Northwest Vineyard
The Northwest Vineyard is a Vineyard neighborhood church in the northwest part Denver, CO with the vision of transforming lives, transforming everything. We exist as a part of the Mile High Vineyard family of neighborhood churches.
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Flourishing: Power, Posture, and the Meek
06/21/2026
Flourishing: Power, Posture, and the Meek
Guest speaker Emily Crider steps into the "Flourishing" series to examine the third beatitude: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Drawing from her extensive ministry work with university graduate students, Emily breaks down our modern discomfort with the word "meekness," which is often misconstrued as weakness, powerlessness, or passivity. By contrasting the oppressive, self-exalting power structures of the ancient Roman Empire with the humble stance of Jesus, she redefines meekness as power under control. Emily challenges the community—whether they feel voiceless and exhausted or hold positions of cultural influence—to surrender their control to the Lord, trust in His timing, and use their strength for the flourishing of others. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Flourishing: The Comfort Found in Mourning
06/14/2026
Flourishing: The Comfort Found in Mourning
In this installment of the "Flourishing" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson addresses our cultural aversion to grief and the rising phenomenon of emotional "dryness." Looking at the second beatitude in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," Scott challenges the American standard of rushed bereavement. Sharing a deeply personal reflection on the legacy and loss of his own father, he explores the sacred space that exists between laughter and tears. Scott invites the church to be a community that unmasks its pain, reminding us that true kingdom flourishing doesn't promise superficial happiness, but rather a rugged hope and divine comfort that can only be met when we are honest about what we are mourning. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Flourishing: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
06/07/2026
Flourishing: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
Continuing the summer series on the Beatitudes, Pastor Scott Engebretson tackles our tendency to make false assumptions about life, work, and faith. Zooming in on Matthew 5:3, Scott unpacks the countercultural definition of what it means to be "poor in spirit." He explains that kingdom flourishing doesn't come from getting louder, bigger, or more self-reliant, but from a posture of spiritual bankruptcy—admitting our emptiness and decreasing so that Christ can increase. Even in the midst of a dry spiritual drought, Scott invites the community to step out of self-sufficiency, embrace a posture of humility, and receive the refreshing overflow that Jesus promises to those who know their need for Him. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Flourishing: The Way of the Kingdom
05/31/2026
Flourishing: The Way of the Kingdom
Kicking off a new summer series on the Beatitudes, Pastor Scott Engebretson introduces what it truly means to live a life that flourishes. Transitioning into Trinity Sunday, Scott contrasts cultural and academic definitions of human flourishing—like Harvard University's Human Flourishing Project—with the countercultural vision cast by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Drawing a linguistic link from Psalm 1, he notes that the biblical concept of being "blessed" is deeply tied to an internal, rooted state of flourishing. Scott explains that just as Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive the law, Jesus went up on a mountainside in Matthew 5to reframe, fulfill, and deepen our understanding of God's instructions. Ultimately, Scott challenges the community to move beyond the drudgery of legalism or human willpower, reminding us that we cannot live out the Beatitudes in our own strength. Instead, we must actively pursue Jesus through a posture of daily repentance, allowing Him to refresh our souls and empower us to flourish right where life is lived—not on the mountaintops, but in the valleys. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: Unguarded and Fruit-Filled
05/24/2026
The B-Side Life: Unguarded and Fruit-Filled
Preaching on Pentecost—the birthday of the church—Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the journey through the book of Galatians with a powerful look at Galatians 5 and 6. Scott challenges the common misconception that the Holy Spirit's power is only meant for spectacular, headline-grabbing moments. Instead, he reveals that the "B-Side" of Pentecost is the internal power of God working daily to reshape our character into the likeness of Christ. Moving from theology to practice, Scott breaks down how the fruit of the Spirit is a singular, package deal—like an orange rather than individual grapes—and warns against trying to manage our spiritual growth through performance or willpower alone. Ultimately, he unpacks what it means that "against such things there is no law," inviting the community to step past the old protective fences of legalism. He challenges everyone to live vibrant, "unguarded" lives in their neighborhoods, families, and workplaces, fully empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring real change to the world. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The Battle of Flesh and Spirit
