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Adventist PodcastsAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church - Neither!, the best bad news we need to hear today | Elder Caleb VinCrossElder Caleb VinCross preached a sermon titled, "Neither!, the best bad news we need to hear today." You are invited into the presence of God, a place where all belong.
Caleb VinCross is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, educator, and board certified healthcare chaplain. Caleb has a passion for creating space for people to learn, grow, and authentically express their thoughts and feelings. Caleb joins his wife Tara, son Josiah, and daughter Ava on their many adventures in ministry and beyond. He currently serves veterans and their families, focusing on providing support for severe mental illness, substance use...2025-05-0832 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchNeither!, the best bad news we need to hear today | Elder Caleb VinCrossElder Caleb VinCross preached a sermon titled, "Neither!, the best bad news we need to hear today." You are invited into the presence of God, a place where all belong.
Caleb VinCross is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, educator, and board certified healthcare chaplain. Caleb has a passion for creating space for people to learn, grow, and authentically express their thoughts and feelings. Caleb joins his wife Tara, son Josiah, and daughter Ava on their many adventures in ministry and beyond. He currently serves veterans and their families, focusing on providing support for severe mental illness, substance use...2025-05-0832 minAdventist PodcastsAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church - Come Worship the King| Resurrection Reflection| Pastor Tara VinCross2025-04-2410 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchCome Worship the King| Resurrection Reflection| Pastor Tara VinCross2025-04-2410 minAdventist PodcastsAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church - Sabbath, a Pathway of Grace, Part 4: Feasting | Pastor Tara VinCrossRevelation testifies that death and suffering, pain and sadness will not always be a part of our story. The Sabbath is a gift now, and a reminder of this hope that is to come. We rest in God’s grace, we cease from our labors, we embrace a subversive way of life, and we feast in God’s presence. Living in Sabbath rhythm gives structured time for joy and reminds us of all that is to come. For six days we do, we work, we create, we build… The seventh day, we remember the joy of the Lord and how we...2025-04-0925 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSabbath, a Pathway of Grace, Part 4: Feasting | Pastor Tara VinCrossRevelation testifies that death and suffering, pain and sadness will not always be a part of our story. The Sabbath is a gift now, and a reminder of this hope that is to come. We rest in God’s grace, we cease from our labors, we embrace a subversive way of life, and we feast in God’s presence. Living in Sabbath rhythm gives structured time for joy and reminds us of all that is to come. For six days we do, we work, we create, we build… The seventh day, we remember the joy of the Lord and how we...2025-04-0925 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSabbath, a Pathway of Grace, Part 2: “Resting": Pastor Tara VinCrossFor six days we do, we work, we create, we build… at times, we worry. The seventh day, we cease. We rest. We reflect. We embrace a different way of life. We feast, and as we do remember our hope for the future. The Sabbath is a sign of our dependence on the grace of God in our lives. By living in Sabbath rhythm, we choose to live a life of trust, walking on the pathway of grace.
Pastor Tara VinCross continues the sermon series, Sabbath, a Pathway of Grace, Part 2: “Resting."
2025-03-2730 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSabbath, a Pathway of Grace, Part 1 | Pastor Tara VinCrossFor six days we do, we work, we create, we build… at times we worry. The seventh day, we rest. We stop. We notice. We reflect. We receive. The Sabbath is a sign of our dependence on the grace of God in our lives. By living in Sabbath rhythm, we choose to live a life of trust, walking on the pathway of grace. Pastor Tara VinCross will start a sermon series, "Sabbath, a Pathway of Grace," Part 1: “Ceasing."
2025-03-1318 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchYou’re a Piece of Work | Pastor Tara VinCrossOn average, people live around 27,000 days. As many know, some get more time, some less. In addition to time, each person is given talents and resources, all three in different proportions. Still, each person is given something to share with the world. Stewardship is caring for what has been entrusted to you. Firstfruits, tithe, and offering were all invitations to grow a spirit of generosity in us. The question is, what will you do with what has been entrusted to your care?
Pastor Tara VinCross will share a sermon called, “You’re a Piece of Work.” We invite...2025-02-1128 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Light of Communion | Pastor Tara VinCrossGod will not let go of creation - precious human beings made in God's image. Even though we sinned, scorned, and rejected Him, He chose to enter into this world, and made our planet Earth a place visited by the God of all the universe. God settles the cosmic conflict through the strength of God's love for us - and an invitation to commune with God. The greatest gift God gives us is the light of communion with God.
Pastor Tara VinCross will share a sermon called, “The Light of Communion.”
