The Fall

Pastor Brian reflects on the tragic divide between God and Creation narrated in Genesis 3-11, which has become known as "the Fall" by Christian theologians.

Seeing the World as Good

The opening chapter of the Bible is so familiar to us in the modern era that we can easily overlook the profound claims that it makes. In this sermon, Pastor Brian explains how counter-intuitive it was and is for Genesis to proclaim that the world is orderly, purposeful, and good.

Story of the Bible

Pastor Brian introduces Shalom's 13-month long series of the Story of the Bible. He begins by preaching from Song of Songs where he discusses how the Bible is a love story between God, humanity, and the world.

Getting Your Second Wind

As we celebrate Easter, Pastor Brian reminds us that hope isn't always enough and guides us towards finding our second wind in these uncertain and troubled times.

Sin - In the Beginning

Scripture Reading: Genesis 4:1-7
Wilma Bailey

Wilma will be preaching on the subject of sin.

The Man from the Wild

On the first Sunday of Lent, we traditionally read the story about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness according to Matthew or Luke. This year, however, we look at Mark's short version of the story in Mark 1:9-20, which reminds us of how wild Jesus is, and how he comes to shatter our assumptions and challenge us to take new steps of faith. Let us brace ourselves as we invite this untamed lion of Judah into our lives!

The Call of Freedom

Brian Bither
Feb 16, 2020
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We finish our "Slavery and Freedom in the Bible" series by considering the "underground" slavery that exists in the modern world and how it's tied to our economic system. Isaiah 61:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-31 will be the primary texts to give us both guidance and hope in our world of slavery for how we can continue to pursue Biblical freedom.

All the Way to Freedom

Deut 15:12-15; Phil 1-3, 10-25
Brian Bither

The Bible calls God's people not only to reject the institution of slavery but to make restitution to those who have been harmed by slavery, until the former slave and former free person are truly equals in the family of God. This week, we will consider what that call means for us who are the inheritors of the terrible racialized slavery.

Finding Freedom in a Slave Society

Col. 3:8-15; Eph. 6:5-11

​Pastor Brian continues our study of "Slavery and Freedom in the Bible" by looking at key texts cited by abolitionists and the defenders of slavery and closely examining them to get a better understanding of what Paul and other New Testament leaders were really trying to say to those who were enslaved. This may be a difficult topic for some of us, so pray that the Spirit will guide our corporate discernment and do what you need to do for self-care.

Slavery and Freedom in the Bible

Brian will begin a four-part series on Slavery and Freedom in the Bible, with Exodus 1:1-14 and Galatians 4:1-7 as the introductory texts.