This Week at New Spirit: There Is a Seat for You Here

Pastor’s Reflection This week we continued our core values series with Belonging Matters. In Matthew 12, Jesus shows us that people matter more than religious gatekeeping. He feeds the hungry, heals the hurting, and refuses to let religious systems decide who deserves mercy. This message also connected with Pride Sunday and New Spirit’s identity as
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Jesus Says You Can Sit Here: Why Belonging Matters in Faith

In today’s world we see more and more division and exclusion. On Sunday, June 7th we explored our next core value: Belonging Matters. Throughout the gospels Jesus chooses mercy over religious rule-keeping. The church must do the same! Jesus says you can sit here! 30-Second Sermon Summary In Matthew 12, Jesus meets hungry disciples and
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This Week at New Spirit: You Don’t Earn Your Place Here – Grace Comes First

This Week at New Spirit June 2–8, 2026 Pastor’s Reflection This past Sunday, we continued our core values series with the simple but powerful truth that grace comes first. Life teaches us that we have to earn our place, prove our worth, or become acceptable before we are fully welcomed. The gospel tells a different
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Grace Comes First: You Start with Your Place

What would happen if the church created a rule of like that said “Grace Comes First: You Start with Your Place”? Keep reading to see how Pastor Hartman addressed this question or go to our YouTube channel and watch Sunday’s livestream. Sunday, May 31, 2026 – Grace Comes First: You Start with Your Place. 30-Second
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This Week at New Spirit: The Spirit Creates Belonging

This Week at New Spirit 1. Pastor’s Reflection One of the most important things we named on Pentecost Sunday is this: The Holy Spirit creates belonging before demanding conformity. That means you do not have to pretend here. You do not have to have all the answers. None of us have to earn grace. You
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This Is Who We Are: When the Holy Spirit Creates Belonging

This Is Who We Are: When the Holy Spirit Creates Belonging Sermon Reflection Blog Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church. This year for Pentecost we remembered that the Holy Spirit calls us to active ministry. Here at New Spirit we took time to intentionally say “This Is Who We Are” as we
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This Week at New Spirit 5.20.26

This Week at New Spirit 5.20.26 Pastor’s Reflection Over the past few years, something has been happening at New Spirit. Not all at once. Not through one program or one person.>But slowly, faithfully, through worship, service, hard conversations, acts of love, and the movement of the Holy Spirit. This Sunday, on Pentecost, we are going
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You Are Never Alone in Prayer

30-Second Sermon Summary In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that we do not always know how to pray as we ought. Yet even in our weakness, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Jesus himself also prays for us continually. Prayer is not about performance or perfection. Prayer is about dependence on God and the reminder
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This Week at New Spirit — May 10, 2026

This Week at New Spirit — May 10, 2026 See how the spirit is moving in the New Spirit Lutheran Church weekly update for the week of May 10, 2026. Pastor’s Reflection This week, I have been thinking a lot about authenticity and intentionality. Over the last couple of weeks I have been working on
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From “Thoughts and Prayers” to “Prayer and Action”

From “Thoughts and Prayers” to “Prayer and Action” is a message that we need to hear in today’s context. Too often people respond with “thoughts and prayers” and go about their day as if nothing has happened. To see the full worship and sermon that this blog is based on click here: Sunday, May 10,
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