Mill Creek Foursquare Church

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “The Life of Moses: A Friend of God” In this fifth study of the series, “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back,” we investigate Exodus 5:1-9 & 5:19-6:12, in which we learn of Moses and Aaron first approaching Pharaoh and the initial response he provides to the call: “Let them go!” While Moses was told to anticipate a resistant Pharaoh, he is heartsick when more cruelty settles of the people of God. Here, we again realize how real opposition is in this world to God's purposes and we acknowledged the discouragement we can face in moments of life.

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “The Life of Moses: A Friend of God” In this fourth study of the series, “A Reluctant Partner,” we investigate Exodus 4:1-31, in which we continue in the scene of God calling to Moses from the burning bush, inviting him to become a partner in what God intended for his people, the Israelites. Here we see how headstrong Moses could prove to be as he wrestled with his own story of disappointment and yet God purposes prevail for him.

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “The Life of Moses: A Friend of God” In this third study of the series, “What's In A Name?,” we investigate Exodus 3:1-15, in which we learn of the life changing moment God called to Moses and revealed himself to be the God who cares about the suffering of his people, willing to use a man who thought his life had little importance. Here, we learn God's name by which he wants to be known, the name that proves he wants to be with his own.

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “The Life of Moses: A Friend of God” In this second study of the series, “Who Am I?,” we investigate Exodus 2:11-25, in which we learn of a life changing moment for Moses as he identifies with the Hebrews despite being raised an Egyptian. In this portion of Moses story, we see how he makes a definitive choice in keeping with his character while also acknowledging that God's way with Moses, while profound and important, takes a long time to develop. 

Pastor Chris commences our teaching series entitled “The Life of Moses: A Friend of God” In this first study, “Misery & Midwives,” we investigate Exodus 1:8-22 & 2:1-10, in which we learn the setting and background for the introduction of Moses into the narrative. Here, we observe human injustice in the midst of God's activity to deliver his people as we see the complexity of Moses' situation and understanding of his identity.

Pastor Chris celebrates Resurrection Sunday 2025 with a teaching out of 1st Corinthians 15 as the Apostle Paul responds to questions from friends around Jesus being physically raised from the dead and all of what this means for those who follow him.

We complete our study of spiritual beings by looking at spiritual warfare. Although spiritual conflict is very real, as disciples of Jesus, we engage not with fear and avoidance but with confidence and assurance of victory. Greater is he who is in us than who is in the world!

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “Spiritual Beings: Developing a Supernatural Worldview..” In this study, “The Humans,” we investigate numerous places in our Scriptures informing our understand of how God made us in his image and entrusted to us the role of representing him on the earth. While we struggle with rebellion, God has sent his Son to restore us fully to our created identity and purpose.

Pastor Chris continues our teaching series entitled “Spiritual Beings: Developing a Supernatural Worldview..” In this study, “The Bad,” we investigate numerous places in our Scriptures informing our understand of those opposed to God and what he loves - that is the devil and demons. Here we understand that this evil being has intentions to corrupt and deceive and yet our God has authority over him and every space the evil one has injected his malice.

Pastor Chris begins our teaching series entitled “Spiritual Beings: Developing a Supernatural Worldview..” In this study, “The Good,” we investigate numerous places in our Scriptures informing our understand of God and angels, those who work with him towards his good. Here we'll learn that God alone is worthy of our worship and that this story we are caught up in is bigger than we'd ever guess.

As we finish Paul's happy letter to the Philippians, we see once again that the gospel of Jesus changes every aspect of our lives. When we submit to the rule of King Jesus in our lives, we, too, can experience true joy and peace.

Pastor Chris continues our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, “Citizens of Heaven,” we investigate Philippians3:17-4:9 and Paul's exhortation to live as a colony of Heaven on earth. We are invited to rejoice, experience peace in anxiety, live with gentleness and think upon true things as we live out Heaven's realities on our broken planet.

Pastor Chris continues our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, “The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Jesus,” we investigate Philippians 3:1-16 and Paul's warning against those who teach something other than simple devotion to knowing and following Jesus. In this passage, Paul's great passion to identify fully with the One who loved him and gave himself for him is on grand display.

