Month: September 2019

Sermon:           I Believe in Eternal Life          

Theme:            We rejoice in a relationship with God that puts our whole life span in a context of love and grace, rather than focusing on physical limitations and loss.           

Purpose:          The congregation will explore what it means to be more than a body.       

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 15:12-20           The resurrection is the source of our hope.

                        Luke 20:27-38 The Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection, Jesus affirms that the resurrection will be the gift of eternal life.

Questions:

Do I really have to learn to play the harp? Is it just going to be like worship or do we get to do something fun? Is my back still going to hurt? Do I have to spend eternity with that person I can’t forgive? Or will it matter? If I die in an embarrassing way are people going to laugh at me the whole time? Will we be reunited with our loved ones? Will we be at peace? How do we come to see ourselves as more than a body? What difference does it make to us to believe in a resurrection? What can we do to believe in what we can neither prove or disprove?

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Sermon:           I Believe in Forgiveness          

Theme:            We are the people who live and practice a message of forgiveness that flows from God through all people who are willing to participate in God’s grace and healing mercy.         

Purpose:          The congregation will explore the process and work of forgiveness.           

Scriptures:       Luke 24:42-52 Jesus commissions the disciples to forgive sins and proclaim God’s love.

                        Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17           If you have been raised with Christ, seek what is above. Practice forgiveness.

Questions:

Does forgiveness mean I have to like someone who wronged me? I believe in forgiveness but I’m still angry?  What if I keep forgiving someone for the same thing? How many times do I have to do that? Is there a time limit or can we wait twenty years or so? What does it mean for us to retain the sins of someone? How do we practice forgiveness in a way that enables us to be healthy and joyful? What do we do when we are struggling to let go of hurt and pain? What causes us to have difficulties in forgiving?

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Sermon:           I Believe in the Church           

Theme:            God has called us to be part of the community of believers in order that we may make God’s presence and love known to the world.        

Purpose:          We will affirm that together we are representatives of God’s love and covenant.  

Scriptures:       Hebrews 10:19-25       Let us provoke one another to Good Works and to not neglect the fellowship.

                        Matthew 16:13-26      Jesus gives the “Keys to the kingdom” to the church, any who want to follow need to take up their cross.

Questions:

Why would I believe in a building?  Is the church a building? Do really need it? Why do so few people attend Church? What’s going to happen to people who don’t? What actually is the Church? How do we develop our ability to be part of God’s presence in the world? What do we need to do in order to accurately reflect God’s intention for the Church on earth? How can we create a space where people experience God’s presence with truth and healing grace?

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