ConnectUs Church Audio Podcast

Nothing competes for our worship like money and it makes a terrible god. It will always leave you wanting more. But Jesus tells us not to worry about it. He knows us. He loves us. And He promises to take care of our needs.

Why would anyone exchange the opportunity to drink life giving water with stale water that doesn't satisfy? Yet human nature is constantly looking for idols we can try to control in order to get what we want. But no matter how hard we try or where we look, no god will be what God can be for us. Message by Jordan Wertz.

What do you love more than reaching people? We put so much love into the things that make us feel good that we forget about God's heart for people. The finale of the book of Jonah challenges us to reach our city because God cares so very much for every person. Even the people that disagree with us or don't live or believe like us. We have to be able to set our comfortable preferences aside in order to partner with God in His work in the city around us.

Sometimes the people who know the most about God and spend a lot of time around God related things are actually the furthest from Him; and it's almost impossible for them to see it. They are so worried about what God is going to do to "them" that they miss what God wants to do in their own life.

The entire city of Nineveh turning to God is one of the greatest miracles in all of history. It also presents a great challenge to those who call themselves followers of God.The terrible, no good, Assyrians, are held up as the example to follow contrasted with the supposed prophet, Jonah.

Jonah is inside the fish. God meets him in the depths of despair. God hears his prayer! Don't think that your situation is too far gone for God to use you and work in your life.

Who are you? What are you doing here?  Who is God? And what is He doing?  It's ironic who chooses to worship God in the story of Jonah and who continues to run away. These questions might help lead you to choosing to worship.

You might know Jonah as the story about a guy getting eaten by a big fish. We start this story today. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh. His enemy. He refused to go. In fact, he ran in the opposite direction. He seems to always be doing the exact opposite of what you would expect a "man of God" to do. But while he was trying to run from God, God met him there. Maybe God is trying to get your attention to see the amazing grace He has for you - and your enemies.

Jesus is alive! That means it's possible for you to experience a sense of joy regardless of what you are experiencing in life. Have your experiences of life determined your quality of life? May today be a new start and new beginning and may you experience JOY!

When people always seem to get their way and you are left with the short end of the stick it's easy to get mad, frustrated, depressed, and disappointed. But why live that way when you can instead experience JOY!?

The gospel is for everyone and everyone has to make a decision. Some will say no, others will need more time, and some will say yes. What will you say?

God is seeking you. He created everything so that you would seek Him. He is going to use anything, including the popular "poets" of the day, to get your attention and draw you in.

God has created every person to be a worshiper. We all worship many different things. At some level, behind everything that you worship, God is desiring you to worship Him. He knows that is best for each of us because He made us that way!

Acts 17:16-34 we find the account of Paul's visit to Mars Hill in Athens, Greece. Paul was on a mission to get the good news of Jesus to the people in this great city. Are we on mission to get the same good news to our city? Mission To Mars Hill - Part 1. Message by Jordan Wertz.

There is so much power in forgiveness. It just might lead to reconciliation. We all know the pain that our mistakes and bad choices inflict on ourselves and the people around us. If we take responsibility for our actions and deal with ourselves honestly we just might see relational miracles happen in our life.

This might be one of the most scary things humans do. Which is why many don't do it and miss out on what God does through it. When was the last time you told someone about the real you and confessed your sins to them? It's super hard, and super worth it!

Saying "I'm sorry" is hard to say in general. Now try saying that to God! We sometimes think that if we follow God better then we will need to say "I'm sorry" to Him less. But confessing our sins more to God is actually a mark of a maturing follower of Jesus.

It is so difficult to take responsibility for our choices and bad beliefs. Saying "I'm sorry" is some of the hardest words to say. We are so good at coming up with reasons to back up why we did what we did. Instead of trying to justify ourselves Jesus invites us to trust Him and let him Justify us.

If you are wondering what God has next for you, you've come to a place where we can be real and honest with one another. We don't have it all together. We hope you realize you are not alone, and that Jesus wants to transform your life.

Today we celebrated God's faithfulness through 2 years of ministry at ConnectUs Church!

10 spys said no and only 2 believed they could walk into God's promised land. They were looking at the same facts, they had the same promise, but ended up in two completely different places. What do you have to believe in order to walk into God's promises for your life?

