Denver Community Church

March 30, 2025: What Love Looks Like - Cassie Adams

Jesus is nailed to the execution stake where passersby hurl insults at him and mock him. Crucifixion was not just the most horrifc forms of execution ever created, it was designed to be humiliating as well. This is why crucifixions were such public affairs. For those who wanted Jesus dead all along, they now had the chance to watch this man - who seemingly attempted to upset the prevailing order – die. But for some reason that was not enough. So they mocked him, laughing in the midst of his suffering.

But in the midst of it all, the writer is whispering to us that it is precisely because he is king, because he will rebuild the temple, because he refused to save himself that he is saving others – these are the very reasons he stayed on that cross. This, proclaims the crucified Christ, is what the love of God looks like.

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Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

March 23, 2025: When Enemies Become Friends - Michael Hidalgo

From the moment Jesus stands in front of Pilate things feel quick and chaotic. Three somewhat significant charges are brought against Jesus. He’s subversive, opposes paying taxes and claims to be a king. Pilate does little to address the situation and passes him off to Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas seemingly does less after a brief conversation and sends him back to Pilate. Pilate then tries to rid himself of the trouble by attempting to release him. But nothing seems to work. In the midst of all this, the chief priests are demanding he be put to death. 

What seems to be happening here is an intensely political situation. People vying for power, working to ensure they can hold on to what they have and not upset anyone they rule over in order to keep the peace (and their position). And in the midst of all this, right there in the center, stands Jesus. One who barely speaks; one who knows something about power that they all miss. That power is not found by grabbing it, maneuvering for it or contesting for it, rather it is found in giving oneself for others.

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

March 16, 2025: We Have What We Need! - Michael Hidalgo

The trial begins with Jesus being asked if he is the Messiah; which means to be a king. And it’s right there from the very beginning that we see this group wants Jesus to be guilty, not just in their eyes, but in the eyes of Rome. Because there could only be one king, Caesar. To claim kingship in the empire was seditious and called for execution. But Jesus gives them more, he is not just an ordinary king, he is one he will be seated with God in the life to come. This is a claim of the highest kingship one could imagine. His rule and reign is both political and spiritual.

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

March 9, 2025: Bitter Tears - Maggie Knight

Coming face to face with what we are capable of is often more than we can bear. This is the story of Peter. Hours before he declared his allegiance to Jesus even to the point of death. It’s possible this is what Peter wanted to believe was true about him. But then, when faced with scrutiny and questions and speculation, what was true came spilling out of Peter. Denial, not just once but three times. In denying Jesus, he was confronted with the denial that lurked in his heart. Of course, this is not the end of the story … because in the days after the resurrection, Jesus reminded Peter of who he really was, even in the midst of his most egregious mistake. 

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

March 5, 2025: Ash Wednesday Homily - Michael Hidalgo

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

March 2, 2025: This is (Not) a Rebellion - Jonathan Merritt

Jesus’ revolution was like nothing the world had ever seen. It was a revolution of love. At his arrest, some seemed to believe this was going to turn violent. And in one moment it did, when a disciple struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus’ response was different. He pointed to the fact that he was always with them, teaching and in the place of worship. These words suggest tenderness in the heart of Jesus. Something the authorities miss.

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G9suVgJsS8X6TdH6ec2TBRKTz3dCqzQ2dPzUor4TKHc/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ejsud9n02yg8

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

February 23, 2025: Praying and Sleeping - Michael Hidalgo

Luke gives us a startling picture of how agonizing Jesus’ decision was to obey. He was in the place of the “olive press” – a place where olives were pressed and crushed. Jesus is compared to an olive being pressed and crushed with the oil being squeezed out of it. 

Often, we abandon the humanity of Jesus and his agony in submitting to his God’s will. This was not an easy prayer to pray, but it was one that Jesus prayed in faith. Luke shows us that no matter how difficult the decision we, through God, have the power to do it, even if, like the disciples, we at times fall asleep.

Click here to access resources for supporting immigrants.

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

February 16, 2025: Two Swords and a Few Other Things - Cassie Adams

Many agree that Jesus espouses a nonviolent ethic; instructing us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Which is why his instruction here has the power to be confusing. However, Jesus does not stop there. He quotes the prophet Isaiah saying, “And he was numbered with the transgressors …” Which is to say that there is a connection in his mind between using the sword and transgressions. The disciples have two swords, which for Jesus is enough to fulfill the prophecy and justify the Jewish authorities accusing him of being a rebel leader. 

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

February 9, 2025: Serving Rules - Michael Hidalgo

Just after Jesus serves the disciples, they embroil themselves in a debate about who is the greatest among them – obviously missing the point. Jesus’ response is to instruct them that the Kingdom way is about serving not being served. And it is in the serving that greatness is found. While it may be easy to roll our eyes at the disciples, who are eternally dull, we may do well to consider how we often pursue being served first and foremost. 

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp

February 2, 2025: Bread & Wine - Hannah Thom

The meal that is recorded here is a meal that the Church has celebrated for 2,000 years. Some have called it “The Lord’s Supper,” others “Holy Communion,” and most traditionally “Eucharist.” But what does it all mean? Many recognize that it is represents the Body and the Blood of Jesus which was broken and poured out for us, but what should the people of God know?

The meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples was the traditional Seder meal in which he brought new meaning to the elements of the dinner. Like the Seder the people of God are commanded to “do this in remembrance” of Jesus. We will ask, “What are we remembering?” “Why is the meal so central to all streams in the historic, orthodox church?” We will dive deep into the historic underpinnings of this meal and explore why some traditions forbid all those who are not “one of them” from participating in this meal.

Thank you for joining us today! If you feel led to give to DCC, you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/denverchurch?src=hpp