Water is woven throughout the story of our faith. From the waters of creation to the waters of baptism, from peaceful streams to stormy seas, from Jesus’ promise of living water to the pouring out of God’s Spirit, water is one of the many ways Scripture helps us understand who God is and how God works in our lives. This Sunday, November 8, we’re trying something a little different in worship as we explore these images and stories through lots of Scripture, prayer, and music led by our Sanctuary Choir, Contemporary Band, and congregation.

Instead of a traditional sermon, we’ll let the Scripture readings and music speak for themselves, with some opportunities for reflection and participation along the way. At the heart of our celebration will be the joyful baptism of four child members of our church family! Together, we’ll celebrate God’s promises, remember our own baptisms, and think about the many ways water connects to our lives and our faith. Whether life feels pretty calm right now or you’re navigating some rough waters, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful and slightly different kind of worship service, as we remember the hope we share in Christ, our anchor. 😉

After a short break for our stewardship series, we’re diving back into Churchy Words: Unpacking the Vocabulary of Faith! And this Sunday, as we celebrate All Saints Sunday, we’re exploring a word that might not mean quite what you think: SAINT. When you hear that word, do you picture someone with a halo? A spiritual superhero? Someone who lived centuries ago and was just a little holier than the rest of us? But what if being a saint isn’t about being extraordinary—or even about having it all together?

In the Bible, saints aren’t just a select few who have achieved some remarkable level of holiness. They’re ordinary, imperfect people whom God has claimed, loved, and called to live differently. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it really means to be counted among the saints, why that identity matters for how we live, and how we’re connected to the faithful who have gone before us. As we remember and give thanks for those whose lives have shaped our faith, we’ll discover that saints aren’t simply people we remember—they’re people we’re called to be.

LINK TO READABLE SERMON PDF

What makes a life truly rich? Is it how much we accumulate, or how much love and generosity we share along the way? This Sunday, we conclude our It’s a Wonder-FULL Life stewardship series by exploring how God’s abundant provision invites us to live with open hearts and open hands.  And as we return one last time to the beloved film It’s a Wonderful Life, we’ll discover why George Bailey really was the richest man in town!

This Sunday is also Pledge Sunday, when we celebrate the generosity that makes the ministry and mission of Christ Our Anchor possible and prayerfully offer our financial commitments for the coming year. Together, we’ll recognize the faithfulness of those who have helped shape our congregation and look ahead to the opportunities God is placing before us. Whether you are able to give much or little, this is a celebration of what we can accomplish together as a community of faith—and how our shared gifts can make life a little more wonder-FULL for our neighbors and our world!

Link to readable sermon PDF

Last week we started our stewardship series, It’s a Wonder-FULL Life, by looking inward. This week we turn our eyes outward, toward the people and the world around us. In Deuteronomy, God’s people bring their first and best as an offering, and then celebrate the abundance together, making sure the stranger and the neighbor have a seat at the table too. In 1 Timothy, Paul calls those who have been blessed to be generous, ready to share, and rich in good works, because the gifts God gives were never meant to stop with us.

Together these scriptures invite us to ask: Who around us needs to share in the goodness we’ve received? Where is God calling us to open our hands and our doors a little wider? Whether you’re a longtime member or just looking for a place to belong, come join us as we discover that a wonder-full life is one that overflows into the lives of others. There’s a place for you here, and a place for you to make a difference.

Special Stewardship Talk given by COA member and Generosity Team member: Beth Reichart

Link to readable sermon PDF

As we kick off our three-week 2027 stewardship campaign, A Wonder-Full Life, we invite you to take a journey inward and explore the deeply personal intersection of money, faith, and meaning.

Drawing inspiration from scripture and from the 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”, we will reflect on honest, transformative questions: Where is your heart placed? How does your relationship with wealth reflect your core values? We will have the courage in our sacred space to hold up a mirror to our financial histories and mindsets, creating a space of spiritual clarity to see beyond cultural anxieties and money-driven fears.

By shifting our focus from earthly insecurity to God’s enduring light, we begin to discover how our time, energy, and financial resources can align with a courageous vision for our lives and community. Join us for a powerful time of worship, reflection, and prayer as we reframe our relationship with wealth and take our first steps toward living a wholehearted, “wonder-full” life.

Special Stewardship Talk given by COA member: John Kokish

Make your pledge for 2027 to COA here.

Link to readable sermon PDF