Letters to the Church

We are beginning our summer series, Letters to the church, journeying through the Lectionary Epistle readings, along the way we will journey through Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews and a brief stop in Philemon.

This week, we begin by exploring why Paul is so concerned about the Gentiles’ genitals, our forefathers’ foreskins, and does salvation hinges on whether we have skin in the game. If you are confused about why this is the case, I encourage you to read Galatians 1-3 in advance of Sunday.

Christ Beyond the Law

Join us as we continue in our summer series, Letters to the church, journeying through the Lectionary Epistle readings, along the way we will journey through Galatians, Colossians, Hebrews and a brief stop in Philemon.

Justification by Faith

This Sunday, we begin the second letter in our Summer series. As we turn to the opening of Colossians, we encounter a markedly different tone from our previous study. Whereas Paul wrote to the Galatians with strong critique and a defense against false teaching, Colossians opens with joy, gratitude, and encouragement.

Most significantly, this introduction draws us into Paul’s heartfelt prayers for the church—prayers offered as the community continues to grow in faith and maturity. Through them, we discover the marks of a healthy church and are invited to deepen our own and love of knowledge of God.

Paul Prays for the Church

This Sunday we will look a little deeper into the so-called “Colossian Heresy.” What were the “hollow and deceptive philosophies” threatening the church in Colossae, how did Paul address them, and where do we see them in our world today? Come and see!

The Sufficiency of Christ

Last week in Paul's letter to the Colossians we heard that Christ is all sufficient! In him we are freed from the disqualifying strictures of legalism, false spirituality, and asceticism that incite spiritual pride and divide the body of Christ. This week in our final sermon in Colossians (3:5--17) we talk about what through the gospel we are freed for: to nurture our new life in Christ both individually and collectively. Thank you Jesus!

Read Colossians 3:5–17 to prepare.

Freed by the Gospel to Grow in Goodness

This Sunday, we return to the lectionary to guide our preaching until Advent. We’ll focus our preaching on the epistle reading 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to a young pastor who feels in over his head — a feeling many of us know well. But Paul’s words to Timothy aren’t just for pastors; they’re for anyone who is trying to live faithfully when life feels uncertain. Join us as we hear Paul’s encouragement and exhortation to stay rooted in the gospel, cling to Scripture, and keep going when following Jesus gets hard.

View the full sermon here: https://youtube.com/live/9sZF8KVZhUk

Abide in What You Have Learned

St. Peter's Fireside