Wandering Heart

If you have ever felt like you had to be perfect to follow Jesus, join us to explore Peter’s story.

Like many of us, Peter, a disciple, had a wandering heart. His journey was far from polished, linear, or perfect. But he was always tethered to the love of God.

This Lent, let’s join Peter in discovering how to be faithful disciples of Christ. Let’s dare to be transformed by our relationship with Jesus.

Weekly Sermons

February 18 | Jesus Sought Me | Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 25:1-10
Peter’s faith story began after a night of unsuccessful fishing. What is the beginning of your faith story? Maybe you felt sought out by God or even pursued. Maybe you wonder if this story is for you. Wherever you are, join us in exploring how Jesus wants to know our hearts.

February 25 | Rescue Me from Danger | Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 22:23-31
As a new disciple, Peter wants to prove himself. But when he does, he gets thrown off balance. Many of us know that feeling, like we are sinking. Maybe this stems from doubt, unexpected change, busy seasons of life, devastating grief, or distance from God. This week, we empathize with Peter’s desperation as he cries out to God.

March 3 | Praise the Mount | Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 19
Explore Peter’s mountaintop experience of claiming faith. If you had to speak your faith in one sentence or phrase, what would it be? If you dare to say, “This, I believe…” then that conviction has a ripple effect on others.

March 10 | I’m Fixed Upon It | Matthew 16:21-23, Psalm 107:1-3
You may stick to what you know when your world unravels and your beliefs are tested. Peter is set on how he thinks a situation should go; he resists the pain of what will come. But Jesus is set on his calling and calls Peter out. In our faith, we may want to take the less painful path. We may cling to easy answers. What does it look like instead of welcoming complexity?

March 17 | Here’s My Heart | John 21:12-17, Psalm 119:9-16
We come full circle with Peter. We are back to where he began his Jesus story. Jesus once again meets Peter at the shoreline and offers abundant nourishment. It seems like Jesus says, here’s my heart. And we realize that no matter how far we wander, we may entrust our hearts to God. No matter how strong or weak our faith is, we can give our love.

March 24 | Bind My Heart |  John 12:12-19, John 6:61-69 (Palm Sunday)
As Holy Week begins, Peter is no longer front and center. So, we imagine Peter is with the rest of the disciples when Jesus enters Jerusalem. The disciples are confused when they witness the crowd shouting hosannas. As we imagine ourselves gathered that day, remember that they are supposed to praise Caesar, but instead, they shout for Jesus. Their songs are subversive, courageous, and contagious.

March 28 | Steams of Mercy | John 13:1-20 (Holy Thursday)
During the Last Supper, Jesus kneels to wash his disciples’ feet. When he comes to Peter, we see a familiar pattern unfold: reluctance then exuberance. We often see duality in Peter, but do you also see this pattern in yourself? In this story, we imagine that God’s grace reshapes Peter in the same way that water softens the rough edges of the stone. When we, like Peter, are reluctant and resistant to receiving love, remember that streams of mercy are never ceasing.

March 31 | And I Hope | Luke 24:1-12 (Easter)
After denying Christ, we might expect Peter to cower in shame. Or run away in an attempt to leave his past behind him. Instead, when Peter hears the news from the women, he does not dismiss it. Even after a significant failure or worst-case scenario has occurred, how can we run toward hope?

April 7 | Here I Raise My Ebenezer | Acts 3:1-10
What is an Ebenezer and why do we raise it? This week, we discuss how Peter honored what Christ did in his life before, during, and after the resurrection. Where do we look for power? Peter and the other disciples help us understand what the resurrection means for our lives today.