Encompass Church - Mocksville

01/25/2026

Prayer of Solidarity from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley

God of Solidarity, Thank you for being a God who enters the suffering of the world—who doesn’t run from those in pain but rushes to the site of blood and tears. Release us from those empty cravings for unity that come at no cost to the oppressor. Lead us toward spaces of costly advocacy.
We confess that in speaking up on behalf of the oppressed, we too soon become enamored with the sound of our own voices. Our egos spoil even our best intentions. Show us when the voices of the vulnerable are being drowned out by the cacophony of the privileged. Make our presence and dignity known in a world that perpetually eclipses the voices of the marginalized. Guide us into a solidarity that demands something of us.
Let us learn to risk ourselves on behalf of the vulnerable, believing that when one of us is harmed, we all are. And God, keep us from those who will demonize the fight in us, who would prefer us complacent and far from one another. Secure in us the courage to resist, knowing that together we will restore what the world has tried to suffocate in us. Amen.

05/09/2023

Sunday, we considered two texts with stones as a central element:
1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Living Stones
Acts 7:55-60 -- Stoning of Stephen

In the first, the new Christian community was encouraged to embody Christ's teaching in a different world. Leaving behind their customs and traditions to forge new ones. They were reminded that they know kindness (greek: chrestos) because they know Christ (greek: Christos) in Peter's play on words and OT references.

In the latter, Stephen's faith was a flashpoint of fear and anger. He was condemned and stones became a weapon of power and death. Verse 55 says that Stephen kept his gaze on heaven. A hopeful reminder despite our circumstances.

The question is though, what role as a "living stone" are we finding ourselves, or the church, in?

Art: https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20230508552187734&code=act&RC=54257&Row=19

05/04/2023

Watch the official video for "Faithful God (Live from the Grove)" by I AM THEY!Listen to Faithful God, the album from I AM THEY!Spotify: https://IAmThey.lnk....

05/02/2023

This past Sunday, we explored The Good Shepherd passage of John 10:1-10. We considered the ways in which the image of Jesus as the Gatekeeper speaks to us and how we might engage with it in our daily lives. Perhaps, in that we will find life more abundant!

John 10:10 " The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

04/09/2023

Hallelujah! There’s plenty of room at the table!

Art: “Hallelujah” by Mike Moyers
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/hallelujah-mike-moyers.html

04/08/2023

"It came home to me that the most profound blessings we will ever know are those that meet us in the place of our deepest loss and inspire us to choose to live again."

Jan Richardson from "Circle of Grace"

Provided to YouTube by Absolute Marketing International LtdHe's Gone (Holy Saturday) · Paul ZachLent Hymns℗ 2023 Paul Zach, exclusively distributed by Integr...

04/07/2023

During our Maundy Thursday service, we reflected on the beautiful words and images of the book "God's Holy Darkness." It invites us to break down our binary theology of darkness and blackness and examine the goodness that comes in God's Holy Darkness. Re-imaging the Imago Dei in holy, good, blackness - a Holy Spirit with silver locs. From creation, Christ's birth, to the cross, darkness was and is transformative. How might we ponder these images as we move into Holy Saturday, instead of rushing to Easter? How might this inform us to be anti-racist in our theology too?

This video includes a book reading and a Q&A with the author Sharei Green. BUT you'll miss its beautiful illustrations!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sqF3ZnUMz0
Purchase: https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506482415/Gods-Holy-Darkness

“God's Holy Darkness” book reading and signing by Sharei Green

04/07/2023

"Good Friday" by Josh Garrels from the album-Over Oceans (March 23, 2006)Order CD Here: http://store.bandfarm.com/joshgarrels/product/?catID=17&prodID=4649Or...

04/06/2023

Join us tonight for supper and a Maundy Thursday reflection at 6pm. Message for meeting details as we meet in a private residence.

"Come meet this mightly crew of misfits
These liars and these thieves
There's no one unwelcome here
That sin and shame that you brought with you
You can leave it at the door
And let mercy draw you near
So, come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior"

Join us for the Live Stream Anthology (April 2 through May 7). We'll be playing the "Something Different" album from front to back, and sharing the stories ...

03/31/2023

"There's hope for the hopeless
And all those who've strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There's rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't cure"

Official music video for “Come As You Are” by Crowder.Get the full album NEON STEEPLE here: https://crowder.lnk.to/neonsteepleYD Brand New Album ‘Milk & Hone...

03/29/2023

The Leaves on a Stream guided meditation can be a helpful tool for calming the anxious brain. Escape the chaos around you and focus on your here-and-now. Consider how you might be able to be more authentically present in your interactions and aware of the Holy that surrounds you.

Follow this calming meditation to respond to thoughts instead of reacting to them by using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) “defusion” technique. L...