Small Run
Big idea: Joseph is treated harshly by his brothers and thrown into a cistern in the desert. He is eventually sold into slavery in Egypt. His life takes many twists and turns until he finally is elevated to power in Egypt. After his family has to come to Egypt to be saved, Joseph faces how to respond to the pain they caused him. Rather than seek revenge, Joseph sees God’s work in what was supposed to be the end of his life. God won’t waste your pain in the wilderness, he will use it to bring him glory and to bless others.
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Easter Sunday 2026 April 5th
April 12th 2026
Big idea: After Elijah’s greatest moment as a prophet, he runs away in fear from Queen Jezebel. He hides in a cave at Mt. Horeb. God asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah is there because he feels afraid and vulnerable. God promises to speak to him, but He doesn’t speak in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, Elijah hears God in a gentle whisper. Sometimes, when we feel our most vulnerable, we need to be very quiet to hear God speaking to us.
Welcome: Good morning, Ironton First!
Welcome: Good morning, Ironton First! Today, as we delve into 1 Samuel 24:1-7, we’ll discover the power of patience in waiting on the Lord. Embracing the wisdom of the 23rd Psalm is a wonderful beginning.
Pastor: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-7
Kids: Choosing right or wrong.
Big Idea: The teaching this week in Matthew’s Gospel highlights Jesus’s ongoing interactions with the Pharisees, and it's actually where we get the saying, “Practice what you preach.” The passage can be broken down into three sections, each reflecting some key themes that appear throughout Jesus’s life and teachings.
Prayer: “Father God, give us a new portion of the heart and mind of Christ today. Help us to follow his example of consistency, humility, and authenticity in all our interactions with others as we follow you on this path of Kingdom living. Amen.”
Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12, Matthew 6:1-18, Matthew 18:28-30, Philippians 2:5-11
We need to learn to remain resolute and steadfast in our faith in Jesus. Apart from Him, we have no hope. He is the way, the truth, and the firm and secure anchor in our lives.
Nov. 2nd Today, we are celebrating All Saints' Day, a significant occasion where we remember those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior and have departed from this world. Each of us has loved ones, such as a father, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister, who are now with the Lord. This remembrance is essential because we aspire to follow in the footsteps of these faithful individuals. They serve as examples for us to follow in our own lives.
Nov. 9th Paul beautifully reminds us that even though our “outward man” may be facing the trials of aging and wear, it’s the “inward man” that experiences a renewal, growing stronger and more vibrant with each passing day!
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Nov. 16th Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. Jesus teaches about doing our acts of giving, praying, and fasting, in private, not in public to be seen by others. Why would doing these things in secret rather than out loud be important? Because God is building in us a solid core of self-giving love that is not addicted to the approval of others.
(March 1st)Today we enter the Upper Room with Jesus. In John 13:1, we’re told that Jesus loved His own 'to the end.' We welcome you to a space where that same love is present—a love that doesn't just see us but is willing to serve and cleanse us. Whether you’ve come today feeling 'clean' or feeling the weight of the world, know that there is a place for you at His table.
In the busyness of life, we often neglect our connection to the source of life. Drawing near to God through contemplative prayer is the way we experience His nearness. This practice requires intentionality; it won’t happen by accident.
There are various traditions and customs we observe, and I often find myself questioning their origins. For instance, every year I decorate my home with vibrant lights that twinkle cheerfully against the night sky, yet I can’t quite put my finger on the reason behind this practice. I like to believe it’s a reflection of the belief that Jesus is the Light of the World, illuminating our lives with hope and love.
Then there's the tradition of passing peace during our gatherings. This practice feels significant, yet I wonder how effectively we embody its meaning in our daily lives. Are we truly embracing the spirit of this gesture, fostering genuine connections and extending goodwill to one another? It makes me reflect on how we can make these traditions more meaningful and impactful in our interactions.
Sermon Title: Series: The Cast of Christmas Sermon: Magi: Adoration and Worship/ December 21st
Church Sign: "Worship is wisdom. Wisdom is worship."
Welcome: Good morning, Ironton First!