Pastor Chris continues our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, “Examples of Following Jesus,” we investigate Philippians 2:19-30 and learn of Paul's sending back to the Philippians their courier, Epaphroditus. We also learn of his intention to send Timothy to example to the Philippians his encouragement as to how to live out the way of Jesus while experiencing relational conflict.

Pastor Chris continues our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, “Following Jesus in Relationships,” we investigate Philippians 1:27-2:18 and learn of Paul's encouragement to conduct ourselves as citizen of the Kingdom of God, following the example of Jesus as to how to walk with each other as we face external and internal pressures. We learn from the Christ hymn of Philippians 2 - as beautiful a text as exists in our Scriptures.

Pastor Chris continues our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, “A Transformed Perspective on Problems,” we investigate Philippians 1:12-26 and learn of Paul's situation as he is jailed in a Roman prison. He has a hopeful demeanor and attitude, helping us to understand and learn how to see problems as opportunities for growth and developing a truer longing for Jesus and his ways.

Pastor Chris commences our first teaching series of 2025 entitled “Philippians: Paul's Longing to Know Jesus.” In this study, we investigate Philippians 1:1-11 and learn of Paul's deep gratitude to God for this congregation who proved to be partners with him in the work of making Jesus known to new people. In this opening, Paul illumines the contents of his prayer on behalf of his friends.

Pastor Chris leads us through our 2024 financial report as we continue our fiscal transparency and ac-countability with one another. After walking us through the report, we receive an update on the comple-tion of our Building Project and the excitement of our present moment and near future.

We have the privilege of hosting Dr. Daniel Brown this Sunday! Daniel has been a long-term friend of Chris, Jenifer, and our congregation. He has come once or twice a year for the majority of the past 15 years to invest among us what God has graced his life to give to others. Having planted and served as a pastor of a church near Santa Cruz, CA, he and his team planted over 30 churches in 20+ years while also having a heart for the work of the Kingdom of God globally. Daniel helped establish several of the Foursquare works in Europe and has given himself to investing in younger leaders to be a blessing to them and the congregations they serve. We are excited to have him!

We have the privilege of hosting Ted Vail this Sunday - Foursquare's Vice-President and Global Overseer. Ted will share from his perspective of the work of God through the Foursquare Church internationally. Every time I listen to Ted, I walk away encouraged from the scriptures and the faithfulness of God through brothers and sisters all over the world. 

Pastor Chris concludes our Advent season with a teaching series entitled "Fulfilled: Messiah's Arrival in Jesus." In this series, we are investigating the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew as they detail the origin story of the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. In this teaching, “An Escape And A Return,” we study Matthew 2:13-23, where we learn of a nighttime escape of Jesus, Mary and Joseph from Herod's murderous clutches to Egypt and the holy family's eventual return to Nazareth.

Pastor Chris continues our Advent season with a teaching series entitled “Fulfilled: Messiah's Arrival in Jesus.” In this series, we are investigating the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew as they detail the origin story of the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. In this teaching, “A Visit Of Strange Men From Far Away,” we study Matthew 2:1-12, where we learn about Herod the Great and his interaction with Magi (Wise Men) from far away to the east of Israel. Through them, we learn of surprising people included in the story of Jesus and how worthy of worship he truly is! 

As we continue our study of Matthew's narrative of the Messiah's long-awaited arrival, we will look at the birth of Jesus. This relatively short passage is filled with all sorts of exciting details, including a virgin birth, relational stress, an angelic appearance, a fulfillment of prophecy, and, of course, the birth of Christ. Though this story is familiar to us, it reminds us of important foundational truths about God: He works with, he saves us, and he is with us.

Pastor Chris commences our Advent season with a teaching series entitled “Fulfilled: Messiah's Arrival in Jesus.” In this series, we are investigating the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew as they detail the origin story of the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. In this teaching, “Not What We Were Expecting,” we reflect on how long Israel waited even as we are those who now wait for Jesus to return to bring the fullness promised by God. We also consider that Jesus is for everyone even as we recognize his surprising lineage. 

