Common Ground Christian Church Midtown

The more connected we are as a church family, the more obvious and powerful the body of Christ becomes. The Enemy wants to divide us and isolate us in order to disempower our witness... and it’s working.The Church is where God is beginning to make all things new: To dwell on earth, making us holy and showing His goodness with all nations. We need one another in our pursuit of Christ-likeness.Key verse: 1Peter 2:5==Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

In our day, it is possible to call ourselves Christian without having to become like Jesus. Though it may be difficult, we can and must resist going back to our old ways of life--not just for our own sake, but for the sake of the world.Lead pastor Jeff Krajewski explores what it looks like to look different from the empire, and where our hope comes from.Key text: 1Peter 1:14-16==Sign up for our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

In the second message in our summer series, Hope Rising, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski wrestles with the idea that following in the way of Jesus is a way that brings on sacrifice. While we may work to avoid pain, we can rejoice the suffering we experience is forming us in the likeness of Jesus.=Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

As God’s people, like Peter’s readers, we are recipients of a new identity, scattered into a pagan society, and called to live in new ways as evidence of a world being made new.We are always tempted to accommodate to the dominant story of the culture or reject the true story out of fear. Hoping in what we can see is no hope at all.In the first message in our summer series, Hope Rising, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski digs in to what it means to be filled with Christian hope — and how Peter’s letter is as powerful and important to us today as it was for the early church two millennia ago.

In this final installment of our Knowing Jesus in a New Way, pastor of formission Jim Matthies reflects on Pentecost, the apostle Peter, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.=Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

Graduation Sunday looks a lot different this year. As does Pentecost. In the first of two Pentecost messages, Midtown's associate pastor for youth and family ministry Jeff Reichanadter reflects on the overlap of these milestones on our calendar.==Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

In this week's message, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski reflects on the Great Commissioning — Jesus' instructions to the Disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 — and how we're responding to the question, "Are you a fan of Jesus... or a follower?"=Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtown

The story of the Disciples meeting the resurrected Jesus at the Sea of Galilee was a moment of revelation for Jesus' followers. Are you in a place to have an "Aha!" moment?

In this week's sermon, associate pastor Jeff Reichanadter reflects on the story of Thomas meeting Jesus again for the first time after the resurrection — and what does it mean to say "Even if" instead of "What if"?

In the second installment of our spring series called Knowing Jesus in a New Way, pastor of formission Jim Matthies explores the story of what happened to the two men on the Road to Emmaus. And what The Stranger’s message had to say about the two men’s anticipatory grief.

Happy Easter! Lead pastor Jeff Krajewski shares why Easter is about more than just one day, and takes a look ahead at our new sermon series with a question for all of us:What is it that we’re clinging to right now?=Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: cground.org/midtown-newsFind more of our sermons: cground.org/midtown-sermonsVisit us on Facebook: facebook.com/cgccmidtownFollow us on Instagram: @cgmidtownWatch more on Vimeo: vimeo.com/cground

He is risen! He is risen indeed!Easter Sunday is, according to theologian NT Wright, either the most senseless waste and misunderstanding the world has ever seen, or it is the fulcrum around which history turns.So if we believe it’s the latter… What does that mean for us, today, nearly 2,000 years later?Lead pastor Jeff Krajewski reflects on how the the Disciples must have felt on that first Easter Sunday, and what the story of Jesus’ resurrection holds for His followers in 2020.

The ancients' practice of Selection Sunday — the day the sacrificial lamb was chosen for Passover — has become our Palm Sunday: The day Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time.Lead pastor Jeff Krajewski explores what this means for us, and why a colt and some palm branches became part of a story that changed the world.Mark your calendar now for our special Good Friday virtual service (6:30pm) and our upcoming Easter Sunday celebration service! Details for both will be in this week's Midtown Connect emails.

This week lead pastor Jeff Krajewski dives into Lament in our newfound reality of social distancing and separation. Gather up, listen in, and make some room to reflect.Find more Lenten resources and Covid-19 response information at cground.org/midtown.