Big Idea: If you’ve heard the account of the Magi—or the wise men—many times, you might be eager to align the images in your mind with what the Bible actually says. As we look ahead to exploring different responses, let’s first prepare ourselves to uncover the true picture painted in Scripture. If you have your Bible handy, get ready to open it to Matthew 2. We’ll delve into Matthew 2:1–12 and anticipate the fascinating reactions to the remarkable events of Christmas that await us!
Dec. 28th Sing, Sing, Sing a new song unto the Lord.
Jesus often gives commands that seem backwards from anything we hear elsewhere in the world around us. As part of His famous 3-step command to living life, Jesus first says that we must be people who deny ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we mope around in life having no fun. Instead, Jesus is calling us to give up our old ways of doing things and enter into the abundant life of Christ.
March 15th
March 22nd. Rising from the ashes.
Scripture: Matthew 6:24, Mark 10:17-27 April 19th
When entrusted into God's hands, our material possessions can transform into a wellspring of joy rather than a source of distress. Rather than allowing our belongings to weigh us down with worries and responsibilities, we can view them as tools for creating happiness and fostering connection. By surrendering our attachment to these items, we open ourselves up to a deeper appreciation of their purpose, allowing them to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. In this way, they become blessings that enhance our experiences rather than burdens that complicate them.
Mother's Day 2026
Ascended May 17th 2026
Pentecost 2026
As we look ahead, we can expect to see rhythm and cadence woven throughout the creation of God. It’s exciting to think about how these patterns, intentionally built into life by the Creator Himself, will unfold in the future.
June 7th Personhood
Today, we're jumping back into our exciting Anchor series! Just to refresh your memory, an anchor is a remarkable invention that has supported fishermen and sailors for centuries. At its essence, it’s a powerful device that secures a vessel to the waterbed, preventing drifting due to wind or currents.
While simple in design, the anchor's purpose is profound! It must be strong enough to withstand immense pressure from the boat.
Big Idea: As believers, we are encouraged to remain steadfast and committed in our faith through every trial and storm that life may bring. Jesus anchors us. He is our great hope, salvation, and savior. Prayer: “Jesus, you are our anchor and hope. You are the steadfast and secure one. Please help us let go of any other thing or person that we’re holding onto when you are the one we need.” Scripture: Hebrews 6:19, Matthew 14:25-31 Kids' Message: Anchors Away
In a world where isolation often seems like the norm, Life is Better Together reminds us that we were created for connection, and our faith was never meant to be experienced in isolation. Jesus promises to be present when we gather in His name, and that presence is what makes church more than just a building—it’s a community where we find encouragement, purpose, and hope. This sermon will explore the power of community, the presence of Jesus, and the importance of church as a conduit of God’s love to members and to the community around us. Life is better when we have people to walk together with.
Think: We were designed for connection, not isolation. The presence of Jesus makes our gathering powerful.
Oct. 26th Psalm 130 is one of the Psalms of Ascent, focusing on our approach to the sanctuary.
Jan. 18th Big Idea:It is often said that knowing Jesus can happen in a single moment with a simple prayer, while following Jesus is a lifelong journey. Throughout His ministry, Jesus uses His words strategically to call people from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles to follow Him.
Our task this week is to answer the question: What happens when we decide to follow Jesus? By answering this question, we can truly understand what it means to go All In for Jesus
The commands of Jesus that we have studied up until this week are meaningless if we don’t understand the repercussions of them. Namely, Jesus wants us to follow Him and do things His way so that we can be sent into the world, now that He is back in heaven. He has left us His Holy Spirit to guide us into the broken world around us. Therefore, if we want to go All In for Jesus, we must live the commission He has left us with. !/25/2026
Feb. 1st Jesus came to seek and save the lost
Feb. 8th Living and Active
"Grace and peace to you. Today, we gather under the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:12: 'A threefold cord is not quickly broken.' When we weave our lives together with Christ as the center strand, we discover a strength that the world cannot provide. We welcome you into this fellowship of believers—a place where we strive to protect, warm, and strengthen one another through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us enter into His presence together."
Big Idea: Jesus experienced temptation of every kind and was able to overcome. His example teaches us what we need to know in battling temptation and rising above it in our own lives.'m a paragraph.
Big Idea: Since all money belongs to Him ultimately, we should gladly give away as much as we can. April 26th