Awaken Community

Sheesh, how's that for a title? Pastor Micah takes on a weird story in Exodus 4:18-26 where Moses finds himself in a threshold moment of leaving behind who he's been, to walk into the new thing that God has invited him into. 

Pastor Micah tackles penal substitutionary atonement this week by looking at Hebrews 9:18-22.

Awaken gathered in Highland Park this Sunday and Pastor Micah discussed John 15 and a framework for pruning that involves love and care for the growth that we all are invited to. 

Pastor Micah is back from sabbatical to discuss Mark 2:27-28, "Man is not made for the sabbath but sabbath was for man.  What does it mean to rest and "sabbath"? "

Pastor Jenna discusses Matthew 15:29-39 when the disciples are finding there is not enough food to provide for the crowds that are gathering. Jesus asks a simple question that carries weight when given a deeper look.

Guest speaker Steve Wiens takes the stage by exploring John 1:35-42 when Jesus asks, "What are you looking for?"

Guest Speaker Julia Holtze discusses Luke 7:36-50 and the question "Do you see this woman?". Julia eloquently discusses the importance of "seeing" others through a lens of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

Pastor Jenna brings us into an exploration of Matthew 5:43-48 where Jesus asks, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" Jenna tells beautiful stories of her peacemaking training in Ireland and the importance of breaking the cycles of dehumanization that have existed throughout human history.

Guest speaker Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs addresses the question Jesus asks in Matthew 16, "Who do you say that I am?"

Judy Howard Peterson is with us for a part two discussion of last weeks message. This week she looks at Matthew 26:47-56, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?". There are so many biblical interpretations of this passage leading to every different aspects of theology. How do we hold the reality that Judas was one of the twelve that Jesus specifically invited? 

Guest speaker Judy Howard Peterson brings a prophetic word in the midst of a tumultuous season across the globe. She addresses Jesus question in Matthew 12:1-14 "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath will you not take hold of it and lift it out?" She invites us to experience life beyond the text and tradition.

Awaken's own Cathy Solomon delivers her first Sunday morning sermon in a perfectly Cathy way. She addresses Mark 10:46-52 when Jesus asks the question to Bartimeaus: "What do you want me to do for you?"

Our guest speaker this week is a former Awakenite Jae Bates who unpacks John 21:15-19 by looking at the narrative of Peter's life and the ways he has denied those parts of himself that Jesus has invited him to lean into and accept. In what ways are we invited to step into who we truly are?

Dr. Kelly Sherman Conroy discusses John 5:1-9 and the question "Do you want to be made well?" She navigates the complexities of healing work as someone with indigenous roots and brings emphasis to how we hold, honor and move through sacred wounds in colonized spaces.

Pastor Micah closes out the Encounters series by bringing us to John 21:1-17 and the moment Jesus meets Peter on the shore after resurrection. Peter, in the aftermath of his failure and shame is brought back into the mission Jesus invites all of us into; feed my sheep.

Pastor Micah continues the Encounters series by looking at Mattew 28:16-20. The disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to see Jesus and when they saw him, some worshipped and some doubted.

Pastor Micah continues the Encounters series with Acts 9:1-19 where Paul is confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. Micah discusses the context of Paul's conversion and the significance of Ananias's actions and our invitation to embody peacemaking in a similar way.

Awaken opens up a new series called Encounters where we look at examples of people's interactions with the resurrected Christ and unpack what it means for us as a community. Micah begins with John 20:11-18 and Mary's interaction with the gardener who is revealed to be Jesus.

Awaken gathers for its first Easter Sunday in the new building. Pastor Micah discusses Matthew 27-28 and the subversion of expectations throughout the resurrection story, including the many holy bodies that are raised to life in verses 51-53.

Pastor Micah discusses Philippians 2:1-11 and the importance of love within a community. This passage connects back to the Garden of Eden and the posture of letting go as we enter into continued relationship with God and one another.