Sermon:           “The Gift of Covenant Law”

Theme:            God gave the gift of law that creates boundaries and instructs us in righteousness so that we may learn how to be gracious and loving with one another.

Purpose:          The congregation will reflect on their own commitment to do what is right to all people.

Scriptures:       John 2:13-22   Jesus drives out the moneychangers and proclaims call for faithfulness to God.

Exodus 20:1-17           God gives the law to the people at Mount Sanai.

Practice:          Commitment to our personal mission and purpose.

Questions:

What does it mean to us that the law that governs our life comes from God? In what ways does a lack of belief or trust in authority affect people’s lives? How does our attitude towards the laws of God give us the confidence to be healthy in our relationship with God and with the people around us? In what ways are we changed by our knowledge that God’s commandments will sustain us and be our source for wisdom and joy?  In what ways do we need to focus on our relationship with God in the law and less to legalism or self-justification?

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Sermon:           “If We Are Ready to Follow, Then…”

Theme:            God calls us to fulfillment and purpose through using the gifts and abilities we have entrusted to be in meaningful relationships.

Purpose:          The congregation will examine and consider their call to meaningful relationships and healing.

Scriptures:       Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 The covenant with Abram and Sarai.

Mark 8:31-38  If any want to follow Christ, they must take up their own cross.

Practice:          Confession and recognition of what our regrets.

Questions:

What does it mean to us to be willing to take up our own cross and follow Jesus? In what ways does seeking to have control and stability cause us to lose our meaning in life? In what ways do the risks of faithfulness lead to lasting meaningful relationships? In what ways do the strengths to admit our guilt and errors lead us to be able to move forward in our relationship with God, other people, and sense of our own value? In what ways does our own growth in wisdom, self-differentiation, and spiritual maturity become a gift to the people around us?

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Sermon:           God’s Promises and Love.

Theme:            God’s love is for all people, and God’s desire is for everyone to be reconciled.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to practice love, even for those who are different and often seen as enemies.

Scriptures:       Genesis 9:8-17 The sign of the rainbow as a covenant of grace.

Mark 1:9-15    Jesus is baptized and God bestows his blessing of love, as Jesus seeks to fulfill his work.

Practice:          Offering blessings and acknowledging the needs of others.

Questions:

What difference is there for us that Jesus was affirmed as the “Beloved Son” in whom God is well pleased? What does God speak over us? In what ways do we receive the gift of God’s covenant that all is for our benefit and healing? How can we practice blessing others and recognizing them as in the process of growing in God’s image? How do we get out of seeing people as “problems” or focusing on faults and instead see others as beloved children of God?

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Sermon:           “Seeing Christ Clearly”

Theme:            We open our eyes and hearts to see Christ in new and powerful ways so that we may be open to the work God is doing in our midst.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to know Christ’s presence in the coming week through prayer and openness. Preparation for new commitments for Lent.

Scriptures:       2 Corinthians 4:3-6     Though the gospel is veiled to those who will not receive it, it is our light.

Mark 9:2-9      Jesus is transfigured before the disciples.

Questions:

What does the “Transfiguration” of Christ mean to us? What is it that we see when we learn to trust our “spiritual vision?” In what ways is our sight veiled by lack of belief in God and over focusing upon our fears and uncertainties? What is the vision that we need to find in order to have a vision for the world? What do we see in the people with whom we have differences and struggles when we see them through the vision of Christ’s power and love? In what ways does the knowledge of God’s power and promise give us a light to shine in the darkness?

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Sermon:           “The Strength that Flows from God”

Theme:            God gives us strength and confidence to do the work and will of Christ, loving even those who are struggling and at times hard to love.

Purpose:          We will focus on drawing strength to be loving and serving through our relationship with Christ.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 40:21-31            Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

Mark 1:29-39  Jesus cured many, but then went off to pray.

Questions:

What is our source of strength and confidence to be the people God created us to be? How can we be strengthened and encouraged in order to speak and act with compassion and confidence? How do we find the gift of the knowledge of God that releases us from arrogance, judgment, and personal self-interest?  What does it mean for us to have the strength to support and care for people who have struggled with their own demons and secrets with a gift of God’s loving care?

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Sermon:           “A Message to Change the World”

Theme:            God’s gracious gift is to lift us out of petty living so that we may be part of doing what matters.

Purpose:          The congregation will focus on serving in ways that matter and make a difference in the world.

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 8:1-13   Knowledge puffs up, the grace of God sets free.

Mark 1:21-28  Jesus teaches with surprising authority and power that sets people free.

Questions:

What is it about Jesus’ authenticity and personal relationship with God that gave him the authority to heal and confront evil? In what ways does “knowledge puff up” but “love builds up?” What is it about our own fears of being judged or misunderstood that causes us to judge and make assumptions about others? How can we have a depth of relationship with Christ that gives us the ability to speak words that are healing and encouraging? What “unclean spirits” do we encounter that need a message of renouncing and healing?

