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There is so much bad news in our world. It’s easy to get caught up in the pain and suffering that bombards social media, new channels and our lives. Jesus came to earth to transform our lives. He came for everyone — there’s nothing that we’ve done that could keep us from God’s grace through Jesus. Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead — that’s Good News that gives us hope, both now and forever! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It begins with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where people shout and cheer as they acknowledge Jesus as King of Kings. However, He was not the messiah they were expecting... Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church
We all have hurts. Maybe something happened to you, someone did something to you or said something about you – or maybe you made that big mistake, and you don’t know how to talk about it. Have you ever experienced this? This weekend, we’re continuing our series, Rising Waters, Steady Faith, by having an honest conversation about the ways we get hurt, and we'll share a really practical way God invites us to work through our wounds. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
We all need the reminder that it's OK to not be OK. But both God and your community want you to find healing and wholeness. This week we’re going to talk about something 70% of teenagers say is either a problem for them or a close friend -- anxiety. When you feel too anxious, there is a way forward. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Do you ever feel like you’re burnt out? Do you ever feel like you’re at the end of your rope - mentally exhausted, losing motivation, and more cynical than usual? Of course, you do. Want to know why? Because you’re human. So, this week in worship, we’re continuing our new series, Rising Waters, Steady Faith. And we’re going to wonder: Where do I turn when I’m burnt out? Because busy, stressed-out, and distracted lives are not how God intended for us to live! This week is for anyone who feels like they're drowning and needs a little hope. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church
Far too many of us live lives that are constantly busy, stressed out, and distracted. Life just seems too much. It feels like life isn’t turning out the way we had planned life to be. It leaves us feeling like you’re treading water, but never seem to be able to keep up or stay afloat. We are launching our new series during the season of Lent called, Rising Waters. This first week we are talking about when life’s just too much. Join us! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
We are all worshipers of someone or something, whether we believe in Jesus or not. We give value and attention to people and temporary things because we long for something bigger than ourselves to fulfill our needs and desires. While some of these things may be good, they can become idols in our lives, because any created thing we worship, other than the Creator Himself, is idolatry. In this message, Pastor Aaron helps us unpack the meaning of idols and worship, and how we can find rest in worshiping the only one who will fulfill our longings – Jesus. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
God means for the church to be a place of transformation as people encounter His love and form a relationship with Jesus. One crucial piece of transformation occurs in our relationship with God when we become honest with Him in prayer. "I sometimes get frustrated by the state of the world; I look at all the brokenness around me, the constant news cycle of gloom and despair. Verses 7-9 of Isaiah 33 are a reality to many people in many places. At times, I feel despair, which in and of itself is not wrong, and I lament about the state of the world. 'Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God's sovereignty. Lament is how we bring sorrow to God. Without lament, we won't know how to process pain. My lament fuels my prayers; it fuels my cry of 'Lord, please arise, please be lifted up, please be exalted in our time.''' Book- Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
We all have ideas about what heaven and hell look like. You may even have ideas about who’s going to one and who’s going to the other. It will likely surprise you to find out what Jesus believed and taught about all this, and what the Biblical authors wrote about it. Join us for worship! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Many of us have wondered at some point or another... "Can I believe in God, but not attend church? Isn’t just being a good person all that really matters? And what about the Bible - what do I do when it's confusing or makes me uncomfortable?" One approach is to cancel the church or the Bible all together. Another approach is to take a closer look at the role of the church which connects us to one another and the way the Bible informs us and gives witness to the larger story of God's love. Have you ever asked, "Is the church and the Bible necessary?" If so, join us! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
