Mosaic Church

Greetings dear Mosaic family, This Sunday we will be taking break from our walk through the letter to the Colossians to focus on missions as a body of believers. And rather than our typical sermon, we will be having a panel of fellow Mosaicans (or is it Mosaicites??) who will be sharing their experiences with and insights about missions work, both overseas and local. So let me ask you a question: When you think of the word "missionaries", what gets conjured up in your mind? When you consider the phrase "mission field", what do you picture? I confess that for a very long time I considered a pith helmet- wearing David Livingstone preaching in a faraway African village as the quintessential missionary hero-saint and that someday I might attain to his lofty status. Perhaps you have a similar perspective about those called to the mission field. As we together listen to the stories of folks who have done missions in various ways, I'd like us to consider how we might change our preconceived notions of these terms and how we all have a unique role to play in God's passionate pursuit of those who have yet to know and experience Him. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning as we worship the One and only worthy of our praise. Jeff Nitz

Dear Mosaic Family, If you're just getting back into town after Spring Break, we welcome you! Hope you had a good season of refreshing. We really appreciate the guys who have stepped up to fill the pulpit recently. This Sunday we have Jesse Davis, who came for the first time a few months ago. Jesse is the former pastor of Mosaic Church El Paso, Texas. He is also the founder and president of Lordship Lifestyle, a nonprofit that produces discipleship content. He and his wife, Joy, have seven children ranging in age from 6 to 22. Their home is in Goode where Jesse has been writing additional ministry material. We are delighted to hear from Jesse this week. You don't want to miss it. Jesse shared the following regarding his message. Does it matter how you live? Does it matter that you have been called to live a life worthy of Christ? To live a life of faith? To walk on water? What does faith even look like? I know that life can be very difficult. Just look at the world around us… there is a storm on the horizon. Maybe you find yourself in the middle of a storm right now. Maybe you are facing some very difficult decisions. Maybe you're in a crisis and uncertain what to do. Or maybe, you have claimed Christ as Lord and Savior but your life tells a completely different story – and you're tired of living a defeated life. Wherever you find yourself, you are not alone. I am so looking forward to being with you this Sunday. My prayer is that we, together, will long to know and be known by The ONE, who is on the water, inviting us to get out of the boat and walk with Him. We can't wait to worship with you this weekend, either online or in person! Grace & Peace, The Elders (Jeff, John & Ron)

Hello Mosaic, You know, it's interesting: I've been a Christian for 20+ yrs and a pastor for 10+ yrs. I've seen--and experienced--the Lord's handiwork in seemingly impossible situations, yet the most difficult truth to hold onto sometimes is that God loves me. I've preached countless sermons, taught just as many Bible studies, and shepherded God's people to behold the wonder and mystery of God's love... And though I'm convinced of God's love, there are times and seasons where I wrestle--and I'm sure I'm not the only one. This Sunday we are studying a familiar passage--the one where Jesus washes His disciples' feet (John 13:5-17). It's a beautiful portion of Scripture, and one that points us not only to Jesus' servant heart--but His love that is the foundation for His service. Motivated by love for the Father and His disciples, Jesus takes on the role of a humble servant in shocking ways--extending friendship, compassion, and care to those who, at times, didn't understand Him; and, at other times, weren't convinced of Him. This is Good News for all of us, because today--right now--Jesus offers us the same friendship, compassion, care, and love. And, He invites us to both abide in His love and extend it to others. Most often used to teach pastoral leadership principles, The Foot-Washing Incident (as I often call it) is a narrative full of hope and beauty for all of God's people. I am excited to bring the Word and for us to study together this Sunday, and it is my privilege to serve Mosaic in this way. See you all there! Will Soto

Hello Mosaic, The first of every month in our town in NJ, we were allowed to place up to three extra large items with the garbage at the curb for pickup by sanitation engineers. I was amazed at how much trash they would take from the curb (especially for a $ tip). The classic saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure" was proven true every month. People would drive through neighborhoods and towns looking for that one treasure. On Sunday, we will continue our study in Colossians 2:1-5. I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. This letter to a group of believers, including some who did not know Paul, expounds on the full riches and treasures for every believer. These riches and treasures are found only in the person of Jesus Christ. We will look at who God says we already are, as opposed to trying to change or become someone else. This "treasure of wisdom and understanding" found in this letter will radically change how you view God, yourself, and others. And the good news? We don't have to wait for the first of the month! See you Sunday, Karl Records