Our guest for this Sunday's virtual sermon will be Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, the academic dean and dean of faculty at Christian Theological Seminary. She had been scheduled to preach on Lamentations 4 this week and has graciously agreed to join for a conversation on race and ethnicity, and where faith (and the church) meets inequality.

We missed seeing everyone in person this Sunday, and encourage you to take some time to watch our very special virtual sermon with lead pastor Jeff Krajewski and Dr. Michael Twyman.Dr. Twyman is one of the voices helping to guide us on our journey to becoming a people of reconciliation, and has a keen and unique insight into the causes of and the existing tensions between cultures. Don't miss out on the conversation!Remember, CG Midtown's offices will be closed until at least Friday, March 20.Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter at cground.org/midtown-news to stay up-to-date on other changes or closures, and follow our friends at the Martin Luther King Community Center to find ways to serve our neighbors during these uncertain times.=Find more Lent resources at cground.org/midtown-lent

The Narrator of Lamentations says they are weeping until the tears stop. In the second of our series in Lament, pastoral intern Hazel Owens explores justice and suffering in Lamentations 2.Find more Lent resources at cground.org/midtown-lent.Event information at cground.org/midtown-events.

In the first sermon in our lenten series, Lament, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski lays out what’s happening in Jerusalem and Israel in the book of Lamentations — and why it’s our choice for Lent 2020.Find more Lent resources at cground.org/midtown-lent.Event information at cground.org/midtown-events.

In the final installment of our series on Christ-Centered Reconciliation, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski runs the thread through the seven messages so far — The Story, Creation, Rebellion, God’s Called People, Jesus, and God’s Sent People — and what it means for us moving forward in New Creation.Recap the entire series anytime at cground.org/midtown-sermons

Take a listen this week as we’re joined by very special guest, Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Murray, who shared about leading a congregation in our building at 46th and Illinois, and where he thinks a congregation of reconciliation has opportunities to serve its neighborhood.

We all have a picture in our mind of what faith looks like, and who God is to us. Are we a reflection of God's image... or have we made God in ours? This week, pastor of formission Jim Matthies helps to work out a framework and definition in God's Called People, the fourth installment in our series on Christ-Centered Reconciliation.

"Any story worth telling, any story worth remembering, has pieces of evil embedded into it." Listen to associate pastor for youth and families Jeff Reichanadter share about the rise, the vision... and the fall in the third week of our spring series called Christ-Centered Reconciliation.Series artwork provided by Johanna Dix.

Our world is broken and hurting. And the culture we see outside the church doors looks nothing like the picture painted for us in the Scripture… That can’t be what God had intended, right?In week two of our series called Christ-Centered Reconciliation, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski examines Genesis 1-2 looking for a better template to follow.Series artwork provided by Johanna Dix.

Catch a summary of the sermon that lead pastor Jeff Krajewski had planned preach on Sunday, January 12. Please take a moment to watch, and join us as we move forward with our series on Sunday, January 19.

It’s a new year, and that often provides a time to think ahead to all that is to come in the next 12 months. This year, our pastor of formission Jim Matthies challenges everyone — our congregation, our staff, and himself — to reflect on the impact and the nature of our words.Because words matter, and what we say is a reflection of what’s in our heart

In this final worship service in 2019, we wanted to take some time to rest, take inventory, and reflect on the year that was. Listen in on what God has been up to among the congregation and the Midtown spiritual body in the last year!

Advent is the season in the life of the church where we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas day. We reflect on this first coming of Christ as a reminder of God’s enduring love for us, the gift of life we’ve been offered, and that God is still at work in our world today.This week, we light the candle of Peace and encourage you to…• Remind someone that God is with them• Pray for someone troubled with anxiety with the verses from Philippians 4:6-7

Advent is the season in the life of the church where we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas day. We reflect on this first coming of Christ as a reminder of God’s enduring love for us, the gift of life we’ve been offered, and that God is still at work in our world today. This week, we light the candle of joy and encourage you to… • Stand with someone who is waiting and struggling with peace • Read “the rest of the story” in Revelation 21-22 Ask someone if you can help carry their burdens (Galatians 6:2)Find Midtown’s Advent resources at cground.org/midtown-advent

