Why does God answer some prayers and not others? That's the billion-dollar question. This Sunday, we will actually offer a helpful answer-especially if you're struggling to see God bring answers to your life. We will also celebrate in communion, recognizing Jesus as THE answer to all of our prayers.

You might have heard that confession is good for the soul, but is it really? If you struggle with guilt, shame, and regret, this Sunday offers a pathway toward freedom.

We may have all asked, "God, what is your will for my life?" What has been the answer? If you don't know, this Sunday, you will. Really? Yes! Join us and those you invite as we continue our "As in Heaven" series this weekend!

Be honest: have you ever doubted whether prayer works? Maybe even this week? What if prayer were much more powerful than our wishes, and we could find that deeper connection and peace? Good news--we can. Join us every Sunday in September for our prayer series called "As in Heaven." We will discover and experience not only the power of prayer but its purpose beyond asking for what we want. We will see what God wants, not only for us to experience, but also what our community needs to see a breakthrough!

Have you ever found something you never thought you had? Like money in an old coat, a gift card buried deep in your purse, or how about that bonus fry at the bottom of the bag? You go, “Today is going to be a good day!” Jesus has a surprise for each of us that we need to be watchful for. If we find it, we will do all we can to keep it. This Labor Day weekend, you will discover an amazing treasure that He has given us, which will transform us.

Do you remember the moment you were given the keys to the family car? You were filled with excitement for freedom but felt the huge responsibility. If you've been a parent, you know the fear you feel of having to entrust your teenager. Life is a trust that God has given us the keys to his Kingdom to turn over to us. Discover the key that will drive every area of your life toward transformation of your life and others.

Have you ever had unexpected guests drop by? How would you feel if we told you Jesus himself was coming? Yes, Jesus already came, died, rose again, and ascended, but He is not done. Are you ready for His return...again? You can be. Preparations are being made this Sunday!

From kids cutting in the school lunch line to someone stealing a Costco parking space we have cried, “No fair!” Well, life is not fair, and neither is God But, that is good. How? If you feel like life is serving you lemons, we will be making some lemonade by discovering the unfair advantage we have in the goodness of God.

What is your image of a greedy person? A salesman, Scrooge, or a TV preacher? What if that image is actually in our own mirror? Though we might not readily admit it, we all tend to hold on tightly to what we have. Interestingly, we rarely come across grumpy, greedy individuals and we encounter many happy and generous people. Join us to learn how to let off our greed. We'll discover how this act can lead to incredible joy, not just for ourselves, but also for the lives we touch as we seek to mirror the One who generously gave His very self with great joy for us.

In the parables, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. That is a big title for him to give the people who follow him, but what does it actually mean? Join us as we take some time to dive into what it looks like for us to be the light of the world!

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, why would Jesus make the hero someone so reviled by the Jewish leaders?

Though summer brings low tides and calm water to Birch Bay, many of us know what winter storms can do to our homes and our community. From highly inconvenient to devastating, the damage can be great. Just as there are physical storms, there are storms of life. The question is: are you strong enough to withstand the storm?

Humility is not encouraged or incentivized in our culture. How, then, does God see and value the humble in heart even more than our righteous-looking acts? We look to the book of John this week to start down the way to a humble heart.

Freedom. It's a wonderful state of being, but how do you know you truly are free? This coming weekend, we invite you to find out what true freedom really means through the power of forgiveness.

We live in a society that says size matters...the bigger the better. But haven't you discovered that bigger is really just more? More clutter and complications. Jesus talks about the massiveness of the Kingdom, but it always starts with the small seed of faith.

Jesus was the master storyteller. His famous parables about his Kingdom offer the grace of his truth and the grit required to courageously choose to live out that truth- leading to the transformation we all desire. It will be such an impactful summer as we unpack Jesus' timeless teaching every Sunday together.

If we are honest, being filled to the point of overflow is the desire of all hearts. We seek fulfillment from the people and places we empty ourselves. This Sunday, we will consider what it looks like to live a life where we empty ourselves before the Lord so He can fill us to overflowing.

In high school, many of us cheered across to the opposing side, "We've got spirit yes we do, we've got spirit, how 'bout you?" Sadly, some Christians do the same. However, the Holy Spirit is for ALL people. What would it be like to be so filled with God's Spirit that it spills over onto others who can experience the same transformation?

How ironic that in a plethora of choices, we can't find what we desire. Why? Because nothing can satisfy our soul but ONE. In Jesus, we find ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction in the depth of our souls. In Him, we discover boundless love, eternal purpose, and everlasting peace drawing us closer to God's perfect design for our lives.

