In spring and early summer of 2026, Pastor Ryan preached a sermon series based on what he teaches baptismal candidates about life as a Christian in the church.

May 10 – Why We Worship
May 17 – How We Worship
May 24 – The Outcome of Worship
May 31 – God’s Work in Us
June 7 – Doing our part
June 21 – Guiding Principles for Christian Living
June 28 – Guiding Principles for Decision Making


Photo by Nathanael Dunn on Unsplash

Now that we know we belong to Christ and that he loves us, how do we go about making decisions so that we can live godly lives? Pastor Ryan gives four principles we can use to help us make good ones.

“Guiding Principles for Decision Making” by Pastor Ryan Emmnons

Psalm 32:8-11 (NLT) ; 詩 篇 32:8-11 (CUVS)
Philippians 4:4-9 (NLT) ; 腓 立 比 書 4:4-9 (CUVS)

poster with four questions: 
1. Will this help me grow as a Christian?
2. Will this master me?
3. Will this cause another Christian to stumble?
4. Will this glorify God?

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript) or download the poster.


Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash

Hand holding a compass, oriented to the sun on the horizon. Sermon title and scriptures.

Pastor Ryan reminds us that as Christians, our identity is in Christ, not in our accomplishments and that we ultimately belong to God, not to ourselves. These principles are our foundation for knowing how to live our lives.

“Guiding Principles for Christian Living” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) ; 歌 林 多 前 書 6:19-20 (CUVS)
Leviticus 26:9-13 (NIV) ; 利 未 記 26:9-13 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).


Photo by Tim Graf on Unsplash

God will help us grow in the Spirit, but we have to do our part as well. Pastor Ryan lists several things we can do that will keep us growing and keep us from working against what God is doing in us.

“Doing Our Part” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Psalm 119:9-16 (NLT) ; 詩 篇 119:9-16 (CUVS)
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT) ; 希 伯 來 書 12:1-3 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).


Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash

What happens in our lives when we worship God? We share the Good News with others with words and by living a Kingdom life.

“The Outcome of Worship” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT) ; 馬 太 福 音 28:16-20 (CUVS)
Ephesians 3:6-7,10-11 (NLT) ; 以 弗 所 書 3:6-11 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).


Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

crepuscular rays from the sun rising into a cloudy morning sky. Trees and a fence silhouetted in front.

In winter 2026, Pastor Ryan explored the claims of the Apostles’ Creed. His focus was the basic statements of faith that all Christians should be able to agree on.

The creeds articulate basic tenets of faith, but they do not explain them. This leaves space for Christians to ponder and consider more deeply the mysteries of God. None of us (person, church, or denomination) fully comprehends these mysteries, but if we hold to the statements of faith in the creed, we can open space for dialogue with other Christians who also believe them. These conversations can then lead to the healing of divisions and of the church itself.

Here is the creed:

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Amen.

February 15 – Hear, O Israel! (The Shema)
February 22 – I Believe in God
March 1 – Maker of All
March 8 – I Believe in Jesus
March 15 – Lived, Dies, Lives Again
March 22 – United in the Holy Spirit
March 29 – Future Hope


Photo by Lillian Fisher on Unsplash