05/17/2026
The B-Side Life: The Battle of Flesh and Spirit
Continuing through the book of Galatians, Pastor Hannah Engebretson dives into one of the most powerful and challenging passages in Scripture: Galatians 5. On a joyful Sunday marked by celebratory water baptisms, Hannah addresses the internal tug-of-war we all experience between the "flesh" and the "Spirit." She explains that while the flesh naturally produces destructive results—such as anger, broken relationships, anxiety, and addiction—the Holy Spirit wants to cultivate something entirely different within us. Hannah reminds the community that true transformation isn't about legalistically trying to control our behavior in our own strength. Instead, it’s about a daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to fill us with His peace and organically produce lasting fruit like love, self-control, and kindness from the inside out. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The Pains of Formation
05/10/2026
The B-Side Life: The Pains of Formation
Preaching on Mother's Day, Pastor Scott Engebretson highlights a moment of "providential convergence" as the journey through Galatians brings us to a passage where the Apostle Paul describes his heart as being in the pains of childbirth for the church. Drawing from Galatians 4, Scott explores what it truly means to look at our desires and evaluate what we are passionately striving for. He explains that the legalistic "A-Side" life focuses on outward performance, rules, and the wrong types of striving, whereas the "B-Side" life requires a deep, inward spiritual labor. Ultimately, Scott challenges the community to shift their focus away from cultural credentials or promotions and instead yearn for the ultimate goal: to be set free by the Holy Spirit so that Christ can be fully formed within us. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The End of DIY Religion
05/03/2026
The B-Side Life: The End of DIY Religion
In this message, Pastor Scott Engebretson tackles the "Do It Yourself" (DIY) mentality that often creeps into our spiritual lives. While DIY skills are great for home repairs, Scott argues that they are spiritual "kryptonite" when it comes to our relationship with God. Drawing from Galatians 3, he explores the story of Abraham to show that righteousness has never been something we can manufacture through our own effort or rule-following. Instead, the "B-Side Life" is about coming to the end of our own resources and surrendering to the strength of God. Scott challenges us to stop trying to white-knuckle our way into holiness and instead receive the gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit, which is the only true source of spiritual fruit. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The Environment of Fruitfulness
04/26/2026
The B-Side Life: The Environment of Fruitfulness
Continuing through the book of Galatians, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the vital role our environment plays in our spiritual growth. Using the devastating impact of recent freezes on Florida’s citrus crops as a metaphor, Scott explains that just as a physical freeze can destroy fruit, our "spiritual climate" can either nurture or stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Focusing on Galatians 2, he examines how we are justified by faith in Christ rather than by observing the law. Scott challenges the community to consider if they are living in a "freeze" of legalism or self-reliance, and instead invites everyone to cultivate a life of partnership with God—sharing their stories and engaging in ministry—so that the fruits of love, peace, and faithfulness can truly flourish. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The Pure Gospel
04/19/2026
The B-Side Life: The Pure Gospel
Continuing the series through Galatians (alternatively titled "Fruit and Flame"), Sam Stephens explores the danger of "gatekeeping" the Kingdom of God. Drawing from Galatians 1, Sam warns against the trap of legalism—likening it to someone trying to sell bottled water while standing right next to a flowing river. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's power at Pentecost wasn't just for a one-time encounter, but to form lasting fruit in our lives. Sam challenges the "man’s gospel" of trying harder and white-knuckling through life, pointing instead to the "pure gospel" from above that invites us to abide closer, trust deeper, and allow God to produce fruit in us. For more information about the church, please visit .
