When We Pray | From Pain to Prayer

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Genesis 3:1-8 NIV In Genesis 3, we encounter the first unraveling of God’s good creation—a story of temptation, distrust, and the devastating ripple effects of sin. In this sermon, Josh unpacks how this ancient pattern is not only humanity’s story but our own, and how even in the fallout, God moves toward us with love and the hope of restoration.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Genesis 1:26–2:3 NIV This week, Pastor Josh begins our 10-week journey through the whole story of Scripture by returning to the very beginning in Genesis 1. Here we find that our origin is not chaos or accident but the loving intention of God — and in it we discover who we truly are: God’s own image, entrusted with the work of creation and the gift of Sabbath rest.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Psalm 51:1–12 Josh closed the When We Pray series with Psalm 51, showing that while our instinct is to hide in shame, healing begins when we confess. Confession means owning our sin, grieving its harm, and seeking renewal. A broken heart is the doorway for God’s mercy to restore joy and wholeness.

Teacher: Kyle McBee Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 In a reflection on Isaiah 6, Kyle reminds us that the Kingdom of God doesn’t move by spreadsheets or strategies but like a garden—slow, messy, and filled with hidden life. Growth isn’t always quick or visible, but God is still at work creating beauty out of the dirt. Our call is not to control outcomes but to remain faithful, trusting Him with what we cannot see.

Text: Exodus 33: 12-23Teacher: Josh WilsonIn Exodus 33, God promises Israel victory over their enemies and a land flowing with milk and honey—but without His presence. The people grieve, realizing that blessings without God Himself would be empty. In seasons when God feels distant, we can be tempted to “make do,” but in this sermon Josh calls us to press in and stay connected. After all, the greatest gift God gives is not a blessing or an answer to prayer, but Himself.

Text: Jonah 2:1–9 Teacher: Mandi Paszek In week two of our prayer series, Mandi invites us to journey with Jonah—not in the belly of the fish, but into the heart of a prophet wrestling with God’s mercy. Jonah’s prayers sound sincere, but his story reveals how easy it is to pray without truly surrendering. We’re reminded that prayer isn’t about presenting polished words—it’s about letting God work with our resistance. Even the smallest shift toward Him can begin a journey of realignment and mercy.

Teacher: Josh Wilson Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1–11 When pain is too deep for words, prayer becomes our starting point. In this week's teaching from Nehemiah 1, Josh Wilson invites us to notice how Nehemiah doesn’t leap into action—but starts with lament. His story challenges us to see pain not as something to avoid, but as something that can deepen our intimacy with God and shape the way we respond to the world around us.

Teacher: Megan Lietz Text: Acts 10:9-16 In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision that disrupts everything he thought he knew. Preaching from this passage, guest teacher Megan Lietz reminds us that God’s kingdom breaks boundaries—cultural, racial, and religious. Following Jesus means unlearning old defaults and making room for people we might otherwise exclude. Megan is Founding Director of the Race and Christian Community Initiative. Learn more about RCCI here. 

Teacher: Josh Wilson Text: Ephesians 5:21-22, 25; 6:1-9 The relationships that shape our daily lives are meant to be reflections of Christ’s love. In this week’s message, Josh explores how Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5 and 6 challenges cultural norms and invites us into a new pattern — where submission is mutual, love is sacrificial, and authority is used to serve, not to dominate.

Teacher: Caleb McCoy Text: Ephesians 5:8-20 Living as children of light means letting God’s love shape every part of us. In this message, Caleb McCoy reflects on Paul’s invitation to leave behind the old ways and walk in what is good, right, and true. Growth takes time—like breaking in a new pair of shoes—but the Spirit meets us in that process. Each day is a chance to choose light over darkness and let our lives reflect the One who makes all things new.