Hello Mosaic, This Sunday we will continue learning together from Paul's letter to the believers in Colosse. Last week, John shared several key principles. First, Jesus is the way to peace with God. Jesus ended the strife, hostility, enmity, discord, and the estrangement between God and us. Second, this group of saints heard and believed the gospel of grace, as preached by Epaphras. This week we will continue that discussion on salvation and transformation in Paul's prayer for the church (Colossians 1:9-14). Lloyd Oglivie, former Chaplain of the US Senate, wrote about this transformation: "The outward manifestation of this inner grace is joy. Joy flows from grace. When we know that we are loved and cherished by God, joy floods our emotions. It is far superior to happiness, which is dependent on circumstances and people. Joy is love growing in the soil of difficulties and suffering." Oglivie described life changed by grace. It is marked with an abundance of joy! Paul's prayer for the church is as meaningful and important for us as it was to the Colossians. Join me Sunday as we grow in an awareness of the Father's transforming love. See you virtually on Sunday, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, It's a brand-new year, and we have a brand-new opportunity to trust God in ways that we never have. We get to trust Him to care for our church family amid a global pandemic that seems relentless and unending. We get to believe that He will provide for and guide us as we build a space for Mosaic Kids that's under the same roof as the adults. We get to wait on Him for direction and solidarity about a new lead pastor to help us be the church and bring the Kingdom here in Lynchburg. God is calling us to radical trust while our enemy seeks to make us cave in and give up in the face of challenging circumstances. Yes, it's dark and difficult, but we have seen God work in similar situations, and we know He will do it again! Amen. We're beginning a brand-new study of Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. During this introductory message, we'll learn about the authorship, historical context, and purpose of the letter. We'll also take a close look at the first eight verses and see what the Lord has to say to us through them. If you have time, I would encourage you to watch the Bible Project overview of Colossians below and read through the letter from start to finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc&feature=youtu.be Let's open up our hearts and minds to what the Spirit has to teach us through this timeless treasure in Scripture. See you on Sunday, John Stroud

Hello Mosaic, As we prepare to usher in a new year, many of us are hoping and praying for 2022 to be a much better experience for everyone, given what we've endured in 2020 and 2021. We live in troubled times, with incalculable suffering and loss, distrust and divisiveness arguably unlike any we've seen in our lifetimes, and the loss of a shared story among us that brings us together. Yet what has always given us hope in times of trouble is the chance to restart the clock and start anew. It could be a new hour, a new day, or a new year - it doesn't matter to our God, whose mercies are new every morning, who makes all things new, and is constantly doing a new thing. I look forward to sharing with you the tremendous story that can only be told by and about the God of new things. Happy New Year! Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Church family, This weekend we arrive at the third Sunday of Advent with the theme of love. I'd like us to explore this from two vantage points... God's choosing to be fully present with His broken creation (Immanuel) and the depth of His sacrificial love for us expressed in so many ways. And to be sure, we'll be sorting out what difference these abiding truths mean for us in a world of paper-thin love, quickly spoken, but meaning all too little. I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday and examining God's word together. See you then, Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Family, The virgin birth of Jesus is not the only baby surrounding the "Christmas story." The birth of John was an amazing miracle. Born to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their golden years, John was destined for a great purpose in God's economy. He would be the forerunner to the Messiah, proclaiming a message of preparation. Zechariah, speaking about his son John, said, "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." What a beautiful image. That even in our darkness, God comes and shines His light on us. Jesus is not afraid of our mess. When Adam and Eve tried to hide in their shame, God showed up looking for them. He clothed them with His righteousness, as we need to be clothed in Him too because of our own failed efforts. Zechariah proclaims that through God's tender mercy He guides our feet into the way of peace. The way of peace. Yes, please. The God of peace is guiding each of us. Maybe in this season, all we can see is this meandering route, full of disappointment, pain, and conflict. God is in it. Emmanuel: God With Us. May we have the eyes to see how God is working in it all to take us through difficult circumstances for His purposes, giving us His perfect peace. See you Sunday, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, As we enter the season of Advent, we turn our minds and hearts toward the coming of Jesus to this embattled planet of ours. The longing for the promised Messiah thousands of years ago isn't too much different than our longing for his return today. “Come, thou long expected Jesus,” we sing, and haven't these last two years quickened our desire for Him? The first and second Sunday of Advent speak to hope and faith respectively, and it's my privilege to share with you how these traits came together thousands of years ago to change the world forever, even though the people of God may not have realized it at the time. Their experience should give us an expectant joy today because Jesus is coming back to be with us someday. We know this to be true because He promised to return and, because of the first Christmas, we know He's going to keep His promise. Peace be with you, Ron Miller

