We believe that our gatherings are more than our teaching, but this can still be a great way to catch a slice of where we're coming from as a "Christ-centered, Bible-based, interdenominational church." Each week we open up an actual Bible and do more than read it - we let it read us.
We also have a lot of fun doing so and hope you catch that vibe... no masks are needed, so please join us this next Sunday and experience it live.
We're also thankful for the perspective our lead pastor offers, but he intentionally honors a kind of intentional teaching Sabbath by not preaching every week of the year. Connection Church was built by God and continues to be focused on Him, so you'll find us taking intentional steps to ensure we don't run on human energy or charisma. Below are a variety of God-honoring voices that come with a variety of perspectives to offer you something fresh.
These messages are free and aim to be a blessing to you. If you are willing, though, help us continue to strengthen and support you
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During the Christmas season we tend to hold out a deeper hope that life can get better, even if we're not sure how. Joy, hope, love and peace can start to take on their original meanings again as we begin to remember that Jesus embodies them all... because in the air there is a feeling, but there is also more than a feeling - there is a Savior.
Your relationship with God is like a piece of clothing - He is either allowed to be the strong, common thread that interconnects everything or is confined to be a decorative element you use for show. Ever wondered how to genuinely weave God intoyour life? Join us in figuring out how Jesus Christ can tie all the loose ends inside and outside of you together.
God loves His Church, but there are times that we do things He hates. Thankfully, the Lord isn't hesitant to genuinely call us out on it. If we pay attention the first time, He may not have to tell us and discipline us again... IF we pay attention.
We say we seek God and want His answers, but often become too preoccupied to hear His voice. When we do sense "something," we're not even sure it's Him. The Bible is full of examples of how God spoke to His people in different ways. Perhaps one of them is actually how He's speaking to you today.
If you're looking for some kind of practical application to Christianity or feel lost in how to live your faith, you're not alone. God has given us two ways to train our faith - personally, and collectively.
History calls them
the "deadly sins. We usually call them something tamer so that our deepest struggles can seem less embarrassing.Jesus Christ offers a
much better alternative...
f r e e d o m .
They’re half-truths we call truth. They’re clichés we call fact. They’re quick reactions we call answers. They’re the places we settle that we call a journey. These big, heavy “cows” block true faith because they look just like it. We wouldn't know how to push them over if we tried... so we typically don't try. All that is about to change.
Is heaven the only "perk" God offers to those who give their lives to Him? Or might there be a whole lot more to ENJOY right now? You can stay an arm-length away from seeing Him past the stereotypes, or you can authentically grapple with whether the Lord is tolerant, judgmental, or something else entirely.
Consider what stops you from being a part of something beyond words. Usually it's a desire to be in control and tame life down to something predictable. Seriously? That's the best we can come up with? Pay attention. Let go of your ego.God is inviting you to join Him in changing the world forever. Unless you have something better you'd rather do.
Is God a narrow-minded, hate-filled deity? Maybe you've never asked that question, but it sums up the anxiety many feel when hot topics make us question His good character and intentions.You can stay an arms-length away from seeing Him past the stereotypes, or you can authentically grapple with whether the Lord is tolerant, judgmental, or something else entirely.
God gives us the freedom to personalize different areas of our lives with a new tone, like the fresh sounds we download for our phones. You don’t have to settle for what’s common when our Creator’s creativity can reclaim the relationships and environments we interact with everyday.
02.27.11 - ...for the Ringback (Patrick Campbell, Mike Whipple, Ryan Collins, Brian Alonzo)
Perhaps you believe in God, but are you so familiar with your belief that you've lost sight of who He is?A limited perspective on the Lord ends up limiting our lives, but the inverse is true - a refreshing view of Him breathes new life into everything.
The Christmas Story may have
begun 2000 years ago... but
it's still happening today. God has given us a gift
beyond words - the gift of Himself and all the inside-out joy that comes with... that is, if we maximize the Gift.
Life is full of transitions
that often feel stiff and abnormal
to what we're used to. Our response to God during
such moments makes all the difference between playing "dress up" to truly growing into
the identity He's offered us.
(This message was shared in silence via video. Perhaps a bit awkward and different, but it symbolized some the journey some of us are on) - Video Pt 1
- Video Pt 2
- Transcript of text in video
You know all that stuff we don't
talk about in church? What if we spent a month talking about it? Not for controversy, but because sometimes the “real you” gets lost when the “false you” fakes life.
