Church On The Rock Homer

You know what it's like to go to a new church as an adult not knowing what to expect. There are so many variables to consider especially if you're exploring or new to faith. What will they talk about, who will be there, will they ask anything of me, how much will I have to donate, will there be snakes on stage…etc. Coming to church as an outsider is a scary thing, especially when the church is such an obviously broken place, come on we should be able to admit it by now. We’re kinda messed up!Many people, believers and non believers, look at the church and think to themselves I could never be a part of that and yet the Church is supposed to be a display of God’s glory that is attractive to those who are hurting and broken. This weekend we start a new series in 1st Corinthians that will help us be honest about ourselves and bring unity to what we believe, namely Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So if you know someone who is confused by the church, tell 'em that we are too sometimes and that they sh

Isn’t it interesting that we sing “O come O come….. Emmanuel?” Do you remember what Emmanuel means? It is a title given to God that means “God with us.” In other words, He is the God who is with us. And to the God who is with us, we sing “O come O come.” To the God who is already with us, please come CLOSER! Please engage! Please get involved in all of the nitty gritty details of our human affairs. Invade everything we do. O come O come Emmanuel. Well, I have some good news. No, GREAT News. He has come. He is alive and present. He left heaven and showed up here, smack dab in the middle of our mess, as a Savior. Now that He has come to us, how will you move in relation to Him? Matt and I will lay out this invitation on Sunday morning as we examine the resurrection. Looking forward to celebrating our Savior with you,Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser

Before Maranatha and I were dating, our friend group liked to attend Christian concerts. One evening, we went to see Jake Hamilton, and after standing next to me and hearing me belt out every song, she told me that I have a good voice—but I can’t carry a tune. That was news to me.My wife is talented and gifted musically, and many of you have experienced her leading us into worship. For me, it is awe-inspiring to watch and listen to her operate in her gifting. I, on the other hand, am not gifted musically.However, whether or not a person has talent does not impede their ability to worship. You’ve all seen it—the person who can’t carry a tune to save their life but is worshipping their heart out. You’ve probably also witnessed someone with immense talent singing, but who isn’t worshipping. Their heart isn’t in it.The difference is not in ability, but in passion, adoration, and affection. You can see it in a person when talent—or lack thereof—takes a backseat to the sheer loving devotion one’s heart has for God.

It’s human nature. We judge others by their actions yet we want to be judged by our intentions. You need to DO well. I need to MEAN well. “I didn’t mean it that way.” “I was planning to do that… I just forgot.” “I know I did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.”This week we’re going to crack open the book of James. Here’s a preview: Faith is more than meaning well. The life of following Jesus requires a mind shaped by divine truth, a heart transformed by divine love and actions driven by divine purpose. Faith in Him leads me to think like Him, want like Him and act like Him. And we easily agree with 2/3’s of this premise. My mind says “Yep!” My heart says “Yes!” And my actions remain unchanged. If you were to hold your core Christian beliefs in one hand and your life history in the other, do the two match? Are your experiences as a follower of Christ aligned with your expectations of the Christian life? These discrepancies can be hard to look at. What does it say about me? What does it say about my

You know that moment as a parent, where you walk into the room without your kids noticing and you catch them in a moment of weakness. Hitting, biting, scratching, shoving, and on and on. All kids are sinners, even the pastor’s kids… For a moment they thought they could get away with it, but this time there's no opportunity for defense, no need for an accuser. I saw it with my own two eyes and as the realization that their outburst wasn’t in secret fear creeps over them, excuses begin to fly, and the need arises for them to cover up their mistake. With each kid I’ve come to realize that all punishments are not the same, but all their corrections include extended group hugs. The goal is very simple, instead of seeing and treating a sibling like Mike Tyson used to treat a punching bag, you must see them as a person, made in God’s image. As a parent my job is to reconcile my children to each other, softening their hearts towards each other and the Lord!In this message, we take a brief look at Paul's letter to Phi

