This Thanksgiving week, we reflect on celebrations of thankfulness in the Old Testament. This helps us see how Thanksgiving is in step with a long line of set aside days for reflection and thankfulness. Lastly, we explore how the actual act of being intentionally thankful can have tangible benefits for us. This week’s passage is Esther 8:20-23.

Thanksgiving: A time of reflection, thankfulness, and making us whole

This week, we kick off a two-week worship journey together! We look at the notion of worship in the Old Testament and compare it to what Jesus said. How do these two things relate? And what does that mean for us today in how we worship? Our main passages this week are: Exodus 20:4-5 and Mark 12:28-30.

Apologies about the audio quality this week. Our normal recording did not work so this is ripped form a live-stream video.

Worshiping Together: Just What is Worship?

This Sunday we kick off our summer series on Theater and Theology—seeing God in our favorite movies. For this first week, we look at the movie Encanto. In it we see Maribel go on a journey of discovery, moving from outcast to deliverer of her family. This is a story arch that is echoed the biblical figure of Moses. What is God trying to show us by picking people like Moses to go forth and do amazing things. Our main passages come from Exodus chapters 2-4.

Theater and Theology: Encanto

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew.  In today’s text, Jesus tells a parable about something that would have been near and dear to the disciples…fishing. We look at fishing practices of the time and how they can be a wonderful window into how we share the gospel. Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:47-52.

The Gospel of Matthew: I Caught a Boot!

This week, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew.  In today’s text, we see what happens when Jesus goes back to his hometown to preach. We look at what the Bible says about belief and unbelief. And how is it we can even begin to have faith Our main passage this week is Matthew 13:53-58.

The Gospel of Matthew: Hometown Hero?

This week, we kick off our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. Our first perspective is Mary Magdalene. We first examine who she was and what was her relationship to Jesus. Then we will explore the question of who is Mary in today’s culture?

Tales from the Cross: Mary Magdalene

This week, we continue our Lent series ‘Tales from the Cross. This week, we take the perspective of God the Father. We examine a little of God and Jesus’ relationship, God’s view of sin, and how all of that came together during Jesus’ death.

Tales from the Cross: God the Father

This week, we continue our series examining some core elements of reformed theology, by talking about the Holy Spirit. The Third member of the trinity is maybe the most misunderstood. So we will look at who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does for us every day.

Worship through Theology: Ah! A Ghost!

Despite it being 90 degrees out, we are celebrating Christmas this week. Christmas is a time when we think about and celebrate Christ coming to earth to live among us and to die for us. That is something we should celebrate all year! So join us in reflecting on the Incarnation of Jesus.

Halfway  to Christmas

This week, we reached the halfway point of our two seek Worship Journey.  In today’s message, we will explore the question “Why do we worship?” We will look at God’s plan for humanity from the beginning. How sin altered that plan. But how God’s perfect love brought things back to that perfect plan.

Worship Journey: Why do we Worship?

This week, we kick off our Christmas series titled “the first Christmas Playlist”. In today’s text we examine the song of Zechariah. We explore just what it means to be in a place of waiting. We look at examples that highlight that God is all too often working in the silence. Our main passage is: Luke 1:67-79.

The First Christmas Playlist: “What the ‘Silent Night’”

This week, we continue our Christmas series titled “the first Christmas Playlist”. In today’s text we examine the song of Simeon. We see how Simeon held onto a promise so much that he did everything he could to see it happen. He was so excited for the Messiah that he took an active role in making sure he did not miss him. Our main passage is: Luke 2:25-32

The First Christmas Playlist: “The Man With a Plan”

This week, we kick off a new series examining how we can be missional in our everyday lives. In today’s message, we explore just what it means to be missional and why it is important. We will also look at an example of Jesus being missional in his interaction with Matthew. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13

How to be Missional: “Why be Missional?”

It is too cold to host an indoor service today. So, stay inside, stay warm, and listen to this brief devotional about relying on God.

Be Like an Apple Tree

In today’s message, we try to answer the question ‘to whom are we called to be missional?’ The people and places right around us are our primary mission field. Why has God placed us where we are? If we can answer that, then we can start to understand what it is to be missional. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13

How to be Missional: “Missional to Whom?”

