Sermons
A Spirit-Empowered Life
In A Spirit-Empowered Life, Pastor Doug Scalise reflects on Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13–17 and what it reveals about identity, purpose, and God’s presence. As the Spirit descends and God declares Jesus the Beloved Son, we see that acceptance and approval come before achievement or service. This sermon reminds us that baptism is not an…
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Flesh and Blood Christianity
The Gospel of John doesn’t include a birth story for Jesus like Luke and Matthew; however, John also testifies to the incarnation of Jesus, the idea that in Jesus, God took on a human body like ours. John says, the eternal Word became flesh, that God chose to tabernacle or “camp out” with us on…
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How Have You Seen God at Work in Your Life the Past Year?
Each year, we enjoy coming together for one combined service to end the year to celebrate all that God has done for us. This year we will join at 10:00 a.m. and hear what God has been doing in the lives of Gwyneth Preu, Pastor Doug Scalise, and new members Matt and Annika Hall. Thank…
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The Grace of God Has Appeared in Christ
In The Grace of God Has Appeared in Christ, Pastor Doug Scalise reflects on Luke 2:1–14 and invites us to see Christmas as a journey to Bethlehem where God’s grace breaks into ordinary, messy, and unexpected circumstances. The birth of Jesus reveals that God enters the world not through control or perfection, but through humility,…
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Faithful Love
In Faithful Love, Pastor Doug Scalise reflects on Matthew 1:18–25 and the often-overlooked faithfulness of Joseph in the Christmas story. Faced with unexpected disappointment, Joseph responds not with fear or control, but with mercy, obedience, and trusting love when God reveals a greater plan. This sermon reminds us that God is present even when life…
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The Sound of Joy
For this third week of our Advent Series, “Preparing for Christmas,” we welcome ABCUSA President, Rev. Nikita McCalister, to share with us about “The Sound of Joy from Luke 1:46b-55. In addition, Rev. McCalister serves as the Transitional Ministries consultant for the American Baptist Churches of Michigan and Transition Pastor of Westhaven Baptist Church in…
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Genuine Peace
For this second week of our Advent Series, “Preparing for Christmas,” we welcome back Dr. Bill and Ann Clemmer, International Ministries Global Servants to the Democratic Republic of Congo. They will be sharing with us updates about their work and ministries since their last visit, and what it means to them to have the “Genuine…
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Essential Hope
In Essential Hope, Pastor Doug Scalise opens Advent with Isaiah 2:1–5, reminding us that Christian hope is not sentimental or decorative—it is necessary for facing a fearful and anxious world. This sermon highlights Isaiah’s bold vision of nations streaming toward God, weapons transformed into tools for life, and people walking in the light of the…
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God’s Purpose
In God’s Purpose, Pastor Doug Scalise explores Malachi 3:16–4:6 and reminds us that God sees, remembers, and distinguishes those who take Him seriously. Even in ordinary moments of faithfulness, God “takes note,” writing the names of those who revere Him in His book of remembrance. Malachi reveals both a sober warning and a hope-filled promise:…
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