Ever had someone say somewhat dismissively “Well, you’re on your own.” In other words, I can’t join you where you are going. Or, I won’t join you. Sometimes this means I can’t support you in what you’re about to do. Like when someone says to me, “I’m trying to stop drinking coffee.” Well, you’re on your own.There is another more complex situation in which I say something like “I want to join you but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Like if I had just recently broken my deep and meaningful connection with/dependence on coffee and someone said “Can you help me perfect my espresso grind?” I want to join you, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.This Sunday we’re going to look at the little tiny book of Jude. Jude has some instruction for followers of Christ who want to serve a role in rescuing others from the power of sin but who are also susceptible to the temptation of sin. It’s a tricky pathway of navigating helping relationships while avoiding self-harm. Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser

The memory of his booming voice still rings loud and clear in my mind. During my single digit years while living in Homer, I remember Ray Arno closing out many an evening service with the Eliza Hewitt hymn refrain:When we all get to heaven,What a day of rejoicing that will be!When we all see Jesus,We’ll sing and shout the victory!As an eight-year-old, I found myself both inspired by the air of unity, celebration and triumphalism as the voices rang out, and also a little nervous about the whole notion of a life hereafter. Jesus sounded like a wonderful character and yet the thought of meeting him face to face on the other side of death in the eternal state of resurrection… was a lot to digest. In this message, we’ll wrap up our series with Peter the friend of Jesus. I would ask that you take some time and read the second letter from Peter start to finish. If you really want to get fired up, read it out loud. I put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign on my office door this week and did just that. I so appreciate P

Spring is in the air; can you feel it? Typically, I know Spring is around the corner because conversations about Little League begin. I played baseball as a kid and have fond memories of it. For the past five years I have coached T-ball, starting with our oldest at the age of 5. I calculate that I have three more years of coaching until our youngest moves up to coaches pitch. That will most definitely make me the most seasoned T-ball coach in the world, for those of you who have coached, you understand my plight. While my kids keep bringing me back to the ball field, there is another reason I have been motivated to coach. Two years ago we had a stacked roster, with tons of Rockers’ kids on the team. One of those kids had not touched a baseball or a bat. I had the distinct privilege of introducing him and by the end of the year he stepped up to the plate and smacked an infield home run. Seeing him progress in his competency and skill is a joy and makes up for all the other kids building sandcastles. This weeke

I wrestled in high school. It was my main sport. However, I went to high school overseas where wrestling was not a competitive sport at the high school level. As a result, our entire season was spent preparing for one tournament that put us up against all the American military schools scattered throughout Southeast Asia. Our wrestling coach was very big into conditioning. His assertion was that if we were better conditioned than our opponents, we could beat better and stronger wrestlers. As a result, we did a whole lotta running! And sprinting. And jump roping. Toward the end of the season, leading up to our one and only tournament, I would get real serious about getting ready. As part of my conditioning routine, I would get up at five, leave the house early, and run the final few miles to school, book bag and all. Honestly, its exhausting even remembering it. I don’t even like running. And I didn’t like it then. But I liked winning. And I really, really, really wanted to win. And to be known for win

Isn’t it funny how certain people who dislike something are confronted about their choice by others who love the same thing. I often am confronted about my disdain for mayonnaise, especially by my parents. I eat salads dry, and admittedly not that often. But anytime I do, it never fails that I hear the remark, you’d like that better with dressing. Actually no, I wouldn’t. Or someone upon becoming aware of my hatred will say, it’s just eggs and oil, what’s not to like? Everything, the smell, the taste, the consistency. As I study 1 Peter I keep seeing him in the same light as the mayonnaise lover, except he isn’t trying to convert me to the devil's condiment, he’s inviting me into God's grace. Peter’s invitation is to come and taste that the Lord is good, gracious, and kind. Peter’s hope for the exiles he writes to is that they would know this grace and experience the fruit of it. Pastor Matt McCarter

