Munger Place Church - Dallas, Texas

Even God took a break. In Genesis 1 and 2 God creates for six days, and after the heavens, the earth, the animals and even we were created God took a day off. Why? Did God get tired? No - to set the example for us. We are at our best when we take one day to relax, be with God, and with each other. Creation is meant to be enjoyed and we do that best by taking a day. If it is good for God, it is good for you too :)  Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Our Scripture this week is called ‘The Great Commission”. It is literally the last word in the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus gives his disciples and it is simple. Go everywhere and tell everyone about the Lord. It is all encompassing. Everyone, everywhere, needs to know the life, witness, and resurrection Jesus. And the command spans all time - it is a Great Commission to us as well, and maybe the question to ask is, ‘Is it time to live up to it?’. Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

God Bless America! We live in a blessed land. And while not perfect, it is a blessing to call this nation home. As we celebrate the 247th birthday of our nation let us be grateful for the freedom we enjoy and all those who have protected us and are protecting us today in order to preserve the life we know. For many of our Founders, there is an embrace between the freedoms we have and God’s plans for us. We were created by God to be free and we will celebrate that truth at Munger this Sunday. Happy 4th! Scripture: Luke 22:14-23 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

The Apostles' Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen. Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Scripture tells us that we should pray confidently and expect our prayers to be answered. But there are times in life when all we seem to receive is silence. Is God there? Does God care? Why did my prayer go unanswered? Pastor: Sean McDonald

Last week we took a deep dive into why prayer is important, but one of the questions that I receive all the time is "What am I supposed to be praying for"? Scripture: John 5:13-15 Pastor: Sean McDonald

Is it time for a new habit? Try this on - in the next three weeks I am going to become a person of prayer. Maybe you are new to prayer and have prayed mainly in times of crisis? Maybe you are experienced in prayer and cannot imagine life without it! Wherever you are in the spectrum of prayer, all of us can grow. Prayer never maxes out or hits a ceiling, it is a spiritual gift we can all further explore. For the next three weeks, Munger is focusing on prayer. Come to worship, get the Prayer Series Study Guide this Sunday and let’s start praying! Who knows? We may be very surprised at who we become in the next three weeks!

In Matthew Jesus tells his disciples to be like children. But in 1 Corinthians Paul says we are to do away with childish things. So, are we called the be like children or not?  Do we listen to Jesus or do we listen to Paul? Or maybe both… Pastor: Sean McDonald

You have to be ready. Whether a First Responder, a Navy Seal, or a parent people have to be ready to go. There are certain things that when it comes time to move we have to move. Jesus told a series of parables with the same theme. We have to be ready when God moves. Is Jesus going to give us the exact time and way? No. It’s up to him. Our job is to be ready to respond the moment Jesus calls. Get ready. Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Jesus loved parables. A parable is a story, behind which is an eternal truth or truths. To unlock a parable we have to consider it from all sides, each perspective, and discuss it with others. Today, we have the Parable of the Sower. Have a bit of fun with it this week and discuss it over dinner. As you talk with family or friends, you will discover that this is the purpose of the parable. The parable gets us talking about principles that matter. Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Teaser: The Gospel of Matthew has a hope for us - not only that we will believe in Jesus but also that we will be sent in his name. For Matthew, every believer has a mission. Every believer has a responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus. Ask yourself a question - how much of an evangelist are you? Matthew expects believers will be sharers, so take up Matthew’s challenge and prepare yourself to be a sharer of the Good News. Scripture: Matthew 10:16-18 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

The Beatitudes give us the instructions on how to live a blessed life. What is interesting is they seem counterintuitive. Worldly items such as food or wealth, emotions such as happiness or pursuits such as fame or status are not mentioned. Instead, Jesus give a portrayal of blessedness where blessing is connected to real need. We are blessed when we are connected to those with true needs, and when we reflect on Jesus this is how he lived his life. Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Until Jesus enters Jerusalem, Jesus and His followers have been a minor annoyance. While in Galilee, Jesus was a nuisance to political and religious leaders of the day, but with his coming to the Holy City now Jesus creates a problem. Everything intensifies. In truth, Jesus probably went to Jerusalem many, many times in his life - but Matthew, Mark and Luke structure their gospels to move from Galilee to Jerusalem as a story-telling device. The closer to Jerusalem Jesus gets the more tense the situation, thus setting the stage for Holy Week. Scripture:  Luke 19:28-40 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

As we approach Easter, we look at themes important to God in all of Scripture. First and foremost on these themes is this - Jesus is the center. Take your Bible and look at Genesis chapter one and the Gospel of John chapter one. You will see phrases that are repeated, and this is intentional. John’s gospel is telling us that Jesus is central, and while we know this the question to ask is - have I made Jesus central to who I am? Scripture: John 1:1-13 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Who doesn't love a good plot twist?! From children's books to epic sagas to blockbuster films, we often find the greatest entertainment in the reveal of a plot twist that changes everything we thought we knew about a story. This week we reach the pinnacle of the saga of Joseph and his brothers. After all that they've been through, we reach the moment when Joseph finally reveals to them who he is, and it changes everything! But as much as we love the drama in our favorite shows and movies, and even here in the announcement of Joseph to his brothers, plot twists in our own lives are....a lot to process. On Sunday, we'll talk about what this story means for us as we navigate the plot twists of life. We can't wait to see you then! Scripture: Genesis 45; 4-10 NRSV Pastor: Courtney Bond

Are you a brother or a sister? Siblings relationships are, well….sibling relationships. Few people know us better than those we grow up with - they have a unique view to say the least! In our Bible passage this week (Genesis 37:17-24) Joseph is betrayed by his brothers. They plot to kill him, and while undeserved Joseph does not help the situation by flaunting his chosen status. This week the Bible helps us sort out the mess - what do we do when all goes wrong between those we should love the most? Scripture: Genesis 37:17-24 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon

Do you find yourself constantly chasing after something? Something that you are convinced you need and will make you happy, but always seems just out of reach? Whether it's a relationship, success in business, or even the quintessential "American Dream," we have all likely, at one point or another, found ourselves chasing that which seems within our grasp, but somehow, it eludes us--over and over again. And as we continue the chase, we grow more willing to do whatever it takes, right or wrong, to get what we're after. If this sounds familiar, you won't want to miss the sermon this Sunday as we unpack Jacob's pursuit of God's blessing. From the very moment of his birth, Jacob is a person determined to create his own destiny, trying to obtain for himself that which God had already promised to give him. And what a mess he makes along the way! Join us as we take a front row seat to Jacob's WWF experience with the angel, and learn what it all means about the faithfulness of God. Scripture: Genesis 32:24-31 NRSV Pa

Our passage this week is commonly referred to as ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ - there is a stairway Jacob sees in a dream by which angels are ascending and descending between Heaven and Earth. Another way to think of Jacob’s vision is like a bridge in that Earth and Heaven are connected and the Lord freely moves between both. Jacob’s dream calls us to be aware that Heaven and Earth are linked, and our prayers, worship, and churches are the bridges and ladders that connect the two. Scripture: Genesis 28:10-15 Pastor: Rev. Andy Nixon