Let's be honest: we all ask God, "If you have it all, why don't you give it when we need it?" Well, there's a reason. Discover this Sunday how God's transformative power is revealed when He takes the meager resources we offer and accomplishes extraordinary things, showcasing His boundless ability to multiply and bring abundance out of scarcity.

Have you recently said the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time? We all have regrets, and sometimes wish we could take back our words. The cold reality is that while we can't take them back, we can change what we say for the future. This Sunday, discover how the overflow of our hearts through our mouths can bring abundance and life.

We've all said the phrase, "Guess who I bumped into?" Think back: what happens when somebody actually bumps into you? How do you react? The truth is, whatever's already in us ends up coming out of us - whether positive or negative. This Sunday, we start a brand new series learning how to live out of the overflow of God's abundance rather than the limitations of our finite capacity.

In 100 words or fewer, what is the best advice you would give to someone who desires to follow God's will in their life? If you find yourself drawing a blank, there's good news: the writer of Hebrews gives us some very pointed, powerful, and actionable counsel.

Let's be honest; when life gets hard, some of us just want to say, "I quit." Many people do, in fact. They quit their jobs, their relationships, and even their belief in Jesus. But, instead of quitting, what if we said, "I surrender." This weekend, discover how giving up--not on, but to God--is the most empowering and transformational choice of your life.

We live in a culture today that seems to say, "Believe what you want." We know that's a faulty foundation to live by because "just believing" has never been enough-even toward God. This Sunday, discover that true belief is not a passive, but an active pursuit of God's purpose for our lives, and as we believe, there's a wonderful reward he offers us.

What could we all use a little more of in our lives? These last few years have felt hopeless or at least a little less hopeful. What we now call "Good" Friday didn't seem that good until Jesus rose again three days later and resurrected hope.

As much as technology has made life convenient for us, using it can be quite a frustration. How many passwords can we really keep track of?! If you've ever felt locked out in life, you need to know that God provided direct access to His holy presence through His one and only passcode, His very Son.

Do you ever stop in the middle of your work or route and think there's got to be a better way? That same thought is so important when we consider our faith. The good news is that Jesus always provides a better way. But how do we know we're on it?

Babies are cute at 3 months...but not at 53 years. Growing older doesn't automatically lead to gaining maturity, especially the emotional kind. If you feel you are stunted in your spiritual development, you'll want to tune in as we share one key mark of maturity that is so critical in being fully grown as disciples that will make a difference not just in your life but those around you.

Are you feeling weary and burdened? Are you struggling to find rest for your soul? Join us this Sunday as we explore Hebrews 4 with our youth and small groups director Jake Hruza and discover the true source of rest and renewal for our lives.

How's your heart? The vital organ pumping your blood matters, but even more important is the core of your spiritual condition. If you are struggling with your spiritual heart, the worst thing you can do is nothing. That's why this Sunday, the heart of the matter is what really matters most.

It's such a sinking feeling when you're lost. Thank goodness for GPS! But what about when we're feeling lost emotionally and spiritually? How do we find our way again?

"Well, no one's perfect." Sound familiar? We use this phrase to give others a pass or ourselves an excuse. No one's perfect...except for one: Jesus. At the cross, His blood shed, our sins cleansed, all hearts made holy and whole. Nothing more is needed, and there's no more to be given. The sacrifice is totally satisfied. There's nothing left to accomplish. "It is finished" means done by the Son, completely and once for all. This is Hebrews.

With so much division, strife, and angst in our world and even in the church but more personal pain you have faced do you ask, "Where’s the Love?" As Valentine’s Day approaches there is no better topic to finish out The Chosen Life series. For not no matter the hate or hurt we experienced there is hope to experience a love that has not only expression but proven to us.

Success. So many people stress and strive for it, but how do you know you've reached it? It's so subjective. Is there really an answer? You might be surprised that there is, because Jesus himself has defined success in one simple word: Faithfulness.

Are you happy? Now you might be thinking, "This sounds like a loaded question. What do you mean by 'happy?'" Happiness seems so superficial. What are we really looking for? Contentment.

Do you find yourself easily offended and wonder why? Whether you get cut off in traffic or someone bails on you, even the best of us can get upset. It's not a matter of when this happens, but more about how we allow it to bother us when it does happen. It's that moment we make a choice, one of the hardest choices you ever have to make in life, and that choice is to...FORGIVE.

