Christ Church Evangelical Covenant

The Surprise of the Unexpected Pause - Pastor Vann Trapp - Dec 6, 2020

You know the situation, you’re on your way somewhere important and you get interrupted, waylaid, detoured. What a hassle! What a waste of time! But what if God is working something, not just in the project, but even in the pause? Could God be speaking and forming you right now… even in the pause? Let’s talk about it…

The Surprise of God's Call - Nov 29, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

Mary and Joseph receive the announcement about Jesus. What an exciting time! God’s Messiah, forgiveness of sins, they are the parents. But immediately, they begin to understand some of the harder implications. But how could they ever understand the depth and length of the disruption to their lives?

Prayer that Changes Things - Nov 22 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

Effective prayer is not about having the right words, or speaking in a “sanctified” voice to God. It is not about tears or emotional shouting. Effective prayer is about simple words that flow from a heart that is seeking God. The life that flows from such a heart is seen as righteous. So, it makes sense that the prayer of a person who is living right before God would be effective. So, how can we be those kind of people who pray those kind of prayers; prayers that change the world? Let’s talk about it…

Moving God's Hand - November 15, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

Humility is always the first step to an answered prayer. When we are humble, we quit pushing to get our way and finally ask God what His way might be. It is only when we join God in His purposes that we find that He brings in all the resources of heaven to accomplish even the seemingly impossible. Let's talk about it ...

Our God - November 8, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

It has been said that if we could comprehend everything about God, He wouldn’t really be God. And, while that is true, that doesn’t mean we can’t know or understand Him at all. In fact, He has gone to great lengths to make Himself known to us. We know that He’s our Father. We know that He doesn’t change. We know that His compassion for us is never ending. And He says that the things we do know are the things that are important to keep in mind when we pray. We may not know everything. But because of what we do know, we can be certain that He hears our prayers and is at work in our lives to answer those prayer and make all things new!

A New Perspective - November 1, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

Thanksgiving. Usually, we think of it as the holiday that comes at the end of the month of November. But more than a holiday, thanksgiving is a lifestyle; a perspective and approach we can take towards every situation that arises in our lives.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.    Philippians 4:6

And if that thanks comes from promises we are certain of rather than things we are only wishing for, thanksgiving can be the source of great joy and even health in our lives. Do you think this might be why God wants us to be thankful?

New Work - October 25, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

In our lives, spiritual or otherwise, there are two kinds of work we do: either work that attempts to gain approval and/or support, or work we do that comes as a result of the approval and support we already have. Isn’t it liberating to know that in Christ we do not have to work to earn God’s approval?

 

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.   Ephesians 2:10

 

Spiritual freedom is found when we understand that we already have His love and can work out of the security of that relationship. Let’s talk about this "New Work."

A New Fire - October 18, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

One of the central truths we affirmation as God’s people is that the transformation in our
lives does not result from our wisdom, or strength, or talent, or insight. It is from God’s
Holy Spirit. He is the One who teaches us, leads us, transforms us, and empowers us to
do God’s work. But many of us don’t know much about this Holy Spirit. Who is He? How
should I relate to Him? How can I cooperate better with the work He is doing in and
through my life? Let’s talk about it this Sunday, as we discuss A New Fire!

 

But we, who have had the veil removed that kept us from seeing clearly, are seeing, like it was in a mirror the glory of the Lord, and ourselves being transformed into that same image from one glory to a glory from the Lord, by the Spirit.     II Corinthians 3:18

A New Fire - October 11, 2020 - Pastor Cheryl Lavornia

Have you ever found yourself wondering if God is really there? Is He really listening? If so, why isn't he fixing your problems? You've tried different practices, in fact, you've been tracking with this sermon series so far, doing the different things each week but it seems like God is silent. Crickets.

 

What if you are actually missing God's voice? What if instead of adding more, you need to allow God to subtract some things?

 

This week we are going to explore the process of elimination... Embracing the Struggle ...untangling the stuff in our lives that keeps us from Jesus. It's going to be great! Maybe this will be the first time you hear Jesus speak to you or 2nd, 3rd or 100th... either way, it's going to be exciting!

Finding Jesus - Oct 4, 2020 - Pastor Vann Trapp

Jesus. He is the complete provision of God for us all. He is our forgiveness, our acceptance, our healing, our life. In Him alone we find the resolution to the crushing guilt and shame we carry when we discover how far we fall short of God’s love and purpose in our lives.

It is not enough to merely confess our sins. We must also learn to confess Jesus… in everything. I have failed, Jesus is my forgiveness. I am weak, Jesus is my strength. I don’t know what to choose, Jesus is my wisdom. I am stuck, Jesus is my salvation. God didn’t send us Jesus and… He sent us Jesus alone. He is enough. He is the full grace of God. Let’s find out what it means to confess Jesus…