Month: December 2016

10:30 service will be the Cantata

8:00 Service:

Sermon:           “Such a Small Thing”

Theme:            Out of the smallest thing, a newborn baby, God acted to change all of creation so that we may experience God with us.

Purpose:          The congregation will see the birth of Jesus as God’s way of bringing healing in the world rather than programs, force, or other “big solutions.”

Scriptures:       Isaiah 7:10-16  Unto you a son shall be born, as a sign of God’s provision of care.

Matthew 1:18-25        The birth of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of God.

Questions:

Why is the sign that is given for God’s action in the world the birth of a baby? In what ways is a baby a meaningful sign of God’s redeeming work? What difference should it make to us that God worked through people who would normally have no power or influence? What does this say about the way God brings healing to the world? In what ways is it important that the promise to Joseph begins with “do not be afraid?”  How do we adjust our thinking around God’s way of bringing healing to the world?

Click HERE to listen to the message.

Congregational Meeting following 8:00 Worship to elect officers.

Cookie Walk between services.

Sermon:           “Share the News: Hope is Reborn!”

Theme:            The source of our hope and joy is from the promises of God and the work that Christ gives us together.

Purpose:          The congregation will become less focused on the things that we cannot control and more focused on finding peace through sharing God’s love with the people around them.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 35:1-10  The wilderness shall be glad, strength the weak hands and make firm weak knees.  The eyes of the blind will be opened, the gospel will heal the land.

Matthew 11:2-11        John’s disciples inquire if Jesus is the messiah, he gives the signs of healing, proclamation, and blessing. Jesus affirms John’s role as prophet.

Questions:

How can we draw strength from the coming of Christ? How do we strengthen our weak hands and weak knees? What do we have to do in order to see the coming of the love and healing of God? How do we open our hearts to the things we need during this season, such as peace, reconciliation, and comfort for our losses?  Why is it that so many of us find this such a sad season while there are so many upbeat carols and expectations that we be “merry?”  How is this a time for finding the joy of God’s refreshment and healing rather than joining in all of the activity and gaiety?  When we seek to deepen our relationship with Christ are we being selfish are is this a time for reflecting more on God’s work of grace and healing than on the external things of the season?

Click HERE to listen to the message.

Sermon:           “Open to A New Beginning”

Theme:            Our vision for Christmas is of reconciliation and peace, which takes place through daily openness to God’s healing in our lives as we acknowledge our need for renewal.

Purpose:          The congregation will recognize a need to seek a new vision for themselves and for the world in which they live.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 11:1-10  A shoot from the stump of Jessie, the wolf shall live with the lamb, the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

Matthew 3:1-12          John the Baptist, baptized with repentance.

Questions:

In what ways are we blind to possibilities for hope and peace? In what ways does our inability to envision ourselves being different keep us from being open to God’s renewal and work in our lives? In what ways do we create the hopelessness and despair for peace in which we live? How can we envision God accomplishing a new work in our midst? How do we live acting realistically while keeping the ideals of peace and justice as our guide? What role does working for peace have in our ability to envision change in ourselves and in the world around us?

Click HERE to listen to the message.