Loneliness

Lead pastor John Bourgeois preaching at West End Communality Church on Sunday, October 11, 2026

Key Takeaways

Loneliness is the gap between our deep desire to be known and loved and the reality of our current relationships.
God made us in his image, and his image is relational.
The longing to be known and loved is not a flaw. It is woven into who we are.
When we bring the full weight of our soul's longing to another person (a spouse, a romantic partner, a friend, etc.), we place an impossible burden on them and undermine the very communion we are trying to find.
Jesus is the bridegroom, the one who knows you most completely is the one who loved you most sacrificially.
Jesus knows every sin, secret, failure, and longing and loves you with eyes wide open.

Study Questions

The sermon opened with the idea that we often long to be known but work hard to remain hidden. Can you relate to that tension? What does it look like in your own life (avoiding certain conversations, staying busy, keeping people at a distance)?
Have you ever structured your day to avoid someone, or held back something true about yourself because you were afraid of how someone might respond? What was driving that fear?
In our present culture, the idea of a "soulmate" can reflect a real and God-given longing, but we often misplace it by looking to another person to do what only God can do. Where do you see yourself doing this? What does it look like when you place that burden on another person?
The image of Jesus as the bridegroom looking down the aisle at his bride with overwhelming love is drawn from passages like Zephaniah 3:16-18 and Revelation 21. How does that image land with you? Is it easy or difficult to receive? What makes it hard to believe that this is how Jesus sees you?
The woman at the well's testimony was simple: "Come and see a man who told me all that I ever did." She did not lead with theology or argument, but led with being known and loved. How might that reshape the way you think about sharing your faith with others?

Seeking God’s Face Devotional

This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship.

This Week’s Liturgy

Call to worship

Psalm 139:11-14

Leader: If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

All: For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Confession of FAITH

New City Catechism Q & A #41

Q: What is the Lord’s Prayer?

A: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Confession of sin

Merciful Father, you made us for communion with you, to know you and be known by you. Yet we have forsaken you, seeking life and love elsewhere. Ashamed of our unfaithfulness, we hide from you and from one another. Though you have loved us in Christ, we have failed to make your love known. Forgive us, renew our hearts, and make us a joyful witness to your grace. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Romans 8:38-39

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.