This week we will be exploring Exodus 1 together, Living in Bondage.
Exodus begins where Genesis ends. Israel is in Egypt, living in the land of Goshen, under the protection of Joseph, prospering and multiplying.
But as time goes on, things begin to change.
A new Pharaoh arises and stirs up fear, hatred, and opposition to the Israelites.
Suddenly God's people are despised, enslaved, and even targeted for death. The place that once gave them protection, now becomes a place of persecution. The place of their enjoyment becomes a place of their enslavement.
But even in their distress, God's promise remains and His plan is still at work.
As we study Exodus 1 together, it will become clear that we can never count on this world to be our home. God's Word runs counter to the world's desires. And His plan moves in the opposite direction of the rulers and principalities of this age.
We should not be surprised by opposition.
But, at the same time, we should not live in fear. Two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, give us an example of how to live courageously and faithfully in the face of fear.
May God's greatness be so magnified in our minds that we live boldly and faithfully for His glory no matter what this world may bring!
A Bible study guide is available, walking step-by-step, verse-by-verse, through Exodus 1-13. Pick up a study guide on Sunday ($5 donation) and join us for this journey!

I am excited to jump in to this study through the book of Exodus. After a year and a half in Genesis, then it only makes sense to continue the story in Exodus.
Exodus reveals the character of God.
Pharaoh's question in Exodus 5:2 is the question that the book answers: "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go."
We will learn more about Yahweh, the great I AM, the Redeemer, the Lord of all creation in this study.
Exodus also reveals the model of redemption.
The story of Israel's redemption from bondage in Egypt, by the power of God and the blood of the lamb, is a historical picture of our own redemption in Jesus Christ. The story of the exodus, in many ways, is our own story.
We have been set free from the bondage of sin, from the course of this world, from the ruler of this world system, in order that we might walk in covenant relationship with God. We are called out and called to. Called out of serving Pharaoh; called to serving the Lord.
But it is one thing to remove the child of God from Egypt; it is another to remove Egypt from within the child of God!
As we walk with the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, through the wilderness, to Mount Sinai, and toward the Promised Land, we will see many parallels to our own walk with Christ.
We are redeemed people, called to follow after God in the freedom of grace, but we are easily tempted to continue to live under the bondage of sin and the world.
As Paul says in Galatians 5:1:
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
This Sunday, we will introduce our year-long study through Exodus. We will also have a Bible study guide available for you, walking step-by-step, verse-by-verse, through Exodus 1-13.
Pick up a study guide on Sunday ($5 donation) and join us for this journey!
May God overwhelm our vision with His matchless glory and free our hearts to worship His great name!

This Sunday, January 11 (9am & 10:45am), Pastor Zach will conclude a two-week mini sermon series on What Happened After Christmas?
Last week, we saw what happened after Christmas while Jesus was still a baby. This week, we will examine what happened after Christmas when Jesus became a boy.
In this week's passage (Luke 2:41-52), we will get a unique glimpse into Jesus' childhood. Jesus is twelve years old and going up to Jerusalem with his family for the Passover feast. But after the feast is over, and unbeknownst to his parents, Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem.
When Mary and Joseph realize their son is missing, they scramble to look for Him. After three days! They finally find Him in the Temple, listening to and learning from the Jewish teachers.
Like any mother would have been, Mary was stressed to the limit. And she asked why Jesus would do such a thing. But Jesus was surprised. Why were his parents looking for Him? Didn't they realize that He must be in His Father's house?
This passage provides us with the first words spoken by Jesus in the Gospel. And it reveals to us--that from an early age--Jesus understood who He was and what He was called to do.
In 2026, may we be a people who understand our identity and calling like Jesus!