Embracing the Journey: Celebrating Diverse Motherhood Experiences

Today, I shared a message centered around the theme "Grow With The Flow," particularly focusing on the multifaceted experiences of motherhood. This Mother's Day, it was essential to recognize and honor the diverse journeys mothers go through, from the joys and celebrations to the challenges and sorrows.

The sermon began with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the mothers in our congregation. I emphasized the importance of recognizing both the visible and silent stories of motherhood. Some mothers may be celebrating, while others might be quietly grieving losses or struggling with infertility. It's crucial to understand that motherhood encompasses a wide range of experiences, and all are valid and significant in the eyes of God.

I shared a scripture from Isaiah 66:13, which beautifully illustrates the comforting nature of God, likening His comfort to that of a mother's love. This scripture set the tone for the day, reminding us of the deep, nurturing love that mothers have, which reflects God's love for us.

During the service, we had the privilege of hearing from several mothers who shared their personal stories. Each story highlighted different aspects of motherhood, from dealing with loss and embracing new stages of life to the unique challenges of raising both biological and adopted children. These testimonies provided real-life insights into the resilience and faith that motherhood demands.

We also discussed the upcoming event, Baptize California, emphasizing our connection with the broader Christian community and celebrating those who decide to go public with their faith. This was a call to action for our congregation to participate and support each other in this significant step of faith.

The service concluded with a powerful call to those who might not yet have made the decision to follow Christ or those who felt the need to recommit their lives to Him. It was a moment of invitation to experience the transformative love of Jesus, ensuring that everyone left the service with the opportunity to make a life-changing decision.

In our giving segment, I reminded the congregation of the importance of sowing seeds, not just financially but in every aspect of our lives. This act of giving is a reflection of our trust in God as the source of all our resources, and it's an expression of our faith in His ability to multiply and use our gifts for His glory.

As we moved towards the end of the service, we stood together in worship, reflecting on the messages shared and the stories heard. It was a moment of communal prayer and solidarity, reinforcing our commitment to support and uplift one another, especially the mothers among us.

### Key Takeaways:

1. **The Diversity of Motherhood Experiences**:
Motherhood is not a monolithic experience; it varies greatly from one person to another. Today, we acknowledged the wide spectrum of motherhood, from joyous celebrations to profound grief and silent struggles. This recognition helps us foster a more inclusive and supportive community. [44:55]

2. **The Role of Faith in Motherhood**:
The testimonies shared today highlighted how faith plays a crucial role in navigating the challenges of motherhood. Whether it's dealing with loss, embracing new life stages, or managing the day-to-day demands, reliance on God provides strength and guidance. [51:10]

3. **Community Support is Crucial**:
Today's discussions underscored the importance of community support in the journey of motherhood. Sharing experiences and wisdom not only helps individual mothers but strengthens the entire community, reflecting the body of Christ in action. [01:31:18]

4. **Spiritual Commitment and Recommitment**:
The invitation to accept Christ or recommit one's life to Him was a pivotal moment in today's service. It reminded us that our spiritual journey is central to our overall well-being and impacts every area of our lives, including how we parent and lead our families. [01:40:12]

5. **The Power of Giving**:
Reflecting on the act of giving, whether through time, resources, or spiritual gifts, emphasizes our trust in God's provision. It's a practical expression of our faith and an investment in God's kingdom work, particularly in supporting families and children within our community. [01:33:29]

### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [42:59] - Introduction to "Grow With The Flow"
- [44:55] - Scripture Reading and Reflection
- [46:41] - Panel Discussion with Mothers
- [51:10] - Stories of Motherhood: Challenges and Triumphs
- [01:31:18] - Community Support and Encouragement
- [01:33:29] - Time of Giving and Reflection
- [01:40:12] - Call to Commitment and Recommitment
- [01:41:33] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 66:13 (ESV): "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
- 3 John 1:4 (ESV): "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 66:13 compare God's comfort to, and why is this comparison significant? [44:55]
2. According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, why does God comfort us in our afflictions? [56:44]
3. In 3 John 1:4, what brings the greatest joy to the author, and how does this relate to the theme of motherhood discussed in the sermon? [51:10]
4. What were some of the diverse experiences of motherhood shared by the mothers during the panel discussion? [46:41]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the comparison of God's comfort to a mother's comfort in Isaiah 66:13 deepen our understanding of God's nature? [44:55]
2. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, how can the comfort we receive from God enable us to support others in their struggles? [56:44]
3. How does the joy expressed in 3 John 1:4 about children walking in truth relate to the testimonies shared by the mothers in the sermon? [51:10]
4. What role does faith play in navigating the challenges of motherhood, as highlighted by the testimonies shared in the sermon? [51:10]

