Month: January 2019

Sermon:           “A Light for Today”

Theme:            The message of liberation, healing, and being a part of God’s transformation is one that the world craves today.

Purpose:          To focus on being God’s faithful people.

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 12:12-31a         The various gifts and how the body works together.

Luke 4:14-21   Jesus preaches in the temple, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me.”

Questions:

How can we share a gift of God’s love and acceptance for each person’s gifts and abilities? How do we assist others to know their own identity as one gifted by God? How do we help people to know their own unique ways of being God’s beloved children? What is that causes us to feel insecure and uncertain about our own abilities and contributions to serving God? In what ways does serving God enable us to feel a unique sense of strength and purpose?

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Sermon:           “Plenty to Share”

Theme:            We have an abundance of God’s wisdom, love, and healing presence to share.

Purpose:          Focus more on caring, less on anxiousness and selfish concerns.

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 12:1-11 One body, many gifts for the good of all.

John 2:1-11     Jesus changes the water into wine, purification becomes celebration of the Kingdom of God.

Questions:

What causes people to feel uncomfortable about sharing their faith? What do we need to do in order to live our faith so that others sense our confidence and joy in knowing Christ? How can we be “attractive” in our faith rather than creating a sense of judgment or pushing faith on others? How can we joyfully invite others to celebrate God’s love and blessings? What causes the fear and sense of intimidation around sharing our faith?

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Sermon:           “A Message All People”

Theme:            Our confidence, strength, and mission is to carry the light to the world.

Purpose:          The congregation will focus less on themselves and more on the light we share.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 43:1-7    God promises that God will be with us as we draw people back to the faithfulness of God.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22    John the Baptist baptizes with water but promises the coming Messiah.

Questions:

What is it that people in the world around us are truly hungering to hear? What is needed in order to heal the brokenness and comfort the fear in the hearts of people today? What is the source of the hostility and resentment that causes so much unhappiness? How do we speak with authenticity and compassion? What can we do to be people who are living in the confidence and hope of the grace of God? What happens when we learn to live our faith with genuineness and confidence?

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Sermon:           “The Lamp in the Darkness”

Theme:            Light shines out from our hearts and attracts people to the love of Christ.

Purpose:          The congregation will see themselves as sources of “light” for healing of others.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 60:1-6    Darkness shall cover the earth, but the Lord will rise upon you and bring a message for all nations.

Matthew 2:1-12          The Magi come to worship the Christ.

Questions:

What does it mean for us to be a light in the darkness? In what ways are we called to be ourselves and at the same time called to make a difference in the world? How do we become people who are able to naturally share God’s love and grace? What is the difference between trying to make things better and allowing ourselves to be a light which the world is drawn to? In what ways are people still seeking a light that will make a difference?

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Pastor Tom Willadsen

Isaiah 63:7-9

Matthew 2:13-23

“Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Home.”

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