The first three chapters of Ephesians soar with praise, prayer, and gratitude—all in response to “God’s glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6). A prisoner in chains at the time, Paul cannot think about Christ and what Christ is doing without overflowing with thankfulness. And herein lies the invitation for us: no matter our immediate circumstances, the glory and grace of God give us reasons to be grateful, and such gratitude lightens our burdens, connects us more deeply to Christ, and transforms how we relate to the world around us. As we dig into these rich chapters of Scripture, may God turn the hard parts of our hearts into springs of praise for his glorious grace.
Becoming Like the Real Jesus, Together
“Without vision people perish,” says the Proverb (Proverbs 29:18). When a school or business creates a vision statement, it expresses both who they are and where they want to go. A church’s vision must arise from who God says we are and where God says we must go.
God’s vision for us involves transformation, “being conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29)—with everything that entails (from character to family life to vocation). And God calls us into this adventure of transformation together, “though many,” as “one body in Christ” (Romans 12:5).
We might say, then, that God’s vision for TFCA is never less than this: becoming more like the real Jesus, together.
The real Jesus, because we are not conformed to the image of a cultural Jesus or Jesus of our imagination, but to the image of God’s Son: tough and tender, exalted and lowly, holy in God’s eyes though foolish in man’s.
Together, because Jesus is never alone. The real Jesus exists eternally in the fellowship of the Trinity, and builds his kingdom today through his new community, the church.
Sunday, September 1, 2024: Becoming the body of christ, together
Sunday, September 8, 2024: Becoming Like Jesus the Son, TOGETHER
Sunday, September 15, 2024: Becoming Like Jesus the Servant, Together
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024: BECOMING LIKE JESUS THE HOLY ONE, TOGETHER
Sunday, September 29, 2024: Becoming Like Jesus the Heavenly Man, Together
Sunday, October 20, 2024: Together, Becoming Like the Real Jesus
Scripture Set to Worship
As evangelical Anglicans, the liturgy gives reverence, form, and focus to our times of gathered worship. The Book of Common Prayer, first composed by Thomas Cranmer in the 16th century, connects us to the worship and prayer of the earliest Christians, the teachings of the apostles, and Gospel-centered theology of the Reformation.
These liturgies offer tried and tested ways to consecrate our souls and our schedules to the Lord so that we might be conformed to his image by the Spirit working through the Word. Most of what we experience in Anglican liturgy is nothing less than the Bible sung, prayed, read, and preached. In this six-week summer sermon series, we’ll explore several of the key prayers (called the canticles) from the Morning and Evening services of the Book of Common Prayer. Together, we’ll explore how Anglican worship is not only beautifully arranged, it is also biblically saturated—it is Scripture set to worship.
July 21, 2024
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
The Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
AUGUST 25, 2024
The Rev. Dr. Isaiah Brooms
Stewardship
As we take a closer look at generosity in this sermon series, we see five ways to give: expectantly, joyfully, dependently, deliberately, and for the Glory of God. What is unique to Christian giving, is that it aims not merely at temporal needs, but eternal realities and eternal rewards. It sows so that more people will be baptized, discipled, and brought into loving obedience to Jesus Christ. Love isn’t the only four-letter word marking our hearts. We are to be those who give. One of the ways we express our love is when we give.
June 30, 2024
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
Sunday, July 7, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2024
The Sermon on the Plain
The Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49) is similar to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:27) in revealing what Christian belief looks like in Christian practice. Here is goodness made attractive, a lifestyle so countercultural it is as irresistible as challenging: “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27), “Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful” (6:36), “take the log out of your own eye before you see the speak in your brother’s eye” (6:42).
Over the next several weeks we will sit as Jesus’ feet to hear him preach this sermon afresh, asking Him to fashion us into citizens of His Kingdom so that the quality of our lives may make the Gospel message only more compelling.
