All Souls Missoula - Fresh Encounter, Ancient Faith

All Souls Ale Reborn (2012)

2012-01-28T22:08:00.001-07:00

All Souls Ale is back for real in 2012, and it's better than ever! As some of you might know, there was a technical problem with the original batch due out at Christmas Time. The folks at Big Sky Brewing have re-brewed, and the results are amazing - a daring Dark Tripel (10.8%) that marries Belgian yeast with American hops to create a truly stunning Easter Ale, loaded with hints of pear and apple.

While it will be released in April, All Souls Ale can be enjoyed throughout the year (like wine, it improves with age). It's $14 a bottle (750ml - think wine bottle size) - all hand bottled, hand labeled, individually numbered and signed. This is a very limited edition run (only 100 cases!), and it makes great holiday gifts.

We think it's absolutely amazing, and are confident you will too. Plus, ALL the profits go to support Imagine Missoula (last year's All Souls Ale generated over $7000, to meet real needs right here in Missoula).

Pricing - half case (6 bottles) for $84, full case (12 bottles) for $168.
Quantities - you can order singles, but bulk orders (half case or more) take precedence.
Pre-ordering - we will be sampling All Souls Ale and accepting pre-orders at the Winter Brewfest (Sat Feb 11, 2-8 PM). There is a very good chance we will sell out at this event, so if you want to make sure you get some, you should probably ORDER YOURS NOW.

For more information...

learn about the history of All Souls Ale
learn about Imagine Missoula
wonder why would a church be involved in brewing beer?
follow us on facebook
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please don't hesitate to ask!

Weekly Updates

2012-01-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

Here's what's going on in the All Souls community this week...

On The Radar - Special events and ways to get involved...

Project Homeless Connect - Thursday, January 26 @ 10 AM to 3 PM at First United Methodist Church (300 East Main St.). If you'd like to help by volunteering, contact Debbie Saylor (728-1809) or Megan Hill (728-7682). This is a great way to help those who are struggling in our community!

Membership Groups - Beginning the first week of February. If you want to learn more about All Souls or why we have membership, then you'll want to attend. Please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) if you're interested.

Congregational Meeting - Sunday, February 5 during worship we'll cast vision for the coming year and bring you up to speed on budget matters. Open to anyone, but especially geared toward members!

Children's Basket - Nina is no longer able to manage the activity basket for older children who stay in the worship service. If you would like to serve this way, please contact Ryan (529-2468).

Discovery Basin Ski Trip - Scott Nuanes would like to organize a ski day Saturday, January 28. If you're interested, please give him a call @ 880-8867.

Winter Brewfest - All Souls will be sponsoring the MDA's Winter Brewfest on Saturday, February 11. We'll be doing this to help promote this year's All Souls Ale (all profits support Imagine Missoula). If you'd like to know more (or help volunteer), please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

Presbytery - Christian & Ryan will be down in Colorado for Presbytery all week, so please be patient if they're slow in getting back to you!

The Church in Worship - For 2000 years, weekly worship has been the most definitive feature of Christian community. If you’re curious about who we are or what we're up to, this is a great place to begin...

Sunday Worship - Sunday @ 10 AM on the 3rd floor of MCT [map]. Whether you're a follower of Christ or someone who is skeptical, this is a great chance to experience Christian worship and wrestle with the claims of Jesus. Kid friendly, with a casual yet reverent atmosphere. Hope to see you soon!

The Church in Action - At the same time, church is more than just a service on Sundays; it's a community of friends meeting throughout the week. Here are some of the ways you can move deeper into the life and community of All Souls...

Community Groups - Please contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

Jesus 101 (Gospel of Mark) - Tues @ 6:30 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Rd ~ 529-5568).
When Helping Hurts - Tues @ 6 PM at the Caldwell's (1224 Lincoln Drive). Leaders: Joe (396-6372) & Nancy (552-7693) and Chris (241-3320) & Jenifer (241-3357)
Public Faith - Cancelled this week
Easy Street Group - Thurs @ 6:30 PM at the Ballengees (217 S. Easy St). Leaders: Bob (241-8067) & Laura (404-909-5793)
Draught Works Fridays - Fri @ 5 PM at Missoula's newest brewery, Draught Works (915 Toole). Come hoist a pint with friends!
Fireside Group - Sun @ 5:30 PM at the Lewis' (838 Stoddard). Leaders: Ron (360-7202) & Kelly (360-7676)

Have questions about All Souls? Want to get together over coffee, lunch or a beer? Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468).

See you soon!
Christian & Ryan
http://allsoulsmissoula.org

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39)

2012-01-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

We pick up the story of Joseph - now a slave down in Egypt. To add insult to injury he is wrongly accused of rape and thrown in an Egyptian prison. However, the story insists that "God was with Joseph." What's your hope in the midst of hardship?

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Killing the Hostility (Ephesians 2:11-22)

2012-01-15T10:00:00.002-07:00

Classic Christianity has always asserted something offensive to many of us - that all of us are sinners! If this is the case, how we do ever expect to practice shalom?

Killing the Hostility - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Foundation of Shalom (Ephesians 2:1-10)

2012-01-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

How do we start to be people of shalom? The apostle Paul insists that the biblical concept of shalom has everything to do with our spiritual state - somehow we must go from being spiritually "dead" to being spiritually "alive" if we are going to practice shalom. What does he mean by this? These are some the things we wrestle with in this sermon.

The Foundation of Shalom - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

God's Love Song in the Psalms (Psalm 45)

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

God's Love Song in the Psalms - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2011-12-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

"The Newborn" - Georges de la Tour (1593-1652)

This Christmas Eve, we'll be hosting our annual Midnight Service, beginning at 11:30 PM in the lobby of the Missoula Children's Theatre (200 North Adams ). It's a small, intimate gathering to celebrate the coming of Christ through music, Scripture, and friendship.

Come participate in a tradition that is at least 1500 years old. Your kids will love it, and so will you. We'd love to have you join us!

Finding Love in Christmas (Psalm 41)

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

How do I fall in love with Jesus this Christmas? That's the question to ask and hopefully these amazing truths from Psalm 41 will help you do it!

Finding Love in Christmas - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

All Souls Christmas Party!

2011-12-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hey friends, it's time for our yearly All Souls Christmas Party again! Please join us this Friday, Dec 16, from 6 PM - 11 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Road - just look for the mailbox and turn down the alley; there's plenty of additional parking on River Road and Luella Lane).

If you've never been to one of our famous All Souls parties, here's your chance! Our food theme is tapas and wine tasting, with live music by Ron Dunbar. There might even be some of last year's All Souls Ale! Kids are welcome, and so are friends! Just RSVP if you're coming, so we know how much food to prepare.

No matter how cold it gets outside, it'll be a warm and toasty evening in our home! We hope you'll come celebrate the Christmas season with us!

Whose Son Is He (Part 2)? (John 8:12-30)

2011-12-11T10:00:00.001-07:00

We already find ourselves in the third week of advent! We again ask the question from two weeks ago, "whose son is he?" Two weeks ago we discussed the humanity of Jesus; this week we'll focus on his divinity.

Whose Son Is He (Part 2)? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

God's Response to Darkness (John 1:1-18)

2011-12-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - Christmas can often feel lonely and dark (or at least this season can expose where we're feeling it). In this second week of Advent we look at how God responds to darkness and how we ought to respond to His response

God's Response to Darkness - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Whose Son Is He? (Matthew 1:18-25)

2011-11-27T10:00:00.004-07:00

It's the first Sunday of Advent (from the Latin meaning "coming") and so we spend a week looking at why Jesus had to be human and what his humanity actually did for us!

Whose Son Is He? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Importance of Prayer for Shalom (Ephesians 1:15-23)

2011-11-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

The Importance of Prayer for Shalom - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Explorers - Jesus 101

2011-11-15T22:00:00.002-07:00

Let's face it: most of us have questions about faith and spirituality. Often though, our friends don't really want to talk about these things, and churches seem to look down on people with doubts and struggles.

Explorers is a safe place for unbelievers, and for the unbeliever in all of us. It's a place where you can be honest about what you think, and get honest answers about the Christian faith. It's a place where you can make up your own mind about historic Christianity, by looking at the sources, rather than settling for second hand opinions.

Fundamentally, Explorers is all about working on our spirituality in community. It's a place where you can be yourself - share a meal, talk about your struggles, wrestle with your faith, as friends rather than foes. We meet once a week for about two hours. We share a meal. We laugh together. And we share our thoughts.

This Winter we'll be looking at Jesus 101 (The Gospel of Mark).

In 7 weeks you'll study an entire book of the Bible - the Gospel of Mark. We'll take a firsthand look at the person, work, and claims of Jesus. This group is geared for non-Christians, new-Christians, and people who aren't even sure what it means to be a Christian. You won't be asked to sing, pray, or do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. You can come as you are; you can say as little or as much as you like.

