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Sunday, December 22, 2024 

Message: God's Promised Love: Redeems, Uplifts and Restores

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-55 

This Sunday marks the culmination of the Advent Season as Christians continue to anticipate  the coming of Jesus, as a baby and lying in a manger - the ultimate expression of God's love to the world. Take time to listen to the message using this link - https://youtu.be/Ir509wrapHg 

Sunday, December 8, 2024 - 3:30pm

Leader Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

 In this season of merrymaking, it may be difficult to experience joy. May this short service bring Hope and Healing despite the pain you are experiencing. 

Listen to the audio of the sermon here  https://youtu.be/-RXMniUq0bE

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Message: Prepare the Way of the Lord as Messengers of Blessing

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor Message Title: 

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 6:1-8 

John the Baptist calls people of God to "Prepare the way of the Lord; to make his paths straight so that every mountain and hill are brought low. Malachi tells us that for us to be messengers of the Lord, God must put us through the refiners fire to take out the impurities like envy, jealousy, gossip, unrepentance and such like from us. While we prefer to avoid the pain, the process though tough helps us come out like pure gold. Would let the refining fire of God cleanse you from all impurities. Take a moment to listen to today's message as the refiner's fire burn out the dross from you.

Listen to the sermon here    https://youtu.be/OfIoiSAY9PA

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Message: Christ the King Leads A Kingdom of Justice, Peace, and Hope 

Scripture: John 18:33-37 | Daniel 7:13-14 | Colossians 1:11-20 

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor The theme of Christ’s eternal kingdom shines brightly through these passages, offering a vision of a kingdom built on justice, peace, and hope—qualities that far surpass the temporal and flawed kingdoms of this world. 

A Kingdom of Justice In Daniel 7:13-14, the "Son of Man" is given authority, glory, and sovereign power. His kingdom is everlasting, untainted by corruption or injustice. This kingdom represents the perfect fulfillment of God's justice, where all wrongs are made right under His righteous rule. John 18:37 highlights Jesus' mission to bear witness to the truth. His kingship calls for justice founded on divine truth rather than human power or manipulation. 

A Kingdom of Peace In Colossians 1:19-20, Paul describes Christ as the one through whom God reconciles "all things" to Himself, "making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." This is not a fleeting or fragile peace but a reconciliation that restores relationships between humanity, creation, and God. In John 18:36, Jesus reminds every person, especially Christians, that His kingdom is "not of this world," emphasizing that His rule is not maintained through violence or conflict but through divine love and sacrifice. 

A Kingdom of Hope Daniel 7:14 offers hope by proclaiming that Christ’s dominion will never pass away. In contrast to the transient powers of earthly rulers, His kingdom is an eternal reality that cannot be shaken. In Colossians 1:11-12, believers are encouraged to endure with patience and joy, being strengthened by the knowledge that they are already part of this eternal kingdom, where Christ reigns supreme. Christ the King Sunday reminds us that Jesus’ kingdom is one where unparalleled justice, unbreakable peace, and unshakable hope are hallmarks. 

As followers of Christ, we are called to live as citizens of this kingdom, living out its values in a world longing for redemption. These passages challenge us to align our lives with Christ's eternal reign and trust in the hope of His glorious kingdom. In Colossians 1:19-20, Paul describes Christ as the one through whom God reconciles "all things" to Himself, "making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." This is not a fleeting or fragile peace but a reconciliation that restores relationships between humanity, creation, and God. In John 18:36, Jesus declares that His kingdom is "not of this world," emphasizing that His rule is not maintained through violence or conflict but through divine love and sacrifice. 

Listen to the audio of the sermon here   https://youtu.be/VHHoQKK2ok4

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

Message: Jesus Christ, Our Living Hope 

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25 

In Hebrews 10:19-25, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is our Living Hope. Through His sacrifice, He opened a new and living way, granting us bold access to the presence of God. No longer separated by sin, we are invited to draw near to God with confidence, knowing we are cleansed by His blood and made whole through His grace. 

