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National City Christian Church congregational board and Senior Pastor Stephen Gentle are excited to welcome Valeria A. Foster to the position of interim Minister of Music. In addition to overseeing the expansive music ministry of National City Christian Church, she...

There will be NO elevator service at church this Sunday. I'm so sorry about this news, but the water break we had in the basement last night did significant damage to the elevator electrical system. It is completely shut down. For Sunday, the parking garage will be...

The Plymouth Choir from First-Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, will sing for the 11:00 a.m. worship service this Sunday, June 17. In addition to joining our congregation in sung praise and prayer, the choir will  sing the Kyrie Eleison from...

We are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Barber to our pulpit on Pride Sunday, June 10, at our 11 a.m. service. Rev. Dr. William Barber II is a preacher, author, and professor, he is the architect of the "Forward Together Moral Movement." Rev. Dr. Barber has most recently...

On Thursday, May 24, we were honored to host the Sojourners Reclaiming Jesus, a call to answer candlelight procession and vigil, featuring Bishop Michael Curry. Here is the live stream of the Reclaiming Jesus service. You can find more information at the Sojourners...

All dogs and their human companions are welcome at our annual dog blessing on our steps Sunday, May 20, at 10 a.m.

Broadcasting from National City Christian Church on Sunday, May 13, 6:00-7:30 p.m., the Poor People's Campaign will launch its first nationwide event of the season with nonviolent moral direct actions in over 30 state capitals and the District of Columbia.  ...

Easter Sunday, April 1 Today is the First day – the Lord’s Day – or Resurrection day. The Lord’s Day celebrates the beginning of the new creation – the First day – in the resurrection of Jesus. On this Sunday, we join with the communion of saints all around the world,...

Holy Saturday, March 31 Scripture: Mark 15:42-46 We have a pretty good idea where Jesus was buried. Maybe you have been to the site in Jerusalem, within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Just in the past year, a team of scientists from National Geographic and the...

Good Friday, March 30 Scripture: Mark 15:22-39 As Jesus hung on the cross, the soldiers cast lots to divide up his clothes among them. What do we take from Jesus? Wealth, fame, possessions, power, and comfort. As he hung there people verbally abused and mocked Him....

Maundy Thursday, March 29 Scripture: Mark 15:1-20 Pontius Pilate came to Judea as the new Governor to bring some order to this troublesome province. He finds himself thrown into a trial involving religious turmoil that has captivated the people but brought the ire of...

Holy Wednesday, March 28 Scripture: Mark 14:17-31 Isn’t it remarkable that the people gathered with Jesus at the table are the very ones that would one day betray and desert him? During what would become known as the “last supper,” Jesus announces that one of those...

Holy Tuesday, March 27 Scripture: Mark 14:17-31 The scene is set - there is a buzz in the air; streets are packed with citizens and strangers alike; preparations are being made in the temple; Roman guards are on heightened security; tensions are high; and twelve men...

Holy Monday, March 26 Scripture: Mark 14:17-31 In spite of being betrayed, Christ shared his love with all of the twelve. After alerting them that he was aware of what would occur, he did not demonstrate any disfavor to the one who would betray him. He shared himself...

Palm/Passion Sunday, March 25 Note: We asked our writers on Sundays to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their lives. Music, like Lent, sometimes takes us where we prefer not to go. In “South Pacific,” sophisticated South Sea planter Emile de...

Saturday, March 24 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 We are all familiar with the story of Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem for Passover. It was told in all four gospels. Jesus had been out in the countryside with his disciples teaching the people, healing the sick, and even...

Friday, March 23 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 This is a momentous occasion. For the first time Jesus is permitting His followers to honor him as a King. His earlier habit of avoiding unnecessary publicity is negated. He requested a colt (baby donkey) that had never been...

Thursday, March 22 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 As many of you may know and for those who do not know I am a convicted felon as of 2004. I was ashamed and humiliated at the arrest but eventually was glad it happened. I recall the anguish and heartache at the thought of my...

Due to inclement weather expected on March 21, the church offices are closed and all activities are canceled. Be safe and enjoy your day.