The goal of these groups is not to convert you. Our job is simply to introduce you to the Jesus of Scripture so you can figure out what you believe for yourself. In the process, you will learn a lot about Jesus, Christianity, and your own spirituality. You'll also have a chance to build friendships with interesting people who are asking the same questions you are.

If this sounds interesting, please contact Christian (529-5568) ASAP so we can figure out who's interested. Hope to hear from you soon!

Resources for Reconciliation (Ephesians 1:3-14)

2011-11-13T10:00:00.002-07:00

What are the resources we need to pursue this kind of reconciliation?

Resources for Reconciliation - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

What is a Missional Church?

2011-11-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here at All Souls, we talk a lot about being a "missional church." Ever wonder what we actually mean by that? Perhaps this recent lecture by Tim Keller on What is a Missional Church? will shed some light on things.

Pique your interest? Raise questions? Want to discuss this over coffee, lunch, or a beer? Give us a holler! We'd love to get together...

Reconciliation 101 (Ephesians 1:1-23)

2011-11-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

How do we go about this whole reconciliation and shalom thing that we've been talking about? It all comes back to an attitude of gratitude. So how do we cultivate that kind of attitude?

Reconciliation 101 - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Christians as Subversives

2011-11-05T16:50:00.001-06:00

Q: Do American Christians too easily assume their surrounding culture is Christian?

We do. It is useful to listen to people who come into our culture from other cultures, to pay attention to what they hear and what they see. In my experience, they don't see a Christian land. If you listen to a Solzhenitsyn or Bishop Tutu, or university students from Africa or South America, they don't see a Christian land. They see something almost the reverse of a Christian land.

They see a lot of greed and arrogance. And they see a Christian community that has almost none of the virtues of the biblical Christian community, which have to do with a sacrificial life and conspicuous love. Rather, they see indulgence in feelings and emotions, and an avaricious quest for gratification.

Importantly, they see past the facade of our language, the Christian language we throw up in front of all this stuff. The attractive thing about America to outsiders is the materialism, not the spirituality. It's interesting to listen to refugees who have just gotten into the country: what they want are cars and televisions. They're not coming after our gospel, unless they're translating the gospel into a promise of riches and comfort.

Q: Do you preach to your congregation about this?

Yes.

Q: How do you do that? I'm sure that's not easy.

Well, I'm one of them. I live in the same kind of house they do. I drive the same kind of car they do. I shop in the same stores they do. So I'm like them. We're all in this together.

It's possible for a few people to break out of society and form some kind of colony in order to challenge society as a kind of shock troop. But that's not my calling, and I don't find it credible to use the language of separatism in a congregation where we've all got jobs, where we're trying to find our place as disciples in the society and do what we can there. If I do that, I lose credibility. I'm using one kind of language on Sunday and another on Monday.

So what I have tried to develop first of all, in myself, is the mentality of the subversive. The subversive is someone who takes on the coloration of the culture, as far as everyone else can see. If he loses the coloration he loses his effectiveness. The subversive works quietly and hiddenly, patiently. He has committed himself to Christ's victory over culture and is willing to do those small things. No subversive ever does anything big. He is always carrying secret messages, planting suspicion that there is something beyond what the culture says is final.

Q: What are some specific acts of Christian subversion?

They're common Christian acts. The acts of sacrificial love, justice, and hope. There's nothing novel in any of this. Our task is that we develop a self-identity as Christians and do these things not incidentally to our lives, but centrally. By encouraging one another, by praying together, by studying Scripture together, we develop a sense that these things are in fact the very center of our lives. And we recognize they are not the center of the world's life, however much cultural talk there is about Christianity.

If we can develop a sense that sacrificial love, justice, and hope are at the core of our identities – they go to our jobs with us each day, to our families each night – then we are in fact subversive. You have to understand that Christian subversion is nothing flashy. Subversives don't win battles. All they do is prepare the ground and change the mood just a little bit toward belief and hope, so that when Christ appears, there are people waiting for him.

- from Eugene Peterson's The Contemplative Pastor, pp 10-12.

Artist in Residence

2011-10-31T20:12:00.011-06:00

Bethany Joyce - All Souls Missoula "Artist in Residence" (2011/12)

We are thrilled to announce Bethany Joyce as the first ever All Souls "Artist in Residence," a paid position that will run through September 2012!

We believe Bethany is exceptionally qualified for this post. After graduating with a degree in Music from University of Montana, Bethany plays cello regularly for Montana symphonies in Missoula, Helena, and Butte. She is also deeply involved in local bands like Wartime Blues, Stellarondo, and Butter.

Playing weekly for All Souls Missoula for nearly 2 years now, Bethany has been instrumental in producing the Christian & The Sinners debut album due out this November 18. We look forward to supporting her as she continues to contribute to Missoula's music scene!

Q: What IS an “Artist in Residence” program?

While the term “Artist in Residence” is relatively recent (the past hundred years or so), the concept has been around for much longer – people, organizations, and especially churches have been supporting artists for ages: St. Thomas Church in Leipzig made it possible for Johann Sebastian Bach to write a cantata every week back in the 1700s; the Psalms seem to indicate King David employed musicians and a “director of music.”

Here at All Souls, we believe that God calls us to be a blessing to the city of Missoula, not just by meeting needs (mercy), but also by supporting the arts (beauty is one of our core values!). We think that if God loves the arts, we as a church should too. This is why we pay many of our musicians, it's why we worship at Missoula Children's Theatre (both support the arts). And it's why we've long dreamed of having an artist in residence!

Q: So what does an Artist in Residence DO?

We created this program with several key considerations in mind. First of all, we didn't just want to fill a position. We wanted to support someone who making most of their living working in the arts. We were looking for someone who could make a key contribution to artistic excellence within the All Souls community -AND- to the arts and music culture of the greater community in which we live. And we think Bethany does all of these things!

She's had a huge impact on our own music (just wait until you hear the album!); she's also a major contributor to the music scene here in Missoula (she's involved in all sorts of musical endeavors – whether it's rocking with Wartime Blues, making experimental music with Stellarondo, or playing classical music for the Missoula Symphony). We think Missoula is a better place musically because of her.

So we desire to support her in what she does. That's why our Artist in Residence program doesn't actually carry any new obligations – instead, we see it as a way of acknowledging what she is already doing, while making it possible for her to breathe a little easier financially (so she can continue to do it!).

As such, we'll be paying Bethany a modest monthly stipend (in addition to what she already makes), and giving her up to two months leave-with-pay (to tour, to study, to make music). Our goal is to be a blessing to the city, by blessing her. We'll review the program next fall and see how it's working.

Q: But can we actually AFFORD it?

This is another great question (since God calls us to be stewards of our finances, as well as to be artistically creative). The short answer is, “Yes!” By raising money in advance to fund the CD project, all proceeds can go to support music and mission at All Souls. We believe we will be able to fund this new position without any impact to our existing budget, for at least the coming year. Wow! Isn't God amazing?

Christian & The Sinners

2011-10-31T19:47:00.002-06:00

Christian & The Sinners is a curious little group of musicians that have been making great music for the past 3 years. On Sundays you can find us playing for All Souls Missoula (an equally curious community of faith). During the rest of the week you'll find us neck deep in our community - working, making music, wrestling with life's big questions, living life together. Some of us are Christians; some of us are not. But all of us love this music and want to share it with you. So this past August we went into the studio to record!

Wand'ring Heart is a full length album of strikingly rich worship music - eleven original songs with rousing anthems, thoughtful lyrics, and an energetic acoustic flavor (think driving guitar, soaring strings, and passionate drums). Our friends (whether followers of Jesus or not) tell us it's some of the most interesting music they've ever heard.

The Sinners are: Christian Cryder (guitar / vocals), Bethany Joyce (cello), Grace Decker (fiddle), Rebekah Cryder (viola), John Sporman (string bass), Marilyn Cryder (horn / backing vocals), and Chris Caldwell (djembe).

Specials guests include: Travis Yost (the big drums), Jim Rodgers (organ), with Naomi Bray and Jen Jenkins (additional backing vocals).

You can learn more about our music by:

following us on facebook
visiting us on the website [COMING SOON]
attending the CD Release Party - Friday, Nov 18 from 6-8 PM at the Top Hat
buying a copy of the CD [COMING SOON]
joining us for a worship service! (Sunday's at 10 AM at Missoula Children's Theatre)

All profits from the album go to support the music and mission of All Souls Missoula.

The God over Injustice (Genesis 37:12-36)

2011-10-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

How is God's purpose for us (to be a blessing) seem relevant when we experience injustice? Is it possible that the injustices done to us actually further his purpose?

The God over Injustice - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Family Dysfunction (Genesis 37:1-11)

2011-10-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

If God has such a grand purpose for us (to be agents of blessing and reconciliation), why does it often seem that our biggest source of chaos is our own family? How do we trust God when we have so much family baggage?

