West Covina Christian Church

Spiritual growth requires commitment. In this message, we look at Hannah's vow to dedicate her son Samuel to the Lord. After God answered her prayer, she kept her promise, even when it was costly. Her story reminds us that growth follows a pattern: God moves first. We respond. We commit. We sacrifice. We may stumble, but we rely on the grace and righteousness of Christ, not our own strength. What will you promise God today? And how will you keep it?

From the beginning, God's design was for His creation to grow, thrive, and experience His blessing. Though sin has broken that harmony, Jesus came proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. As His Church, we are called to be a sign and foretaste of that Kingdom, living as salt and light in a broken world. Because we have received grace, we extend grace. Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.

Your body is not ordinary. It is God's temple. In this message, Art Bastes reminds us that the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, making our bodies sacred. Because we were bought with a price, we are called to steward our health, choices, and habits in a way that honors Christ. Through Scripture and personal testimony, we're challenged to stop neglecting what God calls holy and to live with intentionality, self control, and reverence. Blot out what defiles. Build what strengthens. Do it all for the glory of God.

What does the Bible really say about alcohol? In 1 Samuel 1:12–16, Eli mistakes Hannah's heartfelt prayer for drunkenness. While the main focus of the passage is not alcohol itself, it gives us important principles for honoring the Lord in this area of life. Scripture shows that wine can be described as a blessing, yet it also gives serious warnings about its dangers. This message explores three clear biblical principles: drunkenness is sin, alcohol can dull our spiritual sensitivity and hinder our ability to abide in Christ, and it should never be used to numb grief or escape pain. The deeper issue is not simply whether we drink, but whether our choices honor God and keep us in step with the Holy Spirit. Whether someone chooses total abstinence or careful moderation, the call is the same: honor the Lord in all things. Those who honor Him, He will honor.

In 1 Samuel 1:15-18, Hannah gives voice to a prayer that is raw, honest, and deeply emotional. In the middle of anguish, grief, and unanswered longing, she does not pull away from God. Instead, she pours out her soul to Him. Her story reminds us that God invites us to come just as we are, bringing our pain, confusion, desires, and questions into His presence. This message explores what it means to truly pour out our souls to the Lord through pleading, weeping, and waiting. Hannah's prayer shows us that God is not threatened by our emotions or disappointed by our honesty. He listens, He empathizes, and He meets us with peace and transformation over time. When we release our burdens to God, His love is poured back into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. If you are carrying sorrow, trauma, unanswered prayers, or a deep longing for more of God, this message is an invitation to stop carrying it alone and bring everything to Him.

In 1 Samuel 1:9-17, we see Hannah pouring out her heart to the Lord in deep anguish, and Eli the priest stepping into his calling to protect the worship of God's house. What begins as a misunderstanding becomes a powerful picture of godly leadership and healthy Christian community. This message highlights three qualities we need in the church: a willingness to confront what appears to be sin, an ability to seek understanding instead of assuming the worst, and a readiness to bless and encourage when truth is known. Hannah's humble response also reminds us that spiritual growth requires a teachable spirit that is open to correction and open to God's work. The sermon also points to the importance of godly leadership in the church, including the roles of elders and deacons, and closes with a clear challenge: don't go it alone. God designed us to grow in community, with believers who help guide, correct, strengthen, and bless one another.

In Mark 1:14–20, Jesus begins His ministry with an urgent invitation: the kingdom of God is near. Repent, believe, and follow. In this message, Pastor Darren challenges us to see that following Jesus is not just a one time decision, but a daily posture of obedience. As Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to drop their nets and follow Him immediately, we are reminded that God still takes the initiative, interrupts our routines, and invites us into something bigger than comfort and convenience. Pastor Darren shares how spiritual growth often comes through small, everyday yeses that train our hearts to trust God with bigger steps over time. If you feel stuck in routine or your faith has grown dull, this message is a reset: listen for God's prompting, surrender control, and keep saying yes to Jesus. What is one everyday yes God is inviting you to say this week?

What does it look like to truly honor the Lord? In this message from 1 Samuel 1:3–20, we are reminded that honoring God begins in the heart and flows out through faithful worship. Elkanah's consistent commitment to worship and Hannah's honest, wholehearted prayer show us that worship is not about performance or emotion, but about love, desire, and devotion to God. This sermon explores four key aspects of faithful worship: making worship a priority, engaging in authentic worship with both heart and mind, allowing worship to transform us over time, and preparing ourselves intentionally to meet with God. Worship is not about what we get from God, but what we give to Him, our praise, our attention, and our lives. As God calls His people to be a consecrated people who honor Him, this message challenges us to come prepared, expectant, and hungry to encounter the Lord through worship. Are you approaching worship with priority, preparation, and expectation?

