Theme:            Meaningless conflicts, disrespect, and broken relationships are signs of immaturity and a lack of submission to Christ. Christians instead practice behaviors that support healthy family relationships.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to support discipleship practices in their family.

Scriptures:       2 Timothy 1:1-14         Do not be ashamed of the testimony of God; a faith that Timothy received through his grandmother and mother.

                        Luke 17:5-10   Faithfulness creates faithfulness.

Questions:

How is our relationship with Christ reflected in our family and other close relationships? In what ways does our knowledge of God enhance and enable us to be healthy and joyful in our relationships? In what ways are conflicts and family issues a result of failing to practice healthy forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and grace? In what ways do family struggles arise from other issues and problems that our faith and practice do not enable us to address well? How does our relationship with God assist us in those times of irreconcilable conflicts?

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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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Sermon:           I Believe in the resurrection and Judgment.  

Theme:            We believe in God’s justice and that our choices whether to follow Christ’s love or our own selfish ego determines whether we experience grace or an absence of God’s presence.   

Purpose:          To help the congregation understand judgment and responsibility as a part of our relationship with God and the world around us.               

Scriptures:       John 14:1-5, 25-27      Jesus offers peace to the disciples through the promise of the resurrection.

                        1 Thessalonians 4:13-18         We do not grieve as those who have no hope.

Questions:

Is there really a Hell? Will Jesus really send people to hell or is it like threatening to send us to bed without dinner? Does he judge us? Are there bigger sins than others? When we ask for forgiveness is our slate clean?  Is there a way to hack in and see our score cards? What does it mean for us that we believe that some people are judged? Can we believe in righteousness and justice if we don’t believe in hell? How are people responsible for their own judgment? What does it mean to us that “hell” is the absence of the presence of God’s love?

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Sermon:           I Believe in the Historical Jesus          

Theme:            As we affirm Jesus’ and experiences we are more open to our own humanity and needs as we grow closer to God.    

Purpose:          The congregation will consider their own humanity as a gift from God.      

Scriptures:       Acts 4:8-12, 23-31       Peter and John speak before the Council speaking of the historical fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

                        1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul gives testimony to the historical experience of Christ Jesus.

Questions:

What is the real proof that Jesus did exist? Is there any proof that the bible is legit? Does the history really matter or is it just about the story? Where is Jesus now? How does a historical Jesus affect our perceptions of God acting in the world today? How do we understand the “reality” of God’s intervention today, because of the way God acted in the birth of Jesus in the world? How do we deal with the areas where we are less certain in Jesus’ history?

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Sermon:           I Believe in the Holy Spirit      

Theme:            We open our hearts and minds to participating with God’s work through God’s presence within our hearts and minds, inspiring and leading us.

Purpose:          The congregation will expand their perception of the Holy Spirit as a constant presence in our lives.

Scriptures:       Acts 2:1-4, 16-21         The Holy Spirit fulfills the prophecy of the prophet Joel.

                        John 20:19-23 Jesus breathes upon the disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit.

Questions:

Is he a friendly ghost? What’s up with all of the “speaking in tongues” stuff? Why can’t the Holy Spirit be more direct with us? What difference the Holy Spirit make in our lives in practical ways? How do we relate to God being present within us? How does the Holy Spirit empower us with spiritual gifts? How can we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us?

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Sermon:           I Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Begotten Son.           

Theme:            We believe in Jesus as God’s gift of love to share with us relationship with God.   

Purpose:          The congregation will appreciate the love of God for humanity in Christ.   

Scriptures:       Luke 1:26-38   Jesus is born to the virgin Mary.

                        John 3:16-21   God sent the son into the world to save the world.

Questions:

What is “begotten?” Is there a “c”gotten? When did Jesus know that he was “special?” When was Jesus actually born (was he around before he was born)? What does it mean that Jesus is uniquely begotten of God? What is our relationship with God through Jesus? What does it mean that God sent Jesus to the world out of love? How do we relate to the story of the virgin Mary? Does it matter whether we believe in the virgin birth of Jesus?

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