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Sermon:           “God’s Interruption”

Theme:            God’s message calls us to a new way of living and sharing Christ’s love to the world.

Purpose:          The congregation will perceive our serving is an opportunity to be transformed in heart and mind.

Scriptures:       Mark 1:14-20  Jesus calls the disciples to “fish” for people.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10           Jonah finally proclaims God’s word and the people respond.

Questions:

What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? In what ways are we called to share Christ with others? In what ways are we like Jonah, resentful when good things happen to people we don’t like? How do we learn to be more favorable to God’s call and direction than to our own resentments and personal feelings?  In what ways are we needing to let go of our attachments and grudges in order to take part in God’s mission?

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Sermon:           “The Story Continues to Begin”

Theme:            We are “re-clothed” by Christ’s coming to take part of bringing a message of healing and transformation to the world.

Purpose:          The congregation will continue the celebration of Christmas as they seek ways to share Christ’s love.

Scriptures:       Isaiah 61:10-62:3         I will rejoice in the Lord, and clothe in salvation to celebrate a new gift of righteousness.

Luke 2:22-40   Jesus is dedicated at the temple, prophesy is made for his transforming role.

Questions:

After all of the presents are unwrapped and the Christmas frenzy is over, what is it we want for God to give to us in Christ’s coming? What do we need to hear God speak to us of promises of healing and transformation? What changes are the gifts of forgiveness and transformation going to bring to us? Now that God has given us new life and peace, what needs to be taken out of our closet and given away? What things are cluttering up our ability to receive the gift of Christ’s presence in new ways?

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Sermon:  “Everything is Different Today”

Theme:    To receive the message of Christ’s presence we need to allow Jesus to change us and enable us to take part in changing the world.

Purpose:  The congregation will be open to the power of God’s love transforming us and the world.

Scriptures:   Titus 3:4-7 Christ saved us through his mercy and transforms us.

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word – Jesus is the light of the world.

Questions:

Do we see Christ in the light of Advent or are we focusing on the glitter and distractions of the season? As Advent comes to a close are we preparing our hearts for something new and transforming? What would we like to receive in our hearts for this Christmas? What would we like to experience in terms of healing or release with the coming of Christ? What parts of our lives have continued to be in darkness that have been waiting for the light to come? Can we share the light of Christ with someone who is particularly in need of hope, encouragement, or love?

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Sermon:  “The Power of Light Over Darkness”

Theme:  We participate in the light of Christ that overwhelms and transforms the world, a power that is greater than we can imagine.

Purpose: We learn to be part of the light rather than focus on what we can do ourselves.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, the Lord loves justice and shall bring righteousness upon the earth.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 John testified to the light, and his message was a message of hope and judgment.

Questions:

Do we welcome the gift of light in the midst of our darkness or are we preferring to keep our eyes closed and stay asleep? What do we need to release and put to an end in order to be healthy and joyful in this Advent season? What is Christ inviting us to rebuild or set aside? Have was come to appreciate the light of Christ or are we hoping to keep things pretty much as they were before? Have we accepted the authority of God’s instruction or are we hoping to keep God in the role of an advisor, making suggestions rather than instructions?  What is God inviting us to begin doing or changing in this Advent season?

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Sermon:           “On God’s Time”

Theme:            We are confident in God’s love and care and out of that are able to be present and to do God’s work in the midst of anxious times.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to find confidence through practicing trust and prayer.

Scriptures:       2 Peter 3:8-15 Waiting – the Lord’s time is not our time.  Be found at peace and patient.

Mark 1:1-8      The appearance of John the Baptist.

Questions:

What difference does our time of preparation make for us? How wise are we in using our time to prepare our hearts and open our lives up to God’s healing? In what ways are we slow to let go of our unholy thinking and meaningless hostility? How are we failing to let go of past resentments, empty grudges, and hostility whose time has long past? Can we celebrate Christ’s coming by offering healing or forgiveness to one person in particular this Advent?

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Sermon:           “The King of Love”

Theme:            Those who are submitted to Christ will share God’s love with those who they meet (who are all God’s children.

Purpose:          To rededicate to serving Christ by serving the people around us.

Scriptures:       Ephesians 1:15-23       With the eyes of your hearts enlightened, we submit to the power and authority of God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 25:31-46      The parable of the separating of the sheep from the goats.

Questions:

When are we welcoming Christ? What does it mean to us to recognize Christ in those who are hungry, naked, a stranger, and in prison? What is our call as Christians to learn how to put love into action? What does it mean to know the power of Jesus in his glory through serving those who are in need of peace? How do we put this real power to work? What do we need to do in order to be servants of Christ the King?

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