This week, we continue our series examining how to be missional in our everyday lives. In today’s message, we finally turn look at the question “what could being missional look like for me?” We take inspiration from Jesus’ ministry and try to take the people/arenas around us combined with what inspires us to find a missional outcome that blesses our community and shows Jesus’ love. Our main passage is: Matthew 9:9-13.

How to be Missional: “Putting it all together”

This week, Anna talks to us about the importance of community. We examine the trinity through the lens of community and how that gives us a model for how God wants us to live. As well as looking at other examples of community present in the Bible. Our main passage today is: Acts: 2:24-47.

“Called to Community”

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Moses. Moses’ life is full of moment after moment where things seemed completely lost. Yet, God was orchestrating things. Moses’ life showcases the simple truth that God will never leave us alone, God stands with us in our most desperate times.

Lent 2024—Overcome: Moses

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Gideon. God called Gideon to lead the people against overwhelming odds. God asked Gideon to show faith and trust on an insane level. In the end, Gideon’s faith was rewarded, and God’s power and protection shined through.

Lent 2024—Overcome: Gideon

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Jericho. In this Story, God asks the people to wage war on the city of Jericho in an unconventional manner. One that, on the surface, seems bad. But God’s instructions were less about the actions themselves and more about asking the people to have faith. How often does this happen in our lives? What does it mean when God calls us into situations that don’t make sense? How can we show faith in moments like that?

Lent 2024—Overcome: The Walls of Jericho

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Esther. In this story, Esther is called upon to save her people from a plot of genocide. But we see that the story does not start here. Rather, it is a story that spans generations and is all rooted in listen to God and having faith in God’s plan.

Lent 2024—Overcome: Esther

This week we continue our Lent series “Overcome” by looking at the story of Sampson. In this story, Sampson is called to deliver the people from the Philistines. We see what God’s apparent plan is and then we see how Sampson ignores that plan. Sampson tries to do things his own way. We examine just how well that works out.

Lent 2024—Overcome: Sampson

This week, we dive back into our series on “How to be Missional” by looking at conversations. We will look at how important listening is when having conversations with people. Both listening to the person and listening to the Holy Spirit. Our main passage this week is: Colossians 4:2-6.

Hello There

This week, we dive back into our series on “How to be Missional” by looking at conversations. We will look at the idea that there is not a one-size-fits all box for having spiritual conversations. We close out with a few examples of how you might talk to someone about the gospel. Our main passage this week is: Colossians 4:2-6.

How to be Missional: “Square Peg, Round Hole”

This week, we dive back into the Gospel of Matthew. In today’s text, Jesus has a discussion with some unlikely people and reminds us in a powerful way that he is God. Our main passage this week is Matthew 17:1-13.

The Gospel of Matthew: “Listen to Him”

This week, in our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. We examine the idea of faith and how much faith we need to muster up to live a wondrous Christlike life.  Our main passage this week is Matthew 17:14-23.

The Gospel of Matthew: “Extra Mustard, Please”

Our ‘Theology and Theater’ movie for this week is Frozen II. We discuss just what it looks like to do the ‘next right thing’ as Christians; and how sometimes not knowing God’s full plan for us can actually be a good thing. We examine Psalm 119:82-87, 105 to see how taking things a single step at a time can be the best way to move forward. Spoilers for frozen II 5:40-7:24.

Theology & Theater - Frozen II

Join us for a time of reflection and prayer. We are all feeling a little screen tired so instead of watching an online sermon, this morning I want us to go outside and spend some time with God. In this guide, I will lead you through some of the psalms and encourage you to use your 5 sense to engage with the wonderful world our God has created.

Guided Meditative Prayer Walk

Mark Chapters 1 and 2, read by Jesse Kisman and Sarah Macky.

Mark Chapters 1 and 2

This week we tackle a very common question: “How can I have peace in a world of turmoil?” Guest Speaker Paul Schroeder walks us through what the Bible can tell us in the midst of hardships. We will look at several passages, including: John 14:27 and Romans 5:1.

Answering Your Questions: “Finding Peace in the Midst of Turmoil”

We are a small church plant located in Ballwin, MO. We strive to live out our faith everyday as a relational church family. We desire to share the love of Jesus with our local community. Our goal is to be the kind of church that fosters an environment where people feel loved, where they feel safe, and where they feel like they are part of a family—because they are.

RiverTree Community Church

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