At one time or another, you’ve wondered: There are over 4,000 religions in the world — could it be that all of them point to the same God? In this world of extremes, it seems as though we default to one way of relating to other religions: "We" are right, and "they" are wrong. But what vision might God have for all of us, living together in this great big world? Let's wonder about this together in worship. Join us! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Do you ever find yourself asking, "Am I enough for God?" Maybe you've felt like when your life has accumulated enough value for God, then God will actually love you. But - there’s the way our love works and then there’s the way God’s love works. And sometimes we get the two mixed up. Let's dive in to this commonly felt question together! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Merry Christmas! We are so excited to celebrate with you. This year we invite you to imagine — if God could do the unexpected by sending his son to the world as a baby who would save the world, just imagine what God could do for you today. Let us know where you're watching from in the comments, and be sure to like & subscribe to stay updated with the latest from Central! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Merry Christmas! We are so excited to celebrate with you. This year we invite you to imagine — if God could do the unexpected by sending his son to the world as a baby who would save the world, just imagine what God could do for you today. Let us know where you're watching from in the comments, and be sure to like & subscribe to stay updated with the latest from Central! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
The guests who arrived at the stable on that first Christmas, were a strange bunch. None more odd than the “wise men.” Honestly, they didn’t belong. We call them “wise men,” but the actual term for them was magoi. What’s a magoi? Good question. Get this: They were an order of astrologers from Babylon and Persia who specialized in interpreting dreams and magic - think tarot cards, crystal balls, reading palms and Ouija boards. No wonder the authors shied away from the particulars and opted for the more neutral “wise men,” or Magi. They didn’t belong. Not only that, they were foreigners. They didn’t speak the language, didn’t have the right paperwork, and weren’t even believers. They just didn’t belong. Something tells me, you’ve had moments when you’ve wondered: How do I know I belong? This week we wrap up our series, Make Room, as Aaron talks all about how those wisemen remind us that God makes room for every last one of us, even though we might question whether or not we belong. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Likely, you are making plans to gather with your family for Christmas. And when you get together, there will be… …your family, and then there will be the in-laws. …some parents in your family who are strict disciplinarians, while others who prefer “free range” parenting. …likely, there will be a mixture of big city folk and maybe some “hicks from the sticks.” …I’m guessing you will have at least one conservative and at least one liberal at Christmas dinner. …some guests will be thrilled to attend Christmas Eve worship, while others tolerate it. …and, as always, there will be those relatives. You know, the ones who seem to do everything just a little differently. Be honest. Our families don’t see eye to eye on everything. So, what will you do this Christmas? This weekend we’re continuing our Christmas series, Make Room, and we’re going to wonder: What do you do about those people who are different from you? Believe it or not, the Christmas story has a lot to say about it! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Is your family story a little messy? Maybe there's divorce or alcoholism, tensions with extended family, or stresses and strains you've been avoiding for years. I get it. My story is messy too. Well guess what? The story of the first Christmas is the story of the messiest family we could imagine! Think about the story we tell. It's about... An unmarried teenager gets pregnant in an ultra-conservative culture. Her fiancé's not the father, so he's ready to divorce her. She gives birth on the floor of a barn. The only guests at the birth are degenerate shepherds and three foreigners that don't speak the language. The story of the first Christmas was so messy. So, this weekend we're continuing our Christmas series, Make Room, and we're going to wonder: Why was the first Christmas such a mess? If you have a messy family, this will be a great message for you! It's also a great message to share with a friend who thinks their life is far too messy for God. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
It’s time to get ready for Christmas! It’s time to make your list and check them twice. Time to trim the tree and hang the stockings. Time for eggnog and ugly Christmas sweaters, Chevy Chase and Christmas Vacation. Let’s go! We’re going to get ready for Christmas by looking at the characters in the Christmas story and asking: What are they doing there? You see, to the ancient people of the Bible, none of the characters belonged there – not Mary or Joseph, not the shepherds or the wise men. But God chose each of them for a very specific reason: Each one points to the sort of people God is always making room for. We’re kicking off our new series, Make Room, by looking at a guy named John. He announced Jesus was coming, yet, at one point, John wasn’t even sure he believed in Jesus! John is in the story because, for God... The Christmas story makes room for doubt. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
As followers of Jesus, we are stewards of the Church for the next generation. We could, like many Christians, let personal preferences become the priority of faith. But what if turning our focus outward actually helps us reach more people? Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Let it be known that your church is telling you NOT to give generously! Why? Because when we make the simple pivot to living generously instead, God can do even greater things through each of us. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