#### Application Questions
1. How can you personally acknowledge and support the diverse experiences of motherhood within your community? Think of specific actions you can take to show empathy and support. [46:41]
2. In what ways can you rely on God's comfort in your own life, and how can you extend that comfort to others who are struggling? [56:44]
3. Reflect on a time when your faith helped you through a challenging situation. How can you share that experience to encourage others, especially mothers, in your community? [51:10]
4. How can you actively participate in community support, as emphasized in the sermon, to strengthen the bonds within your church and help others in their faith journey? [01:31:18]
5. What steps can you take to recommit your life to Christ, or to help someone else make that commitment, as discussed in the sermon? [01:40:12]
6. How can you incorporate the act of giving, whether through time, resources, or spiritual gifts, into your daily life to reflect your trust in God's provision? [01:33:29]
7. Think of a mother in your life who might be struggling silently. What specific actions can you take this week to offer her support and comfort? [44:55]

Day 1: Embracing the Spectrum of Motherhood
Motherhood is a journey marked by a spectrum of emotions and experiences. It is vital to acknowledge that every mother's path is unique, filled with its own set of joys, challenges, and sometimes, profound grief. Recognizing this diversity helps in building a supportive community that appreciates all aspects of motherhood. It is important to understand that whether a mother is in a season of celebration or one of silent struggle, each experience holds significant value and deserves recognition and respect. This inclusive approach fosters a nurturing environment where all mothers can feel seen and supported. [44:55]

Romans 12:15 (ESV): "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

Reflection: How can you better support the mothers in your community, recognizing their diverse experiences and needs?

Day 2: Faith as the Anchor in Motherhood
The role of faith in motherhood cannot be overstated. It serves as an anchor, providing strength and guidance through the unpredictable waters of raising children. The testimonies of mothers who rely on their faith to navigate challenges—from dealing with loss to embracing new life stages—illustrate the profound impact of spiritual reliance. Faith does not remove the difficulties of motherhood but offers a resilient hope and a constant companion in both triumphant and trying times. [51:10]

Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."

Reflection: In what ways has your faith influenced your approach to parenting or supporting parents in your community?

Day 3: The Strength of Community Support
Community plays a crucial role in the journey of motherhood. It provides a platform for sharing experiences and wisdom, which not only supports individual mothers but also strengthens the entire community. This collective support mirrors the body of Christ in action, where each member plays a part in uplifting and encouraging one another. By fostering an environment of mutual support, communities can become a source of great strength and encouragement for mothers navigating both the joys and challenges of parenting. [01:31:18]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to enhance the support system for mothers within your community?

Day 4: Commitment to Spiritual Growth
The invitation to accept Christ or to recommit one's life to Him is pivotal, especially in the context of motherhood. This spiritual commitment is central to one's overall well-being and profoundly impacts every area of life, including parenting. Embracing or renewing a commitment to Christ can transform how we lead our families, showing them the importance of faith and reliance on God's love and guidance. This commitment is a cornerstone for nurturing a spiritually healthy and resilient family. [01:40:12]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can your spiritual commitment influence your family dynamics and parenting style?

Day 5: Reflecting God's Generosity through Giving
Giving, whether of time, resources, or spiritual gifts, is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's provision. It reflects a heart that is willing to invest in God's kingdom work, particularly in supporting families and children within the community. This act of giving not only demonstrates obedience to God but also plays a crucial role in the nurturing and development of a supportive, thriving community. By giving generously, we mirror God's generosity and love towards us. [01:33:29]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate a spirit of generosity in your life and directly impact your community?

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Baptisms are next week. Yes.

So next week we're participating in something called Baptize California.

And what that is, is that churches all across California are going to be baptizing all at the same time, all across the state of California.

And we're excited about that because, again, as I talked about last week, we get to be the body.

We're not just doing something individually as one isolated church, but we're coming together as a state, as churches all across California are going to be declaring and celebrating people who are going public with their faith.