The God of Family Dysfunction - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Chaos - Part 2 (Genesis 15)

2011-10-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

Wouldn't you expect God to just take care of our chaos so that we can get on with his purposes? Instead you see the opposite - chaos only increases (2nd Law of Thermodynamics) as mankind spreads over the earth. We continue to explore our purpose in light of life's chaos

The God of Chaos - Part 2 - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Chaos (Genesis 1)

2011-10-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

What is God's purpose for humanity? How do we make progress with so much chaos in our lives? We go back to the beginning chapter of Scripture in order to find answers to some of these questions.

The God of Chaos - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Purpose of the Church - Part 2 (2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2)

2011-10-02T10:00:00.002-06:00

This is part 2 of Paul's words to the Corinthians concerning the Church's purpose. The Church is supposed to be building large buildings and trying to convert everyone, right? Actually, it's supposed to be about something radically different that is only possible if Christ is a real, resurrected person.

The Purpose of the Church (Part 2) - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Purpose of the Church (2 Cor 4-5)

2011-09-25T10:00:00.000-06:00

Isn't the church the very thing that is wrong with religion? Isn't the church what makes Christianity so irrelevant to most of us today? What's the purpose of the church anyway?

The Purpose of the Church - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Purpose of Christ (Ephesians 2:10-22)

2011-09-11T10:00:00.001-06:00

Last week we began our series on purpose by looking at God's purpose. We concluded that God's purpose is to bless the nations! How does he do it? By spending his children. This week we explore the purpose of Christ as the ultimate Son who was spent.

The Purpose of Christ - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Fall Groups

2011-09-07T17:03:00.003-06:00

Here at All Souls, we believe that you'll never fully experience God just by showing up on Sundays. We think it's vital to move deeper into the life of the community by participating through-out the week. As we head into Fall, there are a number of ways to get involved.

Community Groups – small groups of 8-12 people that meet weekly to share a meal, build friendships, and learn about God together. These are the bread and butter of communal life here at All Souls.

Public Faith (Christian Cryder) – learn how a Christian worldview radically changes the way we live, work & engage our culture. This group will help us discover how we actually become an alternate city within the city.
When Helping Hurts (Joe Kesler and Chris Caldwell) – a book group that will learn how to extend real love and mercy to broken and hurting people (both in the church and in our community), without simply enabling them.
Prodigal God (Bob and Laura Ballengee) – a book group that will be reading and discussing Tim Keller's Prodigal God, in order to rediscover the scandal of the prodigal sons story.
Fireside Group – a great entry point for new folks at All Souls. Meets on Sunday evenings to discuss the sermon and share life with one another.

Explorers (Gospel of Mark)– a group specifically geared for non-Christians, barely-Christians, or people who are simply curious about what Christians actually believe. In 7 weeks you'll study an entire book of the Bible (the Gospel of Mark). Any question is fair game, and you'll actually get to develop your own opinion of the Biblical Jesus. One of the coolest things we do at All Souls.

Lit (Book Group) - We're also thinking about a book reading group in which we'd take 4-6 weeks to discuss Mary Karr's bestselling new memoir, Lit - a gripping account of one woman's journey in overcoming her addiction to alcohol. This is a fascinating read, especially if you are someone who struggles with addiction, grew up in a dysfunctional family, have experienced failure in relationships, or find yourself wondering if God really exists. A really good group for broken people (or folks who love great books).

DNA Groups – small, intimate, same-sex groups of 3-4 people that meet weekly to share deeply and help one another in discipleship, nurture, and accountability (DNA!). This is a great place to grow in your own personal practice of following Jesus. Let us know if you'd like us to help place you in a group!

You can help us out by letting us know what interests you!

Music at All Souls

2011-08-28T21:24:00.001-06:00

Hey folks - if you like the music at All Souls Missoula (or are curious what it sounds like), this is for you! As many of you know, we're recording an album of original All Souls worship music.

You can learn all about it by visiting Christian and The Sinners site on Kickstarter.com - there's a video explaining the project, and you can pre-order copies of the CD.
Or you can follow along on facebook - this is the best place to see pictures, watch video, and get progress reports! So check it out and tell us what you think! Enjoy!

Is God Enough? (Deuteronomy 31:14-29)

2011-08-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

Just days before his death, Moses is confronted with the failure of everything his life was about. As you reflect back on your life, is God enough for you if everything else fails?

Is God Enough? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Object of Praise (John 4:4-29)

2011-08-14T23:22:00.000-06:00

Jesus and the woman at the well. It's one of the most important passages in the Bible. And it illustrates why Christians are so fixed on Jesus - when we really see how he deals with broken people (and us!), it will melt our hearts and cause them to overflow in praise...

The Object of Praise (John 4:4-29) - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Importance of Praise (Psalm 147:1-12)

2011-08-07T23:22:00.000-06:00

Feeling the weight of darkness, brokenness? Christianity makes the astounding claim that one of the most important things we can do in our plight is NOT to try and fix the situation (or ourselves!), but rather to begin praising God. This passage helps us understand why...

The Importance of Praise (Psalm 147:1-12) - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

What's Your House Built Upon? (Matthew 7:24-29)

2011-07-31T10:00:00.001-06:00

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by challenging what we build our lives upon and he tells us that if we are wise, we'll build our lives upon "the rock" instead of the sand. What's the rock he's talking about?

What's Your House Built Upon? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Take it Easy (Matthew 7:13-23)

2011-07-24T10:00:00.001-06:00

When it comes to our spirituality do we seem to expect it to be easy? In this passage Jesus tells us that the way that leads to life is hard. Which way are you on? The hard way that leads to life? Or the easy way that leads to destruction?

Take it Easy - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

To Judge OR Not To Judge (Matthew 7:1-14)

2011-07-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

We all love these words of Jesus, "do not judge, lest you be judged." But we rarely examine what Jesus says next - that there are some people we actually ought to judge. Jesus himself judged people. So how do we know who we ought to judge?

To Judge or Not to Judge - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Are We Robbing God? (Malachi 3:6-12)

2011-07-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

Ryan and Christian were both gone this past week so we asked our good friend and pastor, Alfred Poirier, from our sister church, Rocky Mountain Community (in Billings), to come and preach. Alfred shared a difficult passage dealing with money from the OT prophet, Malachi.

Are We Robbing God? - Alfred Poirier
(Click here for download instructions)

Spirituality & Anxiety (Matthew 6:19-34)

2011-07-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

Anxiety is a crippling problem for millions of people. But Jesus seems to indicate that this has always been the case. Does your spirituality make a difference in your anxiety? Jesus says that if it is real, it should.

Spirituality & Anxiety - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Where Does Spirituality Begin? (John 3:1-18)

2011-06-26T10:00:00.000-06:00

Stop for a moment and consider this question: "what's wrong with the world?" Jesus says that the thing that will utterly transform the brokenness of this world is spiritual rebirth. What does he mean by this term and why does he say we need it? Why is rebirth shocking? And how do we get it?

Where Does Spirituality Begin? - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18)

2011-06-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

Appearances can be deceiving. Someone can have all the appearances of godliness, but have nothing real going on inside. Jesus undresses the audience we perform our righteousness for.

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Christian & The Sinners

2011-06-13T12:41:00.003-06:00

Christian & The Sinners is a curious little band that's been making great music for nearly three years. Now they want to share it with you!

Join us for three millenia of sacred Americana, live at the Top Hat this Friday, June 17th from 6-8 PM. Grab a beer, kick back with friends, and take in some of the most interesting music you've never heard before.

Featuring some of Missoula's finest local talent - Grace Decker (fiddle), Bethany Joyce (cello), Tyler Knapp (string bass) - with rising stars Rebekah Cryder (viola), Chris Caldwell (drums), and Marilyn Cryder (horn). And then there's Christian, the biggest sinner of them all (guitar / vocals).

The first half of the show covers some 2500 years of Judeo-Christian "spirituals" (ranging from King David to Gillian Welch). The second half of the show is all original material (our contribution to the genre).

All told, it should be an unforgettable evening! Especially if you join us! So save the date, invite your friends, help us spread the word! See you there!

Who Would Jesus Bomb? (Matthew 5:38-48)

2011-06-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

One of Jesus' hardest sayings is "turn the other cheek." Is Jesus just advocating that his followers become a punching bag to would-be assailants? Or does he mean something more by it? How does Jesus want his followers to act towards enemies?

Who Would Jesus Bomb? - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Radical Mercy in the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:6-22, 11:23-32)

2011-06-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

There's one place in the New Testament where we see a really scary warning (1 Corinthians 11:27). Suprisingly the warning centers on how we approach God through the Lord's Supper. What does it mean to take communion in an "unworthy manner"? How does the Lord's Supper connect to radical mercy?

Radical Mercy in the Lord's Supper - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Crow Reservation Relief Efforts

2011-06-03T16:51:00.000-06:00

On the 19th of May a state of emergency was declared in Montana and on the reservations. One of the hardest hit areas was the Crow Indian Reservation. People are still unaccounted for and a few deaths have been reported. Floods on the reservation have isolated many people, trapping them in harm's way without clean water. Babies need formula, baby food and diapers. It is assumed that wells have been contaminated, so a boil order is in effect on the reservation--meaning any water must first be boiled before it is potable.

