Sermon: “Time to Get Started”
Theme: Discipleship is the path to wholeness and joy, but requires the ongoing commitment that requires sacrifices of our ego that opens the door to growing.
Purpose: The congregation will recognize the need to shift from focusing on their negativity and instead surrender to the gift of God’s renewal.
Scriptures: Luke 9:57-62 – Those who were going to follow but were not ready to pay the cost.
Romans 13:8-14 Owe no one except to love one another; wake from sleep.
Questions:
What difference does it make if we are disciples? What is it that we really want out of our relationship with Christ? Why is it that many do not see a benefit of being a Christian? What is the relationship between sacrifice and spiritual growth? How is it that many of us seem to encounter the same issues and challenges repeatedly? What can we do to move forward and actually encounter God’s presence in our lives? What can we do to make today different from the past?

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Sermon: “Welcoming the Unwelcome”
Theme: As we see Christ in others it transforms us into the body of Christ that can heal and transform others.
Purpose: To bring the series to a close with a commitment to be a body of Christ who practice love and hospitality with all people.
Scriptures: Luke 15:1-10 Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors, rejoicing in salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 We no longer regard anyone from a human point of view.

Questions:
What are we really willing to sacrifice in order to extend hospitality? What difference it really make when we offer hospitality, especially in challenging situations? In what ways was Jesus an “unwelcome guest?” In what ways is Jesus too demanding? In what ways does Christianity expect too much of us? How do we grow to where we can joyfully and lovingly offer hospitality, even when it is a sacrifice? How does growing in the ability to be gracious, welcoming, and kind change us as a church? In what ways does it change our ability to share Christ’s love with the world?

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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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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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