By: Steven Hill, Lead Pastor
April 8, 2025

It is bittersweet each time we end an expository preaching series through a book of the Bible. On one hand, I find myself eager for what the Lord has already placed on our preaching calendar next. Prayer and preparation begin months before an actual series begins so when it finally arrives excitement has already been building in my heart for several months. On the other hand, I feel a sense of loss as one series ends because I deeply enjoy the Word work each week requires, and God’s people deserve, to seek to understand how God inspired the original author of a specific book.

As we concluded James this past Sunday, I want to share with you three things the Lord reminded me of in our 14-week study.

1. Nothing reveals the true nature of our faith like trials and suffering.

James begins (1:2-4) and ends (5:7-12) with encouragement to joyfully endure seasons of suffering with patience. Christians need not seek out suffering. However, when it comes, we can see how our promise-keeping God has given us all we need to endure (1:5). In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” How might God be getting your attention in a season of suffering?
 
2. Real faith in Christ produces real evidence in every area of our life.

From anger to financial generosity…from the power of our words to the way we make decisions for the future, James speaks Gospel truth to countless areas of our practical life. To ignore such advice or to relegate Jesus to a limited “faith box” that doesn’t affect other areas of our life is to fail to heed the invitation from God to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (1:22).

3. Prayer is absolutely vital to life with Christ.

In times of trials and suffering that are difficult to manage, James prescribes prayer as the vehicle by which we obtain the wisdom needed for such seasons of life (1:5-6). James ends his letter by focusing on the eternal impact our prayers and pursuit of people can have (5:13-20). I wonder if our schedules might reveal a functional disbelief in the power of prayer. What a wonderful invitation and reminder to more active and fervent prayer, one of the best ways to spend time with the God who is love!

Hey Church Family,

I LOVE Christmas! It's my favorite holiday and I am glad we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus in many different ways as a church family this season. I hope you'll make special plans to join us each of these gatherings AND this is a GREAT season to INVITE others to church. Each year I'm surprised to see the statistics that reveal the overwhelming receptivity people have to a church invite around Christmas time.

I am excited to worship with y'all soon!

• Advent – Join us each Sunday of Advent (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas) for a special moment in each service where volunteers will be leading us in lighting each week’s Advent candle and reading corresponding Scripture and prayer.

• Kids Christmas Sunday, December 8th, 9 and 10:30 AM – I’m so excited to be led in worship by many of our youngest saints from our MVBC Kids Ministry! And make no mistake – that’s what is happening this day. This is not a kids recital. We believe our kids have all they need in Christ to lead us well in worship in partnership with our adult worship team. We’ll also have opportunities for kids to help collect the offering, greet, and serve in tech team.

• Christmas Night of Worship, December 15th, 6 PM – join us for a special, churchwide night of worship, Scripture, and prayer as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ, which the angel declared is “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Register here for childcare 2 years old and younger.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service(s) – Dec. 24, 4 and 6 PM –Join us for this family-friendly service celebrating the birth of Jesus. Designed with believers and non-believers in mind, this is a great service to invite family and friends to join you! Register here for childcare for 2 years old and younger.

BONUS:

• On December 22, 2024, we’ll have a special called church conference to vote on the Fellowship Hall renovation project as well as our Minister of Students candidate! Also,  we'll vote on our Minister of Music candidate on January 5!

Good News of Great Joy to You and Yours,

Steven Hill,
Lead Pastor