We live life impersonating ourselves… let's get real.
Remember the thrill of thinking you could fly? Adventures with friends that gave life meaning? Running and jumping into the arms of Someone "big and strong?" That's what God offers... so why did we trade it in for "grown up religion?" .
We all know that talking with God is more than "Blah, blah, blah, amen,"
yet this is often where we settle. Nobody wants a prayer life that is repetitious and feels hollow.
A vibrant relationship with God is possible if prayer becomes
about more than words.
Is it time for life to make sense again? Then it's time for God to return
to His rightful place as the
King over your life. One day He will renew all things, and that can begin in your life... today.
Imagine the scene: You're in the First Century, following Jesus, wanting to know the secrets of the universe... only He starts sharing stories about fish, coins, a mugging, and farming.Just as you wonder, "What in the world is He talking about?" He turns your way and smiles.
06.27.10 - The Talented (in)Activists (Tony Myles)
Our words have power, and we know it. People often tear each other down, and even we can contribute to that negativity. Or... we can speak UP and help God redeem what's been lost. What we say can literally help reshape the broken lives of others... and their entire destiny.
We all see how the way the world currently works doesn’t really work at all, so what's a credible alternative? Is God and all that He allegedly stands for trustworthy? The answers to those questions matter, as well as why we even ask such things in the first place.
Message
So...
What's Goin' On?
04.02.10 - Good Friday (Tony Myles and Terry Holley, plus a drama featuring Will Stevens, Cheryl Jones, Blaise Rosser, Jennifer Rymer, and Patrick Campbell)
A life beyond measure begins when we realize there is more to the Lord than we give Him credit for, and more to our identity in Him than we recognize. Our indescribable God has taken the time to reveal Himself to us.
What are you waiting for?.
When it comes to the game of life, do you prefer to play alone? Or are you open to let others get your back, lift you up, call you out, and make you better? Power up with us by linking into God's plan for community.
2020 in 2010 Recap - Pt 3 (included within message)
Are you ready for a change?
Not the kind that is short-lived, but the kind that truly transforms the core areas of your life? What God offers trumps self-help books and is more enduring than new year's resolutions.
It truly is something different.
Every day is GAMEDAY,
yet on the field of life few people have a sense of their God-given purpose. Your Coach doesn’t want you sacked or dazed. Your life is meant for an astonishing impact.
Sometimes we assume God pops into our lives, and then pops right back out. Is that true? Knowing how He does reveal Himself tells us something amazing... about Him... and about you.
Life doesn't have to be one season after another of good intentions and broken commitments. The season you're in right now become one of impact as the things you struggle with become a catalyst for real-deal Christianity.
Everything around us is getting condensed and compressed so we can take it with us on the go... and somewhere along the way we minimized what full-sized love is.
Ready for something old school this is wildly revolutionary? Download the original "love-app” and get it on screen.
Urban legends. Myths. Tall tales.
Every community of people assumes
some things to be true that are not. Even Christians...and the church.It's a tough job separating truth from fiction.Mythbusters are here to serve.
Message
So...
What's Goin' On?
09.14.08
Should Christians Impose Their Morality On Others?(Tony Myles) - audio not available
09.07.08 - Dedication Sunday Just a small slice of our intimate gathering when we dedicated our lives and new meeting space to a very awesome God! (Connection Church)
Discover the small changes that can make a big difference in the most important areas of your life. Along the way you will find that one God-honoring shift can literally change everything.
God made us for GREATER THINGS than what we normally settle into, but it requires following Jesus personally and collectively. His dream for your life begins with reConnection.
Message
So... What's Goin' On?
05.04.08 - Through Christ Pt A /Pt B: Have you settled into the routine of life and assumed this is just the way it always will be? A life of bold purpose is available, but it begins with a reconnection to Jesus Christ. And by the way... part B will ruin your life in the best way possible. (Tony Myles)
05.11.08 - His Church:The Church is a gift to us... but for it to be at its fullest potential it must be fully opened. This is a special time of insight as to how that will look for Connection Church. (Tony Myles)
04.20.08 - Our Community : This message was shared through videos (Tony Myles)
05.25.08 - All Culture:
Buried beneath what's happening in the life of Britney Spears is the same thing that is buried beneath what is happening in the devastation of Asia and the pandemic in Africa. Imagine if the different new headlines and the things being produced out of Hollywood could help us find a reconnection with God. (Tony Myles & Lawrence Owino)
What do you do when life crashes? The whiplash stuns you, you feel on your own, and the hope of rescue seems far away. As your faith is put to the test, what do you do when you find yourself "failing?
Message
So... What's Goin' On?
04.06.08 - CRASH: All is fine, and then suddenly your life gets slammed and the whiplash leaves you disoriented. Can you even begin to stand when the chaos of it all takes over? (Tony Myles)
04.13.08 - FLASHBACKS:When life slams us, we find ourselves asking the question "WHY?" a lot. Quite often we perceive nothing from God but silence... and it' gnaws away at our faith. With no where else to turn, we begin sorting through the flashbacks of our lives to try to make sense of our current and future conditions. While this is the only place we feel we have to turn, sometimes the greatest test of faith lies deep beneath the surface. (Tony Myles)
04.27.08 - RESCUE:
Will you let yourself hope for the happy ending? Is it possible that the good guys can win? Or has your faith shrunk and in need of enlarging? (Tony Myles)
Your faith doesn't
have to be blind...
nor should it be. God is constantly sharing Himself
with us through every sense possible,
but we have to learn
how to connect with Him.
By unplugging from all the things we make Christmas out to be we just might get back to what it is and how it impacts us all.
Message
So... What's Goin' On?
12.30.07 - Pt. 6: Storyline: All human activity takes place within a great Storyline... one that gives us purpose, allowing Christmas to happen everyday.
12.16.07 - Pt. 4: Word Association: Think about the last time someone renewed your understanding of "right" and "wrong." When it happens in the midst of a hard moment, all of eternity takes note of the Word association.
12.09.07 - Pt. 3: Lord Of The Bling: Every day we choose between simplicity and stuff... one lasts and the other doesn't. By paying attention to the things that cause our eyes to light up we can begin to tell the difference.
12.02.07 - Pt. 2: Wish Lists: Wish lists can seem like a good idea because they make the season predictable. What happens when we're slammed with another option, though? Life inside a hoop of expectations may be predictable, but letting go is where life is found.
11.25.07 - Pt. 1: The Big "O" : The Savior we all need HAS COME and WILL COME in the fullness of time... when our hearts cry out "O" in ways words cannot describe.
11.18.07 - Putting Sin To Death Take a leap of faith that leaves the former life behind! (Tim VanArsdale)
Discover the significance your life can take on when it's filled to the brim with God's love, joy, and hope... and everyone around you (and beyond) gets refreshed by its splash.
10.28.07 - Pt. 2: God, You, and Your Relationships: It's not enough to know how to change the world... it has to come from a place deep within us that overflows out. If we allow this, God will touch the lives around us... people who are already paying attention to what's really happening within our lives.
10.21.07 - Pt. 1: God and You
We go about each day, doing what's on our lists but really thinking about something else. When your relationship with God becomes that overarching, backdrop story you're a part of, not only are you continually refreshed but the splash overflows to those around you and ripples to change the entire world.
One of the most important things we can realize personally and as God's Church is forward movement through the Lord... especially when life seems to be full of roadblocks.
Message
10.14.07 - Movement Pt. 6: The Roadblock of Wet Feet
God has an amazing step for you to take today. If you take that amazing step, your life and eternity become pretty amazing, too. Of course, it does require you getting your feet wet... a ripple that can affect generations to come.
10.07.07 - Movement Pt. 5: The Roadblock of the Past
Our past may describe us, but it doesn't have to define us. Through an unlikely source, the steps to move past this roadblock are within reach.
09.30.07 - Movement Pt. 4: The Roadblock of Preparation
When the opportunity is presented to finally walk over the line into the Promised land, will you be ready? The way we interact with Jesus Christ, His Church, our community, and all of culture right now will determine what's ahead... so let's prepare prayerfully, financially, and invitationally so that lives are forever changed.
09.23.07 - Movement Pt. 3: The Roadblock of Control
How much you feel you need to be in control of life? It's impossible, even though it seems like everyday we're trying to program our own journey. Instead of manufacturing security, imagine the difference of releasing everything to God - failures and successes - in order to discover how much God can truly be... well, "God."
09.16.07 - Movement Pt. 2: The Roadblock of Self Often we view the "nothing special" details of our lives as every reason why we shouldn't be in any real leadership role. What is interesting is what God sees, allowing everything from the mundane to the seemingly wasted years to becomem muscles He uses is breaking through roadblocks.
09.09.07 - Movement Pt. 1: The Roadblock of Fear
God desires us to move forward into the "Promised Land," and yet the most common roadblock we have in following Him in is a three-letter word called "B-U-T."
Special Saturdays and Sundays
09.02.07 - Beauty and Ashes The direction of our future can be reshaped when we consider the memorials of our past. In doing so, our very lives can become worship. (Bret Andreasen)
08.26.07 - Worship Jam What is the impact of two people coming back together after a hard tension with each other. By looking at God's example with us, we can raise the bar in our relationships with others. (Tony Myles & Clara Stacko)
08.19.07 - Vision Day When the family is insecure, everything gets affected. Raising the bar in your household has ripples in ways we may not even conceive. (Tony Myles)
What is your plot in a plot-filled world?
Through summer movie blockbusters we explore THE BIG PICTURE - how God's Story and our stories are more deeply connected than we often realize.
Message
08.12.07 - The Coming Attractions: A Preview Of The Big Picture
Through the Lord's Prayer, we realize that it is possible for our lives to become a preview of the way things will one day be... as we invite God to make earth "as it is in heaven," we invite Him to use us to do it. (Tony Myles)
08.05.07 - The Classics: What Keeps Bringing Us Back?
Those favorite movies on our shelves? What is it about them and our experience in the past that can still cause us to be impacted by them in the present? Interestingly, Jesus 'remastered some classics' that have amazing impact on our lives today. (Tony Myles)
07.29.07 - The Bourne Ultimatum: Coming Home To Our Identity
There are things and people all around that can steal our identity from us... many of them as unsuspecting as the face in the mirror. What can our response be to a God who is trying to reach into it all and pull out the memories of who we really are? (Rob Murphy)
07.22.07 - The Simpsons Movie: Imperfections Galore
God has a plan for our households that we often miss out on because our imperfections create aimless drift. There are wake up calls all around us, though, from the satire the world kicks back at us to the charge from God Himself through His Bible. (Tony Myles)
07.15.07 - Harry Potter: It's All In The Glasses It's easier to cariacture and stereotype those who are not like us than it is to enter their world. Yet it is precisely when we share our "inside" info with the "outsiders" that the world recognizes us as "little Christs." The revolution of restoration begins when we build bridges instead of fences. (Tony Myles)
07.08.07 - Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye There is more to you than meets the eye... and yet some days the transformation to realize and live this out seems like a hidden ideal. (Tony Myles)
07.01.07 - Live Free Or Die Hard: Being "That Guy" Just like everyman action hero John McClane, we may often feel way in over our head and yet are invited into a situation that demands our all... even if we're wondering if we have anything to offer. (Tony Myles)
06.24.07 - Evan Almighty: Change The World Care to change the world today? Most of us fret about not knowing where to begin or assuming that someone else is more qualified. Amazingly, God is inviting imperfect people like us to do His perfect work - one humble, intentional act of kindness at a time. (Tony Myles)
06.17.07 - Pirates of the Caribbean 3: Who's Yer Cap'n, ARRR? Who really gets the steer the ship of our lives? The answer to that is often as hard to figure out as a pirate's dualistic nature and the inner compass of our souls. . (Tony Myles)
06.10.07 - Spiderman 3: Rejecting The Black Suit Every day we have the chance to clothe ourselves with a deep darkness or a rich empowerment. Which will you choose and how will you figure it out?. (Tony Myles & John Turner)
06.03.07 - Shrek 3: A Happily Ever After Marriage? Is a "happily ever after marriage" even possible anymore? Perhaps there is something to owning up to our ogre-like personalities if we ever hope to see the true beauty in our spouses. (Tony Myles)
It's easy to talk about changing your life, but what about actually following through on it? By raising the bar in six key areas you will experience growth in Christ that can spur you on toward the life you've always wanted.
Message
05.27.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Worship The direction of our future can be reshaped when we consider the memorials of our past. In doing so, our very lives can become worship. (Connection Church Praise Band & Tony Myles)
05.20.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Relationships What is the impact of two people coming back together after a hard tension with each other. By looking at God's example with us, we can raise the bar in our relationships with others. (Tony Myles & Clara Stacko)
05.13.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Family When the family is insecure, everything gets affected. Raising the bar in your household has ripples in ways we may not even conceive. (Tony Myles)
05.06.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Finances Did you know that God doesn't need your money and yet has an amazing plan for it? Imagine raising the bar in your finances by figuring this out. (Tony Myles)
04.29.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Workplace Whether you work in a cubicle or simply shop at the supermarket, we all interact with the workplace. If we raised the bar in how we did business, how might things be different? (Tony Myles)
04.22.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Faith In what way do you expect God to reveal Himself in your life? What might it look like to raise the bar in your faith... in the middle of nowhere? (Tony Myles)
04.15.07 - Raising The Bar In Your Purpose (no audio - church movie day)
The word "hero" so frequently gets limited to a comic book definition - one influenced by caped crusaders and action heroes. In real life, though, a hero is far more diverse, complex, and unexpected. Ordinary people... extraordinary impact.
Message
04.08.07 - Heroes Pt.6: The Super Hero (Easter) There is something rather intriguing about Someone who is able to do things we can’t do in order to do all the things we want to do... and yet we still seem to struggle with our need for a Savior. Why? (Tony Myles)
04.01.07 - Heroes Pt.5: The Unexpected Hero The world is bursting at the seams with those who have never had their chance to stand toe to toe with life and give it their best shot. On occasion, though, such an unexpected hero rises up.
.(Tony Myles)
03.25.07 - Heroes Pt.4: The Tragic Hero What is so fascinating about someone with a fatal flaw? Might that speak into our own shortcomings even as we attempt to work for the greater good?. (Tony Myles)
03.18.07 - Heroes Pt.3: The Action Hero (no audio) Behind every heroic action there is a catalyst. In order to have purpose you have to have a healthy sense of discontentment, through which action is formed that leads to true contentment.
.(Tony Myles)
03.11.07 - Heroes Pt.2: The Starry-Eyed Hero What do you do in those moments when you have to make a huge life-changing choice and have no idea of how it will turn out? We have one life to live and can either play it safe or risk failure, get in the game, and make a difference. (Tony Myles)
03.04.07 - Heroes Pt.1: The Righteous Hero There’s something about a person who decides that the flow of the world or a certain situation in it isn’t working… and then begins to journey against the tide to right the wrong and rescue those who have been affected by it.. (Tony Myles)
Special Saturdays and Sundays
02.25.07 - All Worship Jam A sampling of our all worship jam, including three "My Stories" from Clint Auman, Dave Honaker, and Dawn Molner (Connection Church Praise Band)
What can you tell about the world just by looking at it? Are your perceptions of yourself and others correct or is there more going on in this moment and eternity than what we realize? Journey through the first impressions of Creation, rediscovering your Creator and who you really are.
02.18.07 - Identity Pt.6 - Family Tree We're each handed down something from those before us - a family tree that predisposes us one way or another. Might there be an alternative, though? And might not the "tree" of Christ have something to say about that? (Tony Myles)
02.11.07 - Identity Pt.5 - Fallout We all have broken cravings that can drive us in unhealthy ways... what do we gain in understanding them? Perhaps our true identity. (Tony Myles)
02.04.07 - Identity Pt.4: Identity Theft What is one of the most scandalous chapters in the Bible - not to mention our lives? The answer may surprise you... as may God. (Tony Myles)
01.28.07 - Identity Pt.3: Naked and Unashamed
Imagine having the kind of authentic relationships where we can truly be who we really are. It is possible, and it all starts with a glimpse into life in the Garden of Eden. (Tony Myles)
01.21.07 - Identity Pt.2: The Rhythm of Work and Restoration Buried deep within all of creation is a rhythm that unveils God's pattern for work and restoration. We are invited into the groove... one Sabbath at a time. (Tony Myles)
01.14.07 - Identity Pt.1: The Creative Itch Why do we feel the need to create? Does it have anything to do with the original image we were made in of our Creator? Explore how the very beginning of human history is something still happening today. (Tony Myles)
Connection Church 2524 Medina Rd Medina, OH 44256 330-461-3964
info@connectionchurch.org
Gathering on Saturdays and Sundays at 2524 Medina Road
(Route 18, a half mile east of I-71 just past Dunkin Donuts in Sharon Commons)
