Hillside Community Church

Latest Episodes:

Advent Week 3 - God Came Near Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

In a season filled with noise, deadlines, and nonstop activity, Pastor Woody Morwood invites us to rediscover the heart of Christmas. Through a simple yet powerful fable about a man trying to guide birds to safety in a storm, he reveals why Jesus came close—why God stepped into our world, our struggles, and our humanity.

Drawing from John 1:1–14, Pastor Woody explores the radical truth that the eternal Creator became human so we could understand His love. He also challenges us to consider how many people in Jesus’ day missed His arrival—and how easily we can do the same amid the pressures and pace of modern life.

With the symbols of the Star, the Crown, and the Manger, this message reframes Christmas as God offering the greatest gift imaginable: Himself.
If you are longing for hope, peace, clarity, or simply a moment to breathe during this season, this message will help you slow down, pay attention, and make room for the love God offers.

For the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel.

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Advent Week 2 - Finding Peace in a Chaotic Season Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

December arrives like a whirlwind—busy schedules, pressure, expectations, and the feeling that peace is slipping through our fingers. But in this message, we’re reminded that the very first Christmas also began with uncertainty, fear, and a young girl in a forgotten town… until God stepped into the chaos.
Pastor Karl Romeus walks through Luke 1 and the story of Mary to show us a powerful truth:
👉 Peace is born where trust and surrender meet.
In this talk, we explore:
✨ How God steps into ordinary, overlooked places and moments
✨ Why peace begins with grace—not perfection or performance
✨ The difference between honest questions and distrust
✨ What it means to be still and trust God when life feels impossible
✨ How community, encouragement, and spiritual friendships strengthen our peace
✨ Why surrender isn’t defeat—it’s worship
From tangled Christmas lights to overwhelming schedules, from financial pressure to emotional exhaustion, this message reminds us that peace is not something we manufacture… it’s Someone who comes close.
If you’ve been longing for clarity, comfort, or calm this season, this message will encourage your heart and point you back to the Prince of Peace.

Advent Week 1-Surprised by Hope Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

As we enter Advent 2025, Pastor Kelly Roth invites us into a season of waiting, reflection, and hopeful anticipation. Advent reminds us that God meets us in the ordinary—just as He met Zechariah and Elizabeth in their everyday faithfulness—and invites us to anchor our hope not in outcomes, but in the unshakable promises of God.

In this Week 1 message on HOPE, Pastor Kelly unpacks Luke 1 and the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and the miracle that prepared the way for Jesus. Through Scripture, honest reflection, and practical insight, we explore what it means to live in the “now” and the “not yet”—to trust God in the waiting, to root our hope in His character, and to remember that He is with us, even when life feels uncertain.

Whether you’re entering this season with joy, disappointment, or longing, Advent invites all of us to slow down, refocus, and hold onto the hope that anchors our souls.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” —Hebrews 6:19

Living with Gratitude Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In this message, Pastor Woody Morwood teaches on what it means to live with true, God-centered gratitude—not just during the holiday season, but in every circumstance. Drawing from moments happening in our church family and powerful passages from Paul’s life, we see how gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a spiritual discipline that transforms us.

Through Scriptures like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Acts 16, Acts 27, and 1 Corinthians 11, Pastor Woody shows how believers can give thanks even in difficulty, anchoring their lives in God’s goodness and provision. The message concludes with guided prayer and worship, practicing gratitude together as a church community.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances…”
Acts 16:22–25 – Paul & Silas beaten, imprisoned, and singing hymns.
Acts 27:33–37 – Paul giving thanks during a 14-day storm at sea.
1 Corinthians 11:23–24 – Jesus giving thanks at the Last Supper.
James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Ephesians 5:19–20 – “Always giving thanks to God the Father…”

Where is God when it Hurts? Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Suffering raises a question we all feel but rarely say out loud: “God, where are You in this?” Instead of chasing why pain happens, Jesus invites us to discover who is with us in it. Pastor Karl Romeus lead us through the life of Job where it illustrates we don’t always get explanations, but we get God’s presence. Your pain isn’t proof that God has left you. It may be the very place you meet Him.

Karl Romeus is a pastor, speaker, leadership coach, and consultant. Karl has been in ministry for over 20 years . Most recently as the Executive Pastor of Ministry Development at Flatirons Church in and around the Denver area. He oversees children's ,middle school, high school, college ministry, young adults, and groups across all campuses. And recently launched Flatirons College. He studied Christian Leadership and Biblical Theology at Grand Canyon University. Though he is absolutely in love with Boston sports, his heart belongs to his wife Jen and daughters Georgia and Ruby.

Understanding the Holy Spirit: Conviction, Guidance & Transformation Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

When Jesus said it was better that He go away so the Spirit could come, He was pointing to a life-changing truth — the Holy Spirit isn’t an optional extra in faith; He’s the very presence of God at work in us.

In this message, Pastor Aaron unpacks John 16 to reveal how the Holy Spirit convicts, guides, speaks, and glorifies Jesus. Through stories, Scripture, and imagery — from the dance of the Trinity to the metamorphosis of a butterfly — we’re invited to see how God’s Spirit transforms us from the inside out.

Whether you’ve misunderstood the Holy Spirit as distant or mysterious, this teaching offers clarity and hope:
👉 The Spirit’s work is not to draw attention to Himself, but to draw us closer to Christ.
👉 He convicts us of sin, leads us into truth, and reveals the beauty of God’s righteousness.
👉 He creates in us a new kind of life — full of freedom, transformation, and Christlike character.

