A glimpse at Sunday services
to come … and past messages
March 30, 2025
Second Helping of Unleavened Bread
Good morning, family of faith. Did you wake up hungry this morning? At least after your second cup of coffee? Here’s something I bet you didn’t say: ”I would love a second helping of unleavened bread to go with my latte.” Sorry to disappoint you, but we are going back to that table and that feast today.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread was and is a reminder of “entanglement left behind,” and an equipping not to return to seasons and savoring of what scripture calls sin.
The self-help (or better said, Savior-help) part of this message is the new Deity Diet (you’re welcome). This diet features:
Denial
Discipline
Decision
Do you dare? Come and see this morning at COGS, or, by means of the attached garden talk.
May the blessings of the Lord of our tables abound!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
March 23, 2025
How Jesus Fulfills the Feasts
Good afternoon friends and family of the Shepherd! And surprise—afternoon version of my Sunday a.m. chat and email, as I will be driving back to Washington in the morning for worship at Good Shepherd after a brief local getaway. So feel free to archive this until tomorrow if you prefer.
This weekend, we consider another of the biblical feasts that point to Jesus, and this one is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Fear not, lest you think the meaning and message is as dry as toast! Far from it: In order to remember the “leaven” or slavery that they had experienced in Egypt for 400 years, the ancient Hebrews would eat only unleavened bread for a week, and even play a spring-cleaning game with the remembrance. More on all of that in the message.
You do know it is spring … well, sort of? In Eastern NC, I am strong to assert we have five seasons: winter, pine pollen, spring, summer and fall! Think of pine pollen as the Bible speaks of leaven: You want it out of your house, and car, and clothes, and cushions on your deck at all costs.
I call the message “Leaven Before Heaven, with Kevin,” who is the surprise guest on the recording. Tune in to see how this principle and practice applies to our abundant life with Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
March 16, 2025
New Series: The Feast and Jesus
Good morning friends, at another calm before another storm. That’s the pattern of this world, right? And yet, but God—therefore, since we know a king who has not passed us over and can and does rebuke the storms, we have hope and peace and abundance at His table and beyond.
This week we continue a new series of messages, which Leanne Lee and Bo Brooks began last week: The Feast and Jesus.
In the attached fireside chat and today at worship time on Market Street, I will invite you further to the table of the Lord as we explore the biblical feasts around which God’s chosen guest gathered, and how the Messiah fulfills and is present at each.
Today, the case is point is an unlikely guest and somewhat obscure fellow with a tricky name. Come and listen!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
March 2, 2025
Time Now to Test
Grace and peace on this glorious Sunday morning. Today is a crossroads Sunday that comes with a test. Fear not, for I’m not doing any grading. Our God, as you will learn, is among us not as a celestial proctor or principle, but instead, as a prince of peace with power who has called us to lead examined lives that are measurable by how we love Him and others.
This also marks the end of the 2 Corinthians series, and the launch into Lent beginning this week through Easter on April 20.
As you travel or are remote, the attached fireside chat is a deep dive into the terrible test of Genesis 22, and some tips for testing that come from my heart and study.
Blessings on your Sunday!
Pastor Jay
Updates:
February 23, 2025
Of Thorns, Truth and Trust
Good morning, friends. If you are local, warmer weather awaits, and aren’t we ready for an early glimpse of spring?
As I made final notes on my message this morning, I noted that it was four months ago on September 22 that this TNT—Time Now to Trust—series out of 2 Corinthians began. For me it has been a wonderful journey of truth and trial. And now, this week, we come to Paul’s infamous plea to the Lord in 2 Corinthians 12 to remove the thorn from his flesh.
Paul here models a principle that is hard to embrace, but is vital for growth and peace: “Negative disclosure builds intimacy.” The corresponding statement would be: “We are only as free as the secrets we keep.”
Come this morning into the safe space to speak of thorny places, which the Lord consistently uses to showcase his power and strength.
Let us gather and encourage each other this and every week!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
February 16, 2025
Make Room for the Groom
Good morning, friends and families. Today in worship and word, we take a look at our God, who calls himself “jealous” in Exodus 34:14—a curious concept that is echoed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:1-4. This notion of jealousy is emotional, relational and essential to understanding the person and personality of our maker, redeemer and savior, who is Jesus the Christ.
In the Lord’s perfect economy of timing and text, the fact that this one falls on Valentine’s weekend gives me some extra energy relative to understanding the passion with which our God loves us. He knows that loving Him back is the only path to peace and life to the full.
Come and see together!
Also speaking of love, see the attached photos of delivery of love gifts to the Shook family in the mountains.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
February 9, 2025
Weapons of Mass Surrender
Grace and peace to you on this February 9, 2025. In the New Testament church, there is language in the book of Acts and other places of an ambassador of faith, who brings a good report of the Lord’s work from one faith community to the next.
This week we have such a good report relative to the giving that you all have demonstrated for the Shook family in the mountains about whom Rachael Wood spoke at COGS last week. By God’s amazing grace, you purchased dozens of household goods for the family on the Amazon registry. You also donated bigger pieces of furniture, now stored in the shed at the church, ready for delivery to their new home later this week. Talk about a love gift at Valentine’s!