Are you believing God's Word more than anything else? We can have so many great experiences that build our faith. Then, in the next moment, we feel like God is far from us. These experiences challenge us to consider where our hope really is. Message about Elijah from Denny Foreman.

If you just believe everything will be ok... right?

Have you ever wondered why its so hard to change something you do? You think this year will be different for all the right reasons and then it turns out to be the same old thing. We can't forget that our beliefs must change to align with God's promises that we are seeking to live into. We must believe.

What are you believing this year?  

***2 Things For You To Do During Our Online Service***  

1. Connection Card - connectuschurch.org/connect 

2. Sign up for 14 days of how to study your Bible - https://www.connectuschurch.org/14-days-of-bible-email-sign-up  

2 more things to do this year 

1. Participate in a Next Step Group 

2. Engage with a small group  

2 things to do today 

1. Answer: What are you believing heading into 2023? 

2. Answer: What is something you believed to be true but found out that it wasn't?  

Join us next week (Jan 8) as we kick off our new series "The Mistake of Believing." 10am at Reel Cinemas

We are so familiar with Christmas that we just might miss Christmas. There was probably no one more familiar with Jesus than his mother; yet even His mother needed to trust in her son to be her savior! Are you trusting in Him?

What would it take for you to believe that your brother was the Son of God? No matter how many times they claimed it to be true it just couldn't be, right? You've grown up together. You know your brother better than pretty much everyone else. That was James, the brother of Jesus' story until something happened and He actually believed. Do you know what happened?

You can be so close to Jesus and miss it. You can even be blood relatives to Jesus and miss it. Don't miss Christmas.

The Saturday between Jesus' death and resurrection was a day no one believed Jesus was who He said He was. They had hoped everything He said was true but the circumstances on that day said otherwise. We know Sunday came so embrace Saturday. What's your Saturday?

The difference between staying because you have to versus staying because you want to. One is prison. The other is transformation.

God wants all of you. He gave everything He had to get you. Will we respond in faith and trust Him in all ways, including with our money? God knows it is hard; so, he invites us to put him to the test. Will you do it?

Ananias heard of the many terrible things Saul did and God was calling him to go to him and minister to him. Ananias did not want to go. God commanded him to go. He found Saul was blind too. God did the transforming work.

Teach Jesus. Don't Be A Jerk. Strive for Contentment. Kill Them With Kindness. Hold On To The Gospel. Give Generously. Message by Scott Greening.

Church is a wonderfully complex thing. It's people of all different life stages and ages coming together united in Jesus. This complexity brings up many challenging scenarios. How do you know what is the right thing to do? Where do you turn for answers? - Also known as the 1-800-CHURCH-ADVICE sermon.

It's so easy to do but don't neglect what God has given you.

Stop waiting and start fighting for authentic faith. Don't let the fact you are young be an excuse for not living out your faith. You faith is set on the great hope of Jesus Christ. Don't place your hope anywhere else. Sermon recap of John's Message on Sunday.

God has so much good news for you! All throughout history people were waiting for the Savior. Today we look back and worship Jesus for all that He did for us. It's incredible. Unfortunately, some people don't teach the good news the right way. Message by Jordan Wertz.

What are the characteristics of the future you? Maybe you’ve just started in your journey of faith following Jesus. Maybe church is a relatively new thing for you. Or, maybe you’ve been at this for a long time. What exactly is God developing in your life? What words would you use to describe the kind of person is He making you to be? 1 Timothy 3 gives us plenty of characteristics to consider.

Know what you believe and actually live your life based on those beliefs. Pray for everyone for God wants everyone to be saved. Men and women both have important unique roles to play to reach people and honor God.

Paul sent a letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. What's a letter? Look out for some general 1st century letter info that will set up some deeply personal application of God's mercy. Message by Denny Foreman.

If you are responsible for much, share it with others. Will you rise up to share in the responsibility? With God’s help you can. Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to faithfully influence and lead the people God has brought into their lives.

Have you ever done so much for someone or something and it went unrecognized? No thank you. No acknowledgement. No reward.  

We would love for you to join a ministry team and serve one another in and through the church!

