In Week 2 of Down To Earth, Pastor Derrick takes us deep into John chapter 1, verse 5, where we encounter a profound truth: the light shines in darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend or overcome it. We're reminded that from the very beginning of creation, God's first spoken words were 'Let there be light,' establishing that light has always been God's answer to darkness. There's a stunning parallel between Genesis and John, showing us that the same God who spoke creation into existence is the one who stepped into our world as Emmanuel. We're confronted with the reality of spiritual blindness—a condition not of the eyes but of the heart, where people can hear the gospel, read Scripture, and observe God's works yet fail to see their true value. The message powerfully illustrates this through the Apostle Paul's own transformation from Saul, the persecutor, to Paul, the apostle. What makes this particularly relevant to our lives today is the recognition that spiritual blindness isn't just about individual struggles; it's a systemic darkness that has infiltrated education, government, and culture itself. Yet here's the hope: God's light doesn't just shine around us—it shines in us first, transforming our nature, then ahead of us, directing our path, and finally through us, making us beacons in a dark world. This isn't a call to hide our faith behind church walls but to let the light that changed us illuminate every corner of our lives, our workplaces, our communities, and our families.

Welcome to our first week of our Advent series, "Down To Earth". Post Thanksgiving sickness got ahold of Pastor Jack, so Pastor Ben Walls stands in and takes us deep into the opening verses of John's Gospel, where we encounter one of the most profound truths in Scripture: Jesus is the Word made flesh. We're reminded that Jesus wasn't just a teacher or prophet, but God Himself who stepped into human history to become the living picture of the Father. Before Christ, humanity lived in spiritual darkness, striving to keep commandments they could never perfectly fulfill. But when the Light came into the world, everything changed. Now, through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we don't just hear about Jesus—we carry Him with us everywhere we go. This indwelling presence transforms us from the inside out, whispering guidance when we're about to speak words that tear down rather than build up, giving us strength to choose righteousness over temptation. The grace we've received isn't something we earned or deserved; it's God's unmerited favor freely given to all who believe. We have the right to become children of God simply by receiving Him, and that relationship calls us to represent Jesus authentically in a world that desperately needs to see His light shining through us.

Our last week of Legacy takes us deep into 2 Corinthians 9, where we discover that generosity isn't just about money—it's about mastering a spiritual principle that transforms every area of our lives. The ancient wisdom Paul shares with the Corinthian church reveals a profound truth: we reap what we sow, not just in farming, but in our finances, relationships, and spiritual growth. When we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly; when we sow generously, we reap generously. What makes this teaching so powerful is that it challenges us to let God be our financial advisor, to make decisions not from guilt or compulsion, but from cheerful, confident hearts that trust in God's abundant provision. We're reminded that everything from the seed to the bread comes from God—our ability to earn, to give, and to bless others all flows from His hand. The message calls us to reject the scarcity mentality of a world that hoards and fears, and instead embrace a kingdom culture where wisdom, gratitude, and eternal priorities guide how we use money as a tool for righteousness. The harvest we're building isn't just financial—it's souls saved, lives changed, and a legacy that will echo through generations.

In week four of Legacy, Pastor Jack takes us deep into Matthew 12:43-45. The parable warns us that it's not enough to simply clean house—to remove evil or demons from our lives. What matters most is what fills that space afterward. An empty heart, no matter how swept and orderly, becomes an invitation for something worse to move in. Jesus uses this imagery to illustrate a critical truth: we are designed to worship, and if we refuse to fill our hearts with the true God, we will inevitably fill them with false gods and destructive ideologies. This isn't just about individual spiritual health; it's about entire generations and nations. When a culture removes God from its foundations—from education, science, government, and public life—it doesn't become neutral or secular. Instead, it becomes occupied by new religions dressed in different clothes: materialism, moral relativism, sexual chaos, and political tyranny. The good news is that the Kingdom of God has come, and our King is stronger than any force of darkness. We're called not just to personal piety but to boldly bring the gospel's transforming power into every sphere of life, reclaiming ground for Christ and building a legacy of faith that will bless generations to come.

What if the most powerful force for cultural transformation isn't found in political movements or social revolutions, but in something as simple as yeast in bread dough? This exploration of Matthew 13:33 reveals a stunning truth: the kingdom of God operates like yeast—small, seemingly insignificant, yet absolutely unstoppable once it's introduced into the culture around us. We're reminded that ideas have power, that beliefs shape civilizations, and that the gospel we carry within us is more potent than any ideology the world can manufacture. The imagery is both homey and revolutionary: just as a woman mixing yeast into sixty pounds of flour begins an inevitable process that will transform the entire batch, so too does the gospel work its way through families, communities, and nations. We're challenged to recognize that we aren't called to hide from culture or fearfully protect ourselves from contamination, but rather to confidently enter the mix as carriers of Christ's transforming presence. The call is clear: think big but act small—invite a neighbor to dinner, start a co-op, serve on one board, counsel one person. These seemingly small acts, when infused with kingdom prayer and gospel truth, become the starter for generational transformation. We're not just maintaining a religious subculture; we're baking the character of Christ into every sphere of society, trusting that what seems hidden now will one day be fully revealed.