May 12, 2024 | The Blessed Life: Part 1
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
May 19, 2024 | The Blessed Life: Part 2
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
May 26, 2024 | Love Your Enemies
the Rev. Isaiah Brooms
June 9, 2024 | When Mercy Seasons Justice
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
June 16, 2024 | From Thorns in the Crown to Branches on the Vine
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
June 23, 2024 | The Stability of Obedience
the Rev. Dr. Michael Weeks
God's Response to Abuse
We recently received the Investigation Report, which is posted on our website. We are grieved by its findings. We will need some time to process the report and to invite the Lord to help us heal.
To that end, Sam’s sermon series will be focused on a Biblical response to abuse. Sam will be careful with his language, but this sermon series will deal with the sensitive topic of abuse.
April 28, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
April 21, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
He Who Wrestles with God: A Study of the Life of Jacob
In our sermon series this winter we study the life of Jacob found in Genesis 25-35. Known as the man who wrestled with God (Gen 32:22-32), his life is marked by striving and struggling. Born grasping his brother’s heel, he lies, cheats and steals to get what he wants. Less a model of virtue, Jacob first appears a tangled mess of passions and immaturity.
There are so many lessons to be learned from this complex man of God:
God’s promises—from the salvation of the world to the hope of a family—depend, ultimately, not on our performance but his power.
God is working in our lives at the very moments when he seems most absent.
Though sin is not without consequence, God not only forgives, but can bring good out of our failings.
God can reconcile people who formerly cheated and hated each other.
When we are emptied of ourselves and our resources—like Jacob, alone at night by the ford of the Jabbok (Gen 32:22-24)—then the battle is won and the Lord has gained his victory over our lives.
March 17, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
March 10, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
March 3, 2024
The Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
February 25, 2024
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
February 18, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
february 11, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
february 4, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
January 28, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Disciplines of Disciples
As we did in January 2023, we begin this new year by focusing on some Disciplines of Disciples – biblically-based, spiritually formative practices of the Christian faith. Last year, we focused on confessing, delighting, and waiting. (These sermons can be found below, along with this year’s sermons.)
This year, as we round the corner on our Philippians series, we’ll focus on three overarching spiritual disciplines that Paul calls us to in his letter—prayer (Jan 7th), scripture (Jan 14th), and service (Jan 21st). Join us as we begin the New Year by heeding Paul’s Spirit-inspired exhortation to “practice these things” (Phil. 4:9) with the promise that, if we do, we will experience “the peace of God that surpasses understanding” (Phil. 4:7).
january 21, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Michael Weeks
january 14, 2024
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
January 7, 2024
the Rev. John Frederick
January 22, 2023
the Rev. John Frederick
January 15, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
January 8, 2023
the Rev. John Frederick
Philippians
Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is known as one of Paul’s “prison letters,” but, in reality, its themes are freedom, joy, communion, and completion in Christ. Writing from a Roman prison sometime around the year 60 AD, Paul writes some truly paradoxical things.
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Phil. 1:12).
“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
The fact that a Gospel advance and personal joy can come within the circumstances of captivity is counterintuitive. Being locked up, locked out, or otherwise constrained by the people or by the circumstances of life is rarely something we link to gospel progress, fearlessness, growth, and contentment. And yet, Paul tells us that many have become “confident in the Lord” because of his imprisonment, and they are speaking the gospel “much more boldly” and, indeed, even “fearlessly” (Phil 1:14).
How is it that the gospel can go forward and bear much fruit even in a dire context? How is it that we can find inner joy and contentment when external circumstances are so bleak? Let’s find out this fall as we study the book of Philippians together.
Sunday, December 31, 2023
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
sunday, december 24, 2023
sunday, December 10, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, December 3, 2023
the Rev. Dr. John Frederick
Sunday, November 26, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Michael Weeks
Sunday, November 19, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, November 12, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, November 5, 2023
the Rev. John Frederick
Sent: Ambassadors for Christ on Mission for God
Atheist philosopher Frederick Nietzsche was right, “If you know your why, you can handle almost any how.” But if we’re blips between the Big Bang and sun’s burnout, it’s hard to see real purpose beneath our strivings. In the end, life’s meaningless. So live your best life now. Do you. Atheism cannot give us a why.