This passage calls us to hold fast to the hope we have in Christ, trusting in His faithfulness, and to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. It’s also a reminder of the importance of gathering as a community of faith, where we find encouragement and strength as we await the glorious return of our Savior.  

Dear Visitor, Jesus is our Living Hope, the anchor for our souls, and the source of our confidence to live boldly in faith, love, and perseverance.  How does Jesus as your Living Hope shape your life today? https://youtu.be/21Vn14Bro40 

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-16

Message: The Widow Who Gave Everything.

Regardless of what some may think, or how they may act toward you, never forget that  regardless of what some may think, or how they may act toward you, God will always be on the side of the vulnerable. Just as in the story of Elijah and Widow of Zarephath, God used this 'valueless widow, (according to the customs of the day) to be instrumental in bringing life to the prophet and this widow and her son. Through her unselfishness, even as she faced starvation, the widow obeyed God when she was asked to sacrifice for another, and was blessed beyond measure as the oil in her bottle and the meal in her jar did not run out.

Dear Reader, you may think that you are down to your last, but if God is asking you to sacrifice for others, even when it seems there might be nothing you will get from the sacrifice, you  will be better off when you obey. Take a moment to listen to the message in the link and reach out if you seek to find a church to be a part of. Remember, to God, you are worth more than the sparrow. 

Listen here - https://youtu.be/sZyk3cpmbe8 

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, 

Pastor Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Mark 12:28-34

Message: God is Fully Invested in Loving Neighbor

In the passage from Deuteronomy, the Israelites were reminded of their responsibility to love God, and to teach their children of the supremacy of God in all things by ensuring the children know that God 'alone is God,' In the passage in Mark 12, Jesus is confronted by a scribe who pretended to care about the greatest commandment; but in fact, was interested in maintaining that only Jews had importance to God, Jesus assured him that it was important to 'love God will all his heart, soul and mind, and takes the further step to let him (and us) know that it is important to love neighbor as self. Listen to the message here - https://youtu.be/ePa0KbjAISQ. 

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin R. Willock, Pastor Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10 Message: Our Obedience Expresses Our Love to God and Others.

https://youtu.be/OS1Ss5nriBM 

 Preacher: Pastor Chelsea Lampen, RELISH Missionary 

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 

God's call to "Make Disciples" does not mean having people conform to our way of being but to have them experience who God is because of the love we exhibit. Listen to the message hear - https://youtu.be/Q07mnvAox40
 

 Preacher: Rev. Willock, Pastor 

Message: Because God's Care Enough, He Send His Best 

Message Text: Hebrews 1:1-14; 2:5-12 

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets." But in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds." 

In today's reading from Hebrews, we are invited to understand who Jesus is, and not to be confused like the Jewish people who  rejected him.  The writer of Hebrews wants to us to know that God speaks to us through His Son Jesus. How are you hearing God's voice today? The question for us today, how are you hearing God speak to you through Jesus today? Did he speak to you this morning as we sang, "His Name is Wonderful?" Did you hear him speak to you from Psalm 8:3,  that says, "Out of the mouths and babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger?" Contrary to what we think, 

God does not only speak to us through songs and scripture. He speaks to us, as our Great High Priest (Heb. 1:14-16), as the one who represents us before the Father; as the One who understands the temptations we experience, and reminds us through the song, "Yield Not to Temptation." In his great High Priestly Prayer (John 17:6-12), Jesus prays that the Father keeps us connected to him so that the devil cannot snatch us from God's hand. But for Jesus to keep us, we first must acknowledge our need for Him and turn to Him in faith. 

In Matthew 3:17, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, God tells us, "Jesus is his Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him." If you don't know how to listen to him, take a moment to read Roman's 10:8-10 (NLT), where the steps are laid out very simply: "In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." 

As the title of the message suggest,  because "God cares enough for you he sent his best - His Son Jesus Christ to save us. He is the one we call Savior, the redeemer of all men. Some call him Jesus, for He's my dearest friend. If you feel that no one loves you and your life is out of hand. Remember, Jesus is the man who can. 

Listen at this link https://youtu.be/3QtP22BcTPE to the message in it's entirety. 

Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

Message: Maintaining Saltiness. 

Text: Mark 9:49-50 

As Jesus continues to teach his disciples about the importance of inclusion over exclusion, he cautions them and us (today's Christians), that putting stumbling blocks in the way of another person (Christian or otherwise) who seeks to know Jesus and to do work for him, is a no-no. Jesus reminds the disciples that if someone is not against him, they are for him since the Holy Spirit brings fruit from what is done. Jesus wants disciples, who follow him, to allow the flavor of their lifestyle to be what flavors the relationship between people. In other words, telling another they must follow Jesus the way I do is not the point of why Jesus came and died for the sin of the whole world (John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life). In the two last verses of Mark 9:49-50, Jesus says: 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” 

What all this means, especially in these days of division and hate, is a renewed call for Christians and non-Christians to live in peace with one another and to allow Jesus to do the purging by fire. In the text (Mark 9:38-50) Jesus lines up two kinds of fire – the consuming fire of sin and the fire of exclusion that hyper-Christians use to destroy others and so leave them feeling worthless. 

The first type of fire relates to Romans 6:23 – “the wages of sin as death,” while the other type of fire represents our attitudes of hate that deems some people unworthy to speak the name of Jesus that our response is to 'otherize' them to make ourselves feel better. When Jesus tells the disciples (and us) that "Salt is good" he wants us to understand the three purposes salt serves - (1) preservation (2) cleansing, (3) flavoring). As Christians, we tend to pick purpose 2 – wanting to clean up everyone but ourselves and so quickly forgetting our responsibility to preserve the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22). 

When we choose exclusion, we easily omit the flavoring properties of salt that is given to us by the grace of God to overpower the tastelessness around us so others can see their worth as people created in the image of God - worthwhile and worthy of a relationship with God. 

My prayer for all who hear this message (Christian and non-Christian alike), is that Jesus’s death on the cross is for you. Jesus’ resurrection from the grace is for you and Jesus’ return is for you if you accept God's grace available to you, through faith in Jesus (Romans 5:1). 

Jesus' death and resurrection have already been accomplished for us, therefore, what we need to do to experience the third and final act in the redemption process is Jesus' return - which has no set date (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 19:11-16). 

Dear Listener, regardless of what you have done in the past, Jesus wants to forgive you and help you, by the Holy Spirit to maintain your saltiness. Jesus did the hard work already. Now he is standing at the door knocking and asking you to let him in (Revelation 3:20) at this moment he invites us to, “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…” (Hebrews 12:2) so by the Holy Spirit your saltiness returns so you can become one of the main ingredients in the flavoring needed in the dish of inclusion, respect, and peace this world needs. 

CCRC will be delighted to walk with you through the process of deepening your belief in Jesus into a deeper relationship with God, as together, we live into Jesus' call to maintain our saltiness. You can email – pastor@ccrcbklyn.org. May God Bless you mightily. Amen. 

Listen to the message here - https://youtu.be/wAFVZt4B2m4
 

 Preacher: Rev. Maudelin Willock, Pastor 

Message: Servanthood and Humility: Characteristics of Greatness 

Scripture: Mark 9:33-37 

In a culture were greatness cause some to do things that are ungodly, unjust and even criminal, Jesus reminds his disciples that greatness happen when, as disciples, we serve each other. In verse 35, Jesus says, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Contrary to what is believed, Servanthood and Humility does not mean we think of ourself as worthless. I like the way C.S. Lewis speaks about Humility. He said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less."   The way we are called to humbly serve others for the cause of Christ is to take up our cross and follow Jesus, doing the only thing we have been left to do, "go into all the world and preach the gospel." (Matthew 28:16-20). Let us remember that while it may be tempting to exalt oneself over others, Scripture tells us in Matthew 23:12, "whoever exalts themself will be humbled and whoever humbles themself will be exalted. Friends, Jesus promises us a privileged place of a reward with him but first we must refuse the world's offer of greatness and chooses Jesus example of servanthood and humility. Listen to the recording of this message here - https://youtu.be/NBpvjCdwUTE