Key Scriptures

John 16:7–15 — The Advocate will come... and guide you into all truth
Hebrews 12:5–6 — Do not lose heart when the Lord rebukes you
Psalm 139:23 — Search me, O God, and know my heart
Psalm 51:10 — Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me

Books & Authors Referenced

C.S. Lewis — Mere Christianity
R.C. Sproul — What Can I Do with My Guilt?
J.I. Packer — A Quest for Godliness
A.W. Tozer — Mystery of the Holy
Tenney, Merrill C. — The Gospel of John: The Reality of Faith

Living Under Influence of the Holy Spirit Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Learn how the Holy Spirit speaks, teaches, and reminds us of truth. In this message, Pastor Aaron McRae unpacks the transforming work of the Spirit— who empowers believers to live out the presence and power of God in everyday life.

From Genesis to Acts, the Holy Spirit has always been active — giving life, guiding truth, producing unity, and empowering followers of Jesus for mission. When the Spirit fills us, we don’t just believe differently; we walk, talk, and act differently.

Explore seven key works of the Holy Spirit: Salvation, Wisdom, Unity, Empowering, Gifts, Fruitfulness, and Influence — showing that the Spirit doesn’t just inspire worship; He transforms how we live.

Whether you’ve grown up in church or are new to faith, this teaching will help you recognize, welcome, and walk with the Spirit in your daily life.

Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 1:2
Psalm 104:29–30
Ezekiel 36:27
Isaiah 11:1–5
John 3:5; 7:38–39; 14:25–26; 16:8–15
Acts 1:8; 2:4
Romans 12:3–8
1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 12:1–11; 13
Galatians 5:22–25
Ephesians 1:17–21; 4:2–3; 5:15–18
Titus 3:3–7

Resources Mentioned:

The Familiar Stranger — Tyler Staton
Forgotten God — Francis Chan
The Pastor — Eugene Peterson
The Knowledge of the Holy — A.W. Tozer
Who Is the Holy Spirit — The Bible Project (Video)

God’s Plan for a Broken World: Creation, Fall, and Redemption Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

In this What We Believe message, Pastor Woody Morwood explores God’s creation, the Fall, and the hope of redemption. We unpack Genesis 1–3 to understand God’s original design for life, relationships, and purpose—and how sin brought brokenness, fear, and separation.
Through the story of Adam and Eve and the trials of Job, Pastor Woody shows how God’s sovereignty and grace guide us through suffering, offering a path to restoration. Scripture from Isaiah, Psalms, 2 Corinthians, and Revelation 21 reveals God’s plan to make all things new through Jesus Christ.
Discover how God is at work in your life, your relationships, and the world—even in the midst of chaos—and find hope in His redemptive power
Key Scripture References:
Genesis 1–3 – Creation, humanity in God’s image, and the Fall
Romans 8:22 – Creation groaning under sin
Job 38–42 – God’s sovereignty amidst suffering
Psalm 51:10 – God creates a pure heart
Isaiah 53:4-6 – The suffering servant redeems humanity
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 – New creation in Christ
Revelation 21:1-5 – God making all things new
Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:3 – God sustains creation
Additional Resources:
Video: Where Were You? – Ghost Ship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YIS0av9fUUU
Philip Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts?
Walter Brueggemann, Genesis: Interpretation Commentary
Don Thorson, An Exploration of Christian Theology
Visual artwork inspired by Isaiah 53 by a student

The Glory and Groaning in Creation Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Pastor Aaron McRae invites us to step into the story of God’s creation — not as distant observers, but as participants in His masterpiece.

From “In the beginning…” to “It was very good,” Scripture reveals a God who brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and life out of nothing. Humanity, created in His image, is the crown of creation — made for relationship, purpose, and worship.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Through rebellion came brokenness… and through covenant came redemption. From Genesis to Jesus, we discover that our true identity and purpose are not achieved but received — found only in our Creator.

The creation story invites us to discover our true identity and purpose by looking to our Creator, not ourselves, and seeking His will and not just our ways.

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Soul of Desire – Curt Thompson
Counterfeit Gods – Timothy Keller
Secular Creed – Rebecca McLaughlin
The Bible Project – “Genesis Overview”

✝️ Scriptures Referenced

Genesis 1–3 – Creation & Rebellion
Psalm 148 – All creation praises the Lord
Romans 8:22–23 – Creation groans, awaiting renewal
Genesis 12:1–3 – God’s covenant with Abram
Colossians 1:15–16 – Christ, the image of the invisible God
Ephesians 2:8–10 – Created in Christ for good works

The Danger of Divided Devotion Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Our exclusive loyalty and devotion to God is possibly demonstrated more in how we live than in what we say we believe. In this message, Pastor Aaron McRae teaches from Deuteronomy 6:4–9, reminding us that true devotion to God is revealed more by how we live than by what we say we believe. When our habits, routines, and rhythms are shaped by love for God, we reflect the Shema’s call to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength.

This message challenges us to examine our loyalties and to live a life of undivided worship—one that puts God at the center of everything.

📚 Resources Mentioned

Intentional Parents — intentionalparents.org
Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller
You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith
Lectio 365 App
YouVersion Bible App

📜 Scriptures Referenced

Deuteronomy 6:4–9
Matthew 22:37–40
John 14:6
Acts 4:12
Psalm 95:6–7
Exodus 34:6–7 (reference from previous weeks)

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