<![CDATA[Highlands Community Church of the C&MA]]>A church in West Milford, NJ following Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.

Join us for Sunday Worship and Highlands Kids 10:30 AM

www.highlandscommunity.church

]]>https://www.highlandscommunity.churchRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:34:37 GMTThu, 08 Jan 2026 17:30:22 GMT60Highlands Community Church<p>A church in West Milford, NJ following Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.</p><p></p><p>Join us for Sunday Worship and Highlands Kids 10:30 AM</p><p></p><p>www.highlandscommunity.church</p>episodicHighlands Community Churchandrewm@highlandscommunity.churchno<![CDATA[Alliance Missions Sunday (Aaron Winn)]]>Episode Description: This week, Pastor Andrew welcomes guest speaker Aaron to share a powerful message on the heart of Alliance Missions. Discover why the call to share the hope of Jesus extends to the ends of the earth, and how our local church is actively partnering to make a global impact.

]]>fd1cdde2-6795-461d-af54-9631b213db33Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:06:42 GMT<p><b>Episode Description:</b> This week, Pastor Andrew welcomes guest speaker Aaron to share a powerful message on the heart of Alliance Missions. Discover why the call to share the hope of Jesus extends to the ends of the earth, and how our local church is actively partnering to make a global impact.</p><p></p>no00:49:56112Alliance Missions Sunday (Aaron Winn)full<![CDATA[Easter Sunday (Andrew Meher)]]>Episode Description:

After a season of confronting our hidden sins, toxic shame, and the dark nights of our soul, Easter morning the tomb is empty. In this joyous Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and what it practically means for our messy lives today. We are reminded that Jesus didn't just die to cover our mess; He rose to give us a brand new life.

]]>e6539206-8a2d-45e3-81f4-584fd3c77415Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:22:41 GMT<p><b>Episode Description:</b> </p><p>After a season of confronting our hidden sins, toxic shame, and the dark nights of our soul, Easter morning the tomb is empty. In this joyous Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and what it practically means for our messy lives today. We are reminded that Jesus didn't just die to cover our mess; He rose to give us a brand new life.</p>no00:29:14111Easter Sunday (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Bonus: Good Friday]]>On Good Friday, we confront the ultimate cost of our "mess" as Jesus willingly steps into the darkness and weight of the cross. We reflect on the severity of His sacrifice and the profound, relentless love that kept Him there on our behalf.

]]>36a6a971-01ea-42d0-a0f6-acf13c011d50Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:20:15 GMT<p>On Good Friday, we confront the ultimate cost of our "mess" as Jesus willingly steps into the darkness and weight of the cross. We reflect on the severity of His sacrifice and the profound, relentless love that kept Him there on our behalf.</p>no00:53:07111Bonus: Good Fridayfull<![CDATA[Palm Sunday (Andrew Meher)]]>The crowds on Palm Sunday wanted a conquering political king to fix their worldly mess, but Jesus arrived on a donkey to rescue them from a much deeper spiritual one. In this episode, we explore the danger of placing our own agendas onto Jesus and what happens when God's plan doesn't match our expectations.

]]>5f6182b4-b05e-441f-b136-0b9adb85dfd2Sat, 04 Apr 2026 16:12:25 GMT<p>The crowds on Palm Sunday wanted a conquering political king to fix their worldly mess, but Jesus arrived on a donkey to rescue them from a much deeper spiritual one. In this episode, we explore the danger of placing our own agendas onto Jesus and what happens when God's plan doesn't match our expectations.</p>no00:12:07110Palm Sunday (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Messy Church: Return To Our First Love (Wanda Walborn)]]>Episode Description: In this episode, we hear from Wanda Walborn about the danger of letting faith become a routine checklist and what it takes to strip away the distractions. Join us as Wanda discusses how to reignite your passion and return to a pure, authentic relationship with Jesus.

What You'll Hear:

  • How doing "Christian things" can sometimes distract us from Christ.
  • The warning signs that your faith has become an empty routine.
  • Practical ways to reignite your passion and return to your first love.
]]>f47380a9-7e82-454a-9c9e-4ae6f8e9c265Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:56:56 GMT<p><b>Episode Description:</b> In this episode, we hear from Wanda Walborn about the danger of letting faith become a routine checklist and what it takes to strip away the distractions. Join us as Wanda discusses how to reignite your passion and return to a pure, authentic relationship with Jesus.</p><p></p><p><b>What You'll Hear:</b></p><ul><li>How doing "Christian things" can sometimes distract us from Christ.</li><li>The warning signs that your faith has become an empty routine.</li><li>Practical ways to reignite your passion and return to your first love.</li></ul>no00:39:22109Messy Church: Return To Our First Love (Wanda Walborn)full<![CDATA[Messy Church: Encountering The Wall (Andrew Meher)]]>Episode Description: Have you ever hit a spiritual "wall" where God feels completely absent and your normal faith routines stop working? In this episode of our Lent series, we look at Job 23 and the painful reality of the "dark night of the soul." Instead of viewing God's silence as a punishment or a sign that you've done something wrong, discover how surrendering control during these difficult seasons can actually purify your faith like gold.