If you would like to purchase something to aid the relief efforts, you can bring your items to worship this Sunday and we'll make sure they get to the drop off location. Relief workers are asking for DONATIONS OF BOTTLED WATER, BABY FORMULA, BABY FOOD AND DIAPERS. Non-perishable food is also requested, but water and baby supplies are the priority (See below for a full list of items needed). If anyone has questions, or if you would like to help deliver these items to the drop off location on Monday, contact Nina (546-4697)

Thanks,

Ryan

A full list of items needed:

bottled water, any size
infant formula
baby food
diapers - all sizes
toilet paper
paper towels
soap
shampoo
toothbrushes/toothpaste
combs/brushes
feminine hygiene products
clothing from infant to adult (clean and in good repair if not new)
blankets, linens, towels, wash cloths, etc
cooking utensils
plates, paper or washable, eating utensils, plastic or regular
food items, especially shelf-stable milk, one-can meals, cereals, fresh and
canned fruit and vegetables, juices, crackers, peanut butter
kids toys, coloring books, activity items
dog and cat food
sleeping bags, costs, blow up beds
First Aid Kits and items

Mercy for the City (Jeremiah 29:4-14)

2011-05-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

At All Souls we believe that God loves cities and he calls his people to live sacrificially for them. The problem is that many of his feel broken and burned out - like we have nothing left to give - we feel much like the Jewish exiles that Jeremiah is writing to. Where do we find hope for the city in the midst of our exile?

Mercy for the City - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Cost of Mercy (Isaiah 58)

2011-05-22T10:00:00.004-06:00

How does mercy connect to worship? Our long-time friend, Jeff, shares how mercy is the mark of true Christianity. Jeff and his family are artists living in North Africa.

The Cost of Mercy - Jeff
(Click here for download instructions)

The Ordinary-ness of Radical Mercy (Hebrews 13:1-16)

2011-05-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

What does "radical mercy" look like? It's a lot more ordinary than you might at first think.

The Ordinary-ness of Radical Mercy - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Why Mercy Matters for Spiritual Growth (2 Cor 9:6-15)

2011-05-08T10:00:00.001-06:00

Here at All Souls, we talk a lot about mercy. Heck, that's why we have been working to get a non-profit, Imagine Missoula, up and running to meet mercy needs. But how does mercy connect to our spirituality? We contend that it is a vital component of a truly gospel-centered spirituality.

Why Mercy Matters for Spiritual Growth - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Generosity as the Overflow of Grace (2 Cor 8:1-15)

2011-05-01T10:00:00.001-06:00

Most of us think we're pretty generous...and we'd be even more generous if God would just bless us with more. But this passage challenges us to be more generous where we are right now. Paul calls us to give out of our poverty instead of our abundance. So how do we do it?

Generosity as the Overflow of Grace (2 Cor 8:1-15) - Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Garden City Brewfest

2011-04-26T10:24:00.003-06:00

The Missoula Downtown Association has asked us to provide a clean-up crew for this event (May 7 at Caras Park). We need 10-15 volunteers who can help out from about 8-9:30 PM. We'll be breaking down tables, cleaning up trash, rinsing buckets, etc.

You'll get free admission, a comemorative glass, 2 beer tokens, and a T-shirt! Plus it is a lot of fun. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Ryan (529-2468) by next Wednesday (May 4) or reply to the Facebook Event.

Doubts About the Resurrection (Easter)

2011-04-24T10:00:00.001-06:00

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is quite possibly the hardest claim of Christianity. However, it is also quite possibly the most important. So what do you do if you have doubts?

Doubts About the Resurrection (Easter Sunday) - Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Good Friday Service

2011-04-19T20:50:00.000-06:00

If Good Friday is the day when Christians remember Jesus' brutal death on a Roman cross, how on earth could it possibly be considered "good"? And why on earth would we celebrate it? Great questions! Why not explore them together with us?

We invite you to join us for a dark-yet-beautiful glimpse into one of the oldest of Christian traditions this Friday, April 22 at 6:30 PM as we gather to celebrate a very special Good Friday service in the lobby of the Missoula Children's Theatre.

The service will be somber and reflective, yet deeply optimistic and hopeful. Regardless of your spiritual convictions (or lack thereof), this is a great chance to work on your own spirituality by considering the claims of Christianity in regard to this seminal moment in human history.

Plus our friend Chris Caldwell will be hosting a showing of Mel Gibson's The Passion at his house afterwards. Hope you can join us!

WWJJ: Who Would Jesus Judge?

2011-04-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

Most of us tend to think Jesus wouldn't judge anyone. After all, he's the one who said, "judge not, lest you be judged." What he did when he "triumphantly" rode into Jerusalem the week of his death might surprise us then.

WWJJ: Who Would Jesus Judge? (Matthew 21:1-22) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Clark Fork River Cleanup! (2011)

2011-04-12T08:26:00.001-06:00

Clark Fork Cleanup - 2010

Hey friends - it's that time of the year again, when we all get together to help the great folks at Clark Fork Coalition cleanup the river! And this year, we're actually doing it as Imagine Missoula! Woo hoo!

Last year we had over 30 volunteers and we cleaned up a BIG chunk of the river just east of the California Street Walking Bridge. This year, it looks like we'll have the same section. And hopefully, there will be even more of us! The cleanup takes about 3 hours, and it's a great way to get together with friends and family to help make our community a better place. Plus there's a BBQ in Caras Park afterward! :-)

DETAILS: Meet at Caras Park under the big tent @ 9:45 AM this Saturday, April 16 to find the team and register (Jess Folmar is the point person, and we could use a couple of other folks to help her)
RSVP: on facebook or by email (jess.folmar@gmail.com)
KIDS: Yes! This is a GREAT event to bring your kids to! They'll have a blast and learn to value our environment at the same time!

That's pretty much it! You can help us by spreading the word and joining us on Saturday! Hope to see you all there! (ps - you can click here to view the photos from last year's cleanup...)

Spirituality and Divorce (Matthew 5:31-32)

2011-04-06T07:55:00.003-06:00

One of the hardest things for us today is what Jesus tells us about divorce...

Spirituality and Divorce – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The End of Prayer: Praise (Psalm 150)

2011-03-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

We wrap up our series on prayer by examining what all prayer is meant to drive us towards: PRAISE! Does that word describe your prayers?

The End of Prayer: Praise (Psalm 150) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

How to Pray the Psalms (Ps. 64)

2011-03-20T10:00:00.001-06:00

The Psalter was the original Prayer Book for the people of God. But few of us know how to use them in our praying. This sermon will help you utilize the Psalms in your prayers.

How to Pray the Psalms (Psalm 64) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

What is Lent?

2011-03-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

Today is the beginning of the season of Lent. It isn't just for Catholics, and it's not all about giving stuff up. So what is it, then?

For a lot of Christians, even those in liturgical traditions, Lent can be something of a mystery – we tend to think it's all about sin and guilt, wearing ashes on our foreheads, or eating fish on Fridays. Many find they are strangely attracted to Lent, but know little about the season. Here at All Souls, we think it's worth exploring.

For 40 days leading up to Easter (not counting Sundays), the church has traditionally celebrated the season of Lent, with a focus on repentance, prayer, and our dependence on the grace of God. “Celebrating” may seem like a strange word to use in this context, but it's a way of centering our minds and preparing our hearts as we contemplate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The word Lent comes from the ancient Germanic word for “springtime,” and is often seen as a time for “spiritual spring cleaning”: a time for taking inventory and cleaning out things which may get in the way of our relationship with Jesus.

Why 40 days? To remind us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil, fasting, praying, and preparing for his ministry here on earth. Jesus' life was full of simplicity and sacrifice; these are ideals we strive for all our lives, but focus on during Lent, just as we celebrate Christ's resurrection every Sunday but focus on it at Easter. (This is why Sundays are typically not numbered in the 40 days of Lent – they are set aside as feast days, for celebrating the risen Jesus!)

Many Christians choose to voluntarily “give something up” for Lent, like a habit or a favorite food, or to add something to their daily routine, like morning devotions or volunteering in the community. No, this practice is not laid out in the Bible, nor is it necessary in order for you to “get something out” of Lent. It's just a way of reinforcing the significance of the season, and keeping our eyes on Jesus.

The way to Easter is the way of the cross. Celebrating the season of Lent serves to remind us of the words of Jesus in Mathew 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Here at All Souls, we see Lent as a great way for us to focus on Christ and identify with Christians around the world and throughout the ages. In the words of Thomas Howard, “To move through the disciplines in company with millions and millions of other believers all over the world is a profoundly instructive thing.”

So there you have it. Lent has officially begun. It's a great time to slow down, to consider what our relationship with God looks like, and to reflect on how we can love and serve him better in our everyday lives. We invite you to join us in observing Lent this year!