Pastor Chris continues our study “Celebration of Generosity: Discovering & Nurturing a Life of Giving,” with a teaching entitled “Living With a Different Goal.” In this study, we investigate Luke 8 and the way Jesus teaches his followers about the potential responses in his listeners to his presence and words. As we learn to live towards a different goal with our resources, we remember that our home is heaven and that giving fosters joy. 

Pastor Chris continues our study “Celebration of Generosity: Discovering & Nurturing a Life of Giving,” with a teaching entitled “Doing Good Things.” In this study, we investigate Matthew 6 and the way Jesus teaches his followers about their acts of righteousness and challenges them to have their treasure with and in him. He wants to invite us into deepening trust that displaces worry as we join him in his radical generosity.

Pastor Chris begins our study “Celebration of Generosity: Discovering & Nurturing a Life of Giving,” with a teaching entitled “For God So Loved...” In this study, we investigate John 3 and the way Jesus invites Nicodemus (and us!) to consider the offering of rescue in him. The Apostle John notes that this is all because God so loved that he gave his beloved son to bring rescue to all creation. Here we learn that any generosity we participate in is due to God's initiation in generosity towards us. 

Pastor Chris concludes our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Self-Control.” In this study, we investigate several moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke in which Jesus lives with self-control while facing the opposing powers of the devil and human leaders. In Jesus, we find the Holy Spirit to cultivate his identity in us, which grows our own self-control and points all our desires towards the God who made us with them. 

We have the great privilege of hosting our long-term supported missionaries, Natalie and Francisco! They serve in Tecate, Mexico via an art studio reaching many in the community while also pastoring a church to make disciples of Jesus. They'll share a message to encourage us about the work of the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Jenifer continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Gentleness.” In this study, we investigate al moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus teaches about the nature of his heart, which is gentle and lowly, and invites us to learn from him.

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Faithfulness.” In this study, we investigate several moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus teaching about and living from faithfulness in relationship to the Father and us. We learn how the life of Jesus forms us towards being people who keep our commitments and seek to be faithful in the little things. 

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Goodness.” In this study, we investigate several moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospels in which Jesus moves in and teaches of God's goodness and how he is embodying it. As we seek the formation of his life within us, we learn with him to stop and take in the goodness of God available to us and to be transformed into those who move with good motivations and generosity towards others. 

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Kindness.” In this study, we investigate several moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus moves in marvelous kindness towards others. As we seek the formation of his life within us, we learn with him to regularly receive of his ample kindness towards each of us and to join him in the kindness available even in relational conflict. Finally, we learn to move in specific kindness towards those God puts near us. 

Aiming to be faithful disciples of Jesus, we continue our study of the Fruit of the Spirit by studying patience. Though perhaps not as popular as love, joy, and peace, patience is an important kingdom virtue that is of utmost importance to all disciples. By studying Jesus' example on earth, we see that patience can be described as waiting that is marked by sacrificial love, kingdom activity, and selfless humility.

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of peace.” In this study, we investigate several moments from the life of Jesus in the Gospels where he is at peace and ministering his peace to his followers. We also investigate numerous invitation into peace in our Scriptures, seeking to live from a place of acceptance and rest with God, others and our circumstances.

We have the wonderful opportunity to host Pastor Phil Manginelli as our guest speaker this Sunday in our services. Many among us are familiar with Phil from his six years on our staff as youth pastor, while others have heard him over the years as a regular guest. Phil and his wife (Emily) planted and pastor The Square Church in a suburb of Atlanta. Sent out of Mill Creek Foursquare 12 years ago, they formally launched their congregation 10+ years ago and it has thrived in reaching people with the life and ways of Jesus.

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Joy.” In this study, we continue to learn of the ways in which the life of Jesus develops in us by his abiding Spirit. The joy of the Lord in us is a strength, a gift of grace that forms in us through experiencing the faithful love of God for us. Here, we learn about contentment which remains even in our most difficult or sorrowful moments.