Imagine being a complete and utter failure. But not just by some arbitrary standard. Imagine simultaneously failing every commitment you made to yourself and every commitment you made to others. Now imagine that someone had rudely predicted you would fail your own commitments and you forcefully assured otherwise. “I will not fail. I cannot fail. I must not fail. I PROMISE YOU, under no circumstances will I fail.” Now imagine you failed anyways. For most of us, imagining this scenario isn’t too difficult… we have lived it. We don’t have to imagine, we just have to remember. Remember that time when you knew that you had it in you to do the thing? And then you fell short. And in falling short, you hurt others. And in hurting others, you wounded relationships. And in wounding relationships, you completely lost your confidence and could not imagine a way forward...?This Sunday is for you. If you get a chance, read the first chapter of Peter’s first letter to the church. And then reread it a few more t

I remember the moment I laid eyes on the woman with her hair put up under an ascot cap. We were both in a bar called The Whig in downtown Columbia, S.C. Our church used social events like this to draw in people who would not grace the doorway of a church building. We were there with separate groups who attended the same church. As I was introduced to her, I could not help but notice that she is a fine looking lady, followed by the second thought, she is way out of my league.Fast forward a few years, and butchering this story, I stood on the doorsteps of the church with a nervous anticipation of our nuptials. Only God could have arranged this marriage, I wasn’t worthy, am not worthy, and yet I stand here now, ring on finger, and have wifed up the belle of the ball!The same story is playing out in God’s redemptive plan, I was not worthy and am not worthy apart from His gift of grace and righteousness and yet Almighty God has arranged a Day for Christ to be united with His Bride, the Church, you and I made whole

While living with my parents, sometime in early teens, we attended one of the oldest churches in the south. We'd dress in our Sunday finest, traverse the winding country roads, and find “our pew.” After a few stares from my parents, a pinch or two under the thigh, and some monotone words from the pulpit, we were free. The church would empty and we’d head to the car, ready to ditch the Sunday best and get on with life. Every Sunday, no matter what…my dad would strike up a conversation while the three of us sat in the car…waiting! We would glare, roll the window down and motion, one time a horn was used in efforts to get things moving. Waiting was for the birds! We always asked, what is the hold up!?!? This weekend, we explore the same question about God's seeming delay in His return! If you’re keen, read ahead in 2 Peter 3. Pastor Matthew McCarter

For Thanksgivings in Homer I have been labeled the Mac n Cheese guy, according to my family. I have become the authority on noodles, spices, and cheese. Rightfully so, although I make it a little different than Pauline, my grandmother, it’s pretty delicious. For a few hours on Thursday morning I spend my time at the stove stirring a pot of delightful dairy products. It is not possible to walk away from it, the mixture must be in constant motion due to the threat of the sauce breaking, the oil separating and becoming something rather unsightly and not at all pleasing to the senses of a thanksgiving attendee. It takes time and if one doesn’t stick it out and keep stirring the final product will be worthless. Some say that I like to stir other types of pots, proverbial pots. They aren’t wrong, but I tend to think about it in other terms. This weekend we’re going to launch into a series on Eschatology, an often difficult topic that many Christians have strong convictions about and yet if we don’t talk about it,

Does anyone know what the bicyclist hand motions actually mean?  I feel like blinkers are commonly understood and fairly self-explanatory; left side, left turn, right side, right turn.  But despite my many years of experience on the road, I still don’t know what the left arm, straight out at the shoulder, bent 90 degrees at the elbow and hanging downward means about the bike operator’s intentions.  Some of you who are new to church or new to faith and relationship with Christ probably feel the same way a lot of times about stuff you hear at church.  Sometimes it feels like a lot of ideas spoken in an unfamiliar language.  And that’s ok. It has been my goal these past two weeks to push through the confusion with RARE CLARITY as we examine what it means to follow God.  Here is the review, or the preview for some; To live is Christ.  So live as Christ.  That is my most efficient summary of Philippians 1 and 2.  And as simple as that is, many well-meaning people completely misunderstand what that means.  Which i