Forgiveness as Fuel for Prayer (Lk 7:36-50)

2011-03-08T22:15:00.001-07:00

Are you someone who can't seem to forgive other? Who struggles to forgive yourself? Find out why forgiveness is so hard, why it's so vital, and how to become a great forgiver.

Forgiveness as Fuel for Prayer (Lk 7:36-50) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Ash Wesnesday Service

2011-03-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Want to experience a Christian tradition that is more than a thousand years old? Join us for a short, contemplative Ash Wednesday Service this Wednesday morning at 7 AM @ the Downtown Dance Collective (121 W Main). This is a great way to begin exploring the season of Lent. We will be done by 7:40 AM. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) if you have questions.

A Party for St. Patrick

2011-03-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Admit it: there's times you wish you were Irish. But alas you're not (and hey, you probably wouldn't like tripe anyway). So cheer up and make the best of it - come join us for our third year running as we hoist a pint in honor of St. Patrick and make fish and chips together.

This year we're doing something special - we're celebrating the success of All Souls Ale and Imagine Missoula, and what better place to do that than at Big Sky Brewing Taproom! Join us in the bowels of the brewery - there will be live music, great food and drink, and plenty of interesting friends (assuming you show up, of course).

Here's the skinny:

WHEN: Friday, March 18, from 6-10 PM
WHERE: @ the Big Sky Brewing Taproom out by the airport (directions)
WHAT TO BRING: a healthy appetite, a hearty thirst!

Kids are welcome, and so are friends! Please RSVP if you're coming (so we know how much food to prepare). And help us spread the word!

See you soon!
Christian and Ryan

We Need Your Help!

2011-03-02T10:18:00.003-07:00

Hey friends. As Ryan and I have sat down and worked on the schedule for the next couple of weeks... yowza. We need some help...

A Party for St. Patrick - Our famous fish and chips fry. Big Sky Brewery has offered to host it (in the actually brewery, woo hoo) - but we're going to need some serious help w/ setup, w/ food prep, w/ cooking, w/ cleanup. If you're available Friday, March 18 and would like to help, could you please email Ryan so we can start building a list.
Ash Wednesday - We'll be offering our yearly Ash Wednesday service next Wed from 7 - 7:30 AM at the Downtown Dance Collective. Small, intimate, reflective... it's a great way to mark the beginning of Lent. We could really use 2-3 people to hang fliers downtown / on campus by this Saturday - contact Christian (529-5568) ASAP.
Woman w/ car trouble - we're trying to help a woman on disability get her car fixed. She has an estimate from a shop. I need someone who can meet w/ her, validate the need (eg. look at the estimate), and contact the shop to figure out how to get them the check from All Souls for repairs. Probably won't take more than an hour total - contact Christian (529-5568).
Weekly updates - Amy's lack of internet connectivity is making it difficult for her to send out the weekly updates; she's looking for someone else to take over this task for a while. Takes about half an hour every week. It's not difficult, but it does take some decent writing ability and attention to detail. Want to help us out in this way - contact Amy / Shanequa (546-3158).
Morning Prayers - we'll be starting up again during Lent! I'd like to find 2 additional houses to host these small, intimate prayers times (we'd like to offer them at 4 different locations this time, each on a different morning). Want to host - contact Christian (529-5568).
Meals for Moms - Nina could really use some more help lining up meals for a brand new single mom - "We need more meals folks and she agreed, if we can, to let us get a bed (for her) and sheets, and a diaper pail, and some light bulbs. We also need folks who can run errands for her once in a while." Want to help out - contact Nina (546-4697).

Every single one of these things is a tangible way to love our city. If everyone pitches in it'll be a piece of cake. If not, it's going to be hard. Would you consider helping?

Thanks so much!
Christian

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)

2011-03-01T12:31:00.002-07:00

Every great religious teacher has taught his disciples about prayer. When Jesus' disciples asked him how to engage this paramount practice, he gave them "the Lord's Prayer," (Our Father, who art in heaven...). "REALLY! That's what we should pray?" How do we actually pray through this and what is Jesus trying to communicate in this prayer?

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Spring Groups

2011-02-25T11:45:00.008-07:00

Hey folks, we've finally nailed down our schedule! Have a look at what's on the menu for groups this spring...

Explorers: The TWO Jesus' of the Bible - [details] a group geared especially for non-Christians (or spiritual 'newbies'). It's a chance to ask questions and to learn how the New Testament Jesus claims to "fulfill" everything we see about God in the Old Testament. Sundays @ 1 PM at Christian and Marilyn's (2307 River Road), beginning this Sunday, Feb 27. Contact Christian (529-5568) for details.
Explorers: Public Faith - a group for anyone (Christian or otherwise) who is interested in exploring how Christianity offers a unique vision for distinctive living in our worship, workplace, and community. This group is all about how we become an alternate city within the city. We're so excited about it, we're offering it on two nights. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details.

Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM at the Sutherland's (1601 W Kent), begins March 22.
Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Road), begins March 23.

The Story of God - a community group for people to engage the Bible's story as it is told chronologically. Thursdays @ 6:00 PM at Nick and Layci's (1928 McDonald), beginning March 10. Contact Bob (241-8067) or Layci (214-5428).
Counterfeit Gods - a book discussion of Tim Keller's book by the same name. Tuesdays @ 6:00 PM at the Sutherland's (1601 W Kent). Contact Ryan (529-2468) or Rachel (529-2467) if you'd like to attend. (The book is available on the book table or you can grab one at the group).
Pastor's Lunch - an informal gathering for leaders (or anyone who is curious about leadership) to learn about how the Bible speaks to shepherding and leading God's people. Sundays @ 1 PM at Ryan and Rachel's (1601 W Kent), beginning March 20. Contact Ryan (529-2468) for details.

If you're interested in one of these groups, please let us know as soon as possible!

Take Up Your Bed and Walk (John 5:1-18)

2011-02-20T10:00:00.002-07:00

Our friend and mentor, Shane Sunn, joins us from our sister church in Greeley, CO (Saint Patrick Presbyterian) and shares how all of us are a lot more paralyzed spiritually than we think we are. And the biggest paralytics of all - religious people.

Take Up Your Bed and Walk (John 5:1-18) – Shane Sunn
(Click here for download instructions)

the Spirituality of Sexuality (Matthew 5:17-20, 27-30)

2011-02-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

Jesus takes a pretty hard stance when it comes to our sexuality. He says it’s not just about what you do with your body, but about what you think about when you look at someone else’s body. His solution? Gouge out your eye and throw it away. Cut off your hand and throw it away. Is Jesus being literal? How are we to respond to such a violent teaching that would essentially leave pretty much all of us maimed and blind? And how does our sexuality connect to our spirituality?

The Spirituality of Sexuality (Matthew 5:17-20, 27-30) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Our Friend Amy

2011-02-11T14:53:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder what God's up to at All Souls? Sometimes, the best way to figure that out is to hear what he's doing in the lives of individuals. So this week, we decided to let our friend Amy share a little bit of her story...

Our Friend Amy – Amy A.
(Click here for download instructions)

Explorers - The Two Jesus' in the Bible

2011-02-04T11:02:00.007-07:00

Let's face it: most of us have questions about faith and spirituality. Often though, our friends don't really want to talk about these things, and churches seem to look down on people with doubts and struggles.

Explorers is a safe place for unbelievers, and for the unbeliever in all of us. It's a place where you can be honest about what you think, and get honest answers about the Christian faith. It's a place where you can make up your own mind about historic Christianity, by looking at the sources, rather than settling for second hand opinions.

Fundamentally, Explorers is all about working on our spirituality in community. It's a place where you can be yourself - share a meal, talk about your struggles, wrestle with your faith, as friends rather than foes. We meet once a week for about two hours. We share a meal. We laugh together. And we share our thoughts.

This Spring we'll be looking at The TWO Jesus' in the Bible.

(Wait a second, you ask, "There's two guys named Jesus in the Bible?!?" Yep, there sure are! One's in the Old Testament, a fellow by the name of Joshua, who God called to pillage and plunder his way into the promised land. And then there's the New Testament Jesus whom we've all heard of. But in the original Hebrew, they share the same name, and we're going to look at both of them...)

This is going to be a long term explorers group - we'll meet on Sundays @ 1 PM at the Cryder place (2307 River Road - look for the mailbox, turn down the alley).
We'll work through the first 11 chapters of the Old Testament book called Joshua. Then we'll work our way through the life and teachings of Jesus in the New Testament Gospel According to Luke.
Together, we'll also get a firsthand glimpse into the wild and crazy world of the Old Testament, -AND- the ministry and teachings of the biblical Jesus.
There won't be any homework - we'll share a meal together, read a chapter of Scripture, and answer any questions you might have (and boy, the stuff we'll be reading ought to generate LOTS of questions).
You can come as you are; you can say as little or as much as you like. You won't be asked to sing, or pray, or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
You can start (or stop!) coming at any time. No one's going to nag you, stalk you, or ask you for money. Seriously!