Good Morning Mosaic Family,Do you ever look at your life and relationships and think to yourself, “This isn't how it's is supposed to be?” Yeah, me too! I often ask myself, what was God's original plan and design? What was His ideal?This weekend, we're going to dive into what God created us for, what went wrong, and why things are such a mess in our lives and relationships. Then we're going to explore what He has done to remedy the problem. I'll be teaching from the whiteboard, and there will be lots of interaction. Would you please come and participate in this important conversation?See you Sunday,John Stroud​

Dear Mosaic Family, Since we wrapped up our sermon study of Acts back in October, the elders have been tackling topics near and dear to our hearts this month before we head into an advent series in December. So this Sunday, I have the opportunity to walk you through what's on my mind.....and right now it's all about "forever" and the fact that we were made as forever beings who often get time-locked into 70-80 year mindset. After recently reading a book about the seemingly lost notion in American society of "forever," I'd like to address how our perspective on this matter changes how we look at so many aspects of life... from possessions and parenting to careers and even death itself. So come prepared to not only worship our great God in song and prayer, but also to share your thoughts about how your view of forever shapes how you look at every aspect of life. See you Sunday, Jeff Nitz

Dear Mosaic Family, Why does politics bring out the worst in us? We just finished an election here in Virginia, and I've witnessed some of my friends gloating in victory and others angry in defeat, and they have nothing but contempt for one another. Did I mention that they also call themselves Christians? What in the world is wrong with this picture? Well, “the world” part of that phrase is a clue. Jesus and his apostles lived in a politically charged time also, and you had people taking sides, demonizing each other, and declaring those they hated as evil - sound familiar? But as Jesus and the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, told us time and again, when we are saved by faith in Jesus, the things of the world no longer have a hold on us. Jesus said, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world.” Peter put our allegiances into perspective when he said, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” So, while the nation is dissecting the election and each other in the process, we're going to dive into the Scriptures to learn how Christ's beloved are expected to conduct themselves in a world where they are “foreigners and exiles.” We are Jesus' ambassadors to the world, and like good diplomats, our duty is to represent our Lord and Savior in a way that brings Him glory and honor. I look forward to sharing with you this Sunday! Blessings, Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Family, I hope that when you read this you are already basking in the Father's love for you, but if you're not, take a moment now to consider the kind of love He has for you. It's a love that gives to the point of sacrifice. It's the kind of love that absorbs the guilt and shame of sin, so you don't have to. It's the kind of love that won't let go, never, under any circumstance. That's the love the Father has for you! Let that soak into your bones and give you a deep knowledge of God's heart for you. I was set to preach this week, but I am not yet well enough to do so. I sincerely thought I would be much improved by now. I'm sorry about that, and I greatly appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I decided to share with you a message by John Lynch called “Only Grace.” In the message, John shares in a vulnerable way about his experience with chronic illness and some of the challenges of living with it. He will help us all discover that in the midst of our difficulties and pain, we must “let God meet our needs” in order to truly experience His love. This is a powerful and deeply personal message. I hope you'll be there as we experience it together. Living loved, John Stroud

Dear Mosaic Family, On Sunday, we'll be wrapping up our study of Acts with a very brief review of what we've learned to date about Jesus' Church before we dive into Acts 28. This chapter starts with Paul and his shipmates dragging themselves up the beach at Malta and ending with him once again sharing the good news of Jesus with some Jewish leaders. But what I'd like us to unpack even more is Luke's account that Paul was teaching about "the kingdom of God". What exactly is God's kingdom? How do we relate to it as believers? And in a world that seems dramatically unhinged and further away from God's holiness every day, does His kingdom have anything to do with our present earth and reality or is God's kingdom something that will only exist in heaven? And lest you think this will just be an intellectual/theological undertaking, we'll be ending with some very practical actions related to living out God's kingdom (I think I just tipped my hand). See you all Sunday, Jeff Nitz