In Week 2 of Legacy, Pastor Jack invites us into a profound understanding of the Kingdom of God through Jesus' parable in Luke 19. We discover that the gospel is far more expansive than personal salvation alone—it encompasses God's redemptive plan for all of creation. The parable reveals three crucial truths: the culture we're called to develop, the expectations we must manage, and the responsibility we bear as kingdom citizens. We learn that from the very beginning, God declared His creation 'very good' and commissioned humanity to cultivate and develop it. Though sin brought a curse that affected families, work, and all of creation, Jesus came as the seed of redemption to reverse that curse. The nobleman in the parable represents Christ, who has been made King but whose return is delayed, leaving us in an 'already but not yet' reality. During this time, we live in a world that actively resists His rule, yet we've been entrusted with the King's resources to expand His influence. The sobering lesson from the servants teaches us that whatever we don't invest for God is wasted—protection of assets isn't the kingdom mission. We're called to take ground, redeem culture, and build a legacy that will outlast us. This isn't about maintaining buildings or preserving comfort; it's about winning souls, blessing cities, and advancing God's will on earth as it is in heaven. The question we face isn't whether we'll fail in our attempts, but whether we'll fail by never attempting at all.

In week 1 of our Fall Giving Campaign series "Legacy", Pastor Jack confronts us with a fundamental truth drawn from Galatians 6:7-9: we reap what we sow, not just in our individual lives but in the culture we create together. In this sermon we explore how every decision we make today—whether we sow to our flesh or to the Spirit—shapes who we'll become five years from now. We're reminded that culture itself is never neutral; it's either oriented toward God or toward idolatry. The apostle Paul's vivid contrast between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit becomes a mirror for examining not only our personal character but the trajectory of our entire society. Just as farmers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, don't create a wheat field when they harvest it but when they plant it, we're creating our future—and our children's future—right now through seemingly small choices. If our faith only matters on Sunday mornings, it's become completely irrelevant to the world around us. We're invited to think generationally, to break up unplowed ground in our hearts, and to commit to the long obedience of transforming our communities through the seed of God's Word planted in well-cultivated soil.

In our journey of faith, we often face challenges that test our resolve. In our final week of Elect Exiles, Pastor Mike reminds us of three crucial elements for finishing strong in our faith: release, resistance, and restoration. We're called to cast all our cares upon God, acknowledging His deep love for us. This act of release isn't just about letting go of a few worries, but about entrusting every aspect of our lives to Him. As we navigate this world, we must also be alert and sober-minded, resisting the enemy who seeks to devour us. This spiritual battle requires us to stand firm in our faith, drawing strength from the global community of believers who face similar trials. Finally, we're promised restoration by the God of all grace. Though we may suffer for a while, He Himself will make us strong, firm, and steadfast. This message encourages us to persevere, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary in light of the eternal glory that awaits us in Christ.

In week 5 of Elect Exiles we're called to live with alert and sober minds, ready for Christ's return. This isn't about fear, but about living with purpose and expectancy. We're challenged to pray more fervently, love more deeply, and serve more faithfully in light of eternity. We're tasked with connecting our present actions to our eternal hope, in order to encourage us to see beyond the temporary struggles of this world. It's a call to live intentionally, using our God-given gifts to build up the body of Christ and impact the world around us. As we reflect on this, let's ask ourselves: How are we using our time and talents in light of Christ's imminent return?

In Week 4 of Elect Exiles we're challenged to examine how we serve the Lord wherever He sends us. We're reminded that as believers, we're called to submit to authorities, both in the land that we live in and in our homes, not out of weakness, but as a demonstration of our faith. This submission, however, doesn't guarantee an easy path; We may face suffering, but we're encouraged to endure it with grace, following Christ's example. This journey of submission, suffering, and surrender isn't just about personal growth—it's about reflecting Christ's love to a watching world, potentially silencing critics through our good deeds and steadfast faith.

In Week 3 of Elect Exiles, we're reminded of our incredible identity as God's chosen people. Drawing from 1 Peter 2:9-10, we explore what it means to be 'a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession.' This isn't just flowery language – it's a profound truth that should shape how we see ourselves and our purpose in this world. Just as a common pair of glasses becomes priceless when owned by someone significant like Abraham Lincoln, we too gain immeasurable value through our relationship with God. We're called to embrace this identity, understanding that we've been set apart for a sacred purpose. This message challenges us to live out our faith not just in church, but in every aspect of our lives – at work, in our relationships, and in our daily decisions. It's a call to recognize that everything we do can be an act of worship, a 'spiritual sacrifice' offered to God. As we grasp this truth, we're encouraged to live with a new sense of purpose and dignity, knowing that we belong to God and are part of His grand plan for the world.