THE GIFT OF BEING PRESENT
DECEMBER 3 - 31, 2023
Advent can be filled with worry about finding the perfect Christmas gifts. Deep down we want people in our lives to know they are special and that we love them. But sometimes we overlook the greatest gift of all… our very presence. Our spiritual ancestors were also worried — often about survival in the midst of political occupation. And the response of the scriptures is “the Holy Living One is with you.” Like a shepherd who never leaves the flock, we are held close. This season, we are invited to be the gift of presence for our loved ones, for our communities, for those who need it most.
December 3 – "The Gift of Being Present with Hope"
December 10 – "The Gift of Being Present with Peace"
December 17 – "The Gift of Being Present with Joy"
December 24 – "The Gift of Being Present with Love"
December 31 - "The Gift of Being Present with Assurance"
BE THE CHURCH
APRIL 16 - MAY 28, 2023
Prominently displayed in our church is a banner with nine simple phrases that represent a collective call to action, a call to Be the Church. These days, we are called into new ways of being and doing, and in this series, we seek to find out what role or roles in God’s mission we are to take up, as individuals, and as a body - and how that mission nurtures our relationship with God, one another, and our community?
April 16 – "Care for the Poor & Share Earlthy and Spiritual Resources"
April 23 – "Protect the Environment"
April 30 – "Embrace Diversity"
May 7 – "Forgive Often"
May 14 - "Reject Racism & Fight for the Powerless"
May 21 – "Enjoy This Life"
May 28 - "Love God"
LOOKIN' FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
FEBRUARY 22 - APRIL 9, 2023
The Christian scriptures offer many images of where love, grace, forgiveness, righteousness, and healing can REALLY be found. And it is not in the “usual” places. Isn’t it as true of us today as it was of the scriptural authors? Don’t we often look for wholeness and happiness in places that offer only temporary “good feelings” and satisfaction? Lent is a wonderfully reflective time to reassess where we are searching for meaning and purpose. We’ll move through stories of Jesus to find out who offers the “real deal.”
February 22 (Ash Wednesday) – Looking for Love
February 26 – Look for the Resister
March 5 – Look for the Helper
March 12 – Look for the Thirst-Quencher
March 19 - Look for the Shepherd
March 26 – Look for the Liberator
April 2 (Palm Sunday ) - Look for the Unexpected
April 7 (Good Friday) - Love Looks for Us
April 9 (Easter Sunday) - Love Wins