Worship was led by Pastor Peter Johnson and Shawna Berg and centered on Ephesians 2, reflecting on how Christ breaks down the walls that divide us. Through the story of peaceful, candlelit protests in Leipzig that helped bring down the Berlin Wall, the message emphasized that love, mercy, and small acts of light can overcome fear and hostility, calling the church to be a place of welcome and hope for all.
Pastor Peter reflects on the Good Samaritan and a viral story about a lonely monkey named Punch to illustrate how compassion often appears from unexpected people and places. He emphasizes that labels and assumptions can prevent us from seeing one another’s humanity, yet Jesus calls us to a “gut‑level” compassion that crosses divisions. Ultimately, he urges the congregation to embody mercy and love in a divided world, just as God consistently shows such compassion toward us.
Pastor Peter reflects on the Good Samaritan and a viral story about a lonely monkey named Punch to illustrate how compassion often appears from unexpected people and places. He emphasizes that labels and assumptions can prevent us from seeing one another’s humanity, yet Jesus calls us to a “gut‑level” compassion that crosses divisions. Ultimately, he urges the congregation to embody mercy and love in a divided world, just as God consistently shows such compassion toward us.
Pastor Matthew’s sermon explains Jesus challenges fear, division, and misunderstanding—even from his own family and religious leaders—by showing that God’s work is rooted in unity and love, not control or accusation. The message emphasizes that followers of Jesus are called to reject forces that divide people and instead live out courageous, forgiving love as the true way to heal a divided world.