Jesus, however, can. At the close of his earthly ministry, he tells his followers, “As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). To be a Christian, then, is to be sent—by Jesus into God’s Mission in this world. Nothing’s accidental. No person’s unintended. No life’s meaningless.
In our sermon series, Sent: Ambassadors of Christ on Mission for God, we’ll discover our why by learning what Jesus sends us to do. He has specific tasks for us—as individuals and as a church—, tasks involving profound new realities: New Life, a New People, and a New Kingdom.
New Life: John 3:1-18
Jesus taught that people must be “born again” (Jn 3:3), therefore our mission involves offering life.
Missional Method: Evangelism
New People: John 15:1-17
Jesus taught that people will see him when they see us (Jn 13:35), therefore our mission involves a quality of life that points to Jesus.
Missional Method: Holiness
New Kingdom: John 18:33-38
Jesus said he came as a king, but his kingdom is not of this world (Jn 18:33-37), therefore in our callings and vocations we’re ambassadors for God’s kingdom, more so than for the kingdoms of this world.
Missional Method: Kingdom Presence
sunday, October 29, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, October 15, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Pillars
On Sunday, September 3, we began a new sermon series entitled “Pillars.” We pray and work that our Church be marked by four features and qualities. These are pillars that, when happening together, help us live into the calling to be a biblical and God-honoring local church.
Worship: we glorify God. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (Psalm 96:8). The final end of all we do, in word or deed, is to bring honor and praise to God.
Community: we gather in the name of Christ. “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:5). The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone, but in joyful and committed fellowship with other believers.
Discipleship: we grow more like Christ. “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). The Christian life is not stagnant, but a process of transformation, as the Spirit and the community of believers help us become more like Jesus.
Mission: we go for Christ. “As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). Christ sends us into the world to continue God’s mission, centering upon making Jesus known as the life of the world, the bread of life, the living water, to a world longing for true satisfaction.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
SundAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, September 3, 2023
the Rev. Dr. Sam Ferguson
Built for Greater Glory: A Sermon Series on the Book of Haggai
On July 30th, we turn to the book of Haggai - in the busyness of day to day life, it is tempting to prioritize the temporal over the eternal. We often think, “I need to get my own house in order, and then everything else will fall into place.” This view was as alive in the fifth century BC as it is today. In 536 BC, two years after God’s people had returned from exile, social and political pressures caused them to pause work on the reconstruction of the temple, leaving it unfinished for sixteen years; a mere foundation collecting dust as God’s people tried to satisfy themselves with the things of the dust, rather than the things of God.
Indeed, the people were continually saying “the time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built” (Hag. 1:2). Into this situation, the LORD addressed his people through his prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Hag. 1:4). God’s people put God’s house on hiatus while they tried to get their own houses in order; but God had different plans. “Build the house” (1:8), declared the LORD, and “I will fill this house with glory” (Hag. 2:7).
In this five-week sermon series we will explore the essential elements of Haggai’s prophecy from the LORD, that although it may often look unimpressive and surely be filled with imperfect people, nevertheless “the glory of the present house”—the Church—will be “greater than the glory of the former house” (Hag. 2:9).
Sunday, July 30, 2023 the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. John Frederick
Sunday, August 6, 2023 The Rev. Steve Cannizzaro
the Rev. Steve Cannizzaro
Sunday, August 13, 2023 Brian Gurney
Brian Gurney
Sunday, August 20, 2023 the Rev. John Frederick
the Rev. John Frederick
Graedon Zorzi
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2023 GRAEDON ZORZI
Faith that Makes a Difference: A Study in James
New Sermon Series
On Sunday, May 7, we turned to the book of James - a summons to Christian wholeness, a call to be not only hearers but doers of the Word. As such, it’s very practical, urging Christians to produce good fruit that ought to grow from a healthy tree: steadfastness, care for the disadvantaged, a bridled tongue, wise actions in the face of life’s complexities, persevering prayer.