Pastor Chris continues our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life of Love.” In this study, begin where the Apostle Paul does in describing the way God's life grows in us: love. We investigate John 15, Matthew 22 and make note of many exhortations in Scripture around God's love for us and our way of love towards others. Here, we desire to grow in considering the sacrifice of Jesus for us, paying attention to others, and moving in generosity.

Pastor Chris begins our study “The Fruit of His Spirit: The Character of Jesus Growing Within Us,” with a teaching entitled “A Life Cultivated By Jesus.” In this study, we investigate how the Apostle Paul captured the growing life and character of Jesus within those proclaiming his name and filled with his Holy Spirit. Paul specifically articulates nine ways in which Jesus is revealed within and through his people. Here, we will realize that all of Jesus' character is available to us and that this is an invitation into life with him and not a to-do list we can't live up or from. Excited for this study with you!

Pastor Chris concludes our study “Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus Become like him Do as he did,” with a teaching entitled “Take Up Your Cross.” In this study, we summarize the concluding thoughts of author John Mark Comer while studying the words of Jesus in Luke 9 as he taught about being his disciple. We linger in thoughts around formation in Jesus, surrender to the will of God, and discovering the treasures of the Kingdom of Heaven.

As disciples of Jesus, we can all struggle at times with the temptation to become apathetic in our relationship with him. How do we experience a life of Christ-centered transformation, abundant life, and freedom, a life we were created to experience? This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Luke Frank. A pastor for over a decade and currently serving as the Church Partner Program Manager at Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Luke is passionate about encouraging and helping disciples of Jesus experience life defined by him. Join us this Sunday as we explore this Spirit-led authentic journey together!

We continue our Book Study with Part 5 "Spiritual Fruit & Spiritual Rhythms." Now that we have looked at three important priorities of disciples, it is time to get practical. What does the life of a disciple of Jesus look like? Filled with metaphors and pictures, the Bible uses the imagery of trees and fruit to show us the nature of a life properly oriented toward the will and way of God. Pastor Mark explains that, as disciples of Jesus, we are like trees, and in order to bear fruit, we must actively tend to our own spiritual health.

Pastor Andrew is continuing our summer book series with a teaching entitled, "Doing as Jesus Did". 

Pastor Mark dives into the second priority of discipleship, “Becoming like Him.” Spiritual formation can be a complicated process. However, by holding truths in tension, we realize the beautiful reality that becoming like Jesus requires both the initiating, grace-filled work of God as well as our humble pursuit of him. 

Pastor Chris continues our study “Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus - Become like him - Do as he did,” with a teaching entitled “Be With Jesus.” In this study, we summarize the first priority of discipleship, which is to establish a rhythm of life that intentionally prioritizes unhurried time with God.

Pastor Chris commences our study “Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus - Become like him - Do as he did,” with a teaching entitled “Apprentice to Jesus.” In this study, we summarize the opening section of John Mark Comer's book, inviting us to think more fully on the invitation of Jesus to “follow” him. Here we establish a foundation to understand the way of Jesus and how to be shaped as his disciple.

Pastor Chris offers a Father's Day teaching, “Father's Day 2024: A Great Privilege, A Greater Responsibility,” focused on Scripture's invitational commandment to “honor father.” Here, we learn afresh of the calling on a father, tools for the trade of fathering, and God's invitation into delight in him and those in our care. Fathers, we honor you today! 

Pastor Chris concludes our study “Jonah: The Questionable Prophet,” with a teaching entitled “The Angry Prophet.” As we consider the conclusion of Jonah's story, we are faced with how we will respond to Jonah's example and his anger over God's mercy towards his enemies. Through this small and curious prophetic book, we ask questions of ourselves - will we side with Jonah or God? Are we at peace with God loving our enemies?

Pastor Andrew continues our study in the book of Jonah!

Join us this morning as Pastor Mark continues our study of Jonah with a message titled "Jonah: The Praying Prophet?" After looking at Jonah's futile flight to Tarshish last week, we will now study his prayer from the belly of the fish. Though full of poetic imagery and detail, this prayer reminds us of a simple, gospel truth: Salvation comes from the Lord!