Wednesday, March 21 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 Being a disciple of God isn’t all glory. Imagine, you just devoted your life to Jesus for two to three years, and spent the last nine months travelling through 35 locations en route to what promises to be a glorious return...

Tuesday, March 20 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 As with most biblical passages, there are so many messages that can be deciphered. One of the commentaries (The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 7, 1989) that I read suggested that the actions like the colt being untied and taken...

Sixth Week in Lent The Hour Has Come Monday, March 19 Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 Jesus traveled to Jerusalem knowing the trip would lead to his sacrificial death. Agony and suffering are looming, and yet great joy and celebration surround Jesus. He’s on a death march,...

Sunday, March 18 Note: We asked our writers on Sundays to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The Lutheran minister Martin Rinkart arrived in Eilenberg, Saxony, in the seventeenth century. By 1636, war and plague left him, as the town’s only...

An elderly aunt was driving her car, which she had long ago named “Has Been,” as she entered the parking lot with nary an empty space in sight. Just then backup lights indicated the car nearby was readying to leave. But before “Has Been” could be driven into the now...

Friday, March 16 Scripture: John 12:20-33 Of John 12:20-33, the significance may seem a little illusive, but it essentially (verses 24- 25) represents an important part of the spirit and reasoning describing the Christian religion. It raises some problems, probably...

Thursday, March 15 Scripture: John 12:20-33 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus… While reading, meditating, and praying about the...

Wednesday, March 14 Scripture: John 12:20-33 Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say – "Father save me from this hour?” No, it is for this reason I have come to this hour. John 12:27 None of us likes to go through a trial or a test. We think that having a...

Tuesday, March 13 Scripture: John 12:20-33 Jesus shares the parables to illustrate that we must sacrifice in life to death. That's heavy stuff. The promise He makes is the most powerful thing I can imagine; in death, we will be reborn into someone forever enduring....

Fifth Week in Lent Troubled Hearts Scripture: John 12:20-33 Monday, March 12 Scripture: John 12:20-33 In all likelihood the Greeks in this story were Gentiles who had been attracted to Judaism but hadn’t quite gone all-in. They had traveled to Jerusalem to worship at...

Sunday, March 11 Note: We asked our writers on Sundays to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their lives. While I'm sure that I sang "Happy Birthday" and various nursery songs in pre-school, the first real memory that I have of singing was at...

Saturday, March 10 Scripture: John 3:14-21 What wondrous love is this oh my soul, oh my soul… Have you ever pondered while singing this familiar Lenten song, how one describes God’s love? Do the overused and insufficient words of “super,” “great,” “wonderful,” and...

Friday, March 9 Scripture: John 3:14-21 Indeed, God [sent his son into the world] in order that the world might be saved through him… John 3:17 Those who participate in sports know that in the final moments, one often wishes the game could be extended – other days you...

Thursday, March 8 Scripture: John 3:14-21 This Gospel of John 3:14-21 is a bit challenging for me. In this encounter the Gospel of John has sharp divisions between believers and non-believers, saved and condemned, people who love darkness rather than light do evil and...

Wednesday, March 7 Scripture: John 3:14-21 This week’s passage is challenging, even though portions have been held up as a beacon of hope for a challenging world, particularly at sporting events. I see God’s love and a call to responsibility, though it can read like...

Tuesday, March 6 Scripture: John 3:14-21 Forever. That's a hard word for us - humans - to wrap our brains around. In our lives, nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end: vacations, Christmas, dessert. We lose jobs, relationships, loved ones. Letting...

Fourth Week in Lent Love Forever Scripture: John 3:14-21 Monday, March 5 Scripture: John 3:14-21 A biblical verse many children first commit to memory is the essence of Christianity found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that...

Sunday, March 4 Note: We asked our writers on Sundays to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their lives. Each time I thought that the hymn choices had been narrowed down, a different song came to mind. About twenty years ago, when I decided to...

Saturday, March 3 Scripture: John 2:13-22 The Passover celebration took place yearly at the temple in Jerusalem. Jewish males were expected to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during this time. The temple was always crowded with out-of-town visitors. The religious...