The Challenge of James
For a Christian—or the curious—James tells us that true living is never an overly-spiritual escape. It’s about dealing with life with our whole selves—head, heart, and hands. However—and this is James’s driving point—when you follow Jesus, you deal with life differently. Studying this book together this May, June, and July will challenge us to examine how we deal with life and the nature of true biblical faith.
Sunday, May 7, 2023
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, May 14, 2023
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, May 28, 2023
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, JUNE 11, 2023
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, June 18, 2023
the Rev. Isaiah Brooms
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2023
the Rev. Dr. James Ferguson
Sunday, July 2, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, July 9, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, July 16, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Ash Wednesday and Holy Week
Sunday, April 16, 2023
the Rev. John Frederick
Sunday, April 9, 2023: EASTER SUNDAY
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
fRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2023: GOOD FRIDAY tenebrae
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
tHURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023: MAUNDY THURSDAY
Maundy Thursday Service
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023: PALM SUNDAY
The Rev. John Frederick
Ash Wednesday
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Disciplines of Disciples
October 1
the Rev. John Frederick
February 19
the Rev. John Frederick
January 22
the Rev. John Frederick
January 15
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
January 8
the Rev. John Frederick
The Life of Abraham: Genesis 12-22
The LIfe of Abraham
On Sunday, January 29th, we return to the book of Genesis for our new sermon series, The Life of Abraham: Genesis 12-22. Last winter we considered our beginnings in Genesis 1-11, finding that though life originates in glory, things descend swiftly into sin and chaos. This winter we turn to God’s mission to reclaim his corrupted creation. It’s a project that takes form through the family of a man from Mesopotamia, Abraham.
Themes of calling, mission, and faith emerge in Abraham’s life and become the fabric of the rest of Scripture. In Abraham’s calling, we can hear God’s call to us. By Abraham’s example, we meet the way of faith. Most importantly, through Abraham we are pointed to Jesus. Abraham’s seed, through whom God’s blessings pour forth to all the world, is Jesus Christ (Gal 3:16; Rom 4:17). Therefore, through Abraham God begins applying the balm of salvation to a wicked and weary world: by faith, not perfection, we can be reconciled to God.
Calling, mission, faith—and promises that come true only in Jesus— these are the themes of Abraham’s life. And they must become the fabric of ours.
SERMON NOTES FOR SMALL GROUPS
January 29, 2023: Abraham and The Call of God
February 5, 2023: Abraham and The Mission of God
February 12, 2023: Abraham and The Steps of Faith
February 26, 2023: Abraham and The Reassurance of Faith
March 5, 2023: A Good and Hard Covenant
March 12, 2023: The Cost of Compromise
March 19, 2023: God Gets the Last Laugh
March 26, 2023: God Tests Abraham to Prove He Provides
LENT BREAK
February 19, 2023: Giving Up Ourselves for Lent
Series Sermons
Sunday, March 26, 2023
The Rev. Sam Ferguson
March 19, 2023
the Rev. John Frederick
March 12, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
MARCH 5, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
FEBRUARY 26, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
FEBRUARY 12, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
FEBRUARY 5, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
January 29, 2023
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
The Servant King & The King's Servants: A Study in Mark 1 -10
Sermon Series Guidebook
At a deep level the Gospel of Mark is all about seeing—seeing who we are, seeing who Jesus is, seeing what God’s kingdom is really like. This persistent theme of seeing but not perceiving highlights a daunting fact about our human condition: spiritual blindness.
To the spiritually blind, Mark seems to be suggesting the following posture to his readers, which I commend to you:
First, learn from Blind Bartimaeus. To Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you,” he replies, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight” (10:51). Not insignificantly, this is the last miracle Jesus performs in Mark. It screams to the reader, “Pray that you too may recover your sight!”
Second, note well the theme of childlikeness in the middle of Mark: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (10:15; 9:36-37; 42; 10:13-16). With the wide and innocent eyes of a child, look to Jesus with humility.