If that wasn’t enough, one donor—who was so moved by the moment—decided to provide a significant monthly stipend for one full year to replenish family savings and college funds, and to meet reentry costs as life moves forward in the new normal. If any of you choose to supplement this act of kindness, please seek me out.
Way to be rich toward God! (See Luke 12:21.)
This morning’s fireside chat audio recording of the message was in two parts (which we have been able to combine). Fear not! This is not a longer talk, but I just clumsily hit stop and had to add part 2. Part 1 is about 15 minutes and part 2 is more like eight, so collectively it’s a tad shorter than normal. You have the talent to handle this.
The message for today is entitled “Weapons of Mass Surrender,” and details that the way we fight is not of the world, but rather, with divine power to demolish strongholds. This is a message not to miss—we all need it. Prep yourselves with 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.
See many of you in a bit!
Love and blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
February 2, 2025
Ground Hog Day at COGS—“The Tale of the Cheerful Giver”
Good morning! Odd subject line, I know. And the 1993 Bill Murray film “Groundhog Day” was ultimately about a life that over a long time became a cheerful giver.
But, of course, our primary reference is of Paul instructing and encouraging Christians in Corinth about their generosity: How it is not to be forced, but rather is a reflection of our right relationship with the Lord and with others. (Read ahead: 2 Corinthians 9:6-14.)
There is another cheerful-giver story unfolding in the COGS church family. It involves a couple in our worshipping community, Steven and Rachael Wood, and a family (the Shooks) they know who lost everything but life in the devastation of Hurricane Helene. This morning as part of the message, Rachael will share a snapshot of this family’s story and the Lord’s presence in bringing it together.
We, as a church community, have the joy of partnering in the Shooks’ recovery, as they just closed on their first home this week and are now seeking ways to equip and furnish it. See Sonia and Justin Shook and their three children in the attached photo, along with a QR code for direct giving and shipping through an Amazon registry. I will send a follow up email this week with furniture needs, and a COGS plan to deliver it in the next couple of weeks.
The Word is in everyday life! More on that in the attached fireside chat.
See you all soon.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
January 26, 2025
The World Out There … Why Should We Care?
Good morning friends and family. I kinda like the title of the message today, which feels a bit like Dr. Seuss! The message even includes a reference to “Horton Hears a Who.” But, the essence of the teaching today is far from child’s play.
2 Corinthians 8:20-21 says in essence: “We take great pains to do what is right in the eyes of God … and the eyes of man.” Short verse, but deeply cut.
Jump in with me and be better ambassadors to our world in need of the grace that Jesus and his followers are empowered to share.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
January 19, 2025
Excel In the Grace of Giving
Good morning, friends of the Shepherd. Today I have a gift to share with you in several places from the Lord’s gracious record of His service and sacrifice on our behalf.
First, from Psalm 112:6-8, that even in the face of news of the day of:
Fires
Floods
Fears; and
Tests of freedom
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken … They will have no fear of bad news.”
We continue also in Paul’s journey journal to Corinth and Macedonia, where he praises their excellence in giving—even out of extreme trials. He speaks of the community of faith there, where “they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (2 Corinthians 8:4).
Let’s celebrate and unpack that truth this morning, and also consider ways to celebrate what the Lord is doing among us. See you all soon!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
January 12, 2025
Spiritual Seasons of Life
Friends, this is real winter, and we are in another season where we observe and live that all is not as it should be—a reference to Helene and the California fires.
If you are choosing to read this today, you are within the COGS community, where we seek to know Jesus and share the journey.
Today that journey in God’s written word takes us back to 2 Corinthians 7:5-13. In it Paul reflects journal-style on a hard trip to Macedonia, and the comfort of Titus, and the contrasting natures of godly sorrow, as contrasted with the sorrow of the world. Godly sorrow produces repentance, and Paul offers us a more detailed list of the benefits of turning back to the Lord after our rebellion.
This sounds heavy—and it is. But the deep dive is worth it!
So buckle up and jump in. Listen to the attached message, and/or come and gather at COGS at 10:10 a.m.!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
January 5, 2025
Downpayment of a New Life … the Bank of the Spirit
Good morning, and happy new year, friends of the Shepherd. As the dawn breaks on this frigid January morning, I am eager to gather for worship, fellowship and community with all of you who are local, in the hopes that this new year offers us fresh hope and direction along our paths for 2025!
For this message, we resume in 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 with a nod back to 4:16-18, which begins: “Therefore we do not lose heart.”
The consistent contrasts in this section of Paul’s letter go between groaning and grace, temporary tents and houses in heaven, and what I would call clothing and costumes. This section of scripture also triggers for me so many other places in the Bible that reinforce these essential truths: God loves, God cares, and God can be found. Paul’s second letter to Corinth was a painful one, but also one that offers tremendous perspective.
As you ponder the new year, two announcements I will make at 10:10 a.m. are:
If you are local and desire a consistent community, sign up for the small group opportunities at COGS, and I’ll help facilitate a group and gathering time that suits you.
If you have a child who is ready to go through a series of teaching times with me and others of like mind and age—journey of faith or our version of confirmation—please ponder that opportunity as well.
May you experience grace and peace in abundance today!
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Updates:
