Vision Boldly – A New Sermon Series Begins
Dear Church Family,
This Sunday we begin our new sermon series, Vision Boldly, rooted in the book of Nehemiah. Over the next several weeks, we will walk with Nehemiah and God’s people as they rebuild—not only the walls of Jerusalem, but also their trust in God’s promises and their life together as a community of faith.
We start with Nehemiah 1:1–11. When Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem’s walls are in ruins, his first response is not action, but prayer. He weeps, mourns, fasts, and confesses. He remembers God’s faithfulness and asks God to make a way forward. This opening chapter reminds us that bold vision begins not with human ambition but with humble prayer. Nehemiah dares to believe that God is still at work, even in the face of devastation.
Here is the heart of his prayer in verse 11:
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
As you prepare for worship, I invite you to reflect on these questions:
1. When has prayer been your first step before making a bold decision?
2. What practices help you stay rooted in God when life feels overwhelming?
3. Where might God be inviting our church to begin with prayer before we act boldly?
Alongside this new series, you’ll notice a new graphic for Vision Boldly. It’s full of meaning for us. The waves remind us that life often feels turbulent and uncertain, yet God calls us to trust and move forward even in the storm. The mountain points to God’s steadfast presence, standing firm above the chaos. At the peak is the cross and flame, our United Methodist symbol, reminding us that Christ is with us and the Spirit continues to guide us. And at the top of the circle is the fish, one of the earliest Christian symbols, representing our call to follow Jesus with faith and courage.
Together, these images form a kind of “window” through which we are invited to see God’s vision more clearly. Just as Nehemiah invited the people of Jerusalem to look beyond the ruins and imagine what God could rebuild, this series invites us to lift our eyes and vision boldly for what God is doing in Federal Way today.
I encourage you to read Nehemiah 1:1–11 this week, sit with Nehemiah’s prayer, and ask God to open your heart to new possibilities.
I can’t wait to begin this journey with you. My prayer is that God will use this series to give us courage, clarity, and hope as we seek to live out our mission: Walking in Faith, Reaching Out in Love.
If you missed last Sunday (or want to share it with a friend), you can watch the service here:
👉 Last week’s sermon & recent streams
Pastor DJ