him and began to whisper back and forth to each other. “They say Churchill’s quite senile now,” said the one. “Yes, they say he’s doing England more harm than good,” replied the other. “They say he should step aside and leave the running of this government to younger, more dynamic people,” continued the first man. Churchill turned around and in a lo...
Mar 21, 2024•46 min
“WHERE DO ALL THE FIGHTS AND QUARRELS AMONG YOU COME FROM?” (James 4:1) What a great question for our day and times! As I write this, I know that our President will be giving his “State of the Union Message” tonight. Any who plan to watch, go into it anticipating “FIGHTS AND QUARRELS” to arise from his talk, as well as from the “other party leader” who will follow with their rebuttal! Also, this week, it seems the Presidential Race has been narrowed to two main candidates. This sets the stage fo...
Mar 13, 2024•57 min
**Please Note: There is a small lapse in the sermon at minute 24:55, due to a power failure. There In 1990, the term “Emotional Intelligence” was coined by two researchers, Peter Salavoy and John Mayer in their article “Emotional Intelligence” in the journal Imagination, Cognition, and Personality. It was later popularized by Dan Goleman in his best-selling, 1995 book, Emotional Intelligence. Goleman described Emotional Intelligence as a person's ability to manage their feelings so that those fe...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min
In an age when words have been weaponized like never before, those of us who follow JESUS, must pattern our “way with words” from the clear teachings of GOD’s Word and not the way of the world. No place in the scriptures, are GOD’s instructions for how to use our words more clearly addressed, than in the letter written by James, the little brother of our LORD JESUS! James is an eminently practical letter, and its purpose or its subject or its theme is to show us the difference between a mere pro...
Feb 29, 2024•48 min
In this message, Pastor Dean Infinger continues our study of the book of James. The passage focuses on James 2:14-26 which concerns the combination of Faith & Works. As Christians, we can struggle with the topic of works. Often we feel we need to make up for past sins with works. We can desire to earn the grace that God freely gives. Scripture is clear that our salvation is through the work of Christ alone and His sacrifice for our sins on the cross. However, shouldn’t our actions reflect th...
Feb 21, 2024•36 min
"To dwell above with those we love, that will be a glory. But to dwell below, with those we know, that's another story." While I was not quickly able to find who authored that brief poem, their words still hold great truth! If you’ve been in church for any length of time, you know some relationships in the church can be a bit challenging. So how do we grow a church that even the lost would love? In this message, Pastor Joe Still shares how James, the little brother of our Lord Jesus, gives us so...
Feb 14, 2024•53 min
In our study of the incredible letter written by the earthly brother of our LORD JESUS, we have celebrated how “down-to-earth” and practical the counsel is that James gives us for growing a “Faultless Faith”. Unfortunately, James’ practical approach to living the Christian Life, has been misunderstood by some, leading them to a “works-based” pursuit of faith in JESUS. In this message, Pastor Joe Still takes a little deeper dive into the “Gospel Theology” of James, on which every practical admoni...
Feb 07, 2024•47 min
God’s Word speaks of our salvation in three different tenses. We have been saved. We are being saved. And, we shall be saved. These do not create contradiction nor tension. All three truths are there. I have been saved, that is, in the past when I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior; I was saved forever from the penalty of sin. And one day, I shall be saved from the possibility of sin, when I go to Heaven. But right now, I am being saved from the power of sin. While I’m confident that Je...
Jan 31, 2024•47 min
Have you ever heard of daredevil Bobby Leach? On July 25, 1911 he became the second person to ever successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Later in his life, Bobby Leach died from surgical complications after slipping on an orange peel, severely damaging his leg. Which once again proves the saying, “It’s the little things that kill you!” Far too often, we live as if “sin” is just a “little thing”! In his great work, THE MORTIFICATION OF SIN, puritan theologian John Owen wrote these famou...
Jan 25, 2024•50 min
What could be the possible connection between, our suffering, God’s Wisdom, and our faith and doubts? In this message, Pastor Joe Still turns our attention to James 1:5-11 for answers to this question by examining back-to-back verses, the first we love, but the second sinks our souls if we misunderstand what James writes.
Jan 17, 2024•50 min
The word “FAULT” has several synonyms that provide different shades of meaning. One is “WEAKNESS”, such as a moral weakness. Another is “RESPONSIBILITY”, as in the case of wrongdoing or failure. Yet another meaning is “GEOLOGICAL”, as in the San Andreas Fault. There seems to be no real positive aspect to the meanings associated to the word “FAULT”; but, WHEN you add the suffix “less” to that word, the meaning is completely flipped. It becomes “FAULTLESS”, a word of great strength! That is the wo...
Jan 10, 2024•48 min
During this service, we sing “WHAT CHILD IS THIS”. I’m not sure if there has ever been a more important question in the history of humanity. The impact that Jesus has had on human history, on the human condition, and on our understanding of the obligations of one human being to another is unmatched, there’s not even a close second. With the coming of Christ, who humbled himself to enter our world as a helpless baby and die like a common criminal, it is now and forever clear that every life matte...
Jan 03, 2024•50 min
In this full Christmas Eve service we celebrate the birth of JESUS! In Luke 2, we see the Shepherds “telling everyone” about His birth. We’ll look closely at the Shepherd’s Story this Sunday. Their personal story of JESUS, powerfully demonstrates how HE blessed them, coming to them right in the midst of their brokenness, and gave them new life. Blessed…Broken…Given! Not only is it the Shepherd’s Story, it is also the Gospel Story, and it is the Communion Story. In this Christmas Eve message, Pas...
Dec 27, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Did you know that not everyone likes to be surprised? Social scientists who study such things, tell us that about 1/3 of the gifts we get at Christmas are “surprise” gifts. Things we did not expect! Retailers also tell us that they anticipate people returning about 1/3 of the gifts they receive at Christmas. I wonder if there is some correlation here between gifts we return and gifts that we didn’t expect? (Inquiring minds want to know!) Obviously, some people don’t like surprises! It comes as n...
Dec 20, 2023•53 min
It’s the third Sunday of Advent and we light the Joy candle. Do you have JOY this Christmas season? Or have you had some moments when you felt your JOY being stolen away? Where do we find JOY? And how do we live in a way that fills us with JOY? In this message, Pastor Dean Infinger leads us to discover true JOY.
Dec 12, 2023•39 min
