Updates and Articles

Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

6 Helpful Tips for Including Your Kids in Worship

As Christian parents, we are called to train up our children, point them to Christ, and lead them in serving the Lord.

And while we are to do this when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise (Deuteronomy 6:7), one of the best, most important ways for parents to disciple their children and raise them up in the Lord is to include them in the corporate worship of God’s people.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

If all of life is worship, why go to church?

The Christian’s whole life should be lived in worship to the Lord.

But using “all of life is worship” as a guiding theological principle has raised an interesting question in today’s modern world:

If all of life is worship – eating, drinking, working, talking, driving, sleeping – do you have to go to church? After all, can’t you worship Him from the comfort of your home just as easily as you can in the pew?

All of life is worship and yet at the same time, the church is foundational to our worship as Christians.

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

You Follow Me! - John 21:20-25

You and I are called to obedience. We’re called to faithfulness. But have you ever wondered, “How do I become a more obedient follower of Jesus?”

Do we constantly beat ourselves up and remind ourselves of how we consistently fall short? Do we pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps and try a little harder? No.

Obedience and faithfulness to Christ requires you and me to stop thinking about ourselves and those around us and to devote our attention to following Jesus Christ!

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

New to Reformed Theology? Start here.

There are many components to Reformed Theology. And now, more than ever, there are numerous resources on the topic. The amount of information can be overwhelming. Where do you even begin?

If I were brand new to Reformed Theology, here is where I would start. 

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

Do You Love Me? - John 21:15-19

Your fate is not sealed because of the sins of your past. Just because you have sinned and perhaps sinned grievously does not mean that you’re damaged goods or have nothing to contribute in God’s Kingdom. The Lord can make beauty from ashes.

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

Fishing, Breakfast, and the Care of Christ - John 21:1-14

The primary message of John 21:1-14 has very little to do with actually fishing. Rather, this passage has everything to do with Jesus sustaining and providing for the church.

That was true then, and it’s true for the church today. The church under the strength of her own power will always fail.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

17 Things to Pray for the Church

So much rises and falls upon the health of a local church. Your church can build up your faith in Christ or it can tear it down. We’ve all seen both.

The church is also increasingly under attack, both from without and within, and prayer is our greatest defense.

It is crucial for Christians to commit to regular prayer for the church. So in light of that, here are seventeen important things to pray for your local body of believers.

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

So That You May Believe - John 20:24-31

We typically associate Thomas with doubt. After all, we generally refer to him as doubting Thomas.

But as we look at John 20:24-31, the primary issue at play isn’t doubt as much as it is control. Thomas thought that he was sovereign, but was quickly reminded that wasn’t true. Thomas expressed a warped view of himself and God. But even in the midst of his warped view, the Lord was merciful.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

Why Church Planting Demographics are Overrated

“What’s your target demographic?” It’s one of the most common questions I received in the early stages of church planting. But when people ask about a church planter’s “target demographic,” they usually aren’t asking about the overall demographics of the community they’re planting in.

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

The Breath of Christ - John 20:19-23

In the midst of the concern, fear, and sadness that was certainly in that locked room on Easter evening - Jesus met with his disciples. And of course, Jesus doesn’t just appear and then disappear as quickly as he showed up. He ministered to them in the same way he ministers to us today.

Our risen Savior meets with us to give us His peace, mission, and Spirit.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

12 Ways to Encourage Your Spouse

The greatest impact we can make on the world begins with how we treat each other within our homes. When a home is filled with love and encouragement, everyone flourishes in their roles and responsibilities.

But in the busyness of life, it can be easy to get stuck in the rut of day-to-day routines and habits and neglect putting a conscious effort into loving and building up our closest neighbor – our spouse.

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Sermon Jake Hooker Sermon Jake Hooker

Resurrection Confidence - John 20:1-18

Despite the denials, everyone knows in their heart of hearts that life is eternal. And the resurrection of Jesus Christ proved that to be true. Jesus defeated sin, death, and the grave, which is the best news of all.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

How to Begin and Prioritize Family Worship

Our family’s identity is often determined by our values and how we spend our time. As Christians, our faith should shape the identity of our family. This should play out in worshiping with the body of Christ every Lord’s Day, but it should also take place in worshiping together as a family in our home.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

The State of Providence Address Recap

This past Sunday we gathered for lunch after worship to hear an encouraging report on how the Lord is working in the life of our church and the vision for the future of Providence.

We’re sharing Pastor Jake’s State of Providence Address for those who weren’t able to attend and for those who have been supporting Providence from afar.

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Lauren Hooker Lauren Hooker

Important Takeaways from Sanctity of Life Sunday

This past Sanctity of Human Life Sunday we were grateful to have Barbara Burgess join us from the Blue Ridge Women’s Center to share about what God is doing in and through this vital ministry.

Barbara was kind enough to share her notes with us so that those who weren’t able to attend her presentation could learn more about BRWC and the important work that they are doing in the Roanoke Valley.

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Sermon Lauren Hooker Sermon Lauren Hooker

The Gift of Children - Psalm 128

A successful career, wealth, and personal autonomy are not what will give value or meaning to your life.

Only faith in Jesus Christ gives your life meaning. And then, out of His abundant grace, God bestows more blessing upon you, like the blessing of your family.

Your legacy will not be in your work; your lasting legacy will be in your home.

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Jake Hooker Jake Hooker

5 Reasons to Sing Psalms and Hymns in Worship

At Providence we want to prioritize God’s Word. We want the Scriptures to be the focus of every worship service, and not only does that include the sermon, but that extends to the prayers that we pray, and the songs that we sing.

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