With the advent of social media, "friend" has become a click of requests, which for most, equates to several hundred "friends." Yet, why do we feel so alone? Because a screen can't hug you; a text message can't hold you. A meme can amuse but brings little comfort to your pain. What we really need are living, breathing, flesh-and-blood relationships. So where are those real friends? You find them.

"Stuff" happens. Good or bad, and you can't avoid it. The question always is, what do we do with what has happened? This week we start our new year's series, "The Chosen Life." The goal is to discover that the life God has chosen for us is not about privilege but rather empowerment. His best life starts with our choice.

Some of the decisions we make in life are so significant with massive consequences, and you know the pressure that brings. Nothing compares to the one man whose divine encounter would disrupt his life and force him to make a major decision that would lead him to not only be the stepfather of the Savior but would help usher in salvation for the entire world.

Do you like to be surprised at Christmas? Most like to experience the unexpected gift, but nothing compares to one teenage girl who encountered the ultimate unexpected-that she was expecting. Little did she know that this "disruption" would give birth to the greatest gift in human history.

Every year, Christmas stirs up mixed emotions with busy activities and cozy feelings, yet for many, we are looking for some tranquility in the chaos. However, the very first Christmas was nothing but calm. Instead, it was a disruption-the invasion of Immanuel. This encounter was God's very self, inhabiting His people through one little baby. Yet this disturbance would lead to transformation not only of the very people that make up the Christmas but would truly usher in the Prince of Peace to be filled with the promise of salvation for generations to come.

As we gather around the table this week, there is so much to be thankful for. Even if life is currently hard, there is One who we can be so appreciative for: Jesus.

Are You Lonely? If so, you're not alone. One out of five people say they have experienced loneliness recently. Isolation is not the solution and online church is not enough to meet that deep need you have. So, join us this Sunday where we share the very remedy that God provides when we are alone: Him and us together!

Many have asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" But have you ever wondered the reverse - why good things happen to bad people? You might be surprised by the answer this weekend!

We've been told that if we get too close to fire we might get burned. Yet, as a moth draws to flame, our sinful nature causes us to do the same, and there are consequences. We know this. But why do we keep doing it?

We all want to be in control of our lives, but when does it lead to being controlling? If you're desperate to find control (or discovering that you're a control freak), you don't want to miss this Sunday to find freedom!

From the beginning, humanity has tried to make a name for itself. Our desire to be known drives us to build our own kingdoms. But God has had a different plan, and the Tower of Babel offers a glimpse of His beautiful plan of salvation for all of humanity.

Ever wished you could have a do-over in life? While none of us can go back in time to take back something we've said or undo something we've done, God does make a way for do-overs. His opportunity comes at a cost, but it's so worth it.

When you're faced with a problem, what do you do? Fix it. Easier said than done because Band-Aids don't heal bullet holes. Often times, we need to get to the deeper issue by going to the source.

Have you ever been lost? It's a dreadful feeling when you realize you took the wrong path. Yet, there is another type of "lost-ness" that's greater than your location-being lost in your condition. When you find yourself asking, "How did my life end up here?", the path home is profoundly simple: retrace your steps to the start.

Jesus says a lot about prayer in the Gospels. In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a little parable that teaches us
about prayer, particularly in harder seasons of life. His main point? Keep on praying and don’t
give up, because our prayers are the grandest expression of our faith in Him who is on His way.

Can you recall a bonding moment you've had with family or friends around the dinner table? As Christ followers, one of our most unifying times is around the Lord's Table. This Sunday, we anticipate a supernatural bonding moment as we go deeper into the significance of communion—something you might never have known before.

One of the biggest misnomers is that following Jesus is boring. Why? Because church people have made him boring! When you read the actual account of Jesus, he partied with people that were nothing like him, but still liked him. What if we actually did the same?

Do you ever get a good night's sleep but still wake up feeling tired? It could be a sign of weariness. None of us like feeling this way... so what do we do? The solution might surprise you: Do... NOTHING. This Sunday, discover God's answer to finding rest for not just your body but your very soul.

Let's be honest, do you find the Bible hard to read and sometimes boring because you don't understand it? In fact, you don't want to admit this because you feel others will judge you. So many of us can feel this way; however you know how important God's Word is to read and study. What do you do? This Sunday, we hope you will not only be inspired but equipped in such a way not just knowing you SHOULD read the Bible, but actually WANT to read the living words of Jesus to help further flourish your faith.