Advent is the season in the life of the church where we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas day. We reflect on this first coming of Christ as a reminder of God’s enduring love for us, the gift of life we’ve been offered, and that God is still at work in our world today.This week, we light the candle of faith and…• Be purposeful in learning and understanding stories of people different than you• Read Reconciling All Things by Emmanuel Katongole and Chris Rice

Advent is the season in the life of the church where we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas day. We reflect on this first coming of Christ as a reminder of God’s enduring love for us, the gift of life we’ve been offered, and that God is still at work in our world today.This week, we light the candle of hope and…• Ask the Holy Spirit how you could take a first step towards forgiveness and reconciliation with someone that came to mind• Pray for the people you need to forgive and reconcile with•Attend the Peacemaker Seminar at Common Ground on January 10-11=Find Advent resources — including a family guide and five-week devotional — at cground.org/midtown-advent

We’re a church on mission, and at CG Midtown that means stepping out in faith with a vision for God’s kingdom on Earth. Hear from Pastor of Formission Jim Matthies as we hear from church plants, Midtown Vision Partners, and community members about how our church and your involvement is making a difference in Indianapolis and around the world.

In Week 10 of our Kingdom Citizens series, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski reflects on Paul’s admonitions in the closing paragraphs of his letter to the church in Philippi.Key verse: Philippians 4:2-13

Philippians has reminded us that our calling as Christ followers is to live in the way of sacrificial love. If it’s true that the city of Philippi was a little slice of Rome-away-from-Rome then when people encounter us they should experience a little bit of Heaven among us.Our relationships are an example of that mandate:When we speak carefully and truthfully to one another.When we encourage and correct one another.When we listen and serve one another.When we esteem and honor one another.When we consider others before we consider ourselves.When we give and receive forgiveness and practice repentance and a longing for reconciliation in our community then we are building a Kingdom outpost.We start to resemble our homeland, a little slice of Heaven on Earth.Key verse: Philippians 3:15-4:1

If life and faith are a mall, where are you? Listen in as lead pastor Jeff Krajewski examines Paul’s metaphorical food court and gadget acquisition diversions in the eighth message in our Kingdom Citizens series.Key verse: Philippians 3:1-9

What’s the connection between your power and privilege and your salvation? Lead pastor Jeff Krajewski explores this question and more in this week’s sermon in our Kingdom Citizens series.Who are the people you work out your salvation with?What causes grumbling and complaining in your life?What do you need to change so you can be a “shining star in a crooked and depraved world”?Key verse: Philippians 2:12-30

This week lead pastor Jeff Krajewski leads us through Paul’s disposition to the Gospel and to three big questions:1. Are you clear about your power? Where it comes from? How did you receive it?2. What is your response when that power is threatened? Do you grasp or do you give?3. Do you have any anxieties connected to your power or privilege?Key verse: Philippians 2:5-11

In our fall series in Philippians, lead pastor Jeff Krajewski explores what Paul means when he talks about oneness in the first part of a message called, “That We May Be One”.Key verse: Philippians 2:1-11

We’re continuing in our study of Philippians with a look at Paul’s earnest desire for Christ — in life and death.Key verse: Philippians 1:19-30

Our fall series in the book of Philippians continues on with a look at Paul’s posture as he’s sitting in a Roman prison. What does it mean to be emotionally healthy when you’re living out the Gospel message?Key verse: Philippians 1:12-18

We’re continuing our series in Philippians by wrestling with the idea of partnership in the Gospel: Paul found it in the church at Philippi; what will we find in our church in Indianapolis?Key verses: Philippians 1:1-11

We’re kicking off a new sermon series for the fall called Kingdom Citizens, and this week lead pastor Jeff Krajewski is asking the question: What do I need to do to be saved?Key verses: Philippians 1:1-3, Acts 16:6-40

The call to live in community can be a challenging one to fulfill. What does a community of Christians really look like? Pastoral intern Hazel Owens takes a look at this radical concept in her sermon: One-Anotherness.Key verse: John 13:34