A glimpse at Sunday services
to come … and past messages

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:

Listen to Jay’s fireside chat as he looks for encouragement in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
View the Facebook Live stream of today’s worship service (you will need to log into a Facebook account for this).

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!