Pardon the Interruption

Who's in the Way?

Mark 10:13-16

The disciples were trying to keep Jesus' time focused on what was important.  They didn't want people bothering Jesus with the children.  But as the story unfolded, it became clear that they misunderstood one of Jesus' priorities.  Is it possible that we do, too?  Jesus rebuked His disciples.  Might He challenge us as well?  Today our series, Pardon the Interruption, continues on this family worship Sunday as we look more closely at this story and ask the question: "Who's in the Way?" 

Pardon the Interruption

Getting out of the Tree

Luke 19:1-10

Ironically, this moment was a disruption that Jesus chose.  He's walking along and sees a man who has climbed a tree just so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Why would the man do that?  But even more importantly, why would Jesus stop and bother with it all?  There was something very important to be accomplished in that moment.  And something to be revealed about who Jesus is.  Today our series, Pardon the Interruption, continues as we seek to discover what we learn by "Getting out of the Tree." 

Pardon the Interruption

Of Feet and Forgiveness

Luke  7:36-50
The disruption in the dinner party must have been awfully awkward..  Everyone knew this woman's reputation, and folks were stunned by her bold and questionable actions.  Everyone that is, except Jesus.  All that didn't stop Him from seizing the opportunity to help His companions learn something about our response to forgiveness.  Today our series, Pardon the Interruption, continues as we seek to discover the lessons that come "Of Feet and Forgiveness." 

Pardon the Interruption

Bringing Down the Roof

Luke 5:17-26

We have a tendency to think of anything that interrupts us as an annoyance.  But could it be that such interruptions are actually tremendous opportunities to glimpse the heart of God, grow in our faith and share His grace in service to others. if we would only view them in that way? Over the next several weeks, we want to seek to answer that question by looking at the life and ministry of Jesus.  Today we begin a new series, Pardon the Interruption, by looking at a time when some folks were literally "Bringing Down the Roof." 

The Gospel According to the Muppets

I Once Was...

1 Timothy 1:12-17

The story of A Christmas Carol is a story of dramatic transformation.  The Ebenezer Scrooge that we see at the end of the tale is not anything close to the man we glimpsed at the beginning.  This critical idea of transformation is at the heart of the gospel as well.  Who we are in Christ isn't anything close to who we were without Him.  This morning our series, "The Gospel According to the Muppets," concludes as we take a closer look at this transformation.  In his words to his young protégé, Timothy, Paul draws attention to this wonderful change in His life.  His story - and ours - begins with the words, "I Once Was."

Christmas Day
The Most Incredible Gift
Gift giving is so often a part of our Christmas celebrations. Whether it's the socks your great aunt wrapped up and put under the tree for you this year or that drawing of a snowman that a three-year-old thrust into your eager arms, gifts show our love. The event that we commemorate on this day was also the giving of a gift. the greatest gift. What was God saying in giving that gift? What kind of love was He showing in that moment? On this Christmas morning we take some time to reflect on "The Most Incredible Gift."

God With Us
One of the names given the baby born on that first Christmas was Emmanuel. It means "God with us." Through difficult times and good times, He desires to be with us. He understands what we're going through because he's been through it. He walked planet earth. He knows about family hardships. He knows about the challenges of leadership. He knows about rejection and death. Through the storms of this life, God desires to be with us. Today we'll reflect on just how wonderful a gift that is! What difference will His presence in YOUR life make?

The Gospel According to the Muppets
Point of Decision
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
A glimpse of the future can change the way we approach decisions in the here-and-now. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge receives the gift of a glimpse into "Christmas yet-to-come." It's not the most encouraging experience, and yet it challenges him with a decision. What the future will hold hinges on what he chooses to do. Our lives are little different. God challenges us with a similar choice. As our series, The Gospel According to the Muppets, continues today, we'll look a little closer at this critical "Point of Decision."

The Gospel According to the Muppets
Something More
Philippians 3:3-11
There's something more to this thing called Christmas - and indeed to life itself - than mere financial profit. That's what Ebenezer Scrooge begins to learn in The Muppet Christmas Carol. The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to many different Christmas celebrations, all of which seem to be about something more intangible. Scrooge begins to discover that there is something more to life. The Scriptures tell us life is indeed like that. The values of eternity are different than those of this earth. Today we'll take a look at the significance of "Something More."

The Gospel According to the Muppets
The People Walking in Darkness
Isaiah 9:2; Ephesians 4:17-24
It's not unusual for us to hear echoes of the gospel in expressions of popular culture, particularly those that are beloved around the holidays. Each Advent season here at Avalon, we listen for those echoes in a popular Christmas film. This year we'll catch glimpses of the gospel message through those zany puppets in A Muppet Christmas Carol. The story - and the gospel - begins with a man who has a cold heart. And so, our new series kicks off by considering a heart that desperately needs transformation.