We are ordinary people seeking an extraordinary life.. and life built on a bigger purpose. A life built on Jesus that glorifies Him.

We've got to stop building a "safe" life all about ourselves and pursue what God has designed for us. Don't settle outside God's plan.

God does stuff. At a moment in history when the Earth was very evil, God took action. Yes, there was judgement; and yes, there was grace. What is He doing in your life? He is not a distant God.

It's not good for people to be alone. But what happens when relationships go bad? We know that is part of the reality we live in. The children of the first humans knew that very well. Your relationship might be ruptured but there is hope for restoration. Message from Jerry Evens.

Where did perfection go? Where did you go? What does God do in the middle of our brokenness? (It might not be what you think).

God spoke and created everything, and it was good. But then He noticed something was not good and God rolled up his sleeves, knelt in the mud, and handcrafted us. Genesis 2:4-25

You were uniquely created for a purpose. God formed and filled. So fill it up - you were made for this!

After the last supper, Jesus sang a final song with His disciples as they made their way to the garden. Imagine being by the campfire on the hillside with Jesus during His final days on earth. Message by Denny Foreman.

Life is hard. Maybe Father's Day is a hard day for you. Life doesn't usually go as planned; and man, it would be nice if it was better. .. Yeah... There is a song for that too. Habakkuk 3. Shannon's father, Mark Stauffer, helps us with the message.

What are lyrics to the song we will sing in heaven? It's incredible! It's also really interesting what we will be singing about. Jesus is worthy of all praise and is pictured as a slain lamb.

Today we are partnering with Love Life to help mobilize the church to bring the gospel to some of the darkest places in our community, the abortion mission field. The message today is from Romans 9. God has a purpose and a plan for every person before they were born and even before the foundation of the world!

Do you wait to worship until you've seen the blessing? Press play now. As you wait. In the middle of the pain. You've already experienced more victory than you know - press play on your praise.

The church is a movement on a mission. While God does call some disciples to go somewhere else to "make disciples," making disciples is the call of every Christ follower no matter where they go. Message from Denny Foreman.

The church is a beautiful thing that crosses borders, languages, cultures, etc. Every believer in Jesus is a part of the *universal church*. Message from Tony Holloman on Sunday.

The church is the people. All different kinds of people. We are so excited that you are a part of it!

What is the best way to grow in your faith? What happens when tension arises? Do you pull away or do you roll up your sleeves and jump in? JUMP IN!

Time usually tells and for the Church, time has told. What Jesus did 2000 years ago ignited a new movement that we get to be a part of and keep living out the mission.

Each new day is another reminder of the worst failure of your life but because of the resurrection there is restoration available for you. Jesus will do whatever it takes to get your attention because he’s already done everything necessary for you to have a right relationship with Him forever. What will you do when the rooster crows?

Stay centered on Jesus. Don’t just stay on the outside looking in. Stay close to Jesus and let Him lead you to know God. Palm Sunday was a different kind of day. Message from John Munchel.

Because of Jesus, today can be different. You can be different. He came to introduce to the world something new. A new way of relating to God. A new system.

There are many ways you could study the Bible but not all of them are the best. What even is the Bible? Can you trust it?

Are you alive in Hell? Why did God kill so many innocent people in the Old Testament? Really great, really hard, and really important questions.

With Jesus your identity is received and not achieved. Sure we sometimes achieve success, but we also "achieve" failure and disappointment. When what we "achieve" defines who we are it becomes our identity - and we feel shame.

It's not just what we do.

It becomes who we are.

But Jesus offers you a brand new identity. One that is based on His performance. Not yours.

Can you trust a God that seemingly changes His mind? While God doesn't change His mind, there are verses in the Bible that seem to indicate that He does. Some of these examples seem to be changes for the good and some are for the bad. All in all, God is entirely consistent and He wants to "change his mind" about you.

Where do you bring your questions and doubts? If you bring them to Jesus you might find some faith, answers, and results. He promised, "anything is possible if a person believes." Do you think that is true?

Jesus can calm the storm. Do you believe it? We can doubt a lot of things but knowing who Jesus is essential to walk in faith. A message from Denny Foreman.

Doubting Thomas should probably be known by a different name. Maybe we doubt God sometimes because we just haven't given Him the opportunity to show Himself to us.

