Sermon:           “Suffering: The Search for ‘Why?'”

Theme:            In the midst of our pain and discomfort we need a purpose and reason in order to work toward healing and peace.

Purpose:          The congregation will understand the need for disciplines that bringing meaning and purpose to their own and other’s suffering

Scriptures:       Philippians 1:21-30     Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel, living and suffering have purpose of serving God.

Matthew 5:10-15        Blessed are you when you are persecuted, a light should be allowed to shine clearly for all to see.

Questions:

How do we deal with suffering that seems to have no meaning or purpose? What is it about the suffering of the young, or those who seem undeserving of pain that is so hard for us spiritually? What difference does it make that suffering have a meaning to it? In what ways can we participate in finding meaning in suffering? What is the difference between seeking meaning in the midst of pain or suffering and trying to justify bad things happening?

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Sermon:           “Who Am I Supposed to Become?”     4th Sunday of Lent

Theme:            In seeking healing we seek God’s work to give more than freedom from illness, but a gift of wholeness, meaning, and fulfillment of God’s purpose as Christ’s people.

Purpose:          The congregation will examine themselves and seek to know their gifts and abilities for serving Christ as a way of moving beyond focus on illness.

Scriptures:       Psalm 130       I wait for the Lord, through whom comes hope for healing and wholeness.

Mark 2:1-12    Jesus heals the paralytic by forgiving his sins; so that God may be glorified.

Questions:

What gives our lives real meaning? What does it mean to us that our purpose is to “Glorify God and to enjoy relationship with Him?”  How do we work towards our healing and wholeness? In what ways is the process of being healed a spiritual journey? How do we handle times when illness causes us to feel “at war” with our bodies? How do we understand the relationship between our spiritual needs and our physical needs? What does sin have to do with illness?

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Sermon:           “Do You Want to Be Healed?”

Theme:            We need to seek to be as God created us to be, and to live in the fullness of God’s purpose rather than to seek to be what others may want to expect.

Purpose:          The people will understand the importance of opening themselves to God’s direction as they seek healing for themselves and others.

Scriptures:       2 Corinthians 12:7b-10           Paul’s thorn in the flesh, when I am weak, then I am strong.

John 5:2-9a      Jesus heals the man by the pool of Bethesda.

Questions:

Are we open to being healed? Are there reasons that we hold onto the patterns and ways of living that keep us from growing or being transformed in our lives? What role that forgiveness, acceptance, and submission to the will of God play in the healing process? What does unforgiveness, bitterness, hostility, and stubbornness do to our minds, bodies, and spirits?  How do we learn to chose healing over our own sense of control or comfort? What role does the process of healing play in growth to becoming people who are able to serve God? In what ways do our scars become a source of wisdom and strength?

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Sermon:           “A Prayer To Be Made Whole!”

Theme:            Healing is to be given wholeness and balance that enables us to live in the fullness of what God intends.

Purpose:          The congregation will recognize that healing is about fulfillment and being made complete as God created us to be.

Scriptures:       James 5:13-16 The prayers of the elders heal the sick, confession is a part of healing.

Matthew 9:18-26        The woman touched his garment, and Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole.

Questions:

What does it mean to be “whole?” How does this correspond to “Holiness” as understood in the scriptures? How do we feel about ourselves? Do we have areas of our lives and relationships that are not right? Are there things that we would like to submit to God’s care and allow them to be changed? What is our level of faith for God to do a transforming work? What practices and changes do we need to consider in order to be open to healing? Are we healed because of our own capabilities in praying or is healing something that God gives us freely through faith?  How do we begin to open ourselves to experiencing healing?

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Sermon:           “By Scripture Alone”

Theme:            We are nurtured, instructed, and inspired by God’s Word, especially as we preserve the diversity of our fellowship and understanding of the text.

Purpose :          The congregation will understand that various understandings of scripture enable us to know God more fully together.

Scriptures:       2 Timothy 3:10-17       All Scripture is able to instruct and guide.

John 14:25-31  The advocate will instruct and will guide you.

Who is a part of the church?

Questions:

How do we affirm the authority of scripture in our lives? Do we tend to read the bible? What difference does it make to us when people quote scripture? How do we relate to a time when many have ceased to see scripture as having authority? How do we deal with differences of opinion about what scripture means? What can we do to create a strong and healthy understanding of scripture for us today? How do we affirm what unites us while maintaining our own unique perspectives and beliefs?

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