When it comes to giving and generosity in the church, there are a lot of ways to approach it. But over and over, the Bible makes one thing clear – we can’t go at it alone. Partnership is key in our generosity and in the future of the church. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church
If the church’s mission is to “Help all people find and follow Jesus,” how do we actually invite someone on that journey with us? Believe it or not, the story of Jesus shows that when we bear some burdens and break some rules, it's easier than we might think. Join us! Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
People who “go to church” say things like… “Are we going to church?” as if church is a building. “You’ve got to join our church!” as if church is a club. “We’re going to be late for church!” as if church is an event. If Central is your church home, you know that church is so much more than this! We are the church when we serve record numbers of kids and students this year. We are the church when we fill bags of food to combat food insecurity in our community. We are the church when we build kids beds in our parking lot so that no child will sleep on the floor in the Chippewa County. The church is so much more than a building, a club or an event. So, over the next two weeks we’re launching a brand new worship series called, “Stop Going to Church” We’re going to pause, and ask… How will I be the church? Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
How do we choose a life that's less about ourselves and more about others? How do we choose God's way over our own preference? Are you waiting until you've got your life sorted to take a step in the right direction? Do you live with fear and anxiety over protecting what's yours? You're not alone! Pastor Aaron finishes up our series unpacking the most famous prayer; specifically the relevance of 'For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory, forever'. Lean in and find deep truth as we unpack The Lords Prayer. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Do you ever make a decision, even though you know it's not the right thing to do? Do you have regrets or moments you wish you could take back? What's that one thing that you swear you won't go back to, but find yourself being tempted by over and over?You're not alone! Every single person suffered with these same questions. In this message, Pastor Aaron Sturgis continues our series unpacking the most famous prayer; specifically the relevance of 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one'. Lean in and find deep truth as we unpack; The Lords Prayer. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church Reflect on the message through song: www.centrallutheran.church/worship http://www.centrallutheran.church/worship
Ever feel like someone let you down or did you wrong? Have you ever caused someone else pain, intentionally or unintentionally? Does your future feel tarnished by what happened in your past or present? Pastor Aaron continues this series unpacking the most famous prayer; specifically the relevance of “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us” Lean in and find deep truth as we unpack; The Lords Prayer. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
In this week's sermon, Vicar Justin discusses the petition of The Lord's Prayer that is: "Give us this day our daily bread." We need two types of bread in this world. The first is the physical bread that we need to survive, whether it be actual food, water, shelter, clothing, etc. The second form of bread is spiritual bread, which forms our hearts so that we can trust in God's provision and then work with others, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to share God's love and provision with the rest of the world. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
Ever feel like life is a rollercoaster and you're simply holding on for dear life? Are you in a period of waiting or anxiety, wishing you could impact the outcome? If you love to be in control and are constantly straining to keep everything perfect, this message might just be for you! Pastor Aaron continues this series unpacking the most famous prayer; specifically the relevance of 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.' Lean in and find deep truth as we unpack; The Lords Prayer. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church
Whether you consider yourself a Christ-follower or not, you've probably considered prayer at one time or another. If you've ever considered HOW to pray, you'll be pleased to know you're in good company. Even those closest to Jesus had the same question. The Lord's Prayer begins 'Our Father' - but how can the creator of the universe, the all knowing, omnipotent, omnipresent Supreme Being care for each and every one of us? Pastor Aaron helps us explore this, the most famous of prayers, and learn how even the first line holds deep truth for us all today. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
This week's question, "What do I do when I'm anxious?" is one we all relate to. The statistics show us that half our population struggles with anxiety. So, what do we do when we are anxious? What did Jesus do when He was anxious? In week two of our Emotions series, Pastor Aaron teaches us how Jesus' response to anxiety gives us a road map to follow in the anxiety we experience. Socials: www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia http://www.facebook.com/clcecolumbia www.instagram.com/centrallutheran/ http://www.instagram.com/centrallutheran www.centrallutheran.church http://www.centrallutheran.church/
