Denver Community Church

December 7, 2025: Make Straight the Way: Disrupted by Prophets - Hannah Thom

This week we reflect on the peace brought through Christ’s coming kingdom. But, Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. In our text, John the Baptist’s fiery confrontation is the necessary disruption that prepares us for God's true peace. God's Peace calls us to address the violence within us all. There always seems to be something about the season of Advent that heightens for us the absence of "shalom" or fullness of peace we ought to experience in this world. This season invites us to listen afresh to the prophets, and to ignite our prophetic imagination for the peace to which we are ultimately called. 

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November 30, 2025: Hope, When Everything Isn't Alright - Colby Martin

On the first week of Advent we light the Hope Candle. We are invited to Hope in the coming of Christ... But, Hope is not passive; it calls for our attention. Isaiah’s vision of swords into plowshares requires us to "walk in the light of the Lord" — not a soft image, but one that disrupts our violence. For Matthew, divine timing is placed in this image of a thief in the night. Why a negative vision for the hope that we have? How is Matthews invitation one that calls us not towards a passive hope, but one that invites us towards wakefulness?

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November 23, 2025: Good Actors and Bad Actors - Brian Recker

Acts 4:32-5:11 contrasts two responses to the Spirit-filled community. The believers live in radical unity, sharing possessions so no one is in need. Barnabas is highlighted for his generosity. In contrast, Ananias and Sapphira secretly withhold part of a sale of their property while pretending full generosity. When confronted by Peter, both lie and fall dead, causing great fear in the community. Whose story is this actually? As modern readers coming to this story do we miss the "justice" of sorts the first hearers may have heard? 

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November 16, 2025: Acts // Bold Prayers

Acts 4:23-31 describes the believers’ response after Peter and John are released. They gather with the community, pray together, and affirm God's sovereignty. They ask not for safety, but for boldness to continue speaking God’s word and for God to heal and perform signs through Jesus’ name. Their prayer is answered immediately—the place shakes, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak with boldness.

What a fascinating reality--in the midst of a seemingly dangerous situation where John and Peter only narrowly escape persecution the believers pray not for their safety--but for their commitment towards their mission. They pray for courage and are met with the Holy Spirit not dissimilar to the story we see in Acts 2. 

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November 9, 2025: The Power of an Ordinary Voice - Cassie Adams

Acts 4:13-22  describes the leaders’ reaction to Peter and John. Amazed by their boldness—despite being unschooled men—and unable to deny the healing, the authorities command them to stop speaking in Jesus’ name. Peter and John refuse, saying they cannot stay silent about what they’ve seen and heard. The leaders, fearing the people who praise God for the miracle, let them go without punishment.

So often status, the "right" training, or a fear of failure keeps us from the work God has called us to. How do we be a people who discerns our seasons for preparation, and our seasons for stepping out against the odds towards the work God is inviting us into? 

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November 2, 2025: Holy Critique - Hannah Thom

Here the text recounts Peter and John’s trial before the Jewish leaders. When questioned about the healing, Peter—filled with the Holy Spirit—boldly declares that the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but whom God raised from the dead. He asserts that Jesus is the cornerstone rejected by the builders and that salvation is found in no one else.

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October 26, 2025: Acts // Tell Your Story Anyway - Colby Martin

Acts 3:24-4:4 continues Peter’s sermon and describes the response. Peter declares that all the prophets—from Samuel onward—foretold the days now being fulfilled in Jesus. He reminds the people they are heirs of the covenant made with Abraham, and that God sent Jesus first to them to bless them by turning them from their sins. However, as Peter and John speak, the temple authorities—disturbed by their teaching on resurrection—arrest them. Despite this, many who heard the message believe, and about 5,000 men come to faith.

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October 19, 2025: Acts 3:17-23 - Andy Stager

Acts 3:17-23 is part of Peter’s message following the healing of the lame man. He acknowledges that the people and their leaders acted in ignorance when they rejected Jesus, but he calls them to repent so their sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come. Peter says Jesus is the promised prophet like Moses, and warns that anyone who does not listen to him will be cut off from God's people. How does resurrection invite us all back towards the cycles of death, resurrection, and new life continually as we are confronted with our own ignorance time and time again?

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October 12, 2025: Acts // All Belong Here - Zach Lambert

While Acts 2 proclaims resurrection in response to Pentecost, Acts 3 proclaims resurrection in response to healing. And just like in chapter 2, Peter interprets the event through the Hebrew Scriptures and calls for repentance—but this time with an even more compassionate tone.

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October 5, 2025: What We Offer - Hannah Thom

they enter the temple, the man asks for money, but Peter offers healing instead, invoking Jesus’ name. The man is miraculously healed, begins walking and leaping, and praises God. The crowd is filled with wonder and amazement at what has happened.

What does the kingdom offer those on the margins, what is our role in not overlooking those in need? 

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