As we begin a new year, this message invites us to think beyond resolutions and toward something deeper: dedication. Rooted in 1 Samuel 1, Pastor Kory walks us through Hannah's prayer and shows how honoring the Lord starts with surrender, not self effort. In a culture shaped by autonomy and doing what feels right in our own eyes, God calls His people to a different way of living. Hannah's story reminds us that true dedication begins by acknowledging our struggles, boldly asking God for what is good, and then offering everything back to Him with open hands. This sermon launches the Honor the Lord series and challenges us to reflect on who truly has authority over our lives, our families, our time, and our resources. As we step into a new year, the question is not what we want to resolve, but who we are willing to trust. What would it look like for you and your household to fully dedicate this year to the Lord?

As we stand at the edge of a new year, Pastor Art Bastes reminds us that we are not stepping into the future alone. In Facing the Challenge of '26, we are anchored in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. Drawing from Joshua 1 through 3, this message calls us to move forward with confidence, not because the path is easy, but because God's presence goes with us. Israel faced a new season filled with uncertainty, leadership transition, and overwhelming obstacles. Yet God called them to take the step in obedience, claim His promises, and expect Him to do great things. Just as God went before Joshua and the people into the Promised Land, He goes before us into the challenges, decisions, and unknowns of a new year. Whether you are facing fear, unanswered questions, or seemingly impossible circumstances, this message is a reminder that God's presence is our greatest assurance. When we trust Him, step forward in faith, and expect Him to work, He proves Himself faithful again and again. What step of faith is God asking you to take as you move into the new year?

Christmas Sunday reminds us that the heart of the season is love. In this special tag team message, Pastors Kory and Darren lead us through the Christmas story to reveal the depth of God's love shown in Jesus Christ. Christmas is not just about activities, traditions, or gifts. It is about God making His home with us out of love. Through Luke 2 and Romans 5:8, we see that God demonstrated His love by coming to us, living with us, and ultimately dying for us while we were still sinners. Jesus entered our broken world to bridge the gap between humanity and a holy God. This love is not earned, deserved, or conditional. It is grace filled, sacrificial, and transformative. The message closes with a call to live out our identity in Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are chosen by God, made holy, and deeply loved. When we truly understand how much God loves us, it changes how we live, how we love others, and how we step into the Christmas season with humility, compassion, and joy. Do you truly believe that you are chosen by God and dearly loved?

Christmas joy can easily get crowded out by busyness, distractions, and pressure, but the joy God offers is deeper and lasting. In Acts 16, we see how Paul and Silas carried joy even in prison, praying and worshiping God despite their circumstances. Their joy was rooted not in comfort or freedom, but in faith and trust in Jesus. Pastor Kory reminds us that joy is often tested when our focus is pulled away from God. The enemy works subtly through busyness, materialism, and distraction, but prayer and worship keep our hearts aligned with the Lord. As Paul and Silas remained faithful, their joy became a powerful witness that led to salvation for the jailer and his household. True joy is found in believing in Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Him, our lives are transformed, chains are broken, and joy overflows. This Advent, God invites us to awaken to the joy that comes from salvation, devotion to prayer and worship, and a life centered on Jesus. Is your joy rooted in circumstances, or in your faith in Christ?

Peace is in short supply in our world, but Advent reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul shows us that God's peace is not based on circumstances but flows from rejoicing in the Lord, trusting His nearness, and bringing every anxiety to Him in prayer with thanksgiving. In this message, Pastor Kory explains how God's peace transcends understanding, guards our hearts and minds, and stands watch over us like a soldier. When we fix our hearts and minds on Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live with gentleness, freedom from anxiety, and confidence in God's control. Are you holding onto anxiety, or releasing it to the Prince of Peace?

Hope can feel hard to come by these days. We move from Thanksgiving straight into Christmas at full speed, yet our hearts are often tired, distracted, or weighed down. In Colossians 1:25 to 29, Paul reminds us of a truth that can steady us in every season. The mystery once hidden has now been revealed. Christ lives in us. He is our hope of glory. In this message, Pastor Darren shows how Advent calls us to slow our pace and remember the hope that is already ours. True biblical hope is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It is a confident expectation rooted in the character, promises, and presence of Jesus. When Christ abides in us, he transforms how we see our struggles, how we endure hardship, and how we move forward in faith. Is your hope anchored in circumstances that shift every day, or in the Christ who holds all things together?

Thankfulness is not meant to be a once a year tradition. It is a daily posture shaped by the peace, word, and work of Christ. In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul shows us what a truly thankful life looks like. When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, He becomes the one who makes the final call over our fears, anxieties, and circumstances. When the word of Christ dwells in us richly, it reshapes our attitudes, our worship, our relationships, and the way we see God's blessings. In this message, guest speaker Pastor Scott Shimada from JEMS shares how a grateful life flows from allowing God to lead, guide, and shape everything we do. Thankfulness grows as we let Christ's peace calm our hearts, let His word fill our minds, and let His presence direct our actions. A thankful life is not perfect or problem free. It is a life rooted in trust that God is good, God is present, and God is at work. Is your gratitude tied to your circumstances, or to the God who never changes?