Do you ever doubt God? Have you ever wondered why God won't just reveal himself to you more clearly? Like, if He was just standing in front of me I would believe! Well, would you? Is seeing really believing? In this iDoubt series we hope to help you transform your doubts into opportunities to walk in faith!

Jesus wants to eat with you no matter who you are or what you have done. Don't think of yourself as a church person? Not particularly religious? You are just the kind of person that Jesus came for.

Are you living in a way that allows you to be at your best? Jesus regularly took time away to pray and rest. Does your busy life make time for these important rhythms?

Jesus had around 3 years to do everything He came here to do and He never ran. So why do we run around like crazy to do everything? What is your pace? Walking helps us accomplish a lot of significant things.

Happy New Year! It's the day after New Years Day. We've just celebrated a couple big holidays. Now what? Wait until the next big event? Miss the holiday season? Message from Denny Foreman

It's the day after Christmas. Does life just move on? Or do we celebrate something so history shaking and life altering that our lives have to be different now as a result of Jesus' birth?

Do You See The Savior? Jesus came and did a lot of amazing things. He's remembered for walking on water, controlling nature, and healing many people and yet He was given the name Jesus because He was going to save His people from their sins.

Do you see Mary and Joseph? God's plan is usually a little different than our plan. He accomplishes His plan. Will we trust him?

Into the darkness Jesus was born. Fear not. God is with us. Message from Denny Foreman.

God takes what we offer him and multiplies it. So what are you bringing? Also, there is always so much left over!

We have so many reasons to be thankful. We have so many reasons to give back and give to God and others. And yet, somehow, God always has way more to give. Salvation is a free gift from God that no amount of generosity can buy.

Evangelism and Generosity. God uses both of these things to accomplish His mission on earth today through the church. As we participate in these things God will grow our faith and multiply our impact in our world.

There is nothing that our God can’t do. Sometimes it takes a while to see what He is actually up to. When we really see what God has promised us it's like an entirely new world opens up.

Jesus is Still Enough. Even when I fall short and feel like things aren’t going my way. When I start to doubt if God could really forgive me or even love me. When I run to so many other places other than God. It’s in those moments that we need to tell ourselves the truth that Jesus is stillenough.

What is your greatest disadvantage? How do you know? What if God wanted to use that very thing as your greatest advantage? He just might. He used some great disadvantages of Paul to do more than anyone could imagine.

What kind of person do you have to be to get a shout out from the Apostle Paul? A message from Jordan Wertz.

Brian Weber, leader of Converge MidAtlantic, encourages us to leave the past behind us (good and bad), persevere through what we are going through today, and keep our eyes on the prize. ConnectUs Church is part of the Converge movement of churches that helps start, strengthen, and send churches around the world.

The new life Jesus gives us impacts all our relationships. Are you a husband? Wife? Child? Parent? Boss? Employee? If Jesus has given you new life, He has something new for you. Tony Holloman joins Pastor Kevin for this message.

Nothing is hidden from God's eyes and yet He sees every believer as Holy because of Jesus. Looking for Mercy, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, and LOVE? Look to Jesus. Message from Denny Foreman. 

If you are a believer in Jesus than you are a new person - so live like one! You don’t live right to earn God favor, you live right because you already have God’s favor. He empowers you to live an incredible life and has created a diverse community where everyone can be united in Christ.

Have you ever felt guilty about something you've done? God loves you. No matter what you've done in the past. Your record of the charges against you has been ailed to the cross - leave it there and let it go!

Don’t let rules scare you away from being a Christian. Being a Christian has something so much better for you than that! Jesus wants to give you abundant, thriving life for eternity. It actually has nothing to do about rules… check it out!

Has your mind been captured? The world offers so many different foundations to build your life on. There are many well-crafted arguments to convince you that Jesus can’t be the foundation of your life, or you need more than Him. Today's messaged is designed to help you fight against the lies that are trying to hold you captive.

People worth fighting for. You have some of these in your life.
You fight. You struggle. You worry. You pray. What are you fighting for for
them? What's your goal? What are you hoping to see? Know that we are fighting for you.

Evangelism. It sounds good but how do you do it? We open with a question - how much do you have to hate someone not to [share Jesus with them]? Challenging question.

