Surely you've heard the phrase, "my get up and go got up and went."

It describes many of us today who've filled our lives with busyness.  It characterizes a good many of our electronic and hand-written calendars.  And it defines the active lifestyles we try to keep...the operative word being "try."  When we're asked to do one more thing, we either have to cancel something else or race even faster to get from here to there.

What's your priority in life?  What do you set aside?  Forget about?  Avoid?  This morning's worship service and, particularly, message deals with what we should be putting first, sharing our joy over the impact the message of Jesus' love for us has had in our lives.

We hope you'll listen in......

Download | Duration: 01:18:52

Have you ever sat in front of the television and watched a ball game and disagreed with a call on the field?  If your sport is ice hockey, what's your definition or interpretation of "high-sticking"?  When you watch international soccer matches, even if you don't have a favorite team, doesn't it seem like the referees are a bit arbitrary when they bring out a yellow or a red card?  Thank goodness for instant replay...at least with some of these sports.  Those of us at home can see if the calls on the field of play were "good" ones or not, and those umpiring or refereeing those games can correct their calls if needed.

Today, we take a look at a couple of seemingly exclusionary (i.e. limiting) passages of scripture and the reaction of the religious leadership to these sayings of Jesus and Peter.  Pastor Bendall then considers the application of these verses to what's going on in our denomination, to what's going on with some of the local congregations of the PC(USA) who've decided to request dismissal from the denomination.

We'll let you listen in...and make the call!

Download | Duration: 01:18:29

What a wonderful morning of worship!  The youth of our church led worship this morning and we think  you'll be delighted with their dedication to the Lord!  The singing, the prayers, the
reading of God's Word, and the message were all theirs today and we share it with you now......

Download | Duration: 00:54:39

Why is the resurrection such an important concept for those of Christian Faith?

What difference does it make that the tomb was empty that first Easter morning?

Why does the Apostle Paul write:  "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless
and so is your faith"?

Listen in on this special Easter morning worship service and find out......

Download | Duration: 01:06:50

Today we celebrate both Jesus' entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem, his final ride through the gates of the city, and the agony and passion of his final week here on earth.  We begin, as we do each Palm Sunday, with our children's processional and Sunday lesson.  Then we undertake the solemn task of reflecting upon Jesus' humiliation, scourging, and death in the days following that triumphal entry.  We proclaim the message this morning in song.  Our Chancel Choir is joined by members of the Long Beach High School Concert Choir, and together they sing a selection of anthems from the Easter cantata, "In Christ Alone."

We thank you for listening to this special worship service and pray that it will give you pause for reflection and thanks as we continue our journey through Lent.

Here is this morning's worship service......

Download | Duration: 01:12:17

When Jesus says, "Woe to you..." you better listen to what he's got to say.  In the twenty-third chapter of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus goes the distance, the perfect number, confronting the Pharisees seven times with the words "Woe to you..."   And the woes end with a particularly confrontational statement:  "How can  you escape from being sentenced to hell?"

Then, in chapter eight of John's gospel, Jesus confronts this same group of leaders in the church, leaders who've brought a woman caught in adultery, seeking the Rabbi's advice (or judgement).  But Jesus is too wise to be caught in this trap.  After stooping to write in the sand beneath his feet, he confronts them with this statement:  "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

Sometimes instruction about right and wrong won't do.  Sometimes challenging a person to live a more righteous life won't do, either.  Sometimes we all have to be confronted with the truth!

Listen in......

Download | Duration: 01:10:38

Sermon Series:  Why Did He Come?

Have you ever had one of those days when everything seemed to be like "one more hurdle to get over?"  Sure you have.  In fact, some of you are probably thinking,  "What...only a day! Why not a week... a month... or a year!?"  And, if you're a Christian, you're bound to have asked the question, "Why me?" or "Why  now?"

Life is full of challenges and today's message helps to offset the frustration of always having to face challenges with the reasons why we have to face them.  Maybe there's some greater glory, some purpose in the challenges of life as well.

So, we encourage you to listen in and hopefully take away from this worship service some comfort that you're not alone, some understanding of how we're to face these struggles in our lives, and some hope that when we face these challenges that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is there to help walk us through... and perhaps even claim victory over them!

Download | Duration: 01:05:26

Sermon Series:  Why Did He Come?

The Parable of the Sower is a familiar story in scripture.  A farmer goes out to sow seed.  Some of it falls on the path.  Some of it is scattered on shallow, rocky soil.  Some of it is sown in a spot where lots of weeds and thorns grow up around it, choking the plant before it has a chance to mature.  And, finally, some of the seed is scattered on rich, fertile ground.  Needless to say, the last of these, the seed that is planted in the rich, fertile ground, is the seed that prospers.

What is it about our lives, particularly our spiritual lives, that keeps us from growing?  Where are the seeds God is planting in our lives being scattered?  Are we receptive to His Holy Word?  Or is scripture just an ancient, moralistic, narrow code of ethics, irrelevant in our time and place?

Listen in and  you'll hear the answers to these questions and, hopefully, become inspired in the process!  Her's this morning's worship service......

Download | Duration: 01:10:38

Lenten Sermon Series:            “Why Did He Come?"

Have you ever given serious thought to just why God sent Jesus to dwell among us?  Have you ever taken a few minutes out of your busy day to sit down and make yourself a list of the reasons why you think he came?  Now personalize it.  Why did he come for you?

It’s an interesting question with lots of potential answers.  In fact, you’re probably think, that’s one of the silliest questions our pastor could ever have thought to ask, particularly during Lent!  But among the many answers are five he’s asked us to think about over the course of the next forty days – forty days of reflection, repentance and renewal.

So, listen in, if you will, to this morning’s worship service and message.  We feel you’ll be inspired by the great music, touched by the prayers and moved to begin a whole new ministry of comfort, encouragement and healing!

Here’s this morning’s message…… 

Download | Duration: 01:05:45

We bring our sermon series to a close this morning with another question: Is anything too hard for God to overcome, remedy or resolve?

Life is difficult. Each of us knows that. Some of us struggle with difficult issues at work.
Others have a lot to deal with at home. Some of our marriages are rock solid. Others are
on the rocks. Those who are sick and in the hospital, injured or struggling with an addiction must also be asking questions concerning God's willingness to intervene and His power to reconcile, heal or protect. Has God overlooked your struggles, avoided your celebrations? Does He seem to be engaged at all in your life? Maybe the things you're dealing with are simply too hard for Him to resolve. Perhaps the complexity of issues we're dealing with in
this world are too hard for Him to address...all at once. What do you think?

Listen in and see if your heart isn't inspired by the prayers, music and message......

Download | Duration: 00:56:21