In a world that feels busy and noisy, we long for some sort of space to breathe, but that often feels impossible. The spiritual practices of silence and solitude can help us to experience rest and refreshment as we grow closer to God. As we continue in our summer Flourish series, we practice what it means to be still and know that He is God.

As we continue in our summer Flourish series, we see that Christ calls us to follow His example in living a life filled with generosity. We'll be exploring 2 Corinthians and seeing how God draws us near to Him as we hold our blessings with open hands.

Why is it difficult to share our struggles? One of the most difficult endeavors: admitting when you are wrong. We can conceal our sin out of fear of shame and rejection of others. Yet, the greatest way to build trust in relationships is through vulnerability. So how do we do this effectively? This Sunday will be so insightful to help you and others discover the power of confession.

Summer is such a great time to kick back and get some R&R...though so often there's also a temptation to let our faith involvement take a back seat. When we allow our commitment and convictions to slide, we're left feeling empty and disconnected. This summer, don't let yourself flake out. Instead, find new life in our summer series, Flourish: Choosing Connection in a Withering World. Join us each Sunday for a teaching service as well as through the week with our special accompanying growth guide, "More Than a Hike" to get the most out of the series. Growth guides will be available in-person or digitally online to help you find a flourishing life through a life-giving relationship with Jesus and one another.

Freedom: we love it, but we sure take it for granted...and that becomes most apparent when we lose it. We know freedom has price. Brave men and women have paid the ultimate price for our country. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation. This Sunday, we celebrate not only our freedom as a nation, but the great liberation of our very souls. This Sunday is a very special combined gathering with our CTK Blaine Campus for worship, freedom, and fellowship!

Forgiveness is hard. Is there anything more difficult to do? When we truly forgive, there is amazing freedom for ourselves and for those we forgive. If you feel imprisoned by your own bitterness and want to experience a release or help be set free from the bondage of the past, this Sunday will be your Sunday to engage our final chapter of how to live a better story.

Lately, there is a push of rewriting history books to reflect all perspectives. This is a necessary step in correcting many injustices, but is such a difficult task because of one fact: all interpretations come from a biased perspective. This is true of our own personal histories, too. Our lives have had happiness and good times, but also much pain. The latter can easily become our lens on how we view life today. The challenge, then, is how to use our past to help us, not hurt us. The Bible says the best way is not to lean on our interpretation, but on God's.

We all make excuses. If we let it, making excuses can easily lead to living a very limited existence. This Sunday, we will be seeking God's answer to the reason behind the excuses we make and finding freedom-not only freedom for ourselves, but liberation for others to live the better story God has for us. Let go of any excuse you have for missing service and show up this week!

Each of us has a story that is filled with a lot of drama and even trauma, yet through Jesus, there are new chapters to be written-a better story that can be lived. The question is, who holds the pen in your life? This Sunday we kick off our new series, Live a Better Story, with speaker, life coach, and author of The Success Lie, Janelle Bruland. Janelle and her husband, Graham, have been with us at North Bay for many years. This week, she will be sharing her account of how the great first step of living a better story starts with getting past your past to live the best life God has for you.

Does life feel elusive? Like it's as hard to grasp as a loose sheet of paper on a gusty day? We can struggle from day to day, never really accomplishing the goals we have. It only seems to become more and more defeating the older we get. Yet deep down, you know that the quality of your life is not determined by achieving goals or finishing checklists. Here we will discover what really does matter, what has the potential to bring you what we all desire: joy.

Genesis 3:5 NIV Today’s Truth: Our generosity ultimately depends on our trust in God’s Goodness. Matthew 14:26-29 NIV; John 20:29 NIV; Hebrews 11:1 NLT; Matthew 14:30–31 NIV; Hebrews 11:6 NIV Living Generous by Trusting in God’s Goodness: Give God our first, not our last. Proverbs 3:9 NIV; Malachi 3 …

How rich are you? Your answer might be, "Not very." Well, think again! If you think you're poor, you always will be. However, if you realize how rich you are, great wealth is available to you...and payday is this Sunday! Come and receive your inheritance with us!

Where does joy really come from? Some believe it comes from what we get -- gifts on Christmas morning, that big purchase you've been saving up for, all the conveniences of modern living. Truth is, true joy is found in the giving. This week, uncover with us how to access true joy in our brand new series, The Joy of a Generous Life. Invite your friends, family, neighbors, & co-workers to this one!

Celebrating Easter is always so filled with new life and new hope...but now what? Well, now it's about living out that hope. Be honest: do you really carry that hope every day, especially in middle of another busy week? This Sunday we continue with our Unstoppable series and look at how even in “weak days” we can be filled with continual hope.