And we're so excited about that.

And so we're going to make it a big deal.

It is going to be amazing.

And so if you have not signed up, please sign up.

We would love the opportunity to celebrate with you.

I would love to make this just a record-breaking Sunday with people who have just said, "Hey, you know what? I'm going public with my faith. I'm not keeping it private. I've made this decision. I'm ready to tell the world and represent to the world what Jesus looks like."

And so we would love to have the opportunity to do that on next Sunday.

And then my second announcement is immediately following that, Team Limitless, could you make some noise for me if you're here?

All right.

Everybody who made some noise, I need to see you after service next Sunday.

All right.

Next Sunday, we have something called All-In Volunteers Meeting.

And so this is for all of our volunteers.

I have a wonderful testimony that I want to share with you.

And I would also like to just share with you something God has placed on our heart.

I will not keep you long.

There will be food, so you'll be taken care of.

And I got some fun things planned, so I'm excited about that.

So if you are a current volunteer here at Team Limitless, I would love to see you tomorrow after service.

All right.

So to dive in, we're doing something different today.

And we're in this thing for Mother's Day that we're calling Grow With The Flow.

Grow With The Flow.

And I thought it would be awesome on Mother's Day that you didn't just listen to me because I'm not a mom.

I'm a dad.

And so I wanted you to have the opportunity to hear from some moms.

Today, we're going to step into a conversation that is going to touch the very core of our being.

Grow With The Flow.

The reason that I call it that is because there are different journeys on the path of motherhood.

It is a sacred space where love, where resilience, and where faith all come together.

In our midst, there are some stories of joy, and there are some stories of triumph.

But also, for some, there are stories that are woven with the threads of longing and loss.

And as we explore the beauty and the challenges of nurturing life, I want us to hold space for those among us who have walked the path of love.

And I want us to hold space for those who have walked the difficult path of infertility or even losing a child.

These journeys, your pain, your enduring love today does not go unseen.

I want to share with you a scripture that to me captures what we're going to be covering today.

And that scripture is Isaiah 66 verse 13.

And it simply says, "As one whom his mother comforted, so will I comfort you. You shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

And as beautiful as this is, this scripture is not just poetry.

But this scripture echoes the deep, nurturing love of a mother.

A love that many yearn to express and to share.

And it reflects the tender, encompassing love of our God.

How much God loves us.

A God who sees every tear, who hears every prayer.

And who holds every broken heart.

And so whether your journey of motherhood is visible to those around you or it carries a silent story of what could have been, please know this.

Know that you are wrapped in the comfort of the Almighty, who cherishes and is with you through each step of whatever your journey may be.

Now as we open the floor to the voices of mothers who have bravely navigated the peaks and the valleys of motherhood, I pray that today you would lean in with an open heart and a compassionate heart.

Because their stories aren't just their own.

The stories that you hear today are woven in the tapestry of what we call church.

What we call our community.

What is the body of Christ.

And it reflects courage.

It reflects strength.

It reflects faith in both joy and adversity.

Today I want us to be united in listening and learning and loving and recognizing the diversity of the motherhood experience.

Embracing both its joys and its sorrows.

And finding solace in growth.

In the shared journey of us growing together.

Today I want our, the goal of this, that we draw closer to understanding the heart of God.

To finding strength in growing and encouragement in His unfailing love.

Today we are going to grow with the flow.

We're going to hear from women who are on different stages of motherhood.

All at different phases and there are just so many nuances.

And today I want to dive into those nuances.

And so I'm going to call our mothers up.

Right now.

We have Miss Anita Morse who is going to join us.

Miss Jamie Gordon that's going to join us.

Miss Carolyn Baker.

Excuse me.

Miss Kelly Crisolo that's going to join us.

Yeah.

Go for it.

All right ladies.

Good morning.

Good morning ladies.

Thank you for choosing to join us this morning.

If you could do me a favor.

If you could tell everyone.

I forgot to do this for a service.

I did it partially but not really.

Tell us your name.

Tell us your favorite holiday.

And tell us your journey of motherhood.

And we'll start with you.

He couldn't die unless he was born.

I guess that's true.

We died to save us.

You're with me, pastor.

I have a son who's in heaven.

All right, okay.

So we're going to dive into this.

Yes, feel free to expound.

Feel free to share.

I did put a time limit on Miss Jamie, but everybody else y'all stay my notes.

Yeah, she's like I'm ready.

All right Miss Kelly, I'm going to have you start us off.

Third John 1 verse 4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth."

Now you talked about how you're in these different seasons and you've walked through these different seasons from being a new mom to having teenager kids, adult kids, and now being Meemaw, am I correct?

Yes, to now being Meemaw.

Looking back on those different seasons, what moments stood out to you as formative or particularly formative for you or for your children?

They are today.

They all know the Lord, they love the Lord, and they serve the Lord.

Amen.

Miss Anita, you have a very unique experience raising both adopted children and biological children presents a unique opportunity for everyone to learn from the different experiences that are happening in the household.

I know there might be a few, but what are one of the most unexpected lessons that you and your children have learned in this journey?

Yeah, that's good.

That's good.

Miss Jamie, in Second Corinthians one it says, "Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord, Father of mercies and the God of comfort, who comforted us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

When you talk about your story of your son, how has motherhood coupled with the pain of loss shaped your understanding of God?

Walking through that journey, joy and sorrow, not understanding, how has that shaped your relationship and your understanding of God?

Kelly, you have littles, you have grand littles, and you got to your kids.

How has your relationship evolved?

So your child was, you know, you were changing diapers and now they're changing diapers.

And in those seasons, the mother that you are as you're changing diapers isn't the same mother that you are when they're changing diapers.

Reflecting on that, how are you able to adjust?

Because obviously they're different people, they're grown up now, they have their own world, their own life, their own time schedule, all of these things.

Like what God said, it as well.

Amen.

I love that.

Miss Anita, I've had the pleasure of watching you with your boys and with your daughter.

And the one thing I know about them is each one of them are very different.

Very different.

They are not the same by any stretch of the imagination.

So being that you have these different, so different people in your house, how do you celebrate who they are as individuals without alienating another?

How do you bring out, or how did you?

Because, yeah, so talk to me about making that decision.

Because obviously when you think about it, it's like, but he could, because I immediately go to like, oh, if he goes pro and then he gets a check, then I get a check.

So it might all balance out in the end.

Everybody got a check.

We all right.

So obviously that's not the route to go, but in how do you grapple with that decision?

I'm assuming at some point you say their spiritual wellbeing is more important to me than this physical thing that they may be good at, that they may be great at, but then their soul is in a deficit.

Oh, I love that.

That's good.

Miss Jamie, so I've had the unique opportunity within the past couple of weeks to walk with a friend of mine, a family member who lost his son.

And when I got back home after the funeral, I came back a different person than I was when I left.

That next day, I had a bunch of stuff that needed to get done.

And I cared nothing about the stuff that needed to get done.

I just wanted to get my boys.

So they didn't go to school.

They just hung out with me.

We went to the park, got ice cream, all these kind of things.

And even as I was with the family, there's nothing that can compare to those moments.

There's no pain.

There's nothing.

So I came back with a different perception and a different understanding of the moments and how present I need to be and what that looks like for me moving forward.

With the loss that you've experienced, how has that impacted how you're parenting now?

And I'm thinking of, you know, when it comes to making hard decisions, am I going to go, you know, have this conversation?

Am I going to spend this extra 30 minutes away?

Am I going to, you know, spend time, you know, for me on the video game?

Or am I going to spend time on the phone?

Or am I going to go in there and play with my kid?

Yeah.

Am I going to go in there and build whatever concoction that we're building today?

Right?

But when you look at it, you say, oh, you know what?

The game's going to be here.

The conversation will be there.

But this is an important moment for my children.

Yeah.

And I need to be present because there is nothing more important than being present.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That God gave me, then I should be responsible and I should be wise in cherishing that gift, which means in some moments putting what I want to the side so that I can walk in there.

Ms. Kelly, as you walk through these different seasons, how, again, you mentioned the BC and the WC, how has your past, and I'm going to just get 90 seconds, but how has your past affected or assisted you, let's say that, assisted you in how you parent as a mother now?

Same question, Miss Anita.

In 60 seconds, tell me, how has how you were raised affected how you parent now?

Miss Jamie, same question.

The question.

Listen, how has your upbringing affected how you parent?

My upbringing.

Yeah.

All right, ladies.

30 seconds.

My last question.

The Bible says, "As the earth remains, there will be seed, time, and harvest."

And so I want you to speak and sow a seed into the moms.

I'm going to give you 30 seconds to just talk to a mom.

This is the last 30 seconds you have.

And there's a mom in front of you.

And that's it.

That's the window.

Go ahead.

Miss Kelly, would you pray for our moms today?

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you so much to our moms who agreed to do our panel this morning, and I hope that you heard them.

I hope that you received everything that was spoken today individually to each and every one of you.

I hope that you heard that there will be ups and downs, but that God is with you.

I hope that you heard that mostly.

My prayer is that you heard that you're not alone.

Oftentimes in mothering, it could feel like you are in it by yourself.

And you could be at your wits' end and you're at the point where you, like Jamie said, you just want to, you know, just.

And you've tried everything that you can, but nothing seems or feels like it's working.

I hope that you heard today that you're not alone.

You're not alone.

You're not alone.

You're not alone.

Because there are mothers here who are walking through exactly what you're walking through.

Who have walked through what you're walking through.

Who are walking through what you're walking through.

And mostly, you're not alone because the Holy Spirit is with you.

In your weakness is when His strength is shown.

And whether your child is with you, whether your child is away, estranged, whatever it may be.

I encourage you every single day to allow the Holy Spirit to begin to assist you as you mother.

In every situation, there is no wisdom that the Holy Spirit does not have.

God, how do I mother in this situation?

God, is it too late?

I love she said that.

She said, you know, this didn't happen until the 20s.

But now all of my kids are loving God and serving God.

It is.

It is never too late.

Rely on Him.

Rely on the community.

This tapestry that God has blessed you with here in these chairs every single week.

And don't be afraid to ask.

Hey, how can I walk through this better?

Or don't be afraid for someone to come and ask you and be willing to share your story no matter what it is.

Because it is meant for God to get the glory.

So I pray that you are ministered to this Mother's Day and that you are encouraged this Mother's Day.

And no matter where you are, as you grow with the flow, moms, we honor you.

We honor your sacrifice.

We honor your willingness.

And we honor the love that you have.

Because it is as close to us seeing the love of God as we can get.

I'm going to have our ushers come forward at this time as we move into a time of giving.

But not too far from where we are because we're, again, this idea, this concept of sowing seeds.

As there remains seed time and harvest.

And having an opportunity to sow.

Not just into the vision of this church, but the vision that God has for families and children and kids in this city, in this community, in this church.

And so I pray that as you give today that that is where your heart is.

We believe that God is the source of our resource.

He is the giver of all seeds, be they children or finances.

And we have an opportunity to sow those seeds.

So I pray today that that would be your heart.

Heavenly Father, I thank you right now for those who have an opportunity to sow today, be it in their little, in their many.

God, I pray that you would speak to us today.

We never want to give out of compulsion, out of habit.

God, we want to hear what you would have us to give, God.

So in these next few seconds, would you speak to us and give us clarity on how you would have us to sow?

Thank you, Jesus.

God, we believe that we have heard you as it pertains to our giving today, and we give with a cheerful heart.

Because your word says you love a cheerful giver.

And here's another opportunity for us, God, to show that we trust you.

Not to just say it or sing it, but to show that we trust you.

We thank you for this opportunity to give in Jesus' name.

Amen.

If you're here today and this is your first time, you can give on the QR code on the seat pocket in front of you, the envelope that is also there, and the buckets will come by.

You can feel free to give there.

If you're watching online right now, you can text the word give to 833-879-0161.

God bless.

Would you stand with me after the buckets are passed?

Let's worship together.

Limitless, would you stretch your hands towards your seed this morning?

Heavenly Father, I thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jesus.

Father, we thank you for the opportunity that you gave us to sow today, God.

For those that gave out of their generosity, God, for those that gave out of the very little that they had, and even those that didn't have to give, would you bless them all, God?

We believe that you are the source of our resource, and today we gave accordingly, God.

We express our trust in you.

We thank you, God.

We command our seed to go, to grow, to multiply, and to do exactly what you have sent it to do.

We thank you for it in Jesus' name.

Amen.

I'm going to have our ushers come forward at this time.

Before we leave, if you have never made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, let me tell you today is a great day to do it.

There is no Mother's Day present better than that.

But importantly, having the opportunity to say, "God, I'm making you Lord today."

