CoreGroup Guide | Simply Christmas - Week 2Guide written by Denee Bowers and Jenny HuffmanWelcomeIn this series we are trying to shift our focus from all of the material parts of Christmas to the spiritual and relational opportunities God presents us with. If we are able to simplify things like gift giving and party planning we can create space for things like connecting with God and caring for th...  Read More

Scripture"Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?    Why are you so upset inside?        Hope in God!        Because I will again give him thanks,        my saving presence and my God." - Psalm 42:11ReflectionThe fall transition to shorter days, longer nights, always hits me hard. Now, don’t get me wrong, fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, and that crisp, cool air. But, dayli...  Read More

Scripture"but those who hope in the Lord    will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31ReflectionI’m one of those “weird” people who runs voluntarily. I’m not fast or a professional by any means. Mostly, I just like to get outside in my neighborhood and log some miles while listening to an i...  Read More

Scripture"Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,'Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.Then the glory of the Lord will be revealedand all people will see it together.The Lord has spoken!'A voice said, 'Shout!'I aske...  Read More

Though I had grown up in church, when I went to college I fell away from going to worship. Like a lot of people, life got busy. School was rigorous, football required a lot, and any free time I used to hang out with friends. Then two guys from the football team invited me to check out a bible study they attended. The truth is I wouldn’t have gone on my own, but since they invited me, I gave it a t...  Read More

Scripture6 "The wolf will live with the lamb,    and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;    the calf and the young lion will feed[a] together,    and a little child will lead them.7 The cow and the bear will graze.    Their young will lie down together,    and a lion will eat straw like an ox.8 A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole;    toddlers will reach right over the serpen...  Read More