Calvary Fellowship - West Hartford

Do you know how many yellow cars there are on the road? It's not what jumps out as a popular car color, but there are more of them than you might think. The key is that you have to be on the lookout for them. Likewise, God is guiding and directing our path and shows up in big and small ways in our lives. Again, we need to be on the lookout for it. Today as we go to Esther Chapter 6, we are going to see this in a number of examples. Although God is not specifically mentioned at all in the Book of Esther, it's obvious that He is there. Also, we are going to see that we need to be people who look out of the window and not gaze in the mirror; our lives are made whole when we put the needs of others above our own. The contrast in how Mordecai and Haman live clearly illustrates this.

Pastor Josh teaches from the story of Esther, showing how true purpose grows out of dependence on God rather than self-reliance. Through Esther's fasting, discernment, and courageous obedience, he highlights how God forms strength and wisdom in moments of surrender. Contrasting Esther's dependence with Haman's pursuit of wealth, legacy, and status, the message calls believers to examine what they rely on most.

Following Jesus means risking the palace. In this message, Pastor Josh explores the story of Esther and reminds us that calling is rarely safe, fast, or glamorous—but it is always worth it. Discover how God uses ordinary people who are willing to step out of comfort and into faithful obedience.

Is there something in your life that seems to big to overcome? Chip teaches through 1 Samuel 17 and shares how we can move from a spirit of fear to overcoming our Giants.

In this message, Pastor Josh walks through Esther 3 and shows how purpose often becomes clearest when obedience starts costing something. As Haman's hatred turns into a devastating decree, we see the danger of pride, misplaced trust, and becoming numb to evil. But even in the darkest moments, God's providence is at work—calling His people to endure, stand firm in truth, and live with bold purpose.

We live in a world that constantly invites us to bow—to pressure, power, comfort, or approval—promising purpose if we comply. In the story of Esther, we see that real purpose isn't found in outcomes, recognition, or position, but in faithful obedience to God in the moment we're in. This message explores what it looks like to live with conviction under pressure and why following God's direction matters more than chasing a destination. Discover how refusing to trade purpose for convenience can shape a life of deep, lasting faith.

What if your greatest God-given purpose isn't found in a big, defining moment — but in the quiet, ordinary Tuesdays of life? In this message from Esther 2, Pastor Josh shows how God's providence is still at work even when His name isn't visible, and how the lives of Mordecai and Esther illustrate that purpose is formed through daily faithfulness and preparation. Rather than chasing significance or waiting for a breakthrough, we're called to submit to God where we already are and train as disciples for the good works He's placed in front of us.

What's your purpose in life? This is a big question and something we're going to consider over the next few weeks. We are kicking off a new series on the Book of Esther in the Bible. In this first part we're going to see a King who thinks his purpose is to show off his power, his wealth, and his wife. He holds big parties and is surrounded with people who enable and influence him and none of them have any respect for women. Not surprisingly, his wife has other thoughts. All of this is going to clash, and we're going to learn from the King's mistakes. We will see that God builds us and prepares us for our purpose and that God has an intentional plan for each and every one of us.

When we think of advent, our mind probably turns to the lead up to Christmas and the coming of Jesus, but this is not the only advent; Jesus will return. In this message, we look at this second-coming by focusing on Revelation Chapter 21. We will see that for those of us who have accepted Jesus in our hearts and walk with Him – in between His first advent and His second advent – we're experiencing all of the things that God has for us. We will see some practical things we can do in 2026 that will allow us to live the life that God wants us to live and we will see how this can fill us with a new sense of wonder and awe for all He does in our lives.

Pastor Josh explores Matthew 2 and asks the question: Who wears the crown? Discover what it means to follow Jesus as King, not just Savior, and how surrendering control leads to true joy.

We all want Jesus to fix our circumstances, but He came to heal our hearts. In John 5, Jesus asks the question that cuts through excuses: "Do you want to get well?" This message invites us to stop settling for relief and step into the freedom of deliverance. If a miracle brought you close, let Jesus be the reason you stay.

Pastor Josh unpacks the explosive claim at the center of Christmas: Jesus is God. This message dives into Scripture, tackles common objections, and shows why the identity of the baby in Bethlehem changes everything. Whether you're exploring faith or wanting to grow deeper, this teaching will challenge and encourage you. Discover why Christmas is the scandalous story of God stepping into our world.