I recognize that I haven't put you in the place that you rightfully need to be, and I'm at the end of myself.

I've tried all of the things.

I'm tired of coming to a dead end.

I recognize that I need a Savior.

If that's you today, I would love to offer you the opportunity to make Jesus Lord.

He says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, you shall be saved.

So I don't want to leave here assuming that everyone is good to go.

No, I believe that God sent you here, someone here on mission today to make a decision that would change the very course of their life, the family's life, the community's life.

So I want to offer you that opportunity to make Jesus Lord.

And secondly, I would love to offer you the opportunity.

Maybe you said, "Hey, you know what? I made a decision to make Him Lord, but I haven't been living in a way that lines up with that."

I want to offer you the opportunity to recommit your life to Jesus.

And I love this because it's this idea that says, "Hey, you know what? God has not moved.

He is in the same place.

He said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake.'"

So if He didn't move, then who did?

This opportunity to recognize that and say, "God, you know what? I want to live for you.

I want to recommit my life from this day forward, living a life that lines up with the word of God and the will that you have for my life."

So if that's you today, you say, "Hey, pastor, that's me.

I know that that's me.

I need to recommit my life to Jesus."

Then I want to offer you that opportunity today as well.

Over here to my left.

Our prayer team is here and they are ready, willing, and able to pray with you.

I employ you.

The Bible says, "I beseech you."

Please do not leave this building without getting exactly what you came for.

Maybe you're here and your heart is going back and forth and you're like, "I don't know.

Maybe next time."

Next time is not promised.

And the only thing that will stop you from getting what God has for you would be the enemy.

So I would encourage you to make a commitment to Jesus.

Make that decision today.

Today, the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation."

So I pray that you administer to today that you heard the Lord today and that you make a decision that lines up with that.

Father, I pray for each and every person under the sound of my voice and those watching online.

I thank you that you're administering to hearts even now.

I pray that they heard exactly what you wanted them to hear today and that it would make a mark on their life that can never be erased.

God, I thank you for your presence.

Thank you for the changes that are going to be made, the intentionality that is going to be different today, the adjustments that are going to be made today in light of what was heard, that this church will never be the same.

Praise you.

We honor you in Jesus' name.

Amen.

If that's you today, please make your way to our altar team.

Moms, ladies, women, we have a gift on behalf of our community.

We have a gift on behalf of our community.

We have a gift on behalf of our community.

We would love to go ahead and as you leave here, you'll see there's a tent outside and we have a gift for all of our women today.

God bless you.

I appreciate you.

And don't forget, live what?

God bless.

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered. I saw the Lord, and he answered." [39:58](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "So next week we're participating in something called Baptize California. And what that is, is that churches all across California are going to be baptizing all at the same time, all across the state of California. And we're excited about that because again, as I talked about last week, we get to be the body. We're not just doing something individually as one isolated church, but we're coming together as a state, as churches all across California are going to be declaring and celebrating people who are going public with their faith." [41:40](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



### Quotes for Members

1. "simply says, as one whom his mother comforted, so will I comfort you. You shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And as beautiful as this is, this scripture is not just poetry. But this scripture echoes the deep, nurturing love of a mother. A love that many yearn to express and to share. And it reflects the tender, encompassing love of our God. How much God loves us. A God who sees every tear, who hears every prayer. And who holds every broken heart." [44:55](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "Today, we're going to step into a conversation that is going to touch the very core of our being. Grow With The Flow. The reason that I call it that is because there are different journeys on the path of motherhood. It is a sacred space where love, where resilience, and where faith all come together. In our midst, there are some stories of joy, and there are some stories of triumph. But also, for some, there are stories that are woven with the threads of longing and loss." [42:59](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



3. "And having an opportunity to sow. Not just into the vision of this church, but the vision that God has for families. And children. And kids. In this city, in this community, in this church. And so I pray that as you give today that that is where your heart is. We believe that God is the source of our resource. He is the giver of all seeds, be they children or finances. And we have an opportunity to sow those seeds." [01:33:29](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



4. "It is never too late. Rely on him. Rely on the community. This tapestry that God has blessed you with here in these chairs every single week. And don't be afraid to ask. Hey, how can I walk through this better? Or don't be afraid for someone to come and ask you and be willing to share your story no matter what it is. Because it is meant for God to get the glory." [01:31:18](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)