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The B-Side Life: The True Gospel
04/12/2026
The B-Side Life: The True Gospel
Launching a new series through the book of Galatians, Pastor Scott Engebretson introduces "The B-Side Life." Using the analogy of vinyl records, Scott explains that while the "A-Side" represents the polished, popular versions of ourselves we present to the world, the "B-Side" is where the raw, authentic, and soulful work of the Holy Spirit happens. Exploring Galatians 1, Scott addresses the "perverted gospel" of legalism—the idea that we can manufacture spiritual fruit by simply following rules. He argues that true transformation isn't about human effort or religious performance, but about the "B-Side" reality of Jesus: crucified, risen, and sending His Spirit to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: The Reality of Resurrection
04/05/2026
Participating: The Reality of Resurrection
On this Easter Sunday, Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the "Participating" series by exploring the world-changing reality of the Resurrection. Scott contrasts the "simulated wonder" of illusions—like those performed by magician Harris III—with the tangible, historical truth of the empty tomb in Luke 24. He challenges the idea that the Resurrection is merely a metaphor or a "beautiful story," arguing instead that because Jesus is physically alive, we are invited to participate in a new future. Scott encourages us to stop spending our "what ifs" on the regrets of the past and start spending them on the possibilities of a life lived with the Risen Christ—a life of wonder and eternal significance that begins right now. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: The Art of Waiting
03/29/2026
Participating: The Art of Waiting
In this installment of the "Participating" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson tackles our cultural aversion to waiting. Drawing from Jason Farman’s Delayed Response, Scott notes that in our world of instant gratification, we often view waiting as "dead time." However, looking at the transition from the suffering of Holy Week to the hope of the Resurrection, he argues that waiting is actually a sacred space where God works. Exploring Romans 8:22–27, Scott discusses how the Holy Spirit participates in our lives by interceding for us with "wordless groans" when we are at our weakest. He invites the community to stop avoiding the "weight" of their vulnerabilities and instead allow Jesus—the Lamb who still carries his scars—to meet them in their waiting and redeem their pain. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: The Way of the Suffering Servant
03/22/2026
Participating: The Way of the Suffering Servant
Continuing the "Participating" series as we approach Holy Week, Pastor Scott Engebretson shares a deeply personal reflection on the tension between the "so much more" of God's power and the reality of human suffering. Drawing from Matthew 27, Scott walks through the harrowing details of Jesus’ mockery and crucifixion, inviting the community to look closely at the "Man of Sorrows." He explores the difficult prayer of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10—the desire to know Christ not only in the power of His resurrection but also in the "fellowship of His sufferings." Scott reminds us that while we don't seek out pain, identifying with Jesus in our own seasons of grief and weakness is the only path to experiencing true resurrection life. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: Strength in Weakness
03/15/2026
Participating: Strength in Weakness
Continuing the Lenten series "Participating," Hannah Engebretson explores how we navigate the "thorns" in our lives—those persistent points of pain, weakness, or affliction that we desperately want removed. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12, Hannah looks at the Apostle Paul’s experience of pleading with God for relief, only to receive the answer: "My grace is sufficient for you." By reflecting on her own season of physical brokenness and the "suffering of God" found in the Lenten journey, she challenges the idea that we must be "fixed" to be useful to the Kingdom. Instead, she invites us to participate in God's grace by re-engaging with our stories and trusting that His power is made perfect not in our competence, but in our weakness. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: The Weight of the Cross
03/08/2026
Participating: The Weight of the Cross
Continuing in the "Participating" series and the season of Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the difficult invitation to participate in the suffering of Christ. Using a humorous story about "yak milk" in Nepal to illustrate how we often expect one thing but receive another, Scott dives into the story of Simon of Cyrene from Luke 23. He discusses the reality that the "cross" is often something forced upon us unexpectedly—through grief, health crises, or brokenness—rather than something we choose. Drawing from the prayers of Jesus in Gethsemane, Scott encourages the community to move from "not my will" to "your will be done," reminding us that while we don't choose the moment of our suffering, we can choose to participate in its redeeming power. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: In the Midst of Trouble
03/01/2026
Participating: In the Midst of Trouble
Continuing the "Participating" series during Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson uses the survival show Alone as a backdrop to discuss how we navigate the "wilderness" of life's hardships. Drawing from John 16, Scott explores the inevitable "labor pains" of the world and how Jesus prepares his disciples for the trouble ahead. He highlights three ways we are called to participate when life gets hard: by waiting faithfully, by weeping and mourning honestly rather than bypassing pain, and by resisting the urge to scatter or isolate. Ultimately, Scott reminds us that because Jesus has overcome the world, we never have to navigate our physical, spiritual, or emotional troubles alone. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Participating: The Way Out of the Wilderness
02/22/2026
Participating: The Way Out of the Wilderness
Kicking off the new series, "Participating," and entering the season of Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson looks at the reality of temptation and the "death spirals" we often find ourselves in. Using the story of Jesus in the wilderness from Luke 4:1-13, Scott highlights how the enemy targets our most basic needs, our desire for protection, and our hunger for power. He explores how Jesus resisted these temptations not through sheer willpower, but by being led by the Spirit and anchored in Scripture. Scott invites the community to participate in the new life Jesus offers—reminding us that while the enemy tempted Jesus to throw Himself down for show, Jesus chose to lay Himself down in Jerusalem to seek and save the lost. For more information about the church, please visit .