Key Scripture: Job 23

]]>d43aa365-30db-40ce-906f-cd28aa49f230Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:41:33 GMT<p><b>Episode Description:</b> Have you ever hit a spiritual "wall" where God feels completely absent and your normal faith routines stop working? In this episode of our Lent series, we look at Job 23 and the painful reality of the "dark night of the soul." Instead of viewing God's silence as a punishment or a sign that you've done something wrong, discover how surrendering control during these difficult seasons can actually purify your faith like gold.</p><p></p><p><b>Key Scripture: </b>Job 23</p>no00:50:45108Messy Church: Encountering The Wall (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Messy Church: Facing Shame (Andrew Meher)]]>In this Lenten episode of "Messy Church," we tackle the uncomfortable topic of shame. Like Adam and Eve, we often hide our pain behind "fig leaves" coping mechanisms like overworking, phone addiction, or rigid religiosity. But God gently asks, "Where are you?", inviting us to step out of hiding so He can meet our deepest needs and clothe us in His grace.

Scripture Reference:

  • Genesis 2:25 - 3:21

Reflection Questions:

  1. What are your "fig leaves" (coping mechanisms)?
  2. What specific pain or shame are those fig leaves covering up?
  3. What is the real, underlying need you are trying to meet?
]]>82addb16-3d07-4aaf-be55-f82053ab06c0Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:01:06 GMT<p>In this Lenten episode of "Messy Church," we tackle the uncomfortable topic of shame. Like Adam and Eve, we often hide our pain behind "fig leaves" coping mechanisms like overworking, phone addiction, or rigid religiosity. But God gently asks, "Where are you?", inviting us to step out of hiding so He can meet our deepest needs and clothe us in His grace.</p><p></p><p><b>Scripture Reference:</b></p><ul><li>Genesis 2:25 - 3:21</li></ul><p><b>Reflection Questions:</b></p><ol><li>What are your "fig leaves" (coping mechanisms)?</li><li>What specific pain or shame are those fig leaves covering up?</li><li>What is the real, underlying need you are trying to meet?</li></ol>no00:47:32108Messy Church: Facing Shame (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Messy Church: A Confessional Life (Andrew Meher)]]>We often believe that confessing our messes will lead to shame and rejection, but the exact opposite is true.

In this episode, we explore Psalm 32 and the profound freedom of living a confessional life.

]]>a74d7159-459d-4045-8b8b-4fdada9996e6Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:27:09 GMT<p>We often believe that confessing our messes will lead to shame and rejection, but the exact opposite is true.</p><p>In this episode, we explore Psalm 32 and the profound freedom of living a confessional life.</p>no00:40:54107Messy Church: A Confessional Life (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Messy Church: Stay in the Mess (Andrew Meher)]]>Summary

This is the first sermon of our Messy Church Series for the first Sunday of lent. This sermon explores the importance of embracing the messiness of life, to find true growth and fruitfulness. It emphasizes honesty, patience, surrender, and the significance of staying in the mess to experience God's transformative power.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lent and Messy Church

01:09 The Challenge of Messiness in Life and Church

02:10 A Personal Story of Mess and Sickness

06:12 The Tendency to Avoid Messes

10:29 God Calls Us into the Mess

13:06 Understanding Proverbs 14:4

17:16 Deviations from Common Sense in Wisdom

21:17 Fruitfulness Comes Through Mess

24:58 Honesty and Confession in the Mess

27:49 Patience and Time in Growth

34:57 Dying to Self and Surrender

43:31 Living in the Fruit of the Mess

47:07 Closing Prayer and Reflection

]]>e0a204e2-85c2-4ebb-9a5e-3d5144286c30Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:51:52 GMT<p>Summary</p><p>This is the first sermon of our Messy Church Series for the first Sunday of lent. This sermon explores the importance of embracing the messiness of life, to find true growth and fruitfulness. It emphasizes honesty, patience, surrender, and the significance of staying in the mess to experience God's transformative power.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Lent and Messy Church</p><p>01:09 The Challenge of Messiness in Life and Church</p><p>02:10 A Personal Story of Mess and Sickness</p><p>06:12 The Tendency to Avoid Messes</p><p>10:29 God Calls Us into the Mess</p><p>13:06 Understanding Proverbs 14:4</p><p>17:16 Deviations from Common Sense in Wisdom</p><p>21:17 Fruitfulness Comes Through Mess</p><p>24:58 Honesty and Confession in the Mess</p><p>27:49 Patience and Time in Growth</p><p>34:57 Dying to Self and Surrender</p><p>43:31 Living in the Fruit of the Mess</p><p>47:07 Closing Prayer and Reflection</p>no00:50:20107Messy Church: Stay in the Mess (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Bonus: Ash Wednesday (Andrew Meher)]]>In this Ash Wednesday sermon we prepare for the beginning of this Lent season. We explore the urgent practice of confession, laying down both our obvious sins and our hidden spiritual pride. Confession is simply declaring that we trust God with our lives more than we trust ourselves, resting in the beautiful promise that He will never reject a broken and repentant heart.