At the end of his life, Joshua has some words of wisdom for the Israelites, now that they are in the Promised Land. We see this in the last two chapters of the Book of Joshua. He tells them that while the big things are done, there is still work to do and that they need to stick to their values and objectives. The same is true for us today – we live in the "now" and the "not yet." We have been redeemed through Jesus, but we need to stand firm in the faith, and continue to take ground for the Kingdom. We need to live a promised life.

In this message, Pastor Josh unpacks the story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13 and challenges us to stop measuring God's promises and start stepping into them. When fear rises and obstacles look like giants, God calls us to steward the moment with faith, courage, and anticipation. This is our moment—let's move when God speaks.

Pastor Josh shares "The Long Road," a message about how God often leads us the long way for our good and His glory, drawing from Jeremiah 20:9 and Exodus 13–14. Through Israel's Red Sea moment and Miriam's song, he shows how remembering the "dry ground" builds gratitude and courage in hard seasons. Josh also tells part of 180 Life Church's own long road and points us to Jesus—the ultimate rescue we remember at the Table. Be encouraged to be still in trust and move forward in obedience.  

Pastor Josh reminds us that God's boundaries aren't meant to restrict us but to protect us. From Genesis 1:27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we see that every person is made in God's image and called to live within His loving design. Whether it's sexuality or any other sin listed in Scripture, these boundaries flow from His love, not control—because real love always has boundaries.

In this message, Pastor Josh unpacks what it truly means to be made in the Imago Dei—the image of God. Every human life, regardless of level of development, location, dependency, or ability, carries sacred worth and divine purpose. Drawing from Genesis 1:26–27 and Jeremiah 1:5, we're reminded that our value isn't assigned by culture but given by our Creator. We may have been made from the dust, but we were made in His image.

Micah 6:8 "what does the Lord require you, O man, but to "Do Justice, Love Mercy, and walk humbly before your God" We are called to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly - but we need to understand what that looks like from a biblical perspective to walk it out well. Often times we are afraid to be vulnerable with others and ask questions, or we punish others for their vulnerability. We need to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus to a world that is divided and hurting.

As we continue our “Truth in Tension” series this Sunday, we are going to be looking at how and why Jesus says there is only one way for us to have eternal life. While this sounds like the Gospel is exclusive, which it is, the Gospel message is also inclusive – anyone can be saved; they just need to put their faith and trust in Jesus.

Pastor Josh kicks off our "Truth in Tension" series with a message entitled "Too Hard A Truth."

Have you ever had a “God, where are you” moment? You're doing the best you can, you're trying your best but things are just not working out. You're facing challenges in life, be it financial, relational, health-related, your job, or something else and just can't see how you'll get through it. Well today we're going to see that God is closer than we think. We're going to look at the Israelites as they leave captivity in Egypt and head to the Promised Land. God guided and protected them, and will do the same for us.

We were made for community.  Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks our design for relationship and how that can play out within the church body. 

We all long for intimacy with God, but too often we can feel like strangers in His house. In this message, Pastor Josh unpacks why that tension exists and how Scripture points us toward true fellowship with Him. Join us as we take an honest look at desire, shame, and the steps that move us closer to God's design.

Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks what it means to burn the ships—leaving sin, comfort, and compromise behind to follow Jesus with abandon. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus with everything you have.

Before we talk about being all in for Jesus, we need to see why we're called to live that way. Join Pastor Josh as he shows how God was all in on us first!

In Ruth 4, we see how God makes outsiders insiders through His redeeming love. Pastor Josh shares how this ancient story points to Jesus and what it means for us today. Discover hope, belonging, and the God who calls us home.

Deep down, we all like a good love story. As we continue our walk through the Book of Ruth, we see the blossoming love between Ruth and Boaz. It alludes to a greater love story – that between God and us. In Chapter 3 and see how Boaz looks after Ruth and is extraordinarily generous, just as God looks after us and gave His all for us to be made right with Him.

Join us for church this Sunday as we continue in our series through the book of Ruth and explore Chapter 2.