The goal of these groups is not to convert you. Our job is simply to introduce you to the Jesus of Scripture so you can figure out what you believe for yourself. In the process, you will learn a lot about Jesus, Christianity, and your own spirituality. You'll also have a chance to build friendships with interesting people who are asking the same questions you are.

If this sounds interesting, please contact Christian (529-5568) for details. Or check out the Explorers FAQ! Or ask us about talking to real live folks who have gone through this group - we have numerous alumni who would be happy to tell you what it's like!

The Generous Character of the Kingdom (Luke 14:7-24)

2011-02-02T19:06:00.001-07:00

How does Jesus define generosity? The answer might surprise you! Join us as we look at 3 things that are fatal to real generosity - and what to do about them...

The Generous Character of the Kingdom (Luke 14:7-24) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

How Anger Undermines Spirituality (Matt 5:17-24)

2011-01-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

How do you define anger? And how do you deal with it? Is your temper explosive? Or are you a "silent assassin"? Jesus challenges us this morning by calling our anger murder. In this sermon, Ryan, discusses how our anger and spirituality are connected.

How Anger Undermines Spirituality (Matt 5:17-24) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Spirituality of Peacemaking (Matt 5:1-12)

2011-01-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

One of Jesus' most famous statements is "blessed are the peacemakers." What exactly does he mean by it and how do we live up to it?

The Spirituality of Peacemaking (Matt 5:1-12) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Trouble with Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

2011-01-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

As we jump into 2011, we also jump back into the sermon series that we began in the fall. We have been asking the question “how do I draw near to God?” This week we continue to examine one of the four pillars of Christian spirituality: prayer.

The Trouble with Prayer (Acts 4:23-31) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Jesus on the Run (Matthew 2:1-21)

2010-12-26T10:00:00.001-07:00

We wrap up the Christmas season by looking at the story of Jesus immediately following his birth – a nighttime get-a-way into Egypt to escape wicked King Herod. The baby in the manger is an amazing story, but we are quickly confronted with the reality that it doesn’t seem to change a whole lot about what is dark in the world. The powerful still oppress the weak and this baby is as frail and vulnerable as the rest of us.

Jesus on the Run (Matthew 2:1-21) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2010-12-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

"The Newborn" - Georges de la Tour (1593-1652)

This Christmas Eve, we'll be hosting our annual Midnight Service, beginning at 11:30 PM in the Downtown Dance Collective (121 W. Main St). It's a small, intimate gathering to celebrate the coming of Christ through music, Scripture, and friends.

Come participate in a tradition that is at least 1500 years old. Your kids will love it, and so will you. We'd love to have you join us!

Finding Love in Christmas (John 3:14-21)

2010-12-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

The them for this final week of advent is Love. Interestingly, the word “love” is never actually mentioned in any of the traditional Gospel Christmas stories. Hope, Peace, Joy, sure…but Love? It is everywhere implied, but always just below the surface. John alone speaks it plainly, “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).

Finding Love in Christmas (John 3:14-21) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Joy in the Darkness (Luke 2:1-20)

2010-12-12T10:00:00.001-07:00

How do we find joy in our moments of darkness? Our culture offers us sentimentality, but the gospel points us to a joy that goes beyond our circumstances.

Joy in the Darkness (Luke 2:1-20) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Virgin Birth? Inconceivable (Luke 1:26-45)

2010-12-05T10:00:00.001-07:00

Was Jesus really born of a virgin? This week we wrestle with this highly debated Christian claim by taking a peek at the rest of the Jesus story if you decide to jettison this seemingly insignificant detail. So what’s your take on the virgin birth?

Virgin Birth? Inconceivable (Luke 1:26-45) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

All Souls Ale Release Party

2010-11-30T21:11:00.002-07:00

Hey folks! Big Sky Brewing Co. and All Souls Missoula are thrilled to announce the All Souls Ale Release Party! This is an amazing, limited edition Imperial Saison (11%!), and all the profits from its sale go to support Imagine Missoula - a grassroots non-profit meeting real needs right here in Missoula!

Sound interesting? You can help us kick it all off on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 4-8 PM at the Big Sky brewery! Great food, fantastic beer, live music by Tom Catmull and Wise River Mercantile. Family friendly, kids are welcome. You can drop in for a few minutes or stay a while! Plus it's a great chance to pick up your very own stash of All Souls Ale and to learn more about Imagine Missoula too!

Please RSVP if you'd like to come (so we know how much food to prepare). And let us know if you'd like to pitch in and lend a helping hand. See you on Sunday!

Jesus and Beer

2010-11-30T20:21:00.021-07:00

So why on earth is a church brewing a beer?!? After all, it seems so, well, unspiritual.
And isn't alcohol part of the problem here in Missoula? Won't you be causing people to stumble? What are you guys thinking?!?!"

These are good questions, and they deserve thoughtful answers. Let's see if we can shed some light on our reasoning...

1. First and foremost: Jesus. You see, we could ask him these same questions too. After all, Jesus made wine (and it was the good stuff). He was never afraid to engage his culture 'outside of church' - he goes to weddings, he loves parties, he hangs out with 'sinners.' And it made folks nervous in his day, too (especially religious ones).

It just seems so risky. Wouldn't it be safer simply to avoid it altogether?

Perhaps. Yet as Christ's followers, we need to be very slow to condemn or avoid what Jesus didn't, lest we take traditions of men and make them out to be commandments of God (cf. Mark 7:7). After all, that's precisely what most of us - Christians and non-Christians alike - hate about churches. So if Jesus didn't anathematize alcohol, neither should we.

2. This leads to a second point: brokenness. It's very easy to look at alcohol as the problem, to think that simply getting rid of it (or avoiding it) will fix things.

But Jesus views things differently - he insists that the root of sin lies in what's behind our external behavior; that it actually flows from the dark desires that lurk within our hearts (cf. Mark 7:15-23). In other words, for Jesus, there's a much bigger problem than what-we-do-with-alcohol - it's the why-we-do-it. It's about that hole in our heart, that we're trying to fill. It's about the pain in our lives, that we're trying to drown.

If we think we're solving those problems simply by saying, "Don't drink!" we're kidding ourselves. And we might actually be distracting others from the real issues. Mere avoidance never gets us to the heart of the problem. Listen to Martin Luther:

Do you suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused? Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women? The sun, the moon, and the stars have been worshiped. Shall we then pluck them out of the sky?

He's not saying brokenness doesn't matter. He's saying we don't actually solve the real problem simply by banning things that broken people use and abuse. As a church, we need to be careful not to oversimplify brokenness.

3. The same is true for redemption. Jesus claims to be able to do something about our deepest cravings. Whether it's lust for sex or lust for drink, Jesus claims he can quench our thirsts and transform our desires. So while alcohol may be part of the problem, we think it can also be part of the solution.

Put simply, the church ought to be the place that most visibly manifests Gospel renovation.

As we embrace Christ and grow in our understanding of his gracious acceptance of us (even if we struggle with drink!), we should also start to be freed from fear of drink (what it might do to us), freed from fear of our reputations (what others might think of us if we drink), freed from our need to use drink (to drown our woes or be someone we are not).

The church ought to be the place that illustrates the greatest of liberty without lapsing into excess. A high calling to be sure. But should we settle for anything less?

4. And then there's integrity. Many of us enjoy a glass of beer or wine from time to time, and we think it's important that we are never afraid to be publicly who we are in private.

Here at All Souls, we see these things as gifts from God, to be enjoyed in community with gratitude and gratefulness. Why wouldn't we want to share that with our friends here in Missoula?

5. But what about the church?!? After all, we're supposed to be in the business of saving souls, not selling beer, right?

And that's true. (Actually, we'd prefer to say that God's the one who saves souls, not us, but for the sake of the argument, we'll go with it for now. The point is that the church of Christ is not really here to be in the business of "being in business." Selling stuff. Making money. We agree with that.)

That's why we're not trying to be a brewery - we'd rather partner with someone that's already in that line of work, and knows how to do it really well. Like Big Sky Brewing Co.

That's also why we're not trying to make money on this thing - the whole point is to generate revenue for someone else so they can use it to make this community better. Like Imagine Missoula.

You see, what we're really trying to do here is be about Jesus' business. And the very real question for any church (and for any Christian) is simply this: What IS Jesus' business? Is it just "saving souls"? Is he only interested in those who follow him? Or does he have a bigger agenda - like justice for the oppressed, mercy for the poor, putting the whole world right?

If Jesus calls his followers to get on board with his agenda - to be agents of change working for the shalom of our cities and the needs of our neighbors - then we think it makes an awful lot of sense to do this kind of thing.

After all, a non-profit like Imagine Missoula (and a beer like All Souls Ale!) make it possible for all sorts of people to get in on redemption - working to renew Missoula! - even if they don't share our convictions about Jesus. And we think that's a pretty cool proposition.