Scripture References:

  • Joel 2:1-2; 12-17
  • Psalm 51:1-17
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
  • Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21
]]>1c3604c8-9093-481c-9834-7ab5e78791b8Sat, 21 Feb 2026 02:48:10 GMT<p>In this Ash Wednesday sermon we prepare for the beginning of this Lent season. We explore the urgent practice of confession, laying down both our obvious sins and our hidden spiritual pride. Confession is simply declaring that we trust God with our lives more than we trust ourselves, resting in the beautiful promise that He will never reject a broken and repentant heart.</p><p></p><p><b>Scripture References:</b></p><ul><li>Joel 2:1-2; 12-17</li><li>Psalm 51:1-17</li><li>2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10</li><li>Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21</li></ul>no00:18:23106Bonus: Ash Wednesday (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Seeing Jesus (Andrew Meher)]]>Kicking off the Messy Church series, this sermon on the Transfiguration invites us to stop postponing the inevitable and trust Jesus.

]]>9beee553-c641-4e48-914c-f07edad926c2Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:08:13 GMT<p>Kicking off the Messy Church series, this sermon on the Transfiguration invites us to stop postponing the inevitable and trust Jesus.</p>no00:36:42105Seeing Jesus (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Vision Series: People Driven (Andrew Meher)]]>Pastor Andrew continues the Vision Series with a focused look at the third and final core posture of Highlands Community Church, unpacking how we follow Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.

]]>a4db9c9e-f9d9-466f-bd3b-19c779b84157Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:30:34 GMT<p>Pastor Andrew continues the Vision Series with a focused look at the third and final core posture of Highlands Community Church, unpacking how we follow Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.</p>no00:41:33104Vision Series: People Driven (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Vision Series: Practice Shaped (Andrew Meher)]]>Pastor Andrew continues the Vision Series with a focused look at the second core posture of Highlands Community Church, unpacking how we follow Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.

]]>4e3c623a-9b83-4c08-8a7b-510c165d5efbTue, 03 Feb 2026 02:04:27 GMT<p>Pastor Andrew continues the Vision Series with a focused look at the second core posture of Highlands Community Church, unpacking how we follow Jesus for the sake of the Highlands.</p>no00:38:15103Vision Series: Practice Shaped (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Bonus: Being Practice Shaped (with David Fitch)]]>To help unpack more about what it means to be "Practice Shaped" Andrew sat down with David Fitch, Professor of Contextual Theology at Northern Seminary, to help us understand what we mean when we say "Practice".

]]>95333f42-48ec-4fcc-a3c5-65960dc04d37Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:30:00 GMT<p>To help unpack more about what it means to be "Practice Shaped" Andrew sat down with David Fitch, Professor of Contextual Theology at Northern Seminary, to help us understand what we mean when we say "Practice".</p>no00:35:09Bonus: Being Practice Shaped (with David Fitch)bonus<![CDATA[Vision Series: Presence Based (Andrew Meher)]]>Pastor Andrew Meher kicks off the series with a sermon called Presence Based.

]]>fdb92e06-dc27-4279-9535-4d4f21ffd7e6Mon, 12 Jan 2026 03:30:41 GMT<p>Pastor Andrew Meher kicks off the series with a sermon called Presence Based.</p>no00:45:37102Vision Series: Presence Based (Andrew Meher)full<![CDATA[Bonus: A Presence Based Life (with Kelvin Walker)]]>In this bonus episode, Andrew talks with Kelvin Walker, Vice President for Church Ministries in our denomination (Christian and Missionary Alliance) about what it means to live a Presence Based Life.

]]>04bf13ce-2175-45a1-bb29-34cbd44c2abbMon, 12 Jan 2026 13:45:00 GMT<p>In this bonus episode, Andrew talks with Kelvin Walker, Vice President for Church Ministries in our denomination (Christian and Missionary Alliance) about what it means to live a Presence Based Life.</p>no00:33:16Bonus: A Presence Based Life (with Kelvin Walker)bonus<![CDATA[New Name Sunday (Andrew Meher and Rob Parker)]]>Pastor Andrew Meher interviews Rob Parker, Lead Pastor of The Plant Church, on how their church’s DNA is part of our story as we become Highlands Community Church!

]]>c3e20e05-0f4b-4178-bef4-86d9dfc5a294Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:20:46 GMT<p>Pastor Andrew Meher interviews Rob Parker, Lead Pastor of The Plant Church, on how their church’s DNA is part of our story as we become Highlands Community Church!</p>no00:44:05101New Name Sunday (Andrew Meher and Rob Parker)full