Dear Mosaic family, This week at Mosaic, we will journey through Acts 27. Luke has been setting the stage for Paul's journey to Rome in the previous chapters. Paul was arrested and stood before Roman officials for the preaching of the gospel of grace of God. He could have been released, but he used his rights as a Roman citizen for a fair trial and ultimately, an appeal to Caesar in Rome. This journey to Rome across the ancient world involved several ships, a gentle breeze, a harsh northeaster, a big sea storm, and a shipwreck. Being out at sea without seeing the sun or stars would have terrified those on board. Luke wrote that “all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” They felt hopelessness. Perhaps, like me, you too have experienced hopelessness in a season of life (or in one now). Sunday we will look at how God intervened at the depth of their hopelessness. May God speak to all of us through His Word as we “take heart” in the storms in our lives. In Christ together, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, As we prepare to gather again this Sunday, I want to challenge you to reflect on a question: “Why are we here?” More specifically, why has God placed us in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the year 2021? Why are we -- this combination of people -- part of this little community of believers? Are we here to subsist and survive? Or does God have something He wants to accomplish? In you? Through you? In us? Through us? Not knowing why we're here, we will plod along pointlessly, stumbling around in the dark, bumping into the furniture, and reacting out of confusion and fear rather than confidence and hope. Paul was a man who discovered his purpose and pursued it vigorously. As we dive into Acts 26, we will hear his powerful testimony before King Agrippa. I want to encourage you to watch this eight-minute video clip (https://youtu.be/NgEThzL_v6g) before coming to worship. On Sunday, we will talk about how knowing why we're here can help us testify boldly of our salvation and stand without fear in the face of persecution. I can't wait to see you there. Grace and peace, John Stroud

Dear Mosaic friends, We're nearing the end of the book of Acts, and we're spending a lot of time with Paul during his unjust incarceration in Caesarea. It would be easy to dismiss these last chapters in Acts as little more than a mostly dry and sometimes dramatic account of courtroom proceedings like an episode of Law and Order. Why would Luke, our narrator, devote nearly a quarter of his account of the early church to the arrest and imprisonment of Paul? As we will see, Paul's bondage didn't stop him from sharing the Gospel. Jesus knew the kind of man Paul was when He confronted him on the road to Damascus, and He chose him precisely because he had the talent and temperament necessary for the task to which he dedicated his life right up to the very end. You could say he was “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for to do”! I look forward to studying Acts 25 with you and gleaning from it the lessons the Lord has for us! We'll see you this Sunday, Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic friends, We have been living in unfamiliar surroundings for a long time now. When living through anxious times, it is natural to wish it all away. We might even say “can't wait to get this over.” To quote the food critic in the movie, Ratatouille, “you know what I'm craving? A little perspective.” A reading through Acts 9-28 reveals the epic adventures of the Apostle Paul. Paul and his companions were living in unfamiliar territory. Paul travels town to town to bring the good news of Jesus Christ while knowing threats on his life were around every bend of the road. This week's passage focuses on Paul's trial before Felix (Acts 24). Paul was falsely accused and gave a defense before the Roman governor. Looking at Paul's perspective with the false accusations against him (and unfamiliar surroundings of his life) can bring encouragement to you and me as we live our epic adventure in Christ. See you Sunday, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic friends, I wonder how many of us have had threats of violence and even death because of our Christian faith? Not so many, I'm guessing, and I suspect none of us would look forward to that possibility. And yet, those are the challenges many believers around the world find themselves in, and their faith is free to flourish as they depend more radically on Jesus. As we continue with our survey of the book of Acts, we arrive at chapters 22 & 23 and Paul's tumultuous experience of his persecution in Jerusalem following his arrest. We will be unpacking some wonderful and, at times, unexpected reminders from Jesus to Paul as the apostle listened closely to his Savior. And we see Paul at his best in responding to these threats with a sense of calling and trust in the One who held him. I look forward to seeing you all at Mosaic this Sunday as we study God's Word and worship together. Jeff Nitz

Hello Mosaic Family, We have been following the apostle Paul as he traveled throughout the Mediterranean region, spreading the Gospel, turning the world upside down, and generally walking away from trouble to serve Jesus another day. As he heads back to Jerusalem for what we know to be the final time, he reconnects with the elders and believers at some of the churches he planted along the way, and he encounters warning after warning not to return to Jerusalem because something terrible was going to happen to him there. He loved them for their concern, but he was determined to return, nonetheless. Was it false bravado from all his previous close calls with death or capture? Or was it something deeper? And if your personal mission to serve Jesus came with a warning of certain trial and tribulation, even death, would you still do it? This is a great story of a loving community, a charge to complete, and a man bound by his total devotion to Jesus Christ to complete it. I may be a little under the weather, but I am excited to walk with you and Paul on this leg of his journey. Peace be with you! See you Sunday, Ron Miller

