Christ City Church, Washington DC

In our series, "The Meaning of Life", Pastor Justin Fung looks at Ecclesiastes 3 and the seasons/times of life.

Pastor Andrea starts off our new sermon series, "The Meaning of Life: Lessons from Ecclesiastes" in Ecclesiastes chapters 1 and 2. This introduction to the book of Ecclesiastes calls us to hold the two realities that life is a vapor but also significant.

Pastor Matthew Watson reminds us of the rhythms of life that require times of rest in the One who renews, as described in Matthew 11:25-30.

Wrapping up our series, "How Do I Know", Pastor Andrea Ackermann talks about how we can discern where the Spirit is working by looking for the fruit of the Spirit's work as described in Galatians 5:22-25.

In our series "How Do I Know", Pastor Justin Fung looks at God's specific and general will in light of Matthew 5:13-16.

In week two of our series "How Do I Know", Pastor Lisa Rodriguez-Watson looks at 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and Philippians 2:12-13 and what these passages can teach us about the problems, promises and posture of discernment.

Starting off our new sermon series, "How Do I Know", Matthew Watson looks at Proverbs 3:1-8 in light of the question, "does God have anything to say about the decisions we have to make?"

Continuing our sermon series, "The Basics", Pastor Andrea Ackermann talks about community and the practice of giving testimony in light of our Scripture passages Psalm 40 and Hebrews 12.

In week two of our sermon series, "The Basics", Pastor Matthew Watson about what it means to live as "sent ones" following Paul's example in Acts 17:22-34.

Pastor Justin Fung starts off our new series, "The Basics", talking about prayer and Scripture. He looks at how Philippians 3:13-16 and Luke 4:1-13 can help us understand the basics of worship.

In part four of our sermon series, "Conflict is Key", Pastor Lisa Rodriguez Watson walks us through three principles for healthy conflict based on James 1:19.

In week 3 of our sermon series, Conflict is Key, Pastor Justin Fung talks about building healthy relationships and understanding ourselves. This sermon refers to Mark chapters 1, 3 and 4 as well as Psalm 139.

In week 2 of our sermon series, Conflict is Key, Pastor Matthew Watson talks about Boundaries, Forgiveness and Reconciliation according to Acts 15:36-41 and 2 Timothy 4:9-11.

For Pentecost, Reverend Tonetta Landis-Aina preaches on Acts 8:26-40 where we see an Ethiopian eunuch seeking God and being welcomed into the community of the Spirit.

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Rev. Tonetta Landis-Aina is a native of North Carolina and moved to Washington, DC in 2004, where she is one of the pastors at The Table Church. She holds a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary and is passionate about marginalized people finding their stories in scripture as well as about the new shapes the church will take in the 21st century. When Tonetta isn't geeking out on the Bible or trying to piece together what God might be doing in this beautiful city, she is enjoying time with her wife, 5-year-old son, and newborn daughter.

Pastor Justin Fung wraps up our series, The Next Five, on Commitment Sunday. In 2 Samuel 24:16-25, King David says "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” This week Pastor Justin Fung discussed what it looks like to fully commit ourselves to God.

To submit your pledge or make a one-time donation to Christ City's next five years' worth of ministry, go to: https://www.christcitydc.org/tnf-give

Pastor Matthew Watson continues week four of our series, The Next Five, talking about collaborative justice according to Psalm 85:8-13⁠. Collaborative justice is one of the top three priorities Christ City is highlighting in this Next Five series. To learn more about The Next Five, check out: ⁠https://www.christcitydc.org/thenextfive

"To take space is to know that you are invited to bring your whole self to the community and that there will be space for you. We should hear and know that we can experience belonging. Taking space is being able to resonate with someone else’s experiences and perspective in this community, it’s to see yourself, to hear your own language (literal and figurative). It’s simple things like someone else looking like you or having the same experience or life season or struggle." This week in our series, The Next Five, Pastor Andrea Ackermann talks about inclusive welcome, one of Christ City's top three priorities. She discusses inclusive welcome based on Acts 2:1-12 and Acts 2:41-47.

To learn more about The Next Five: https://www.christcitydc.org/thenextfive

Pastor Justin Fung continues week two of our series, The Next Five, talking about transformational discipleship according to Matthew 28:18-20. Transformational discipleship is one of the top three priorities Christ City is highlighting in this Next Five series. To learn more about The Next Five, check out: https://www.christcitydc.org/thenextfive

Pastor Justin Fung starts off our new series The Next Five with a reflection on Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35, inspiring us to think about what could be.

"God is trying to agitate you because God is listening to you, wants to know what you care about. God wants to move from the place you're at, your community is at, to a place that is more hopeful, more promising, more just." Brandon Wrencher preaches on John 20:19-21, a passage used to talk about "Doubting Thomas", and invites us to see Jesus and Thomas as "Holy Agitators".

"Resurrection persistence is entirely built on the truth that God never gives up on us and that means there is always something for us. There is always something of the good news of Jesus and the goodness of God for each and every one of us. For you and for me. Something to know. To learn. To experience. To share." Pastor Justin Fung preaches from Mark 16:1-8 .

Pastor Andrea Ackermann preaches on Mark 15:1-5 on Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday) as we hold the tension of grief and celebration leading up to Easter.

Guest preacher Rev. Delonte Gholston challenges us to examine our certainty and be honest with ourselves and with God. [Mark 14:27-31]

Rev. Delonte Gholston is pastor of Peace Fellowship Church in Deanwood. Pastor Delonte is a native Washingtonian whose parents moved to the city to escape racial terrorism in South Carolina and Georgia. He is faithfully and joyfully married to Claire Wiggins Gholston. Together they have two daughters, Evyn (5) and Olive (2). They live in Ward 7 where Pastor Delonte shepherds Peace Fellowship Church and organizes PeaceWalksDC, a coalition of churches, community organizations, survivors and advocates committed to ending police and community violence. He is a public theologian, a songwriter and musician who loves singing and writing about the change we want to see. He is a proud alumnae of DC public schools, Swarthmore College and Fuller Theological Seminary.