Baptism is more than a symbol. It is a declaration of faith, an act of obedience, and a testimony of transformation. In John 15:18–21 and 26–27, Jesus reminds His followers that they no longer belong to the world but to Him. Through baptism, believers identify with a new way of life and community, obey the Lord's command, and publicly proclaim that they have been made new in Christ. In this message, Pastor Kory teaches that baptism represents dying to the old self, being raised to new life, and living as a witness for Jesus. It is both a celebration of salvation and a calling to walk daily in faith, obedience, and joy. Have you experienced the new life that comes from knowing Christ?

What does it mean to live with a joy that never fades? In John 15:11 and 16:20–24, Jesus promises His disciples a joy that cannot be taken away, a joy that is complete, overflowing, and grounded not in circumstances but in the goodness of God. In this message, Pastor Kory reminds us that Christian joy is deeper than happiness. It is a steady confidence in God's goodness that transforms our outlook even in hardship. When we eliminate grumbling and choose to contemplate God's blessings, we discover that joy is not something we manufacture but something that flows from abiding in Christ. Is your joy dependent on circumstances or rooted in the goodness of God?

Abiding in Jesus is more than belief; it is a relationship that transforms us. In John 15:5–11, Jesus calls His followers to remain in His love, obey His commands, and bear fruit that glorifies the Father. Fruit takes time to grow, but obedience rooted in love produces lasting joy. In this message, Pastor Darren reminds us that God is not transactional; He is relational. Obedience is not the means to salvation, but the evidence of it. When we remain in Christ, we experience His deep love, reflect His character, and discover that radical obedience leads to radical joy. Are you striving on your own or remaining in His love?

What if your relationship with Jesus wasn't just that of servant and Master—but of deep, transforming friendship? In John 15:4-5, 9-17, Jesus calls His followers friends, inviting them into a relationship that changes everything. In this message, Pastor Kory explores what it means to be a friend of Jesus—the kind of friendship that transforms how we see success, how we handle family and work, and how we face life's pressures. When we abide in His love, our lives bear fruit, our joy is made complete, and our hearts find rest in His presence. Is Jesus your Lord, your Savior… and your Best Friend?

On the night before His death, Jesus shared intimate words with His disciples—promises meant to anchor their hearts through fear and uncertainty. In John 14:22-31, He speaks of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, the peace that the world cannot give, the call to obedience rooted in love, and the hope of an eternal home with the Father. In this message, Matthew Hernandez reminds us that these Passover promises still hold true today: Help from the Spirit, Obedience born of love, Peace that transcends trials, and an Everlasting reality beyond the present. These are Jesus' final words of hope for all who believe in Him. Are you holding onto temporary comforts—or to the promises of Christ?

Jesus calls us not just to believe in Him but to remain in Him. In John 15:1-5, He paints the picture of the vine and the branches—showing that apart from Him we can do nothing, but in Him we bear much fruit. In this message, Pastor Kory teaches how abiding with Jesus brings peace, purpose, power, and presence into our daily lives. Through this abiding relationship, God the Gardener lifts us up, prunes us, and transforms us into people who reflect His love. Are you clinging to the Vine—or trying to grow on your own?

Life can leave us anxious and uncertain—but Jesus speaks peace into our troubled hearts. In John 14:1-6, He promises His followers a place in the Father's house, secured not by our efforts but through Him: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In this message, guest speaker Chuck Weiskircher reminds us that heaven is more than our misconceptions—it's the eternal home God has prepared for those who love Him. With Jesus as our guide and our hope, we can face today's troubles with confidence in tomorrow's promise. Are you living with troubled hearts—or with trust in the One who prepares a place for you?

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 13:00:00 -0800

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory delivers this week's message: The Riches of God's Grace

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory delivers our Thanksgiving Sunday message: Give Thanks With All Your Heart

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory delivers this week's message: Heaven, Not Earth, Is My Home.

In today's world, finding our identity is a crucial aspect of our lives. Whether through social groups, achievements, or self-declaration, we all strive to answer the question, "Who are you?" However, there is a superior identity that surpasses all others—the Christian identity. Grounded in our relationship with God, it is a perception, performance, and proclamation of who we are, all received from God rather than achieved by ourselves.

Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Darren continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory continues our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory introduces our series, Powers That Be: Our 3 Big Enemies in the Faith.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Darren wraps up our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God.

Pastor Kory continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God.

JR Houn continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God, with his message, Mercy in an Unmerciful Time.

Pastor Darren continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God, with his message, Faith Under Fire.

Alberto Zepeda continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God, with his message, Costly Unforgiveness.

Pastor Darren continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God, with his message, When Something's Not Right.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory continues our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory starts our series, Anxiety: Finding Comfort and Reassurance from God.

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0700 https://wccc

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0700 https://w

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory continues our series with his message, Love it or Hate It: God's Light Shines.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Darren continues our series, Stellar, with his message, Fellowship in the Light.

Join us for worship service – in person and online – this Sunday at 11am. Pastor Kory starts our new series, Stellar, with his message, Let the Light of Jesus Shine!

Pastor Kory wraps up our #FamilyChurch series with his Pentecost Sunday message.

Pastor Kory continues our series on #FamilyChurch with his message, Deep Forgiveness: Breaking the Cycle of Offense.