Sermon:           God’s Overwhelming Presence.

Theme:            We are healed and transformed by the power of God’s presence and awe, so that we may choose to follow a new path of wholeness and peace.

Purpose:          We will examine the gifts of awe and the power of God as we experience them in our lives.

Scriptures:       Exodus 24:12-18         The glory of God’s power is shown to Moses and Israel.

                        Matthew 17:1-9          The story of the transfiguration, and the call to listen to Christ.

Questions:

What is the difference between experiencing the awe and wonder of God’s presence and being entertained or excited about an event? What purpose does the Transfiguration play in our relationship with Jesus? What does it mean to see Jesus differently? What influence does the power of God and wonder in God’s glory have in our ability to thoughtful and wise Christians? How does acknowledging God’s greatness and Jesus’ divinity cause us to see ourselves in a different perspective?

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Sermon:           The Law of Humility and Kindness.

Theme:            We cannot know God’s instruction outside of an attitude of humility and kindness.

Purpose:          We will re-examine our understanding of the law and teachings of God in light of the need for compassion and humility.

Scriptures:       Deuteronomy 30:15-20          God has promised that if we follow God’s law we will experience wholeness and prosperity.

                        Matthew 5:21-37        The laws of God require humility and compassion in order to be fulfilled in God’s new Kingdom.

Questions:

What does it mean for us to control our anger? How does our anger, lust, and insecurity interfere with our relationship with God and our relationships with the people around us? What practices do we need to learn so that we have a healthy relationship with our anger and ability to be honest with others? Why has the world become so prone to hostile outbreaks, insults, and falsehoods? What does the way in which people treat others (created in the image of God) do to our perceptions of God? What entices us to follow after false God’s of wealth, power, influence, or security?

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Theme:            Our relationship with God and with one another in the church is dependent on our taking part in sharing the love and grace of God rather than focusing on our control or getting our way.

Purpose:          The congregation will consider their particular role of ministry versus falling into distractions.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 9:1-4  God will shine a light to all people which will lead to hope and celebration.

Matthew 4:12-23        Jesus calls the disciples to be “fishers of men.”

Questions:

Why did the disciples choose to follow Jesus? What does it mean for us to follow Jesus and to be a disciple? How does our need to serve God by using our particular gifts affect our relationships with Christ and with other Christians? How does our need to offer light into darkness differ from proselytizing or telling people what to believe? What is the joy of serving God (isn’t it work)?  How do we enter into a relationship in which we are part of the light rather than serving obligations to do work for God?

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Theme:            God’s love is a present strength to all those who open their hearts to the loving kindness and compassion that God wants to share through us to all people.

Purpose:          The Congregation will examine and open themselves in their trust in God’s loving care for them.

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 1:1-9     God knows you and has promised to strengthen you.

                        John 1:29-42   Jesus’ call of his disciples knowing their strengths and weaknesses.

Questions:

What does it really mean that God loves us? Does God really know what we need or is God too distant from us to be able to know much about us? How do we perceive God’s nature as far as being present and caring? What strength do we gain through trusting in God’s love and knowledge for us? Do we trust that God can know us and accept us? How do we deal with our feelings of guilt and fear that separate us from God?

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Theme:            We are renewed by the promise that God’s love will sustain us and keep us close.

Purpose:          The congregation will find confidence through God’s love and approval for every one of us.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 42:1-9    God will give light to the covenant people and keep them safe.

                        Matthew 3:13-17        Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan – God identifies Jesus as blessed and love.

Questions:

What does our baptism mean to us now that we are grown up and older? How does our baptism continue to be a source of new life? If Jesus was sinless what does his baptism mean for us? What is the difference between God sending Jesus to stand with sinners and God being a punishing judge? How does the love and compassion of Jesus enable us to grow in our faith? What does it mean to worship Christ who was humble and accepting of people who were flawed and challenged?

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Theme:            God’s light is the gift of experiencing the will of God which brings healing and peace to all who will receive him.

Purpose:          The congregation will experience awareness of God’s love for all people.

Scriptures:     Ephesians 1:3-14          The plan of God is for all to experience wholeness and salvation.

                       John 1:1-18       The Word of God, came into the world, and for all who will receive him gives the power to know eternal life.

Questions:

What does it mean to us that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us?” What is the wisdom or knowledge that comes to us through Christ Jesus being the “Light shining in the darkness?” How do people experience that light? What is the darkness in which people dwell? What does it mean to set our hope on Christ? How do we experience the light in a way that gives us hope when things are difficult?

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We will have one worship service on December 29th, 2019.


Pastor Darren Beachy Preaching.

First Reading: Psalm 132

Second Reading: Matthew 1:1-17

The Notorious and the Nobodies in Jesus’ Lineage

Abstract:

Jesus’ lineage includes many people whom we would consider sex offenders, murders and downright evil people. Yet, without the notorious there would be no Christmas. Jesus’ linage also includes a lot of nobodies who only appear once in the Bible and that is in the linage of Jesus according to Matthew. Yet, without the nobodies there would be no Christmas. We may have the same type of people in our lineage yet if we live for Christ in our daily lives we too can bring Jesus into someone’s world.