We're so excited to celebrate once again the greatest event ever: the resurrection of the King of kings, Jesus Christ! Easter Sunday is one of our favorite days of the year as we celebrate together!

They say those who know they are soon going to die find extraordinary clarity at the very end, notably of what truly matters most in their lives. What if there was a way for us to discover this about our own lives, BEFORE we're on our deathbed? How do we do it? This weekend, we're given some ideas by way of one very emotional goodbye speech that ended up making the first-century church unstoppable, and can serve to do the same for our own faith. Join us as we celebrate Palm Sunday and prepare for an amazing Holy Week together!

Do you know someone who was raised in Church and who has not only stopped attending services and groups but has walked away from their faith? What makes someone with such a deep-rooted belief turn their back on the mission of Christ? There are a lot of complex reasons, but one might come down to a version of faith that really was intended to put them in first place. Join us as we unpack Paul's approach to being a servant of Christ with the sole intention of winning hearts and souls to the Lord.

Conspiracy theories. Cancel culture. Conflict in Ukraine. The world is so divided right now. How is it affecting you? How are you keeping your faith through it all? As it turns out, there are practical steps we can take make difference not only in the world out there, but in the world right here where we live. Join us this week for a special gathering as we tackle the challenging issue of faith through the conflict.

Change. Most people want it if will improve their lives. We can see in the Scriptures that God's character never changes; it is unstoppable in its pursuit to bring change for the good of our lives. Do you struggle with change? Do you find it difficult to acclimate to new things? This week we offer help not only to adapt but actually lead you to transformation in both your life and the lives of others.

With so many competing voices constantly coming at us, it can be hard to discern which to listen to. The ones we choose to believe are the ones that direct our lives the most. How do we know which ones are true? That's the question we'll answer in this message—a question so important it can literally determine your future. Don't miss it!

There is a little hidden issue that no one is really talking about that has developed during the COVID years. It's affected our culture and even has seeped into the church; yet Jesus promised that He will build His church and nothing will come against it. Join us as we discover and deal with this issue that affects our very motivation to follow Jesus. To know it and call it out of us will lead to greater transformation in our lives in the impact our community!

Our world has always been impacted by those seeking power through money, influence, position or force. The early followers of Jesus learned quickly that God did not intend power to come at the cost of another, but extended His power to others at the cost of Himself. How would your life look different living in the Power of God?

You would think that in times of crisis, people would be unified. Actually, since the pandemic began, church attendance has tanked almost everywhere. Weird, right??
So, what happened? Or maybe the bigger question is, how can we establish the habit of gathering together again as a faith community?
Sometimes the best way to go forward is go back-2000 years back, to the beginning. To the moment Jesus established His church, which He built-and is still building-to be unstoppable.
How do we participate in the unstoppable mission of Jesus? Join us for not only our Sunday gatherings, but in our small groups as we grow spiritually together using this season's growth guides, starting this week!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed in life? You might say, "Yes, right now!" Well, guess what that makes you. (Hint: it’s not what you think it is.) What can you do about it? Join us this Sunday as we discover who really does surround us and how it will change our lives completely when we realize it.

Do you ever wonder if God thinks our prayers are too small? It starts with moving beyond just saying grace at mealtime and “now I lay me down to sleep” at bedtime. He has given us permission and authority to pray big and bold; so why do we seldom do it? If you desire to experience the power of prayer, then you don’t want to miss this Sunday and hear not only how big and bold prayer has worked, but how God so desires to answer the prayers we pray--no matter the size. 

Isolation has been one of the greatest challenges during this pandemic. As much as prayer is a relationship with God it also involves a community of people supporting each other. In this message we’re going to examine the significance of unity through the power of prayer. If you are feeling weary, we are here to carry those burdens to God with you!

We've all done something wrong and tried our best to cover it up. Eventually, though, we know it catches up with us-and in the worst way possible. To avoid this, we need to come clean before the consequences become too severe. But how? Join us as we discover how PRAYER WORKS through the power of confession. It calls for courage, but the reward is a truly incredible feeling of freedom and joy. What more could we want?!

In times of need, grief, or even crisis, we're told over and over again that we should pray... but does it really work? Let's be real: it's struggle when our prayers seem to go unanswered. How can we say that prayer works when this happens? This new year's series is taking a honest approach to prayer, why it does really matter, and how it does really work.

New Year's one-off message