2025-01-0118 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Light of Christmas – Pastor Tara VinCrossEvery year at this time Azure Hills presents a musical worship celebration of Jesus’ birth. The theme this Sabbath is, “The Light of Christmas.” We will hear music performed by the Cherub Choir, the Children’s Choir, Gospel Choir, Chorale, Ladies’ Chorus, Orchestra, the Youth, the Indonesian Male Chorus, and pianists Joel and Justin Oswari. Don Charboneau, Lisa Davidson, and Caleb VinCross will narrate, and Pastor Tara VinCross will present a message. The program will conclude with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, for which the audience will be invited to join.
2024-12-3109 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Gift of Darkness and Light | Pastor Tara VinCross
Advent is preparation for Christmas; anticipation, not celebration. There is a work being done in the secret place. Emmanuel, knit together in human flesh in the hidden place of the womb.
The darkness has always been a space where God works in might and power, creativity and creation. The space where God brings forth something new.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. - Genesis 1:2
The people living in darkness have seen a great light…a ligh...2024-12-3112 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Sword of the Spirit and the Power of Prayer - The Armor of God," pt. 7 | Pastor Tara VinCrossThe enemy tries to intimidate. At times you feel weak, powerless, vulnerable. Yet the truth is, you are not alone. That doesn’t mean we always feel the strength that we have. Poet Elisabeth Elliot writes that, "Sometimes fear does not subside and one must choose to do it afraid.” This is courage. The Word of God and prayer are two powerful weapons that God has given us to take up courageously in the fight. As we seek God, God fills us with courage to believe the Word of God spoken over our lives, families, and communities.
Past...2024-11-1928 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchAzure Hills Celebrates 60 Years! | January 17-19, 2025Join us as Azure Hills Church celebrates 60 years of ministry on January 17-19! Here’s a special message from our senior pastor, Pastor Tara VinCross, sharing a glimpse of the joy and inspiration awaiting us during this milestone weekend. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
2024-11-1801 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Helmet of Salvation - The Armor of God, pt. 6 | Pastor Tara VinCross"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." -Ephesians 6:17, NIV.
In warfare, the helmet and the sword were the last two pieces of armor picked up by the soldier. After fastening the rest of the armor on, the helmet, which was hot and uncomfortable, would be placed on just before heading off, protecting the soldier in battle.
Often the believer’s battle with the enemy takes place in the mind. The helmet of salvation protects us, giving us safety and assurance as we fight. Salvation is mo...2024-11-1323 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Shield of Faith - The Armor of God, pt. 5 | Pastor Tara VinCrossThe most frequently used word in this section on the armor of God is stand. The Scripture even compels us, put on the full armor of God so that "you may be able to stand your ground,” then it for emphasis, "and after you have done everything, to stand.”
The enemy works to throw off our faith, using other people and situations to cause us to stumble. We are flooded with discouragement, temptation, and even numbness. But we aren’t meant to do this alone. We see in this study of the shield of faith this truth: we sta...2024-11-0523 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - The Armor of God, pt. 4 | Pastor Tara VinCrossI’m wondering, what is throwing off your peace this week? Have you faced difficulties, stresses, or relational struggles that have caused you to fear? Life is not easy. We must wear the right footwear for the journey.
Pastor Tara VinCross will offer a message titled, The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - The Armor of God, pt. 4. With shoes fastened in readiness of the gospel of peace, you don’t have to worry about losing your footing. You can move out through tough terrain, knowing your peace will hold, firm and secure.
2024-11-0425 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Breastplate of Righteousness - The Armor of God, pt. 3 | Pastor Tara VinCrossEvery day you’re a part of a spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood…” Yes, the struggle is real. This is how it is here on this earth, yet in this struggle, God has provided everything we need for protection. The Breastplate of Righteousness, held by the belt of truth, provides vital covering. Come and find out more about how we can put on this protection and live differently as a result.
Pastor Tara VinCross will offer a message titled, The Breastplate of Righteousness - The Armor of God, pt. 3. T...2024-11-0424 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Belt of Truth - The Armor of God, pt. 2 | Pastor Tara VinCrossOne of the devil's favorite weapons is lies.
He distorts the truth, and makes it hard for us to see things as they really are. Yet, as we stand in God’s armor, we are surrounded by the belt of truth. God gives us discernment and wisdom to know the Truth. As we know and live in the truth, we are set free.
Pastor Tara VinCross will offer a message titled, The Belt of Truth - The Armor of God, pt. 2.2024-10-1232 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchStand in the Armor of God, pt. 1 | Pastor Tara VinCrossEphesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world...” The very next verse says, "therefore put on the full armor of God…" There is a battle going on. Are we living in awareness of this battle?
