We start 2026 with a new series that will carry us until Holy Week. Pursuing God will help us see the importance of our intentions in following after God, even as we more clearly recognize how Jesus is always pursuing us. This journey will take us through the books of Genesis and John in the first third of this year. This morning Genesis 1:26-31 will help guide our hearts as we worship.

This week’s scripture reading is taken from First Thessalonians, which discusses the Rapture, an event when believers will be taken up into the sky. According to Christian faith, Jesus is expected to return soon, and when that happens, His kingdom will be fully established, ending hunger, thirst, sadness, pain, suffering, and death. Many people see this as a vision of heaven on earth. As we gather for worship this Sunday, think about the message of hope God may have for you while we patiently wait for the revelation of God’s masterpiece.