Church is OPEN today. Music at Midday is at 12:15 p.m. and the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses Festival will continue as scheduled with their two concerts. Because National City follows the schedule of the Federal Government and it is closed, I'm encouraging staff and...

Friday, March 2 Scripture: John 2:13-22 As I approach Thomas Circle and our beautiful church comes into view, it is with great anticipation knowing that I will soon enter this sacred place where I have been worshipping, singing, learning, and serving for many years...

Thursday, March 1 Scripture: John 2:13-22 Many Jews expected the Messiah to lead an armed rebellion against the Roman Empire and the Jewish authorities who helped that empire. Jesus, instead, taught his followers to love God, to love their enemies, and to turn the...

Wednesday, February 28 Scripture: John 2:13-22 I always find this scripture interesting as I try to visualize the temple with all of this commerce in a place supposedly built for worship. How should God’s house be used outside of a worship service? Jesus was clearly...

Tuesday, February 27 Scripture: John 2:13-22 Our scripture this week is one that stands out among the other stories we hear about Jesus’ life. We often see Jesus as a mild-mannered teacher, speaking in parables, or performing miracles. Rarely do we see Jesus lose his...

Third Week in Lent Turning the Tables Scripture: John 2:13-22 Monday, February 26 Today’s passage may be uncomfortable for some; it should be. In it we find what some might call an upset or angry Jesus; I just see him as being real. You see, when Jesus enters the...

Sunday, February 25 PEACE! BE STILL! Page 221 (African American Heritage Hymnal) Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high! The sky is over shadowed with blackness, No shelter or help is nigh; Carest Thou not that we perish? How canst Thou lie...

Saturday, February 24 Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Verse 36 has been a part of my life seemingly forever, but this version is not the way it is in my consciousness. For that version, I had to search my home for a King James Bible with the familiar verse “For what shall it...

Wednesday, February 21 Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Too many times in the gospels, the disciples are only looking at the most obvious effects of Jesus' ministry. They don't want to upset the existing religious order and yet they seem to think that Jesus will walk right...

Tuesday, February 20 Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34. Early one morning my phone rang waking me up from a sound sleep. It was a request for a ride to a doctor's...

Second Week in Lent Incredible News Monday, February 19 Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 When we think of the gospels as “good news,” we rarely think what it must have been like for Jesus’ followers before they knew about his death and resurrection. How would they have coped...

Sunday, February 18 Note: We asked our writers on Sundays to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their lives. Sing unto the Lord a new song, For the Lord has done marvelous things. Psalm 98:1 When our congregation was celebrating the 500th...

Saturday, February 17 Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 Do you remember the time you were passionate about a particular moment in your life? Perhaps starting a new career, moving to a new location, or seeking more understanding. I remember many passion moments in my life and one...

Friday, February 16 Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 In this passage, Jesus is baptized by John and then unceremoniously banished into the wilderness. In his baptism, Jesus is readying himself to do God’s work and God wastes no time in immediately sending Jesus into temptation...

Thursday, February 15 Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 And there will be a test. What will your answer be? The voice of God said “This is my Son, with you I am well pleased.” Then, Jesus went into the desert, and was there for 40 days and nights. The test came there, and the...

Ash Wednesday, February 14 Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 Forehead ashes on Valentine’s Day? Resurrection celebrations on April Fool’s Day? It has been 73 years since Lenten season started and ended on such cultural holidays. Yet perhaps such juxtapositions are spiritually...

You can pick up a copy of National City's 2017 Annual Report at the Congregational Luncheon and Meeting this Sunday, February 11, or you can read it right here! 2017 Annual Report  

Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday. In preparation National City members have contributed daily devotions to help you prepare for Easter. You can download your own copy here.

The Reverend Chris Dorsey, president of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, will return as our pulpit guest on Sunday, January 14, for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Rev. Dorsey's message is titled "Call and Response." Join us at 8:30 or 11...

As a follower of Jesus Christ, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I must speak to repudiate the comments from the President of the United States on Jan. 11, 2018. As Christians, we believe that all humans are made in the image of God and therefore worthy of...