This fall, we begin a new series on the Armor of God. We look to the One who stood firm under enemy attack and overcame. Jesus, the One who fought for our salvation and stood strong under pressure. Together, we remember that because of our unio...2024-10-0520 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Greatest Miracle | Pastor Tara VinCrossWe have come to the end of the story of the book of Mark and here we find the greatest miracle of all. We remember that in our own lives, “Healing and redemption are all about allowing, receiving, and creating space for the Wonder-Worker to move… We don’t make the miracle,” says Arianne Braithwaite Lehn.
Braithwaite Lehn goes on to say, “And when we’re still in the place of the broken, sad, hard thing, the one promise we can know for sure is… God’s not done.” This is the promise we can hold to in our own lives...2024-09-1728 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSweetness and Suffering | Pastor Tara VinCrossLife if full of highs and lows. There’s no escaping it. As Kahlil Gibran says,
"Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?"
We look upon the One who experienced the depths of human joy and sorrow. Pastor Tara VinCross will share a message titled “Sweetness and Suffering.”
2024-09-1725 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDiving into Deep Peace | Pastor Tara VinCrossThis week we celebrate the culmination of Vacation Bible School. Our theme this year is Scuba: Diving into Deep Friendship with God! Each day, the kids have focused on a different aspect of friendship with God. As we continue in our series on the book of Mark, we look at a story that takes place on the sea, and a time when Jesus’ disciples learned that their friendship with Jesus can bring them deep peace. Pastor Tara VinCross will share a message titled “Diving into Deep Peace."
2024-07-0423 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Beginning of the Good News| Mark Series Part 1 | Pastor Tara VinCrossMark opens the gospel in the most moving way, with the words the beginning of the good news. In Jesus Christ, we orient ourselves to what is true and good. We hold space for beauty and safety, hope and love. Some days, some weeks, it’s a fight to stay rooted and connected to the goodness of God. As Gabor Mate, Hungarian-Canadian physician says, "Safety is not the absence of threat; it is the presence of connection.” Pastor Tara VinCross will share the message, The Beginning of the Good News.
2024-06-1231 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchEaster Sabbath Homily | Pastor Tara VinCross2024-04-0112 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDeep Calling: A Call to Healing, pt. 5 | Pastor Tara VinCrossPastor Tara VinCross will share the message, A Call to Healing, the fifth part in the Deep Calling series, exploring eight calls of God. The call to healing is a call to honesty and transparency. It’s an invitation to begin where you are, not where you wish you were. It’s an invitation to a process of trusting the work of the Holy Spirit over time.
2024-03-1532 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDeep Calling: A Call to Community, pt. 4 | Pastor Tara VinCrossPastor Tara VinCross shared the message, "A Call to Community," the fourth part in the Deep Calling series, exploring eight calls of God. The entire Christian life is meant to be done in community. As the people of God ‘do life’ together, the connection and care and compassion exhibited in the body of Christ is the greatest witness to the love of Jesus in the world. We need each other.
2024-02-1421 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDeep Calling: A Call to Rest, pt. 3 | Pastor Tara VinCrossPastor Tara VinCross will share the message, A Call to Rest, the third part in the Deep Calling series exploring eight calls of God. Are you tired? Worn out? Needing rest? The stresses of life are real. What God wants us to realize is that the life of a disciple of Jesus is a life of surrender, which leads to rest.
2024-02-0534 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDeep Calling: The Call to Prayer, pt.2 | Pastor Tara VinCrossChurch bulletin bloopers can be good for laughs. A simple typo can be deadly in the case of this blooper: “Ushers will eat latecomers.” Or, in another case, could cause some disappointment and missed expectations: "Evening massage – 6 p.m.
Communication can be tricky, to be sure. But communication matters, with both people and God. How do we practice prayer in our lives? What does it look like to make space to reach out to God in prayer?
Pastor Tara VinCross will share the message, “A Call to Prayer,” the second part in the Deep Calling series exp...2024-01-2526 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchDeep Calling: The Call to Devotion, pt.1 | Pastor Tara VinCrossJames K. A. Smith said, "You can’t think your way into new habits. New habits can only emerge as you practice them.” This is so difficult for us! Perhaps because practicing new habits is so routine, so ordinary. We want something bigger, and dare I say flashier, to bring us into deeper relationship with God, others, and our purpose in the world. Yet, God is doing a slow work of transformation in each of us, at times imperceptible to us.
