The Space Between Doubt and Dawn

Happy Friday, Sacred Place—

This has been a week. I keep coming back to our text for this week and there’s something I just can’t shake. Rachel Held Evans wrote something thirteen years ago about standing in the hurricane of questions and staring each one down—and it feels like the only honest place to start. There’s something about “Doubting” Thomas that feels unusually alive right now—the locked rooms, the fear, the honest “I’m not there yet.” We live in a world that is very good at generating locked rooms. And the gospel keeps walking through them anyway.

I hope you’ll be with us Sunday—in person or online. I think this one matters.

This Sunday

“The Space Between Doubt and Dawn”
John 20:19–31 (CEB) — Second Sunday of Easter
Series: Seasons of Life

We’re picking up the Easter story just a few hours after it began—same day, same city, disciples still behind locked doors. Mary has already announced the resurrection. And one of their own isn’t ready to believe yet.

Thomas gets a bad reputation. “Doubting Thomas” has become shorthand for a failure of faith—the person who demands more than they’re owed, who holds the community back with their questions. But look at what actually happened: the other disciples got exactly what Thomas asked for. He just had the audacity to say out loud what everyone else needed too.

This Sunday we’re sitting with doubt as not the opposite of faith—but possibly the door. We’ll also begin reading some words from Rachel Held Evans, who named something thirteen years ago that still rings true. Come ready to sit with your questions. They’re welcome here.

11:00 AM — in person at 10289 25th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, or online at live.yoursacredplace.org

Coming Up

Sunday, April 19 — Bryan’s Sending Celebration. We’ll gather at 11 as usual, then stay for a light lunch. Come ready to celebrate someone who has served Sacred Place with extraordinary faithfulness.

Sunday, April 26 — Mission Sunday. Brunch hosted by Michael at a local restaurant—location TBD. Sacred Place covers the cost. Just bring yourself.

I’m glad you’re part of this community. See you Sunday.

Pastor Matthew