Hello Mosaic Family, This week we will be in Acts 20, exploring the third of the Apostle Paul's journeys. Paul invited leaders from the Ephesus church to meet him in a nearby city. Paul is headed to Jerusalem, but there are threats on his life and the Holy Spirit has warned of afflictions and trials ahead. In response to the threats of violence and attacks, Paul says, "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my race (course) and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Paul's faith is mountain moving and earth shaking, and truthfully, very convicting. What would this kind of faith look like in your life? What does it look like to finish your race? How can we testify to God's grace? There is excitement and passion for this week's text, trusting that God will meet us where we are and will give us exactly what we need. See you Sunday, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, Excitement is in the air as another school year opens and students from all over the country return to our services at Mosaic Church. Be on the lookout for faces you have missed during the summer and for new faces of students looking for a church family. On Sunday morning, the elders will team-teach as we move into Acts 19. In this chapter, we will see Paul ministering in Ephesus. Here he encounters more people who had only received John's baptism. As he shares the entire Good News with the Ephesians, God shows up in powerful ways. Some churches have adopted beliefs and practices rooted in this and other chapters in Acts. Ron, Jeff, and John will attempt to clarify how they feel God would have us operate as a body. They will describe what it means for our local body to be a "Mosaic" of people with differing theological backgrounds and experiences. They will clarify what we mean when we talk about "Essential" and "Non-essential" doctrines and cast a vision of a church free of labels like "charismatic" or "cessationist." The elders ask that you pray for them as they prepare for Sunday. We ask that you come with a heart full of love, grace, and openness as we pursue unity amid our diversity. You brothers in Christ, Ron, Jeff, and John

Good Morning Mosaic, For most of human history, man has existed in an agricultural society where gardeners and caretakers ruled the day. Reaping and sowing were very important and widely understood parts of the society at large. Today, very few people are involved with the growing of crops and so we aren't as familiar as those who came before us. However, there are some valuable lessons to be learned by understanding these ideas today. The idea that we reap what we sow is a Biblical truth that governs all of creation and yet is a profound paradox. It is an idea that can be both a source of great comfort for those who have diligently invested themselves in a passionate work or some project of great interest, and yet it can also be a most humbling reminder for those who have made procrastination their dearest friend or have failed to plant any seeds at all. Try as we might, we cannot escape the reality of this truth in our own lives. Either way, I believe we can all benefit from understanding why God revealed this universal principle to the world and what he wants known about reaping and sowing, so we can look more closely at the seeds in our own lives and decide how and where best to plant them. This week we will take a look at the kinds of seeds at our disposal for planting and explore what causes seeds to grow or causes them not to grow and find out what role the gardener and the caretaker play in the development of our seeds, so we can “sow well.” See you Sunday, Steve Weaver

Hey you guys! I hope you're doing great and enjoying the beautiful days we've been blessed with recently. As the summer comes to an end and things start getting busy, let's all make sure to take some time to relax and reflect. It's tempting to fill our lives with activity. We often neglect our need for a bit of margin in our lives to make room for God, our family, and a bit of self-care (yeah, I'm definitely preaching to myself here). Do you ever find yourself running into resistance when you try to tell people about your faith and the life-changing power of the Gospel? I know I have, and so did the Apostle Paul. We really need encouragement to “press on,” as Paul talked about in Philippians 3. I wonder if that's why he wrote these words to the Galatians. “So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.” This weekend, we'll continue our journey through The Acts of the Apostles into chapter 18, and we'll see how God encouraged Paul to keep preaching as he encounters a bit of resistance and frustration. I hope it will be an encouragement to all of us. See you Sunday, John Stroud

Dear Mosaic Family, In Acts 17, as we continue to travel with Paul on his early missionary journeys, we begin with a common refrain reminiscent of his previous forays into evangelism, and it looks like “next verse, same as the first.” As we continue, however, we see some variety in his mission and the audiences he is seeking to bring to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We're going to continue mining the rich vein of biblical inspiration and wisdom the Scriptures offer us, and in your preparatory reading, I want you to follow what Paul does as much as what he says. Sometimes, the truth needs to be put in a different wrapping for it to be received, and Paul grasps that in this chapter and puts it to practice. I look forward to sharing with you what God has given me! Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Family, This weekend, we will continue our journey through the book of Acts. As we reach chapter 16, we meet a young disciple named Timothy, travel with Paul and Silas as they follow the Holy Spirit's leading, and see what happens when they get thrown into prison in Macedonia. Jesus worked through these willing saints to take the Gospel to the nations, and now He wants to continue living His life in and guiding us as He carries out His vision through us today! I hope you'll join us as we continue finding encouragement and truth in the Scripture together. You might want to read Acts 16 sometime before Sunday morning, so you're ready to dive in. I can't wait to worship with you on Sunday. John Stroud

