Church at the Center

You and Me

Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

Epiphany Week 1: what the story of Jesus and John the Baptist at Jesus' baptism shows us about deriving our identity from the God who created us in His image. Also, is it possible that sometimes our correct ideas about God and ourselves protect us from an actual relationship with Him?

This sermon was preached at and for Central Baptist Church in Massachusetts, but also in conjunction with The Pilgrimage's online Winter Solace retreat.

-------

Scripture Reading: Paul Layte

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Rev Jennifer A G Layte (Pastor Jenn)

Celebration Sunday!

January 1, 2023, was the fourth annual "Celebration Sunday"--Central Baptist's "holy talent show" where we worship God together through the talents and gifts He has given us. There were a lot of people brimming over with creative testimonies to God's greatness this year!

Are We There Yet?

Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25

Series: Already/Not Yet

Asking for signs, putting God to the test...are we too pious to accept God's invitation to love?

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Kathleen Youngs

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

Refreshment

Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46-55, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Series: Already/Not Yet

Is it okay if we don't feel joy already? And...do we even know what joy is?

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Paul Layte

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

King of Everything

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Series: Already/Not Yet

In the reality we're familiar with, people who try to rule the world bring anything but peace...

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Tom Jernigan

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

Mountaintop Experience

Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

Series: Already/Not Yet

It's the first Sunday of Advent. During Advent, we become more aware of the Already/Not Yet condition in which we live since Jesus' first arrival. Today we talk about the eternal reconciled "mountaintop experience" God has on His Christmas wishlist, and how we can live the Already in the Not Yet until Jesus returns and makes it the Now.

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Paul Layte

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

Y’all

Ephesians 6:18-24

Series: The Family You're a Part Of - Episode 12

Kathleen Youngs fills in for Pastor Jenn and wraps up our series on the Family of God.

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Mark Bertrand

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Kathleen Youngs

The Best Offense

Ephesians 6:10-17

Series: The Family You're a Part Of - Episode 11

The best offense is...[fill in the blank] Who are we really fighting, and what is really the point of the armor of God? Thanks to Pastor Keith Myer for the bulk of the end of the main message.

--------------------------

Scripture Reading: Paul Layte

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

Decoding the Household Codes

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Series: The Family You're a Part Of - Episode 10

More Awkward Conversations with Pastor Jenn! Today's is about submission. Who's in charge here?

------------------------

Scripture Reading: Tom Jernigan

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)

Children of Light

Ephesians 5:3-20

Series: The Family You're a Part Of - Episode 9

The one that could get Pastor Jenn canceled... Also, there was a baptism today.

----------------------------

Scripture Reading: Kathleen Youngs

Message in a Basket: Rev Barbara Jernigan

Main Message: Pastor Jenn (Rev Jennifer A G Layte)