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You Are Here: Cultivating a Hunger for Prayer
02/15/2026
You Are Here: Cultivating a Hunger for Prayer
In the concluding episode of the "You Are Here" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson discusses how we navigate the distance between where we currently are and where we want to be as a community. Using the analogy of "You Are Here" maps found in malls and airports, Scott highlights the importance of spiritual orientation. He shares a personal conviction that God is inviting Northwest Vineyard into a season of deeper intimacy through prayer. Exploring Luke 11:1-13, Scott breaks down the Lord’s Prayer not just as words to recite, but as a framework for honoring God as Father, Provider, and Forgiver. As the church prepares to transition into the season of Lent, listeners are challenged to cultivate a persistent hunger for God’s presence, remembering that no person is greater than their prayer life. For more information about our church, please visit .
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You Are Here: Stepping into the Flow
02/08/2026
You Are Here: Stepping into the Flow
In the third week of the "You Are Here" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson shifts the focus from the communal church to the individual, asking the challenging question: "Where have you dammed up your life?". Using the history of dams as a metaphor, Scott explores how we often inadvertently cut off the flow of God's presence, leading to spiritual stagnation. He emphasizes that your personal life with God is vital to the health of the entire community. Drawing from Acts 2 and 1 Peter 1, Scott discusses the "means of grace"—outward actions like teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer that God has defined for us to meet Him. Likening God’s grace to a shower head that is always running, he invites listeners to stop standing on the sidelines and intentionally step into the flow to be cleansed, refreshed, and revived. For more information about our church, please visit .
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You Are Here: The Work of the People
02/01/2026
You Are Here: The Work of the People
Continuing the "You Are Here" series, guest speaker RJ Owen—a User Experience Designer by trade—explores the concept of liturgy, literally defined as "the work of the people". Using a humorous illustration of a confusing "high-design" bathroom sink, RJ argues that while the Vineyard is a "low church" with a thin, variable liturgy, we still participate in a set of inherited practices. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 14, he examines how the Apostle Paul instructed the chaotic Corinthian church to balance spiritual gifts with order. RJ challenges the idea that we must feel "inspired" to worship authentically, suggesting instead that we "do the reps" of church life—singing, listening, and praying even when we don't feel like it—to transform our hearts into places that can truly receive the love of God. For more information about the church, please visit .
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You Are Here: Rhythms of Grace
01/25/2026
You Are Here: Rhythms of Grace
Kicking off a new series titled "You Are Here," Pastor Scott Engebretson explores our identity as a local church within the broader "universal" church. Using the analogy of a "You Are Here" map, Scott explains that while we inhabit a specific time and place in Broomfield, Colorado, we are part of a much larger story that spans centuries. Drawing from Exodus 25and the specific instructions for the Tabernacle, he highlights how God uses "Sacred Space," "Sacred People," and "Sacred Time" to meet us. Scott invites the congregation to move beyond viewing church as a consumer product and instead embrace it as a Sacred Assembly—participating in rhythms like morning prayer and the church calendar not as burdensome demands, but as life-giving invitations into God's grace. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Ferment: Catch the Little Foxes
01/18/2026
Ferment: Catch the Little Foxes
In the conclusion of the "Ferment" series, Sam Stephens explores how to protect the spiritual growth God is bubbling up within us. Centering his message on the poetic imagery of Song of Solomon 2:15, Sam warns against the "little foxes"—those small, seemingly insignificant compromises, distractions, or habits that can ruin a vineyard just as it begins to blossom. He emphasizes that while God provides the growth, we are called to be vigilant stewards of our spiritual lives. By addressing the small issues before they become major strongholds, we ensure that the "new wine" of our faith remains sweet and ready to be shared with others. Sam concludes with the profound reminder from the Heidelberg Catechism: our greatest hope is found in the fact that we are not our own, but belong body and soul to Jesus Christ. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Ferment: New Wine, New Skins
01/11/2026
Ferment: New Wine, New Skins
Continuing the "Ferment" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings: the parable of the wineskins. Drawing from the calling of Levi in Luke 5:27-39, Scott discusses the radical nature of following Jesus, which requires more than just "tacking" Him onto an old life. Using the metaphors of unshrunk cloth and new wine, he explains that the "bubbling energy" of God’s Kingdom cannot be contained by old systems or tattered souls. Scott challenges the Northwest Vineyard community to consider what it means to "leave everything" to receive a new heart of flesh and a new garment of righteousness, rather than settling for the comfort of the "old wine". For more information about the church, please visit .
