Christians Serving, Learning, and Loving
Sermon: “A Sacrifice of Hospitality”
Theme: Maturity in Christ draws us into seeing other’s needs and to make sacrifices on their behalf.
Purpose: The congregation will seek to set aside their “rights” and “privileges” in order to share Christ.
Scriptures: Matthew 10:40-42 Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 To the Gentiles I became a gentile – all for the gospel.
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Rev. Claudio Carvalhaes will be preaching.
A much sought after speaker, writer, performer, and consultant, Carvalhaes preached at the Festival of Homiletics, and The Art of Preaching in the 21st Century, at Candler School of Theology. He preached at “Faith and Politics in the Public Square” by Third Institute for Faith and Public Life, at Princeton Theological Seminary;“ “Faith, Race, and Politics”, The Tipple-Vosburgh Lecture Series, Drew Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Youth Triennium in 2013 and led worship and offered a seminar at the Hispanic Summer Program in 2013 in San Antonio.
He has published articles, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, on the relation between globalization, immigration, multiculturalism and post-colonial theologies/liturgies, worship, arts, and the Christian faith.
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Message “Oats and Sawdust” by Rev. Paul Zoschke
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We will also hear from our Mission Trip participants.
Sermon: “Spontaneous Acts of Kindness”
Theme: By living in Christ’s love and practicing Jesus’ teachings of forgiveness, Christians develop an orientation towards reaching out in kindness and spontaneous acts of grace that make a difference in lives.
Purpose: The congregation will understand that there is a goal
Scriptures: Luke 8:43b-48 Jesus heals the woman with the blood.
1 Corinthians 13 Love is patient, love is kind.
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Sermon: “Hospitality to the Earth”
Theme: Christians see the earth and land as a precious gift from God and respond to the land with love and compassion.
Purpose: The congregation will grow in commitment to caring for the earth and will be more unified in concern for sustainable living.
Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-2:3 God created humanity to be responsible and to create balance.
Psalm 8:1-9 Humanity created as a part of the glory of all creation.
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Sermon: “Breaking Bread With Our Enemies”
Theme: Mature Christians grow stronger and wiser through making peace where there has been conflict and grow in forgiveness through practicing love which heals conflict.
Purpose: The congregation will commit to practicing forgiveness and forgiving those with whom they have been in conflict.
Scriptures: Matthew 5:39-48 – Do not resist evil, Romans 12:17-21 Overcome evil with good. Psalm 23:4-5 The Lord prepares a table before us with our enemies.
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Sermon: “Being a Merciful Neighbor”
Theme: Relationship with neighbors are a spiritual practice of openness and acceptance while continuing to be concerned and supportive of those who are near us.
Purpose: The congregation will link their prayers and faith with how they treat the people they see every day.
Scriptures: Romans 15:1-7 Welcome your neighbor, bear with their weakness.
Luke 10:25-37 – who is my neighbor, the story of the Samaritan.
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Commission Mission Team
Sermon: “Respect and Appreciation for Those Closest to Us”
Theme: The discipline of healthy respect grows our ability to be healthy in our family relationships as we grow and change through the years.
Purpose: The congregation will affirm the disciplines of respect and hospitality rather than taking family for granted.
Scriptures: Ephesians 5:21, 6:1-9 Children obey parents, powerful care for less powerful.
Matthew 18:1-6 “Who is the greatest?” Jesus says to welcome the child.
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Sermon: “As You Love Yourself”
Theme: We develop a relationship of love and compassion for others that flows from our intimate knowledge of God.
Purpose The congregation will link self-care with caring for others and be strengthened in their relationship with God.
Scriptures: Mark 12:28-34 Love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:13-18 You were called to the freedom of living with love for your neighbor.
Questions:
What does it mean to practice hospitality to ourselves? Is it selfish to provide space for our own needs and health? When we talk about loving “Our neighbor as ourselves” what does loving our self require? How do we know when we are being honest about caring for ourselves and when we are being selfish? What does healthy hospitality for ourselves require? What is the result of providing healthy space and care for ourselves?
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Sermon: “Opening the Door to God”
Theme: Setting aside traditions and religious practices we focus on the relationship that God is asking to have with us.
Purpose: The congregation will recommit themselves to a relationship which welcomes God’s love and presence in their lives.
Scriptures: Revelation 3:17-22 I stand at the door and knock, God’s discipline is to love.
John 6:41-58 I am the bread of life, receiving Christ.
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