God has written us a letter. Do you love it? From it we learn about Jesus and are challenged to share this message with others. It's not easy but it changes lives for eternity. Message from Denny Foreman

The Apostle Paul calls those who are far from God an enemy
of God. What does that mean and why doesn’t that need to be true about you? 

Who is Jesus and what does it actually mean to say that He is enough? Can Jesus really be enough for every person in every country from every culture? Jesus created everything and you are a part of the amazing story that is unfolding.

Fruitful spiritual insight makes our lives distinctive. Dependence
on God’s power provides calm in chaos. A message from Scott Greening from
Branch Life Church in Pottstown, PA.  

This news will change your life? What news is it? Do you believe it?

It's all about FAITH in Jesus, HOPE in eternity, and LOVE for one another. Do people think about those things when they think about you?

Today is a special service, the first time we are celebrating communion at ConnectUs Church! Because of God's grace he has made us at peace with himself and has created a family where everyone can be our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jesus took something so beloved and trusted as a permanent thing from God and made it all about himself. Jesus essentially said "I am the better way." What is communion? Where and when did it start? And what is its significance for us today? Next week we celebrate communion for the first time as a church!

Our God is passionately paternal. He provides and protects. He is our good good father. A message from Denny Foreman.

How strong are you when you fight against temptation? How strong is your faith? Jerry Evens, counselor and founder of Liberated Living Counseling Services gives us some practical help and real life stories to help us guard our hearts.

Today we celebrate our first baptisms at ConnectUs Church! God can fill us instead of all the other things that we allow to fill our hearts and minds.

Life Hacks kicks off with a bang (of gender reveal balloons) and a "choose your own adventure" style sermon. Some things are just better than others. Today is all about "better announcements." Getting ready for Baptism Sunday next week.

You don’t have to be far away from God. God invites you to be close. He has done everything needed to have a relationship with you. He’s with you. He’s right there when you turn to Him. Will you turn to Him and listen to His whisper?

 God is 100% perfect and 100% set apart. He is holy. He is transcendent. He is not safe. He’s so big and we are so small. No human can be in his presence. What can be done about that?  

 Had it Not Been for our mothers...and Had it Not Been for a
God with perfect motherly characteristics...

The Power of Presence. God is in all places at all times. There is nowhere you can go that God can’t meet you right there and be everything that you need. To live in God’s presence is worship. It compels us to go with God’s presence on mission.

What does it mean to know stuff? God is all-knowing. He knows you and me and everything. When we don’t know we can find peace that He does. Do you know God?

Had it not been for God’s Quiet Power. 

God is all powerful in the BIG things and the small things.
Speaker: Denny Foreman.  

God will take what we and the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good. Our greatest weakness is His opportunity to show His greatest strength. With God, what we think is the end is only the beginning.

Easter 2021. If there was ever a year to be afraid – we just experienced it. What if we could fear less and hope more? There is nothing to be more afraid of than death. But what if even death wasn’t the end? Jesus resurrected from the dead to bring new life and new hope. It’s ready to meet you in the most fearful and hopefulness of situations. It’s waiting for you.

Jesus was moved with compassion for the people in the city but he did not move from his mission/purpose. What moves you?

Jesus is the judge of everyone. Your eternity rests in His hands. Although we may want to cast ultimate judgement here and now, it’s actually His job. 

 You can't do miracles on demand. If you can do miracles on
demand - let’s stop the church service and go do some awesome things! If you
can’t - tune in! 

There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We are saved when we believe in Jesus and what He has done for us. While we can't die to save others, we can die to ourselves and from a right relationship with God live to impact the lives of others.

Jesus Christ! You might hear his name every day, but do you know who he really is? And doesn’t he want people to follow him? Whatever that means. Certainly, Jesus was a good example, a good teacher, and if he is real, maybe he wants to be our friend. But Jesus is completely unique. Your life can be completely transformed because of who Jesus really is and what he has done and will continue to do.

We all have influence. Someone needs you. How can we pass on what God has done in our life to the next person?

God has uniquely gifted you to do something only you can do.
We want to help you discover and develop those gifts and abilities and give you
opportunities to change your world in the community and through our church.

