This morning we are encouraged to examine anger, contempt, and fear through Jesus' words on The Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, Christ quickly moves past outward anger and into the deeper roots of contempt and fear, and we are invited to participate in Jesus' desire for peace.
Jesus says we are the "salt of the land" and the "light of the world" in His Sermon on the Mount. This morning we are invited into a deeper understanding of those words and into a more Christ-like way of being in the world. Continuing our series through the Sermon on the Mount, this week we find ourselves in Matthew 5 & 6.
Jesus’ Golden Rule of Life, maybe his most famous saying of all, comes amidst lots of “do nots:” don’t judge, don’t worry, don’t make a vow. But in Matthew 7, Jesus at last gives us what we should do, a positive vision for righteous living: “do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law & the prophets.”
We begin a journey through Jesus‘ most famous teaching: the Sermon on the Mount. To frame the narrow path Jesus invites us on, we begin by exploring the Old Testament context in the background of the teaching. How does Jesus invite us to live in the rhythm of a more beautiful song?
This Sunday began our new ministry year! Listening along, you'll hear about the start of our year, the emphasis on community life and Parish House Churches, and the ways everyone can belong, participate, hurt, and heal.
We explore the Christian tradition and practices of discernment, particularly in the vein of Ignatian Spirituality. How can we cultivate receptivity to hear the Holy Spirit, and how do we tend to disordered desires that keep us from being free to respond to the call of love?
This morning John Ott shares a homily with The Parish, and his message gives a glimpse into the stories of three people in our community who have lived with chronic pain. Hear about the long road they have traveled and the life they’ve found in the middle of unresolvable difficulty.
As we transition from focusing on Pentecost into Ordinary Time, we consider how Jesus sends his followers in peace to love and serve the Lord. Parishioners Kevin Soderman and Laura Boggs also share ordinary ways they have felt called by God to serve others.
Beginning in March, we’ll gather in-person, outdoors as a whole church for worship. A live-stream will be available online.
When & Where
We’ll gather outside at 9875 Nesbit Ferry Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022 in the Mount Pisgah Upper School Amphitheater (note that this is not the lower/elementary school or Mount Pisgah Church!)
There will not be Parish signs to direct you, but look for the three large flagpoles and our Host Team to greet you.
Family Ministry
Parish Kids in elementary age (K-5th grade) and Middle Schoolers will gather in separate breakout groups during the sermon for age-appropriate ministry and activities.
Childcare will not be provided for nursery and preschool ages due to Covid-19 restrictions. We’ll provide Parish Kids packs for the little ones with coloring sheets, crayons, and other basic activities. Feel free to bring any other engaging materials you’d like and don’t worry if they wiggle or make noise.
What Should I Bring? What should I know?
Please bring a towel/blanket or chair to sit on.
We will continue to maintain social distancing practices, including meeting outside and seating households six feet apart.
Masks are optional during the gathering once everyone is seated in their distanced spaces. We do ask you to wear a mask as you arrive and exit, and any time you are talking with or are within six feet of another person outside of your household.
In the event of forecasted inclement weather, we will cancel the in-person gathering and all meet online.
What Will the Gathering be like?
Gatherings run just over an hour in length, and though each week is different, common elements will include music, teaching, and engagement with the stories of Scripture which point us to Jesus. At the close of each gathering, we join the rhythm of the global Church through communion and prayer.
On the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month throughout the Fall we’ll gather outdoors in mid-sized, community-based House Churches. House Churches meet in Alpharetta, Roswell, Forsyth, and online.
What’s a House Church?
House Churches are mid-sized, regional gatherings of our church – think something in between a small group and a full church gathering.
House Churches mean we gather as a church in a neighborhood-based, relational, participatory, interactive manner. While a fitting expression in our current times, House Churches are also a unique nod to way of life embodied by the early church. We’re so excited about this opportunity as it will allow us to further connect, worship, and “do life” with families in our own geographical communities.
A typical House Church gathering will include live music, prayer, casual discussion, and spiritual practices.
A few days before each House Church we’ll post a 5-10 minute talk online and to the podcast which will function as a guide and discussion starter for that week’s House Church. Watch it in advance to get the wheels turning if you can, but still feel welcome to participate on Sunday even if you haven’t listened in advance.
When & Where
To best facilitate House Churches in light of capacity & covid-19, we’re assigning each participant to a particular area House Church based on their location. If you haven’t already been assigned to a particular House Church, please fill out this form and our team will guide you to the best location for you to participate in.
In House Churches, children will participate with adults as part of the overall gathering. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we ask children to stay with their family throughout the gathering.
We’ll provide Parish Kids packs each week with a pre-planned activity that allows children to engage that particular gathering’s theme in age-appropriate ways. We’ll also carve out some time during each gathering to focus on the kids and allow them to lead the adults in Scripture Readings or prayers.
We’ll have coloring sheets, crayons, and other basic activities for the little ones, and feel free to bring any other engaging materials you’d like. Children are part of our church family, so don’t worry if they wiggle or make noise.
If you choose to seek outside childcare, we’ll 100% reimburse those costs for you. Click here for more information.
What Should I Bring? What should I know?
Each House Church will be approximately an hour long, and be outside and socially distant.
Please bring a towel/blanket or chair to sit on.
We will continue to maintain social distancing practices, including meeting outside and seating households six feet apart.
Masks are optional during the gathering once everyone is seated in their distanced spaces. We do ask you to wear a mask as you arrive and exit, and any time you are talking with or are within six feet of another person outside of your household.
In the event of forecasted inclement weather, we will cancel the in-person house churches and all meet online.
Prefer to join by phone?
No problem! To join the meeting, call (646) 558-8656 and enter the appropriate meeting id below:
Parish Kids Meet-Up: 248780153
Main Worship Gathering: 304829703
One-Tap Mobile
On a mobile device, just click the number beside the meeting you’d like to join: