"God Prepares the Way" Esther 2:1-18                      While Xerxes is enacting his plan, God's providence leads Esther to become Queen because of the role she will play in His plan. God is often at work in our lives in ways we can't see, and He can use us despite our situations, shortcomings, and sins.  __________________________________________________________________ Esther God Behind the Scenes  Esther is the only book in the Bible that doesn't mention God. On the surface, God seems absent from this story. Sadly, that's a ..read more

I Am the Bread of Life Jesus is the one who fills us John 6: 32-39 Guest Preacher - Melinda Hoyt Orchard Community Church 8180 Telephone Rd Ventura CA 93004 www.OrchardVentura.org Contact us at Info@OrchardVentura.org Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190 ..read more

The Adoring CrowdsMark 21:1-11         Crowds of people on the road to Jerusalem encountered Jesus, and they adored him because they believed He was the Messiah.  As we encounter Jesus, who do we say that He is, and how could that change our lives? __________________________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through the season of Lent, we'll see how these people ..read more

“A Reluctant Participant” John 5:1-15                                    A man who could not walk had an encounter with Jesus, and he took a leap of faith that changed his life. As we encounter Jesus, he also calls us to take leaps of faith. ______________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through the se ..read more

A Paralyzed Man Mark 2:1-12                    A Paralyzed man encountered Jesus, and he was healed and forgiven. As we encounter Jesus, He desires to heal and forgive as well. _____________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through the season of Lent, we'll see how these people were changed by Jesus and recognize that through our own encount ..read more

“A Girl and a Woman in a Mess” Mark 5:21-43 A girl and a woman had encounters with Jesus, and they found that He had the power to deal with even the biggest and messiest problems in their lives and that He didn't turn them away because of them. As we encounter Jesus, we find these same things are true of Him for us as well. ________________________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through th ..read more

“A Dishonest Man” Luke 19:1-9 A dishonest tax collector named Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, and when he did, not only did his life change, but his values changed, too. As we encounter Jesus, our lives and values are also supposed to change. ___________________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through the season of Lent, we'll see how these people were changed by Jesus and recognize that thro ..read more

“Some Random Fishermen”  Mark 1:14-20                 Some random fishermen encountered Jesus.  He called them to repent, believe, and follow Him, and their lives were forever changed as they did so and became his first disciples. As we encounter Jesus, He calls us to repent, believe, and follow Him so that we might also become his disciples. (Ash Wednesday) ___________________________________________________________Encounters with Jesus (Lent) Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people wh ..read more

“A Woman at a Well”  John 4:1-26, 39-42 A woman at a well had an encounter with Jesus, and it changed her life and the lives of others in her town, as she and they came to believe in Him as their savior. As we encounter Jesus, He calls us to believe in Him and receive Him as our savior, too. ____________________________________________________ Encounters with Jesus Lent 2024 Throughout the Gospels, people had amazing encounters with Jesus. These were ordinary people who were forever changed by their encounters with Him. With this series, as we walk through the season of Lent, we'll see ..read more

Effective PrayerJames 5:16, Mark 11:20-25 Effective prayers come from seeking to live God's way, remembering to ask, and doing so by faith without doubting that God can do what we've asked for.  Prayer Matters As we move into the new year, we'll begin a new series of messages called "Prayer Matters" because prayer really does matter a great deal. Also, with this series, we will take up different important matters concerning prayer.  Prayer is one of the most foundational pieces of a spiritual life, and yet so many people, even long-time believers, often seem to struggle with it. Thi ..read more