GOD BLESS US EVERYONE
NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 25, 2016
This Advent/Christmas series will take a look at how living in God’s economy of grace and justice is the antithesis of the life-threatening addiction to money, success, exclusion and looking out for ourselves. The chimes of the clock-tower bells in Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” provide a wake-up call for Ebenezer Scrooge and turn him from his resentment, fear and isolation. Just as God’s presence was born anew into this world, we too can be born anew, woken up and redeemed into renewed life, joy, passion, generosity, humility and love.
November 27 – Bah Humbug! Making Change
December 4 – The Remembrance of Christmas Past: Hope From Heartbreak
December 11 – The Life of Christmas Present: Look Upon Me
December 18 – The Hope of Christmas Future: Death-Defying Acts
December 25 – God Bless Us-Every One!
WE ARE GRATEFUL
NOVEMBER 6 – 20, 2016
When we are grateful, we find it easier to keep our blessings and our challenges in more proper perspective. This series reminds us that gratefulness is a trait that can enhance all others.
November 6 – Grateful for Companionship
November 13 – Grateful for Community
November 20 – Grateful for God’s Love and Grace
LIVING ON THE EDEGE
SEPTEMBER 4 – OCTOBER 30, 2016
Are you a risk taker? Do you walk on the edge of danger and adventure? Sometimes living on the edge means big results one way or the other. This series keeps us there with big expectations for success.
September 4 – The Edge of Possibilities
September 11 – The Edge of Indecision
September 18 – The Edge of Privilege
September 25 – The Edge of Belief
October 2 – The Edge of Intentionality
October 9 – The Edge of Despair
October 16 – The Edge of Change
October 23 – The Edge of Revelation
October 30 – The Edge of Transformation
REFLECTIONS FROM A SABBATICAL
AUGUST 7 – 28, 2016
Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and those you love (and those who love you) is to step back and take a break. All of us are better friends, better lovers and better everything else when we our minds and hearts are healthy. This series is all about lessons that can be learned during a time of sabbatical.
August 7 – Wow!
August 14 – Thin Line
August 21 – Willing to Work
August 28 – Misplaced Map
SEASONS
MAY 22 – JULY 31, 2016
School is winding down and summer plans are underway. This is the time that we take those deep breaths we’ve not had a chance to enjoy in the busy last few months. Spring is wrapping up and the summer looks good, and we’re excited to spend it with you as we experience seasons.
JUST AS HE TOLD YOU
APRIL 3 – MAY 15, 2016
The subtitle of this series could be “When in Doubt, Read the Instructions!” Jesus’ time with his disciples was short. But from the beginning he began to prepare them to continue his ministry once he was no longer with them. This Easter season we will encounter teachings of Jesus that end up coming in handy as the early church struggles and thrives… ultimately handing on the instructions to us. What will we do with them?
April 3 – Stay, Witness
April 10 – Touch, Heal
April 17 – Beware, Don’t Worry
April 24 – Don’t Argue, Don’t Disagree
May 1 – Love, the Main Thing
May 8 – Live, Now and Forever
May 15 – Beginning the Sabbatical
GIFTS OF THE DARK WOOD
FEBRUARY 10 – MARCH 27, 2016
This series, based on the book by the same name by Eric Elnes, is about “seeing life through new eyes, recognizing that experiences of failure, emptiness, and uncertainty are as critical for finding our way through life as they are unavoidable.” We will see how experiences of life through the “dark wood” are actually clues to our “calling” or “life path.” How can the struggles of life be the seedbed of spiritual awakening to the fullness of life?
February 10 – The Gift of Uncertainty
February 21 – The Gift of Emptiness
February 28 – The Gift of Being Thunderstruck
March 6 – The Gift of Being Lost
March 13 – The Gift of Temptation
March 20 – The Gifts of Misfits
March 27 – Where Do We Go From Here?
RISKY BUSINESS
JANUARY 3 – FEBRUARY 7, 2016
If Jesus had lived in our day, the risk assessment folks would surely have rejected his application for life insurance. Time and again, he put himself in positions of risk–saying things that rubbed the rulers the wrong way, eating with people not fit for good company, and putting himself in harm’s way as he rubbed elbows with the sick and unclean. It seems the message was that the reign of God requires a bit of risky business. Are we willing to take risks for love and justice? What price do we pay by playing it safe?
January 3 – The Cat’s Out of the Bag
January 10 – Not so Nice and Neat
January 17 – Try as We Might
January 24 – Not So Untouchable
January 31 – Not Quite the Hometown Hero
February 7 – Let Your Light Shine