If you’re over the age of 30, you’ve probably done the limbo. Or at least tried. The once party favorite has slowly faded from public life but I remember a time when the Limbo ruled social events of all kinds. Yes, I did it too. Honestly, even the recollection of what was required of my back muscles to get under that crossbar makes me hurt today. As we continue our study in Philippians and the theme of Joy, we’re going to try something similar this Sunday. The question is, how low can you go? It will help your own growth if you read Philippians chapter two in advance. This could be life changing. Pastor Dr. Aaron Weisser

When life gives you lemons… I guess you're supposed to slice those lemons, squeeze those lemons, filter out the seeds, add water and plenty of sugar, mix in a pitcher with some ice, pour it into a glass and DRINK LEMONADE!  It is a very practical bit of advice about turning something bad into something good, even something delightfully refreshing. Thankfully, I think everyone knows about lemonade and where it comes from.  What about nettles. What do you do when life gives you nettles. I’m told they’re edible. But that doesn’t help much when my skin is on fire because I wasn’t careful tromping through the tall grass and stumbled into a big ol’ patch of nettles. Maybe I could pour some cold lemonade on my nettle burns. If only life had given me lemons.  For the next three weeks we are going to be studying the topic of Joy as Paul discusses in his letter to the church in Philippi. When life gives you an undeserved jail sentence… what better time to write about Joy in everything! I’m am so looking forward to this

Spring 1999. I was walking down the hall of my parents ranch home, past the collage of pictures on the wall and a feeling of dread fell over me. My plans for the coming year had fallen through. I would graduate high school in a couple of months, with no real plan for the next chapter of my life. Everyone I knew seemed to have it together, plans for college, a career, a life beyond their childhood home. At a critical time in life I was supposed to take a step forward, but I felt stuck and needed a push, a jumpstart, a new way of seeing my future.    As we’ve studied Ephesians, Paul is writing to a church that he greatly loves and hopes will not remain frozen in time. Their faith must continue to blossom because of the grandeur of the one they worship. His desire is that they would know the majesty of God and in very practical ways, this knowledge would change their lives. In Paul’s final remarks, he urges the reader not to be a bystander, but to actively engage in the will of God through spiritual warfare. Our

It was November and I was in the Philippines enjoying the beginning of the cool season and the end of the rainy season. In Manila, cool temps are in the high 70’s and low 80’s and November is when the monsoon rains subside and the season turns toward the dry and cool part of the year. On that day the temps were tolerable but scattered rain showers threatened outdoor activities. The outdoor activities we had planned for Sunday afternoon were very, very important. It was my wedding day. Like a gift from God, just before our outdoor ceremony began, the rain stopped and the clouds parted revealing a rainbow overhead. And there in the wet grass, before my family and friends, I said that I would love Jenny with my whole being, for as long as I was alive. In sickness and in health, whether rich or poor, forsaking all others, til death do us part. In Ephesians 5, Paul connects our understanding of marriage to the boundless riches of grace and mercy in the premeditated gift of God in His Son. I have been reflect

It's the dead of night. The wind is still and Jesus is bowed on the ground. The silence can be cut with a knife as the trees of the garden stand still. His tears have covered the ground beneath Him, tinged red by the blood they contain. As he stands, his knees feel feeble from the exertion poured out seeking His Father. He moves towards the disciples, His friends, and finding them asleep a sound emerges in the distance. At first it is the clanking of a solitary sword. Then a crack as something moved through the brush. The clamor grows louder as one, two, three torches emerge in the darkness and eventually become many. As the crowd surrounds Jesus, the suffering servant, is sure of mission, this will be the moment where He relinquishes all of Himself for the will of the Father, and the plan set in motion long ago.  Jesus knew what to expect in the hands of men (John 2:25).  Death, pain, shame, tribulation.  Paul now writes that this same Jesus who lowered Himself, has been established in ultimate power on hi