This lent we will journey with the Apostle Peter. Peter was the first disciple to be called and among the last to fall away. He had moments of brilliance as well as utter failure. Peter shows us that life is a gift which is both ordinary and a fathomless mystery. It can be as mundane as Monday, but it is also the space in which holiness shows up. The invitation of Jesus, to all he encountered, was to live a particular life. It is a life that God intends for us. Such a life is one that is centered in God and attentive to neighbor. Peter had the courage to follow this invitation and he discovered that Jesus eventually gave his life that we all might get a life… a life that God intends for us. 

Feb. 22	Ash Wednesday - Rev. Melanie Hardison
Feb. 26	Where It All Begins - Rev. Tom Are
March 5	When the Best of Times are the Worst of Times - Rev. Tom Are
March 12	You Can’t Avoid Chaos - Rev. Tom Are
March 19	Do We Ever Know Enough? - Rev. Tom Are
March 26	This is What Grace Looks Like - Rev. Tom Are
April 2 - Palm Sunday	There is No Stopping This - Rev. Tom Are
April 6 - Maundy Thursday	Rev. Zach Walker
April 7 - Good Friday	Rev. Hallie Hottle
April 9 - Easter Sunday	Rev. Tom Are

“Follow Where You Call”

Becky & Nathan Bliss, music directors for The Gathering (alternative worship at Village Church), wrote this song for the sermon series "Get a Life: Walking in Peter's Footsteps." Carmen Dieker joins Becky and Nathan on violin and vocals. The Gathering service is at 5 p.m. Sundays in Friendship Hall at the Village Church Mission Campus.

You Never Know Where He Might Appear
​ Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

He is Risen! Our scripture reading is John 21:1-19.
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There is No Stopping This
​ Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

It was a parade which lasted most of the day. There was singing and people spread their cloaks on the ground to prepare the way for the king. Like all parades, this one came to an end. But the truth of this day will never stop. Our scripture reading is Luke 19:29-40.
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This is What Grace Looks Like
​ March 26, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

Peter was following Jesus. That’s a good thing. From their first encounter, Jesus called Peter to follow. Yet, the text states that Peter follows “at a distance.” The distance shows up not in yards or miles on the ground, but in the kind of distance measured in the human heart. From that distance, fear is real, and denial is possible. Our scripture reading is Luke 22:31-33, 54-62.
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Do We Ever Know Enough?
​ March 19, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

“You are the Christ!” This was Peter’s confession. The Christ, or Messiah, was the long-awaited, long-promised one of Judaism. Peter believed God had finally fulfilled this promise in Jesus. Peter was right about that. So, we have to wonder, given that he was right about Jesus being the Christ, why Jesus calls him Satan? Our scripture reading is Mark 8:27-33.
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You Can’t Avoid Chaos
​ March 12, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

Jesus walked on water, which is quite a trick! But more impressively, Peter walked on water. He was not as good at it as Jesus was, but for a while he was dancing on the waves. In a world that is as broken and chaotic as this one, some water walking might just be what is needed. Our scripture reading is Matthew 14:22-33.
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When the Best of Times are the Worst of Times
​ March 5, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

For one who makes a living fishing, the best day is the day you catch a big one, as big as a boat, or the day you catch a boatload of fish. For Peter, the latter occurred. But it turned out to be anything but his best day. Our scripture reading is Luke 5:1-11.
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Where It All Begins
​ Feb. 26, 2023 - Rev. Tom Are

Jesus invites his followers to “get a life,” as some folks might say these days. Jesus understands that life is a gift. It is a gift that is beautiful, but also broken at times. To embody life as Jesus does, some things will need to be left behind. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:14-20.
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