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Ferment: The Process and the Profound
01/04/2026
Ferment: The Process and the Profound
Launching a new three-week series titled "Ferment," Pastor Scott Engebretson uses the biological process of winemaking as a metaphor for spiritual growth in the New Year. Drawing from Alan Kreider’s The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Scott explores the "invisible yeast" of God’s Kingdom—a bubbling energy that works from the inside out. Looking at Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana in John 2:1-11, he highlights the tension between the mundane habits of the "process" and the "profound" moments of the miraculous. Scott challenges the congregation to embrace simple acts of obedience—filling, drawing, and taking—as the seedbed for God to do something new in 2026. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Creating Space: The Humility of Christmas
12/24/2025
Creating Space: The Humility of Christmas
In this special Christmas Eve service, Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the "Creating Space" series by exploring the unexpected power of humility. Contrasting the world's view of success—illustrated by NFL coach Tony Dungey—with the Kingdom of God, Scott cites research from CU Boulder to argue that true leadership is found in serving others. He traces this theme through the Christmas story in Luke 2, observing that the good news was first announced to the shepherds—the outcasts of society. Drawing from the "Christ Hymn" in Philippians 2 , Scott explains how Jesus "made himself nothing" to become the Humble King, and invites listeners to make room in their lives to receive His forgiveness, freedom, and flourishing. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Creating Space: God Remembers Us
12/21/2025
Creating Space: God Remembers Us
In this special family service, Pastor Hannah Engebretson leads an interactive Advent reflection involving the children and youth of the church. Acknowledging the difficulty of waiting—whether for Christmas presents or for life's heavy burdens to lift—Hannah explains the distinction between the anticipation of Advent and the twelve-day celebration of Christmastime that begins on Christmas Day. Drawing from the resource Shadow and Light by Tish Harrison Warren, she invites listeners to consider the long silence the Israelites endured and the temptation to believe God had forgotten them. Ultimately, Hannah points to Jesus as the proof that God remembers us, noting that He arrived not as a soldier to conquer, but as a baby to save us where we are. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Creating Space: The Art of Slow Devotion
12/14/2025
Creating Space: The Art of Slow Devotion
Returning to the "Creating Space" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson contrasts our culture's desire to "chase momentum" with the biblical call to slow devotion. Focusing on the story of Simeon in Luke 2:25-33, Scott explores how Simeon sustained his faith during the centuries of silence between the Old and New Testaments, proving that intimacy with God is possible even in the dark. He defines devotion not as legalism, but as a "careful regard for Kairos"—an attentive waiting for God's timing. Drawing illustrations from Michael Jordan's "love of the game" and the prayer habits of the early church in the Didache, Scott challenges listeners to establish rhythms of prayer to navigate the waiting and recognize the "consolation of Israel" when He arrives. For more information about the church, please visit .
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Special Service: What is a Pastor?
12/07/2025
Special Service: What is a Pastor?
In this special service, we celebrate the ordination of Pastors Scott and Hannah Engebretson. We are honored to host Rich Nathan, the founding pastor of Vineyard Columbus, who delivers a sermon titled "What is a Pastor?". Preaching from 1 Peter 5, Rich argues that a pastor is defined not by academic credentials or charisma, but by character and a willingness to pay the price of leadership. He outlines the three biblical roles of a pastor—Shepherd (nurturing the flock), Watchman (protecting from danger), and Example (modeling the life of Christ)—and challenges leaders to serve not out of compulsion or for control, but with a "get to" spirit of gratitude. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.
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Creating Space: Advent Begins in the Dark
11/30/2025
Creating Space: Advent Begins in the Dark
Launching the new "Creating Space" series for the season of Advent, Pastor Scott Engebretson challenges the sentimental view of the holidays, reminding listeners that "Advent begins in the dark" and often amidst the clutter of our lives. Drawing from the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-25, Scott explores how to faithfully prepare for Jesus' arrival even while navigating deep disappointments. He outlines four practical ways to clear spiritual space: pursuing righteousness (right living), maintaining habits of worship to hear God speak, practicing restraint in a consumeristic culture, and prioritizing family restoration as foretold in Malachi 4. For more information about the church, please visit
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