Dear Mosaic Family, Have you experienced your fair share of conflict with fellow believers or within churches that you've been part of? Has that ever worn you out and left you feeling hopeless about the power of the Gospel? The Church is clearly not immune to conflict within its ranks and, in fact, our collective past of schisms and cross-denominational fighting sadly points to this. As we continue our exploration of Acts and Jesus's vision for His Church, we will be unpacking Acts 15 and discovering a godly approach to conflict in the Church and a less godly example of conflict, along with an example of God's redemptive work. I look forward to digging together into this chapter and applying how Mosaic might continue to be a church that relies on the power of the Holy Spirit to resolve conflict in ways that are God-honoring. See you Sunday morning, Jeff Nitz

Dear Mosaic Family, As the apostle we now know henceforth and forevermore as Paul and his sidekick, Barnabas, engage in the work of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles, they are at first rewarded with great success. But it doesn't take long for obstacles to arise in their path, and in Paul's case, it nearly cost him his life. We know the work of the Lord is not easy, nor is it without trials, but we must learn, as Paul and Barnabas did, how to persevere. If we overcome our circumstances as Jesus has overcome the world, we will sow the seeds of a great harvest. Sometimes, the Lord allows us to reap the harvest, as we are going to do this Sunday. After the message, we will have the privilege of witnessing the baptisms of several of our fellow congregants. Following that, we will break bread together and praise the Lord for what He has done. It's going to be a time of great celebration, so please join us! See you Sunday, Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Family, Are you travelling over the Fourth of July? Experts predict 43.6 million people will drive over Independence Day weekend. After spending 19 years in North Jersey, I do suggest staying far away from Interstate 95! Going on a trip takes preparation, even a short journey. Plans have to be made for home, work, the pets, and also for the destination. With three boys, Jennifer and I try to plan enough snacks for them and coffee for us. Imagine taking a journey in the 1st century? No a/c or wifi!!! How did they do it? This Sunday, we will study the first full journey of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13. They set sail with the purpose of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ westward. My prayer is for a deeper awareness, conviction, and challenge as takeaways from this text, to bring encouragement to live out this faith journey in our generation. Peace, Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, I want to remind you today about how significant it is that God has chosen to live within you. You were created for LIFE, but sin and death were having their way with you until you received the incredible grace gift of Jesus' love and forgiveness. You have been bought for a high price; therefore glorify God in your body! (1 Corinthians 6:20) Yes, He gave us this gift freely, but there is a purpose attached to it. God wants us to radiate His life to others around us. All we really have to do is live in and enjoy His life and the radiating will happen without coercion. Simply abide, in an awareness that you are His and that He lives in you and the fruit of that will naturally occur in your adding life. This is who you are now! Christ lives in you and wants to live through you! Preparing for this week's message on Acts 12 has been no small struggle. Some portions of scripture are loaded down with applicable spiritual truth. This passage isn't quite like that. It's loads with historical facts, and you have to look closely to see what God is saying in the words. We'll talk about the prideful Herod Agrippa I, the imprisonment of Peter and the fervent prayers of the Church. Come and explore this chapter in the history of God's people with your spiritual family. Come with open hearts to learn what God has for us. You are loved and seen and valued. John Stroud

Hello Mosaic Family, Join us this Sunday, Father's Day, to honor and celebrate all our Mosaic Dads in a uniquely prepared service! We will hear from three of our very own as well as some special guests from around the world offering a perspective of fatherhood from their various cultures. With God the Father as our ultimate example, Dads will share personal testimonies as they have navigated their roles of servant leadership in their families. In addition to the wisdom exchanged, we will continue the Father's Day festivities with a Breakfast Bar for all to enjoy, featuring a special gourmet "Donuts for Dads" gift to all the fathers. Lastly we will end our time together with a riveting "all church" participation activity you will not want to miss! Did I hear someone say... "Competition?" Tom Kawiecki