So we don't ask them to give money to our church - we simply invite them to enjoy a really great beer and help support a really great cause, all at the same time. And we think most people in our community will think that's a pretty good idea!

Scandalous Generosity (Matthew 20:1-16)

2010-11-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

As we enter the Advent Season we’ll be taking a break from our series’ on drawing near to God to focus more intently on Advent. This week we took a look at the scandalous generosity of God and how we ought to respond to Him.

Scandalous Generosity (Matthew 20:1-16) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

Thanksgiving Dinner

2010-11-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hey, if you don't have plans for Thanksgiving (or if you know of someone who doesn't) - please consider joining us! We have (at least!) 3 families that are here in town and would love to have you share dinner with them:

Christian and Marilyn Cryder (529-5568)
Ryan and Rachel Sutherland (529-2468)
Kelly Hart (546-8339)

Holler if you'd like details!

The Intimacy of Scripture (1 John 1:1-4)

2010-11-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

This fall we’ve been digging into the first of the “4 pillars of Christians Spirituality” – Scripture (based on Acts 2:42). This week we wrap up this important first pillar by seeing how Scripture is essential for those who want to experience intimacy with God.

The Intimacy of Scripture (1 John 1:1-4) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

All Souls Ale

2010-11-17T13:46:00.001-07:00

All Souls Ale isn't just a beer (well, ok, technically it IS - and a pretty darn good one, too!). But it's more than a beer - it's a way to make a difference. It's a means for ordinary people like you and me to help make Missoula better, regardless of your spiritual convictions (or lack thereof). Not just for a select few, but for everyone. All Souls. Here's how it happened...

Back in the Spring of 2010, we approached the fine folks at Big Sky Brewing Company and said, "Hey, we'd like you to brew an amazing beer, and donate all the profits to a new non-profit we've helped launch, called Imagine Missoula." They were intrigued ("We've never had a church ask us to brew a beer before!"). But they also wanted to know what the money would be going to.

Imagine Missoula is a curious little non-profit. We're not trying to change the world (at least not all at once) - we're simply trying to foster community, to make Missoula even better than it already is. And how do we aim to do that? By helping people help each other, in the areas of mercy, beauty, and the arts.

Put simply, there are many people in Missoula whose community is 'thin' - single moms, at risk kids, the elderly. These people work hard just to survive; if something goes wrong, they often lack the friends or resources to get by.

Imagine Missoula exists to help create a community of friends that is there to help - to fix a window, to build a fence, to paint a house, to plant a garden. To be a friend to people who need a friend. To make a real difference right here in Missoula by meeting real needs and helping people live more beautifully. Because we believe that fosters deep community. Missoula gets better. We all win.

The folks at Big Sky Brewing agreed, and early this Fall, All Souls Ale was born! It's a limited edition, hand-bottled Imperial Saison that is one of the best holiday seasonals we've ever tasted. It goes on sale at the Big Sky taproom the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 26), and all the profits will go to help Imagine Missoula meet real needs right here in Missoula. We think it's pretty special, and we're pretty sure you'll agree!

So how can you get in on the action? Ah, glad you asked!

Want to learn more about All Souls Ale?

Visit us on facebook, become a fan, and start telling your friends! Please help us spread the word!
You might want to reserve yours ahead of time (even though it doesn't go on sale until late November, we're accepting pre-orders, and 25% is already gone!)
As if that's not enough, we're throwing a release party on Sunday, Dec 5 from 4-8 PM - let us know if you'd like to come!

Want to learn more about Imagine Missoula?

Check out imaginemissoula.org (and please be patient as they're still finishing up their site).
You might want to follow along via facebook or sign up for the monthly newsletter.
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please don't hesitate to ask!

Want to learn more about Big Sky Brewing?

Check out their website, sign up for their monthly newsletter, or stop by the taproom and introduce yourself over a pint - you'll be glad you did!

Want to learn more about All Souls Missoula?

You're already on our website - please feel free to poke around and make yourself at home! (There's even a place where you can rant and rave if you want).
If you have questions, please shoot us an email or give us a call - we're always happy to get together over coffee, lunch, or a beer!

Got more questions or see something we didn't cover? Let us know and we'll happy to try and address it! Thanks so much for following along!

Christian

The Story of Scripture (Genesis 22:1-13)

2010-11-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Scripture itself claims that Christ somehow connects all of Scripture into one overarching story (see Luke 24:25-48). But what about the story of Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac? What was God thinking on that one? And how are we supposed to relate to a God that would ask someone to sacrifice his own child? That’s the focus of our sermon this past Sunday.

The Story of Scripture (Genesis 22:1-13) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

the Authority of Scripture (Colossians 3:16-4:1)

2010-11-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42) is the classic text highlighting the 4 pillars of Christian Spirituality. This week we wrestle with why Scripture is so “damned” authoritative? Why does it always seem to tell us what to do? Why does our culture struggle with it?

The Authority of Scripture (Colossians 3:16-4:1) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Is Christianity a Crutch? (Matt 5:1-16)

2010-10-24T10:00:00.000-06:00

This week we continue Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount with the section popularly known as the Beatitudes. What does Jesus mean when he says that those who live out these statements will be blessed? But, can anyone really live this out? And what do the Beatitudes have to do with Christian Spirituality?

Is Christianity a Crutch (Matthew 5:1-16) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

All Hallows Eve Party

2010-10-23T20:19:00.000-06:00

Join us this Friday, Oct 29 for our second annual All Hallows Eve Party! There will be good music, great food and drink, with plenty of friends old and new. Plus we're doing COSTUMES - so you've got an excuse for dressing up if you like! :-)

This year we're all pitching in, potluck style. Please bring:
a) your favorite Italian dish / side / dessert -OR-
b) your favorite beer / wine / beverage of choice

We'd welcome your carved pumpkins for out back on the deck; we'll planning on hanging out until at least midnight around the fire (so musical instruments, scotch, and cigars are all welcome too!). Kids are welcome. Friends are too. You can stay as late as you'd like!

Please RSVP on facebook if you're planning on coming!

Congregational Meeting (Mark 12:41-44)

2010-10-17T10:00:00.001-06:00

Today we incorporated a congregational meeting about our financial situation into our worship service. I was personally moved by the whole service and many who were there said it was worthwhile and helpful. If you are a regular at All Souls and missed it, you should definitely give this a listen. If you are still checking us out, it may give you a glimpse into who we want to be as a community.

Congregational Meeting (Mark 12:41-44) – Ryan Sutherland & Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Purpose of Scripture (Psalm 27)

2010-10-11T23:11:00.000-06:00

So what's the purpose of Scripture? Not "what's it for?" but rather, "What does it offer us as our purpose for living?" The Christian premise is that you can't actually find a higher purpose anywhere, and that this is actually a sign that this really is God's Word. That's a big claim to be sure! Why not consider it with us...

The Purpose of Scripture (Psalm 27) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Primordial Tale

2010-10-07T11:00:00.005-06:00

Ever wonder why "beauty" is one of our core values here at All Souls?

My new friend Ian - who happens to be an author, musician, and church planter among Muslims in Malaysia, and who will be worshiping with us this Sunday, btw! - offers this answer by sharing his insights into "story" (beauty in the world of words and imagination):

I grew up in Indonesia, came to America when I was 17, imported my childhood sweetheart, married her, did the whole Green Card thing and punched out four kids along the way. After 15 years in the States we headed back to Southeast Asia to dabble in Church Planting among Muslims.

I never went to college or university, but I have written a number of historical novels, dicked around with song-writing and composition, picked up a certificate in audio engineering and worked (briefly) in the film world. I love theology and philosophy, cultures and sociology and everything else - but when I step back from the odds and ends of my life, I realize that all these interests derive from an obsession with story-telling.

I know that in this Post-Whatever-it-is Age all narratives are supposed to be local, unique and special - but that’s a crock. In all the films, books, folk-tales, advertising and Faiths I’ve absorbed, I’ve only ever found two great, opposing narratives in play.

In the first (and by far the most popular!), men must reach out to God by paying the debts for their sins. If God is pleased with their sacrifice, he responds with blessings. The sinner is punished and dies, while the innocent receives the life he deserves.

In the second great narrative (and by far the most primordial!), God reaches out to men and pays the debt for their sins. Those whose debts are cleared then respond to God's sacrifice with gratitude and praise. In this narrative, the innocent one dies for another’s sin, while the one who deserves death receives life.

I am the teller of the Primordial Tale. This is why so often in my stories the truly good, the truly innocent, are overborne by evil and die even for the sake of the killer: this is the most ancient story, the most terrible truth, a shadow of the Beauty so wonderful and terrible that if we spoke it plain the words themselves would tear our voice to tatters...my heart cringes even as I write of such terror; I am able to do so only because I know that the horror of the sacrificed Innocent is so much greater, so much more irreconcilable than I could ever imagine in these feeble tales: if God had not written it first, and hinted in his own Story at its incredible breadth and depth, I would not even know how to dream of so terrible a salvation.

