Welcome to Commons! Today, Bobbi explores the theme of marriage and partnership in our "Strange New World" series, reflecting on how the resurrection reshapes our lives. We'll dive into what the Bible says (or doesn't say!) about relationships, Jesus' teachings, and what it means to build "pocket parks" of love in our lives. Join us as we ponder love, healing, and community in light of Easter.

Topics Covered:
Marriage & partnership in a Christian context
Jesus' teachings on divorce and union (Matthew 19)
The role of community and spiritual family
Building "love infrastructure" in our lives
Reflections on singlehood and diverse relationships
#CommonsChurch #StrangeNewWorld #Marriage #Partnership #Christianity #Faith #Love #Easter #Sermon

Baptism is more than just a ritual — it’s a layered encounter with grace that stretches from ancient Jewish practices to the earliest Christian communities. But why do we do it? And how does it shape our faith today?

In this thoughtful reflection, we explore:

• 🌊 The surprising roots of baptism in Jewish mikvah rituals
• ✝️ How John the Baptist reimagined cleansing as repentance
• 🙏 Why Jesus chose to be baptized — and what it means for us
• 🌅 How baptism became one of the earliest Christian practice
• 🌱 Why baptism is about more than just making a decision — it’s about participating in grace

Baptism is not just a symbol. It’s a means of grace — an invitation to step into a story much bigger than ourselves. Whether you’re preparing for baptism or looking to deepen your understanding, this message will help you see the beauty and mystery at the heart of this ancient practice.

#Baptism #ChristianSacraments #WhyBaptismMatters #JohnTheBaptist #JesusBaptism #Grace #FaithPractice #EasterSeries

Life is different in the light of Easter.

Easter plops us into a world that is supposed to feel brand new. We’ve just experienced resurrection, after all. Shouldn’t the world be all white daisies and blue skies? Well, yes and no.

The thing about living resurrection is that we live it even as we wait for it. Resurrection re-orders life with the expectation that nothing is ever really over. After the winter, there’s the warm spring. After the violence, there’s the opportunity to practice peace. In the dark early morning, there’s the contemplation of a transformed friend.

Let’s explore Easter’s fifty days, imagining again what resurrection life means for us and how that makes a difference in the world that God loves. Through Jesus, we see the world as it should be. Now we are tasked to make it so.

The Table — not the cross — is the symbol Jesus chose to remember him by.

In this Easter reflection, we step into the Strange New World of resurrection and explore why the Eucharist, Communion, and the Lord’s Supper have always been at the heart of Christian practice. Long before the gospels were written, before theology was fully formed, the first followers of Jesus gathered around a table — and they experienced grace you could taste.

In this video, discover:

• 🕊 Why Jesus asked to be remembered through a meal, not a monument
• 🛐 The ancient Christian symbols — from the Chi-Rho to the Ichthus — and their hidden meanings
• 📜 Why the Eucharist is the earliest Christian ritual we know
• ✝️ How real presence, mystery, and grace still meet us at the table today

This isn’t just remembering a story. It’s encountering the Spirit that remakes the world — one shared meal, one open table, one broken loaf at a time.

#Communion #Eucharist #LordsSupper #TableOfChrist #Easter #Resurrection #ChristianSymbols #Grace #FaithAndPractice

Why does Easter begin with something as heartbreaking — and irreversible — as death?

In this honest, layered Easter message, Jeremy shares a deeply personal reflection on parenting, grief, and the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. From losing a beloved family dog to wrestling with theological shorthand that reduces Easter to a transaction, this is an exploration of why the cross is not about God’s anger — but about God’s grace.

Through the words of Jesus in John 12, we rediscover:
• ✝️ The cross as the judgment of the world, not its condemnation
• 🔥 How violence and injustice are exposed, not excused
• 🕊 Why the “prince of this world” is not the devil, but the systems and powers we’ve created
• 🌱 And how resurrection is not an escape — but the slow, inevitable healing of everything

This isn’t about a God who demands suffering. It’s about a God who refuses to look away from our pain — and invites us into a future shaped by peace, forgiveness, and impossible hope.

📖 Featuring insights from John 12, Ephesians, and personal stories of loss and wonder.

#Easter #WhyDidJesusDie #TheCross #Resurrection #GriefAndFaith #GoodFriday #EasterSunday #ChristianHope #HolyWeek

On this Palm Sunday, we join the joyful chorus, shouting “Hosanna!” as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We thank You for sending Your Son, our humble King, who comes in peace and love. As we wave our palms and lay down our cloaks, may we open our hearts to welcome him fully. Help us to follow his path of humility, service, and sacrifice. Prepare us for the journey ahead, through the joy and the sorrow, leading us to the promise of resurrection.

May our lives reflect his light and love. In the strong name of the risen Christ, we pray.

Amen.
Make It

Today we explore the powerful conclusion to the Lord's Prayer, examining the familiar yet mysterious lines about temptation, evil, and the well-known benediction: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever."

In this message, we unpack some fascinating questions:

• Why do we ask God not to lead us into temptation? Does God actually tempt us?
• What exactly is "the evil" we’re being delivered from? Is it the devil, or something closer to home?
• Where did the popular benediction at the end of the prayer originate, and why isn't it included in all biblical manuscripts?

Discover the rich historical roots of the Lord's Prayer and its early usage in the ancient text known as the Didache, along with how early Christian communities shaped this prayer we still recite today.

Join us as we delve deep into practical and spiritual insights, exploring how this prayer shapes our understanding of God, community, and our role in transforming the world around us. Learn how Jesus invites us not to simply resist temptation but to actively refuse to remain in a world of brokenness and injustice.

Subscribe and journey with us into a deeper understanding of prayer, faith, and what it truly means to live out God's kingdom on earth.

#LordsPrayer #Prayer #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #Temptation #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianHistory #KingdomOfGod #FaithCommunity #PracticalFaith

Today, we dive into one of the most challenging and profound lines from the Lord’s Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," or is it "trespasses"? In this powerful exploration, we unpack the deep metaphors behind "debts" and "trespasses," examining our obligations, broken boundaries, and the true possibilities of forgiveness.

What happens when forgiveness feels unfair? Can we forgive even when we've been intentionally hurt? And how do we navigate forgiveness in everyday relationships—especially when it involves unmet expectations and subtle hurts?

Join us as we share relatable personal stories, like navigating family fairness during spring break, and uncover how Jesus teaches us about forgiveness, fairness, and the transformative power of grace. Learn the difference between debts (ophlei-mata) and trespasses (paraptoma) and discover how these metaphors shape our understanding of sin, obligation, and community.

We'll discuss:

The original meaning behind "debts" and "trespasses" in the Lord’s Prayer

How Jesus' teaching reshapes our approach to forgiveness

Practical insights into managing forgiveness in personal and communal relationships

Why forgiveness is essential—not just spiritually—but emotionally and relationally

Whether you've struggled with forgiving others, forgiving yourself, or understanding the divine dynamics of forgiveness, this message offers fresh insights and real-world applications.

Subscribe and join us in this meaningful journey toward a life marked by grace, healing, and hope.

#Forgiveness #LordsPrayer #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #Relationships #Grace #Healing #FaithCommunity #JesusTeaching #SpiritualGrowth