Pastor Tara VinCross will begin a new series called, “Deep Calling,” that explores the eight calls of God...2024-01-1823 min
In Grandpa's ShoesChapter 1 - Running the Race TogetherIn this conversation, we are joined by Dr. Tara Vincross, Senior Pastor of the Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.2024-01-1035 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe One | Pastor Tara VinCross"The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas."- Bill Crowder
We gather to remember the One who is our Hope, Light, and Love this Christmas. In music and in readings, congregational songs and the spoken Word, we will lift our eyes to Jesus.
2023-12-2618 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Gift of Presence | Minute to ThriveThe greatest gift you can give your loved ones is your presence! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-12-2501 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchReconciliation | Minute to ThriveGod can reconcile us to each other! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-12-1801 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchHidden in Plain Sight | Pastor Tara VinCrossJesus is not a king who reigns with iron power, but One who reigns by compassion and mercy. He is the King of kings! A different kind of King than the world had ever seen.
We turn our attention to King Jesus, the Light of the World -- a God who is truly with us.
2023-12-1415 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchShowing Up in Love | Minute to ThriveHow we show up in love is the most important. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-12-1100 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchLight of the World | Pastor Tara VinCrossThe people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2
We can relate to the people of God at the time of Isaiah the prophet: oppression and darkness seem to rule the day. For them, and for us, a light dawns. Hope rises because of Jesus.
Pastor Tara VinCross will turn our attention to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
2023-12-0726 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchYou Matter | Minute to ThriveYou matter to Jesus! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-12-0401 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchTiny People | Pastor Tara VinCrossBrené Brown said, “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.”
Every year, we pause as a community for gratitude, in our annual Gratitude and Missions Sabbath. We recognize that we give because we have received from the lavish love of God (1 John 3).
Paul says in Ephesians 5:20 to "Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We take the time to hear stories, see pictures, and reflect on our own lives, rejoicing in the goodness of God. For “every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17).
2023-11-2906 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchOur Actions Make a Difference | Minute to ThriveOur words and actions have the power to make a difference in someone’s life! Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-11-2701 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchHope In Christ | Pastor Tara VinCrossIt’s irrational to buy a lottery ticket. Yet millions do, even more when the prize gets huge. According to Seth Godin, the odds of winning the $1.6 billion MegaMillions lottery are minuscule. You’re 400 times more likely to be hit by lightening. He points out that for some people, paying for the ticket is a bargain because it offers them something important than winning: hope.
It’s true, we all need hope to survive. Where can true hope be found?
Pastor Tara VinCross will speak from the apostle Paul’s own lived experience about Hope in Christ...2023-11-2228 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchGratitude | Minute to ThriveWhat are you grateful for? We are invited to remember.
Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-11-2001 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchGrand Reunion | Minute to ThriveWe hold on to the hope that there will be a grand reunion one day. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross.
2023-11-1301 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church7 Churches of Revelation, pt.7 Laodicea | Pastor Tara VinCrossLawrence Kutner said, "Children learn and remember at least as much from the context of the classroom as from the content of the coursework.” This holds true for the letter written to the church in Laodicea. The context matters just as much as the content of the message.
Pastor Tara VinCross concludes our sermon series in the Book of Revelation, taking us deeper into the most talked about church, the letter to the church in Laodicea.
How does Jesus come to the people in Laodicea? What does Jesus see in the people? What does Jesus pr...2023-11-0834 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist ChurchOur God Will Reveal | Minute to ThriveGod will reveal to us what we don't know on our own. Take a minute to thrive with Pastor Tara VinCross!
2023-11-0600 min
Press Play“Suffering” | Tara VincrossTara VinCross - Seattle 2016 2023-11-0318 minAzure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church7 Churches of Revelation, pt.6 Philadelphia - Pastor Tara VinCrossWhat does it mean to be rich? You might immediately point to the things that we possess. What we own and the stuff we manage. Yet, being rich is about so much more. A rich life is about opportunities… open doors… real connection. These are the unshakable things that hold in the chaotic earthquakes and eruptions of life.
Pastor Tara VinCross continues in our sermon series in the Book of Revelation, taking us deeper into the letter to the church in Philadelphia.
2023-11-0230 min
Restore PodcastRestore-Episode 55-Tara VinCross: Deep Calling - On Being and Growing DisciplesSend us a Text Message - include e-mail or phone number in your message to receive a response.In episode 55, we have Pastor Tara VinCross from Azure Hills Church in California. Pastor Tara talks about her faith journey and her recently released book on discipleship: Deep Calling: On Being and Growing Disciples.On Being and Growing Disciples is a wholistic discipleship movement—discipleship and disciple-making that emphasizes a life-long process, not a destination. It's about making space for God in the every day, bearing witness to transformation in the ordinary. It's about knowing truth and experiencing tr...2020-10-231h 13