God often uses difficult situations to grow your faith. He has also placed some important people around you to walk through it with you.

Daniel 3

 No matter who you are or what you’ve done, Jesus is for you.
He loves you. He is with you. You can be fully known and fully loved and have a
relationship with God. Stop trying so hard and receive an identity given to you
by God. When real people meet the real Jesus lives are changed forever.

When’s the last time you messed up? If you are like us, it was probably not that long ago. We really want to do what’s best for others, but it doesn’t always seem to work out right. We don’t always live up to our own expectations, let alone the expectations of God. Your mess matters. Let God be perfect for you so that you don’t have to be.

How well rested are you? Does your life have a good rhythm of rest built into it or do you feel like you've got too much to do and not enough time? The bigger the thing we've got to do, the more prepared (and rested!) we should be.

We are attracted to the drama of other people's lives but we are afraid for the same adventure to happen to us. Let's obey what God has said and step out into the story. For it's in the story where the action happens and you can experience God in life transforming ways.

Christmas 2020

Why does death feel wrong? DIY projects have become normal.
Want to fix your car? Google it. Want to learn how to cook? Watch a video on
YouTube. But do you want to live forever? What video to you watch for that?
What book to do you read? You can live forever – you just can’t do it yourself.  

Sometimes we just need to acknowledge it – “I’m not ok.” Why is 2020 so hard? I just want to do well and live a good life. But I’m not doing ok. Not everything is good, but God does use all things *for* good. It may just be possible to find a little meaning in the middle of all the mess.

You are needed by God. He wants to know you, answer your questions, and do whatever He can do to help you follow Jesus better. So do we! You can be fully known (all the good and the bad!) and fully loved (no matter what).

Where are you going today? The mission goes with you. 

No matter where you go, God is with you. 

Because He is with you, you can have power to accomplish the mission He has given you - Do not be afraid. 

Our choices have results and consequences. If we understand why we are making our choices it might help us predict the outcome. Do we make choices "so that I" or do we make choices "so that you?" Only one leads to life. Which one are you choosing?

We are so ready to get on to the next thing. The next job. The next relationship. The next step God has for us. But we have to learn how to do “now” well in order to get to “next.” Sometimes the best way to set yourself up for success is to spend a little more time purposefully waiting in a less than ideal situation.

What are you waiting for? Camp before crossing. The promise land awaits.

Christ our Coming King. How Do We Respond to Royalty?

Who is Jesus to you? Is He your savior? Your friend? Your great counselor? How about your King? This King of kings is returning. How do you respond to royalty?    

-A Message from Denny Foreman

Rules don’t have the power to produce a great life. Only God has that power. He wants to produce an abundant life in and through you. This looks like love, joy, peace and 6 other characteristics called the fruit of the spirit. What would you do to get a little more love, joy, and peace in your life?

Freedom is better than rules. Jesus sets you free from rules to live the life you’ve always wanted. Stop worrying about rules and starting living!

Life not seeming to go your way? Can’t seem to live up to the expectations you put on yourself let alone the expectations others have for you? That’s ok. … no, really, it really is ok. Stop trying to make life go your way and instead trust in the one that made life. It might seem counterintuitive but give it shot. I think you’ll find something that will change your life.

Do you have a great job? A great family? A successful life and career? Is it sometimes hard to listen to what God is trying to tell you? I think it’s really hard sometimes. Most times. God’s heart is huge towards the rule keeper and invites you to experience a truly satisfying life. Stop trying to achieve everything and receive an identity directly from the one who made you.

Do rules help you live a better life or do they frustrate you? Whether you like to keep the rules or not, every new rule is an additional burden to navigate. There has to be something better.

Words are powerful. Shape your world with the power of your words. May God change our hearts so that what comes out of our mouths brings life, brings healing, and brings encouragement. Find purpose.

How do you share Jesus? In my Connection Conversation with Tony Holloman we talk about what it means to share your faith in Jesus, what faith in Jesus means to Tony and his family, why the world needs Jesus, and some different methods or opportunities to share the good news.

How are you doing? When we are honest about the answer it opens us up to be truly loved and cared for. God meets us in times of need and rescues us. God wants to use you to show up in the lives of others and love and care. You never know what someone is going through and we all need someone. Will that someone be you?