Huddle Sunday 09-11-11

Watch Greg Sidders deliver his "Huddle Sunday" message from Sunday 09-11-11


This message is from Huddle Sunday, White Pine Community Church's once-a-year church family gathering in which we commit ourselves to the vision the Lord has given us for the coming 12 months. Listen as Greg asks the question, “What does God want us to be famous for?” His answer will shape everything we do for the next year. We hope you will listen and then help make White Pine "Famous."

Hurting

Watch Greg Sidders deliver his message, "Hurting" // Sunday 09-04-11

There is nothing more disillusioning than pain.  

As Christians, we believe in a God who is full of compassion of abounding in love, yet we live in a world that is filled with suffering. Right now, you are hurting in some way, aren't you? And whether it's merely irritating or utterly debilitating, pain tests our faith. We can't help but wonder, What is God doing when I am hurting?

That's a good question. And the Bible answers it. In this episode, we are going to learn why our good, compassionate God allows us to suffer. It won't relieve the pain, but it will give you perspective that will help you to persevere. My prayer is that those of us who need to be encouraged, and those of us whom God wants to use as encouragers, will be transformed by the truth we learn together.

Will Truesdell, InterVarsity // White Pine Community Church

Watch Will Truesdell, from InterVarsity, from his message at White Pine Community Church. Sunday, 8-28-11

I had everything I needed for my cross-country flight neatly organized in my aluminum briefcase, but I also had a problem: Someone had rotated the dials of the three-digit combination lock, and I couldn't remember the combination. I was locked out of what I needed to survive the trek.

What I felt at that moment is what I have sometimes felt while reading what Jesus said in John15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." There is so much power packed into those words, but how do I unlock that power? "Abide in me," Jesus says--but how do I do that? What combination of things must I do to abide in Christ?

In this episode we are going to learn how to abide in Christ from someone who, in my opinion, has figured out the combination. Will Truesdell is the director of InterVarsity Northern New England, a ministry to college students in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and the time we have spent together has given me great confidence that his teaching ministry will be very enriching to our church family.

It's Alright To Dream Again

Listen to Randy Reynolds as he delivers his message, "It's Alright To Dream Again." 

(Sorry, glitch in the video processing, just audio available this week.)

The Root Cellar

Watch Kurt Holmgren, Director of the Root Cellar as he speaks at White Pine Community Church // Sunday 08/14/11


I'll bet few of us feel wealthy, but riches are relative. We may have less than we'd like, yet, on average, those who live in the communities north of Portland possess more than the vast majority of Mainers. In light of all that the Bible teaches about caring for the poor, I'm sobered by that reality.

But I'm also thankful that the White Pine family has taken that calling seriously. Your ongoing generosity to community food pantries, as well as our collective commitment to the Root Cellar in Portland, are Christlike expressions of compassion for those who have less than we do.

I think it's a healthy thing for us to know how our donations to the Root Cellar are being used, and to dream of new ways to partner with that strategic ministry. That's why I asked Kurt Holmgren, the director of the Root Cellar, to speak at White Pine this Sunday. (I will be speaking at a church in Southern Oregon before beginning a 10-day vacation.) Kurt is a passionate follower of Jesus who has a God-given vision for bringing "Shalom" to Portland. If you wonder what that means, don't miss church this Sunday.

I'll miss you, and I'll be praying for you as God speaks to you through Kurt.

Superheroes Part 4

Watch Greg Sidders in his message, Superheroes Part 4 from Sunday 08/07/11

Facing any giants these days?

I don't mean the flesh-and-blood kind.  I mean, are you facing any overwhelming challenges--at home, at work, at school, in your body, in your mind?  Is there anything in your life that is so big and so bad that it's scaring you to death?

If you'd like to know why has God allowed that giant to threaten you, and how you can slay it, don't miss this podcast.  You'll learn from a biblical boy wonder how to get a head of your giant!

Superheroes Part 3

"Watch Superheroes Part 3", by Greg Sidders

Don't you wish life always made sense?

I think we all want to believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it feels like God is not quite as personally and purposefully involved in our lives as we'd hoped, doesn't it?

If you're feeling that way these days, I think you'll be encouraged by this message. We're going to look at the life of someone who thought she was far from God, only to find that she was smack dab in the center of His will--which just might be where you are right now. Listen and learn how to live a purpose-filled life even in the midst of seemingly purposeless circumstances.