It is the Primordial Story that drives me, that keeps me writing - but if I thought that this Story’s indwelling was only local, unique to me or to the ‘Faithful’, my heart would fail, my pen would fall still. No, it is because I believe in the universality of this Story that I am able to press on.

The Primordial Tale is etched upon every human heart, whether Muslim, Buddhist Secular Humanist or what-have-you. It is written in such a way that the pattern, the rhythm, the inevitable denoument resonates within every spirit, for good or ill.

I am convinced that an audience’s level of resonance is in direct relation to an artist’s faithfulness to the Primordial Story. No matter how symbolic the shadow, no matter how distanced the listener: if the Tale is truly told, if there is excellence intermixed with the flying edges of that terrible Beauty, there will be, there must be a response: horror for everyone -

and then, later, joy for those who live, who did not deserve to.
~ Ian Chris

Sound interesting? We invite you to join us for lunch at our place this Sunday afternoon after worship for an informal lunch with Ian and his family. If you are interested in thinking about how the arts are vital to how we speak of redemption in a secular culture, you won't want to miss it...

All Souls Ale (Bottling)

2010-10-06T17:37:00.001-06:00

Hey friends! It's with great pleasure that I get to officially announce that...

All Souls Missoula is partnering with Big Sky Brewery to produce All Souls Ale! It's an amazing 11% Imperial Saison that will go on sale the day after Thanksgiving. To whet you're appetite, I'm including a picture of the label...

"For centuries, shepherds have been hoisting a pint during

the chilly Christmas season to warm their bones and wish for
'Peace on Earth, good will toward men!'
Not just for a select few, but everyone. All Souls.
This beer is our salute to that sentiment."

Even better (besides how it tastes)? All the profits go to Imagine Missoula (website coming soon). Imagine Missoula is a new non-profit that is fostering community by helping people help each other in the areas of mercy, beauty, and the arts. This beer helps us raise much needed money to make a real difference in people's lives, right here in Missoula.

Needless to say, we're extremely excited to be a part of this whole thing. And here's the really cool part - you can too. Because... (another long drum roll)... we get to help bottle it! Yep, that's right. A limited edition run - 100 cases (1200 bottles), all hand-bottled, hand-labeled, hand-signed... just waiting for someone like you to lovingly help take it out of the tank and turn it into a beautiful 750ml bottle that is begging people to buy it!

So here's the scoop. Yes, we have room for 20-25 volunteers to help us bottle this baby on Thursday evening, October 21. It will only take a couple of hours to do it, and space is limited. If you're interested, please respond immediately. Just email me and say, "I'm in!" and we'll tell you what happens next.

Feel free to pass this info along to any of your friends who might be interested!

You can find us on facebook here!

Hope to hear from you soon!
Christian and Ryan

Jesus and the Sermon (Matt 4:12-5:12)

2010-10-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

This fall we’re wrestling with how we draw near to God and what better way to do that than to look at Jesus’ most famous sermon on what it means to be a disciple. This is the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount series that Ryan will be preaching on over the next several months.

Jesus and the Sermon (Matt 4:12-5:12) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

The Taste of Scripture (1 Thess 2:1-15)

2010-09-26T10:00:00.001-06:00

For Christians, Scripture is a like a river that invites us to drink deeply. But anyone who does so will quickly find that it’s words are bittersweet – they simultaneously comfort and challenge us. This morning we continue our look at the “Apostle’s Teaching” referenced in Acts 2 and see what it does to those who drink from it.

St. Paul and the River (1 Thess 2:1-15) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The Problem With Scripture (1 Thess 2:9-13)

2010-09-19T14:22:00.001-06:00

For Christians, the "Apostle's Teaching" is one of the primary ways we draw near to God. And that actually presents a huge problem for most of us: Where do we find their teaching? Scripture. And what do those pesky apostles claim? That THEIR words = God's Word. That's a tough pill for most of us to swallow. So that's what we'll be tackling today...

The Problem With Scripture (1 Thess 2:9-13) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

Groups Fostering Faith & Community (Fall 2010)

2010-09-14T13:41:00.004-06:00

Here at All Souls, we believe that church is more than just Sundays - we think it happens all week long as we gather together in community. This Fall, we're offering 3 specific groups that meet during the week:

Explorers 1 (Who is Jesus?) - Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Rd). A safe place for people with questions to explore their beliefs and doubts and learn how the biblical Jesus answers life's biggest concerns. Our non-Christian friends tell us this is one of the coolest things we do. Contact Christian (529-5568) or click here for more details.

Gospel Community - Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM at the Cryder's (2307 River Rd).
If you're curious about the DNA of All Souls and the type of community we're seeking to create, this group is for you! One large community group, with lots of food, voices, ideas, and dialogue. Babysitting provided. Contact Christian (529-5568) or Ryan (529-2468) for details.

Jesus and Money - Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM at the Kesler's (7935 Double Tree Lane). A group for people to learn what the Bible has to say about our money - not just how to manage it, but how to keep it from owning us. We'll explore God's purpose for money in our lives and see how Jesus claims to liberate us from our financial fears. Contact Joe (396-6372) or Nancy (829-6636).

We also continue to meet at the Kettlehouse (both locations!) most Fridays around 5 PM. Nothing formal, just a chance to foster friendships and love our city, all over great beer! Please stop by and join us!

Explorers - Who Is This Jesus?

2010-09-13T21:50:00.000-06:00

Let's face it: most of us have questions about faith and spirituality. Often though, our friends don't really want to talk about these things, and churches seem to look down on people with doubts and struggles. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a safe place to figure out what you think about God, regardless of what you conclude?

For nearly 3 years now, we've been creating discussion groups for people with questions to explore their beliefs and doubts together - people like you, people like us. Our non-Christian friends tell us this is one of the best things we do at All Souls. Why?

Explorers is a place for unbelievers, and for the unbeliever in all of us. It's a place where you can be honest about what you think, and get honest answers about the Christian faith. It's a place where you can make up your own mind about historic Christianity, by looking at the sources, rather than settling for second hand opinions.

Fundamentally, Explorers is all about working on our spirituality in community. It's a place where you can be yourself - share a meal, talk about your struggles, wrestle with your faith, as friends rather than foes. We meet once a week for about two hours. We share a meal. We laugh together. And we share our thoughts.

This Fall we're looking at the life and teachings of Jesus.

In 7 weeks you'll study an entire book of the Bible - the Gospel of Mark.
You will learn a LOT about Jesus, Christianity, and your own spirituality.
You won't be asked to sing, pray, or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
You can come as you are; you can say as little or as much as you like.
No one's going to nag you, try to convert you, or ask you for money.

Our job is simply to help you figure out what you think about the Jesus of Scripture, and to introduce you to others who are in the same place you are.

If this sounds interesting, please contact Christian (529-5568) ASAP for details.

The group will begin in mid-September, and we need to find out a night that works best for everyone. Hope to see you soon!

Habitat For Humanity

2010-09-13T21:36:00.003-06:00

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with last Saturday's work day - together, we're helping our friends the Hallands build their new Habitat for Humanity home. We've also been raising money to help purchase an elevator and make their new home fully wheelchair accessible for their son Maddy.

If you'd like to know more about Habitat for Humanity, look what's going on this week...

Habitat 101 - Wed., Sept. 15^th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Missoula Public Library Small Meeting Room
Site Tour - Thurs., Sept. 16^th from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.at the Windsor Park construction site
Northside Walking Tour - Sat., Sept. 18^th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Meet at the Antique Mall) led by Historian Allen Mathews
Volunteer Appreciation BBQ - Sun., Sept. 19^th from 1 - 4 PM in Bonner Park (there will be a raffle drawing for a new furnace at 3 PM)

Call the Habitat office at 549-8210 for more information.

Drawing Near To God (Acts 2:36-47)

2010-09-12T14:19:00.000-06:00

So what does Christian spirituality look like? And how do Christians actually draw near to God? The answer might surprise you! This message will lay out the roadmap for where we are headed as a church this Fall...

Drawing Near To God (Acts 2:36-47) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

When God is Far - part 2 (Matthew 22:34-40)

2010-09-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

How does our attitude towards the Great Commandment affect how we approach community? How does our struggle with community affect whether God is near or far? That’s how we concluded this short series.

When God is Far - part 2 (Matthew 22:34-40) – Ryan Sutherland
(Click here for download instructions)

When God is Far (Ephesians 2:8-18)

2010-08-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

As we wind down the summer we want to spend 2 weeks wrestling with why we often experience God being far off.

When God is Far (Ephesians 2:8-18) – Christian Cryder
(Click here for download instructions)

The God of Justice

2010-08-22T10:00:00.000-06:00

Larry Martin from International Justice Mission shared with us God’s heart for the poor and oppressed from Psalm 10.

The God of Justice (Psalm 10) – Larry Martin
(Click here for download instructions)