"The last meal Jesus shared with his disciples looked back to Passover, God’s liberating action in history; and it looked forward to the kingdom feast, God’s full and final liberating action at the end. And every time we partake of communion, we mark God’s liberating action through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection." Pastor Justin Fung preaches on Mark 14:12-25.

Pastor Matthew Watson preaches on Mark 14:1-11 and what the woman who anointed Jesus' head with oil can teach us about worship. 

Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber preaches on Mark 13:28-37. The big question isn't when will things end, but rather, what are we here to do? 

Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber is an innovator, entrepreneur, and lover of the arts. He has dedicated 30 years to living and working towards what Dr. King called “the beloved community," ministering in multiple communities and capacities. Leroy is currently Executive Director of Neighborhood Economics. Leroy is the Co-Founder of the Voices Project and Adjunct professor at Multnomah University. Rev. Barber has served on the boards of The Simple Way, Missio Alliance, The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), and the Former Board Chair of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). 

Pastor Justin Fung preaches about having "a future-oriented faithfulness now." [Mark 13:1-27]

Pastor Andrea Ackermann preaches on Mark 12:28-44. She reminds us that the greatest commandment to love God and love others is an invitation to thrive and flourish, to see the kingdom of God on display in every life and every sphere of life. 

In this passage--which is not actually about marriage--religious leaders are once again questioning Jesus, and Jesus' answer shows us that he is the ultimate authority.  [Mark 12: 18-27]

Pastor Lisa Rodriguez-Watson challenges the divides between sacred and secular, reminding us that everything is God's. [Mark 12:13-17]

Pastor Justin Fung links the exploitation carried out by religious leaders in Jesus' time with the harm often perpetuated by leaders in American Christianity. Those who lead on behalf of God will answer to God—and that is both a comfort and a convicting word. How is God calling you to flourish and to promote the flourishing of others? [Mark 12:1-12]

Follow along with our Mark Reading Guide.

Pastor Andrea Ackermann preaches on Mark 11:12-33. 

Follow along in our Mark Reading Guide. 

We're back in the gospel of Mark for the new year, with Pastor Matthew Watson preaching on Jesus' triumphal entry, and how when the people cried Hosanna, or "God, save!" it was both a celebration and a prayer. [Mark 11:1-11]

Pastor Justin Fung welcome us into the new year with a short homily. [Jeremiah 17:7-8]

[Luke 2:8-14]

[Luke 2:8-11, John 15:1-11]

Pastor Justin Fung explores the theme of love in the second week of our Advent series. [1 John 4:7-21]

Pastor Matthew Watson opens our advent series with a message of hope, reminding us, "Do not be afraid." [Luke 2:8-15]

Pastor Andrea Ackermann preaches about how the disciples were not able to see who Jesus was or understand what he was trying to teach them about following him. Bartimaeus, however, was held up as the model disciple, who truly saw Jesus, and whose faith led to wholeness. [Mark 10:32-52]. 

Guest preacher Dr. Rev. Eun Strawser preaches on Mark 10:13-31.

Dr. Rev. Eun K. Strawser is the co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Alo o (which means "Presence" in Hawaiian), a BGAV Watch Care Church with missional communities multiplying in Honolulu, HI, a community physician, and an executive leader at the V3 Movement, the church planting arm of the BGAV.  She is also the author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples (IVP 2023). Prior to transitioning to Hawaii, she served as adjunct professor of medicine at the Philadelphia College of Medicine and of African Studies at her alma mater the University of Pennsylvania (where she and her husband served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) after finishing her Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Dar es Salaam. She and Steve have three, seriously, amazing children.

Pastor Justin Fung takes a deep dive into a difficult passage in Mark about divorce. What did divorce mean in Jesus' historical context? What was Jesus really saying about relationships and God's divine intent for each of us? [Mark 10:1-12]

Three members of Teen City (Annabel, Jaemin, and Nate) share their insights on Mark 9:30-50.

As we enter the second half of the book of Mark, Jesus starts talking more about the path of suffering and death. Jesus' power is the power of a love that is willing to sacrifice, a love that is willing to suffer for the good of the other. Pastor Justin Fung shares six observations from this passage (the Transfiguration) about how we are to follow Jesus. [Mark 9:2-29]

Resources:

• Lectio 365 app
• Pray as You Go app
• Mark reading guide

Pastor Matthew Watson preaches on Mark 8:27-9:1. 

Pastor Lisa Rodriguez Watson reminds us that Jesus won't abandon us if we don't get it right the first time. His compassion extends to us and is sufficient for us [Mark 8:1-21].

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Pastor Matthew Watson preaches on the stories of two people who shared their status as outsiders and their desperation in coming to Jesus. But their acts of desperation were also the signs of faith that Jesus wants us to emulate. [Mark 7:24-37]

Listen to the sermon that Pastor Andrea preached during our Ezer series on the Syrophoenician Woman.

Everyone can relate to the feelings of hurt that come with being let down by a leader, the damage it can cause to our trust in people, the effects of unease or fear of commitment that may still linger to this day as a result. Spiritual trauma, because of its nature—the depths, the expansiveness—can go deeper and more into the unconscious than we even know. Pastor Justin preaches from Mark chapter 7, where Jesus names the hypocrisy of religious leaders and offers a vision of integrity for all of us. [Mark 7:1-23]