Finally, there is the crucial lesson from the centurion at the cross. “Seeing that in this way Jesus breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (15:39). Other than the opening line of Mark, this is the only time a human uses this divine title for Jesus. It’s no accident. You cannot truly see Jesus unless you are looking at him from the foot of the cross. The Cross of Christ brings all things into proper focus.
As you read the following passages from Mark’s Gospel and follow along in this series, do so from beneath the cross. Lay your expectations, assumptions and ambitions at the Lord’s feet. Humbly acknowledge that you need a Savior whose way is different and deeper than your own—a King whose rule over your life begins with service, even laying down his life for yours (10:45).
We hope you’ll use the guide alongside a friend, with your family, or in your small group, to grow as a disciple of Jesus this fall—or perhaps to answer His call for the first time!
Sunday, December 11, 2022: The King’s Servant-Leaders
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022: THE KING’S INVITATION
the Rev. Steve Cannizzaro
Sunday, November 27, 2022: The King’s Transfiguration
the Rev. John Frederick
Sunday, November 20, 2022: The King’s People’s Pain
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, November 13, 2022: The King’s Pain
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022: THE KING’S LAW
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, October 30, 2022: The King’s chosen People
the Rev. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022: THE KING’S PROVISION
the Rev. John Frederick
Sunday, October 16, 2022: The King’s Opposition
Rev. Isaiah Brooms
Sunday, October 9, 2022: The King’s Parables
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, September 18, 2022: The King’s Preparation
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, September 25, 2022: The King’s Proclamation
Rev. Sam Ferguson
Sunday, October 2, 2022: The King’s Power
Rev. Sam Ferguson
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2022: THE KING’S PARABLES
Rev. Sam Ferguson
2 Peter
Sunday, July 31, 2022: John Frederick on Removing Fragments of the Former Heart of Stone
John Frederick
Sunday, August 7, 2022: John Frederick on Hearts that Follow the Word in a World that Tells the Heart to Follow Itself
John Frederick
Sunday, August 14, 2022: Isaiah Brooms on No Reconciliation Without a Reckoning
Isaiah Brooms
Sunday, August 21, 2022: Graedon Zorzi on Which Freedom?
Graedon Zorzi
Sunday, August 28, 2022: John frederick on the end of the world as we know it
John Frederick
Holy Week 2022
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
In The Beginning: A Study on Genesis 1-11
Sermon Series Guidebook
From the grandeur of our creation to the tragedy of our fall, Genesis 1-11 reveals our beginnings for the sake of explaining our present—who we are, why we exist, why life is the way it is—, not merely to satisfy curiosity, but to awaken us to the voice of our Maker, who from time immemorial calls us His own. The events of the garden, Cain’s slaying of Abel, the flood, and Babel’s tower, are true in the deepest sense. They not only happened, but are patterns that reply every day and in every heart; God’s people take rather than trust, turn inward rather than upward. Mercifully, these early chapters of the Bible also introduce us to the antidote to our sin, which is the grace of God. As he relied on God for his beginning, so too does man rely on God for his redeeming—Genesis 1-11, therefore, ultimately points us to the Last Adam, Jesus Christ.
We’ve designed a guidebook to help us go deeper during the series. It follows the sermon each week and includes questions, guides for prayer, ways to respond, and resources to go deeper. Hardcopies of the guidebook will be available at all of our services beginning on Sunday, 1/30, so be sure to pick one up while supplies last.
We hope you’ll use the guide alongside a friend, with your family, or in your small group, to grow as a disciple of Jesus this fall—or perhaps to answer His call for the first time!
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 11:1-9
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 6:1-8:22
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 4:8-16
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 4:1-7
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 3:8-24
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:25-3:8
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:1-3, 7-9
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Genesis 2:18-25
The Rev. Sam Fegurson | Genesis 1:26-28; 2:4-17
The Rev. Sam Ferguson | Gen 1:1-31