Hello Mosaic Family, Imagine you're the apostle Peter, doing a victory lap on your way back to Jerusalem after delivering the message of salvation in Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and saving untold numbers of souls as they accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. You walk into the midst of your brothers and sisters in Christ, some of whom were your closest and dearest friends as you ministered with the Messiah during his time on earth, and you're expecting hugs and cheers for what you've done. Instead, they are upset with you! What's that all about? Sometimes, the people in the church can be our worst critics, and we see that playing out even today. Let's look at how Peter handled this sticky situation, and how he not only persuaded them but brought them into the mission of spreading the Gospel to the world beyond the Jewish people. We'll look at what Peter's experience teaches us today, even if we aren't as successful as he was in quelling the objections of his fellow believers. We'll also see the believers take on a new name! I can't wait to dive into this story with you! See you Sunday Ron Miller

Hello friends, Did you have any divine appointments this week? A divine appointment could be defined as an encounter with another person that God has specifically and unmistakably arranged. I am amazed how God brings people into my life for His purpose. The divine appointments are mind blowing and always on time. Previously, we came across Peter in Samaria, as he recognized the faith of the believers. After they received the Holy Spirit, Peter returned to Jerusalem. This week, the Adventures of Peter continue with two miracles and a Divine Appointment. We will learn together on Sunday morning: 1) How making your bed is spiritual. 2) How we can obey God regardless of circumstances. 3) How a vision of eating clean and unclean animals really had to do with equality between people groups. See you Sunday! Karl Records

Dear Mosaic Family, This Sunday, we will be unpacking the powerful moment in history captured in Acts 9 when Saul (soon to be Paul) and Jesus meet for an unexpected boxing match on the road to Damascus. We all know who won that bout, but there are some gems in this narrative that relate not only to Paul's conversion, but to us today as we consider those in our life who seem impossibly far from God. Come prepared to "do business" together on behalf of those individuals. See you Sunday, Jeff Nitz

Hello, Mosaic Family! Do you guys realize what an amazing thing it is to be a child of God living at this time in this city? Wow! God has given us a “caboodle” of amazing opportunities to bring the Kingdom. People have been shaken by everything that has happened in the past year or so. We are people of the Kingdom placed here for “such a time as this” to share a message of hope and reconciliation! Mark 1:15 tells us how Jesus declared, “The time is at hand, the Kingdom of God has come near…” He brought the Kingdom to earth and made a way for us to become partakers in it. Colossians 1:13 says that God, “…has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” We're now citizens of the Kingdom of God and ambassadors of reconciliation. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 This weekend we will dive into Acts 8 to see how God worked through persecuted followers of Jesus to spread the Gospel into some dark places. We'll learn from the responses of a Samaritan Sorcerer and an Ethiopian Eunuch. It would be great if you could read the chapter before we gather on Sunday. We look forward to seeing you all as we gather as His church to reveal His community of love in the heart of our beautiful city. See you Sunday, John Stroud

Dear Mosaic Family, When we were last in the book of Acts, we were introduced to seven deacons appointed by the church and assigned the responsibility of ensuring the equitable distribution of food to the needy in their midst. Stephen was called out from their number as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,” “a man full of God's grace and power.” He was brought before the Sanhedrin like the apostles before him for performing “great wonders and signs among the people” in the name of Jesus. The outcome of this encounter, however, marked a turning point in the history of the early church. While they didn't know it at the time, the end of Stephen's story was the beginning of another story that would mark the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. I'm excited to dig into the story of Stephen in Acts 7 with you! See you Sunday, Ron Miller

Dear Mosaic Family, This Sunday is the day we honor our Moms for the huge role they play(ed) in our lives. We figured that the best folks to talk about being a mom are women with some “street cred” in that area. We invited Lisa Kawiecki, Jessica Yelle, and Garvisa Stroud to draw from their life experience and relationship with God as they answer several questions about motherhood and faith. There will also be some surprises in the service that you won't want to miss. Hint: the children will be joining us for worship before heading off to Mosaic Kids with Ms. Gayle. We look forward to coming together as a family this Sunday! Grace and peace, The Elders

This weekend, we'll continue our study of The Acts of the Apostles by diving in to Acts 6. Our pastoral intern, Josh Laskowski, is nearing the end of his internship, so we wanted to give him one more chance to grow as a minister by preaching this Sunday. In Acts 6, we see the ekklesia (called out ones) of God, who are newly following Jesus, begin to experience challenges because there are a lot of people to care for. The elders were trying to lead the people spiritually, but there were widows who needed to be cared for, so they called and appointed some people to be responsible for the work. In his message, Josh will help us all to see that God has invited us to play a role in “doing the work” of the ministry. That can be really intimidating, causing us to back away and just watch while others get involved. This message will really encourage you to see why you have no reason to fear when called upon to serve!