Ruth 1 isn't just the start of a love story—it's the beginning of redemption. In this message, Pastor Josh walks through a chapter marked by loss, return, and quiet hope. From famine in Bethlehem to a bold vow in Moab, we see how God begins to restore what was broken. Even in bitterness, He is at work. And sometimes, coming back empty is exactly how the healing begins… as we return to the Garden.

You don't have to be the best—just His. Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks the powerful story of Acts 16, where chains break, hearts change, and God uses broken people to build something beautiful. From prison cells to dinner tables, this message will challenge how you see suffering, purpose, and your place in God's story. You're not disqualified—you're called.

We like to make things more difficult than it should be, but we can't afford to do that with the Gospel.  Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks the Jerusalem Counsel in Acts 15 and its implications for us today!

What do you think of when you think about God? It turns out that what we think about God, and what we think about what God thinks of us actually matter; it determines the way we live this life and how we treat other people. It's tough to get life right when we've got the wrong view of God. As we look at Acts 14, we are going to see this in action. In the town of Lystra we going to see a lame man healed, the people treat Paul and Barnabas as gods, and how the two of them try to set the crowd straight. Paul and Barnabas will also face other opposition, but in the end the Gospel message is spread far and wide and the one true God is honored and glorified.

Pastor Bryan Bywater Preaches through Acts 13

Ben shares a great message about what it looks like to live sent!

In this message Founding Pastor, Bill LaMorey, discusses how and why we should talk to God during impossible situations, lean in to perceive what God is doing, and tell others about the miraculous work of God we have experienced.

Join us as Pastor Josh shares God's movement as seen through Acts 11.  The gentiles now have access to Holy Spirit but bridges still need built!

Pastor Josh continues in our "The Movement" series from our future church home!

Join us as we dive back into our Acts Series Part II! Spoiler: Jesus changes everything! Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks what an encounter with Jesus does for those that believe. 

Do you get stuck in the paralysis of analysis when it comes to making decisions? Do you think “should I do this” or “should I do that?” Do you think it would be nice if you just knew intuitively what to do? In this message, we address this very topic by looking at the life of Abraham. We find that Abraham was fully available to God and was willing to do whatever God asked of him; he said “Here I am.” This is exemplified by him offering his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. We will see that our greatest ability is our availability and that obedience draws us towards God. When we open our hands and say to God “here I am” – we find that our decision-making is simplified and we can rest in the knowledge that we are following God's will for our lives.

The conflict isn't always over when it ends. Resentment lingers—and it holds us captive. Join Pastor Josh as he unpacks what true freedom looks like in the aftermath.

The key to winning every conflict you're ever in is doing your part well. That means owning your side of the road, seeking unity—not victory—and walking out love with intentionality. Join us as Pastor Josh leads us through Week Three of this series and teaches us how to fight with purpose and faith.

Our words have can have consequences! Pastor Josh talks us through what the bible has to say when it comes to how we use those words.

Pastor Josh kicks off our new series "How to Fight." Want to know how to win any fight? Have a listen!

There are a lot of broken gospels out there, but the gospel of do tends to be the most appealing.  We love to believe that we can "do it" or "earn it" but that's not how the true Gospel works. Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks how what Jesus did puts on full display that...IT...IS...DONE. 

It's easy to follow a broken gospel; one that is different than Jesus taught.  Join us as Pastor Josh unpacks the true Gospel and how we can address drift. 

As disciples, we are each called to be disciple-makers.  But what does that mean? Join us as Pastor Josh and a group of disciple-makers equip you in this call!

No matter your age, God can you use you in BIG ways! Join us as Pastor Josh tells the story of Josiah; a boy who became king and changed a nation. 

What is the target of worship and how can we turn worship into obedience?  What does it look like to do everything as unto the Lord? 

A disciple is someone who is committed to Jesus' mission of making disciples of all nations.  Join us as we observe how Jesus intentionally discipled to better equip us to do the same. 

You were never meant to just be a Christian. You were meant to be a disciple changed in the likeness and image of Christ. You are meant to LIVE TRANSFORMED. Join us this morning as Crystal Hall continues in our "Follow Me: The Call of Being a Disciple" series. 

What does is look like to be a disciple of Jesus? Join us as we engage in a new series where we unpack exactly that!