The Magnificat, or Mary’s Song, is one of four Psalm like songs in Luke 1-2 surrounding the birth narrative of Jesus.  Magnificat = my soul magnifies the lord.  This is a song of reversals and joy, praising God for His timely deliverance.  Let us sing a song of joy remembering what God has done for us.

"The Magnificat" || Pastor Dave Sim || Luke 1:46b-55 || 12.17.24

Paul declares that Christ is our Peace who breaks down the walls of hostility, bring those who are far in community with those who are near.  We (the church) are being built up together as Christ’s household of peace, a witness to the world.

“Peace Building” || Pastor Dave Sim || Ephesians 2:14-22 NIV || Christmas Eve 2023

Simeon, a man filled with the Spirit, had been waiting for the consolation of Israel.  Finally, he meets the Messiah and is released from his ‘waiting.’  He prophesies over the new family, pointing to how Jesus will confront power and pierce the hearts of many.  May the Spirit pierce our hearts in 2024 and bring forth ‘new things’

"The New Piercing Through" || Pastor Dave Sim || Luke 2:25-35 || 12.31.2023

Jesus ministers in his hometown and experiences a wall of faithlessness.  He is ‘unable’ to do more miracles there.  Jesus sends the disciples on their own itinerant missions and prepares them for possible rejection among other things.

"Rejection" by Dave Sim || Mark 6:1-13 || 01.07.2024

Jesus performs a miracle of feeding a multitude.  We hone in on Jesus’ compassion and desire to meet the needs of his ‘sheep.’  We also consider the “abundance” of the Kingdom–is there always enough?

"Sheep with a Shepherd" by Dave Sim || Mark 6:35-44 || 01.14.2024

“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”  It’s not external objects or people that are evil, but that which comes from inside us.  Humans can objectify other humans–we judge others based on the outside and the labels we give them.  Jesus calls us to be relational and move past superficial excuses.

“That which comes from inside us” by Dave Sim || Mark 7 || 01.28.2024

The center of Mark is Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am” and Peter’s response “you are the Messiah”  What is JEsus’ identity.  But also, what does this mean?  The disciples are caught up to what Mark has already told the reader:  Jesus is the Messiah.  But then Jesus continues relaying that the Messiah must suffer, die, and rise–which further highlights the disciples’ ignorance around the way of the Messiah.  Jesus stands with the outcast and the marginalized and will die as one.

"The Center of it All" by Dave Sim || Mark 8:27-33 || 02.04.2024

Where Jesus’ identity is declared with words in the previous chapter, now Jesus is revealed visually in illuminated Glory through the transfiguration.  We are given a visual expression of God’s delight in His Son, and the disciples too are to delight and stand in awe of Jesus.  Sometimes, we don’t explain with words or try to understand completely the Glory of Jesus Christ. The disciples stand on holy ground and are given the gift of a very intimate encounter with God.

"In Awe" by Dave Sim || Mark 9:2-9 || 02.11.2024

Guest speaker Paul Cabellon shares insight on the story of Hagar and God, El Roi.

"The God Who Sees Me" by Paul Cabellon || Genesis 16 || 02.18/2024

Jesus has a discourse with a rich young ruler.  The takeaway in the context of Mark 10 is that the path to eternal life comes via having a child-like wonder and dependance on Christ.  What are the “riches” we hold onto that serve as buffers against a deeper journey with Jesus?

“The Kid-Hearted Life” by Rev. Dave Sim || Mark 10:17-30 || 02.25.2024

Renew is a multethnic church located in Lynnwood, WA. We are laid-back, community-oriented, and relationally-driven. We are excited about living authentic lives that embody love, mercy, and hope in ways that are meaningful to our neighbors. We are a community that values diversity and desire to be multi-ethnic and inter-generational while encouraging the diversity of backgrounds within our leadership.

“Peace Building” || Pastor Dave Sim || Ephesians 2:14-22 NIV || Christmas Eve 2023

Renew Church Lynnwood

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