One of the most amazing transformations in history is evident throughout the Acts of the Apostles. These ordinary men with no means or education had followed an itinerant rabbi who taught of a Kingdom not of this world, yet they scattered and disavowed him when he was arrested and hid in fear after he was executed. Mere weeks later, however, they were in the streets of Jerusalem and in the temple itself in full view of the Sanhedrin, boldly proclaiming the resurrection and divinity of the man the authorities thought they had silenced once and for all with his murder. Their story reveals the power of Jesus Christ to change lives forever, and as we delve into Acts 5:17-42 to witness these transformed lives in action, I would like to share with you how this story forever changed my life and my wife Annik's life as well. I can't wait to share this story and our testimony with you!

This week we will take a look at the early Church and how it functioned to see if there are principles displayed that could serve as a model for today's Church. Also, we will explore the idea of unity and the impact of generous giving on the whole body of believers. Lastly, we will walk through the peculiar and yet detailed story of Ananias and Sapphira as we will observe God's power and protection on display in the early days of the Church's formation and its impact on the believers, but also the surrounding community. I look forward to continuing the journey together.

Christ is our Cornerstone. A description that is so familiar, yet foreign. We sing it as we worship and we testify of it, but it seems so obscure. Join us this week as we journey through Acts 4:1-31, where we learn from the apostles how to live freely with Christ as our Cornerstone!

Growing up, Easter was a special day to remember Jesus, but it was also a day of spring, Easter baskets, chocolate, egg hunts, and pastel colors. Easter also coincides with the newness of life found in springtime; from the longer days and warmer temps to the beautiful blue Virginia skies and the sound of the early morning birds. Plants and trees that once seemed dead or dormant are budding and “coming to life.” It's almost as if God gave us a perfect illustration of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. What if the resurrection of Jesus was not just a historical event, but a daily reality? This weekend, we will explore together how the resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers us to walk in the new life. Come as you are, no need to hide your struggles, weaknesses, anxieties, fears, and failures. This place of grace is where we will share the Father's love. This is where we meet Jesus, as He asks you and me, “Do you want to be well?”

This will be Pastor Rick's last official service with our precious Mosaic Church as our pastor. He will have the bulk of our teaching portion to interview a special family in our midst and then to provide a heart-sharing charge to us all.

This Sunday we recognize Palm Sunday as Jesus' deliberate, obedient and humble step towards his own crucifixion via a brief devotional as we prepare our hearts for the life-giving joy and hope of Easter's celebration next Sunday.

What would you say are the most important things youth need to know as they grow up in this crazy world? I'm sure you all have great answers and a lot of them are definitely things young people need to hear, but what are the most important? This Sunday, I have the honor of sharing what I feel is missed and yet so vital in raising up this next generation. I'm excited to give you a glimpse into what I have come to believe true Youth Ministry is all about! I look forward to you getting to know more about who I am, what Frame is, and hopefully get you excited about reaching the Youth!

Our introduction to the early church in the Book of Acts has been very dramatic so far, with the Holy Spirit descending on and filling the disciples, granting them the confidence to speak boldly on behalf of their risen Savior and enabling them to bring thousands of people to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They have come together as a community of care, loving one another and meeting one another's needs, and constantly staying connected to the Lord through daily prayer and Bible study. Acts 3 is just a snapshot of a day in the life of the apostles as they went about their business, but they were still on mission, and an encounter with a man in need gave them another opportunity to demonstrate the Lord's power and teach the Gospel. What can we learn from them to help us in our everyday interactions with people? I look forward to sharing what I've learned with you!

Ekklesia -- which we translate to "church" -- means "called out ones." Jesus told us in Matthew 16:18, "On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." If you were with us last week, we began our discussion about "the church," asking questions like: what is the church? To whom does she belong? Who is building the church? How's that going? On Sunday, we'll be picking up where we left off with that discussion. We hope you'll be present to join in the conversation.

Last week, Jeff did a great job telling us about the incredible moment when the final piece of the New Covenant was laid into place. After the Holy Spirit is given, something remarkable happens: 120 people are empowered and become bold witnesses in Jerusalem's streets. On that day, God "called out" from all those gathered about 3,000 souls. Each one was united with God by the power of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised. It's in this precise moment in history that the Ekklesia of God is born. That word -- which we translate to "church" -- means "called out ones." Jesus told us in Matthew 16:18, "On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." On Sunday, come prepared to roll up your sleeves, get out your bibles, and actually talk about this subject of "the church." What is the church? To whom does she belong? Who is building the church? How's that going? We hope you'll be present to join in the conversation.