This third week of our series (“It’s the End of the World As We Know It”), we come to two very different viewpoints on the same story. As we think about what the future holds, what do we think it will be like? Does the current state of the world and our country make us feel hope or dread? In scripture, we consider God’s dream of a peaceable Kingdom in Isaiah alongside Jesus’ disturbing words in Luke about the destruction of the sacred temple and more. Jesus never promises that following Him will ensure a smooth and stress-free life, but He does promise that God has a bigger plan, and that we are a part of it!
11/10/2024: Skipping to the End
In this second week of this series (“It’s the End of the World as We Know It….And I Feel Fine”), we continue to examine apocalyptic scriptures and consider how we behave when life feels like everything is coming apart. I wonder how many of you remember the Left Behind series from the 1990’s fictionally describing in terrifying detail how it would be to experience the Rapture and the End Times. Human beings have always wanted a timeline and a strategy for times of fear and upheaval. What we really want is to skip to the end; we struggle to live in the present uncertainty, and part of how we cope is to try to speculate when and how this story will end. But we live in the times of in-between. Jesus tells us that “no one knows the day or the hour”. How can we live in the present in moments like these? What is our call in such times? What is the role of believers and the Church? Let us not hide under the covers, but allow this apocalypse (literally “uncovering”) to show us new things about ourselves and new paths forward.
11/03/2024: It’s the End of the World as We Know It…
NOVEMBER SERMON SERIES:
It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)
In a world caught up in a negative news cycle, the texts that speak to hopelessness, fear, and even the close of history can teach us much about remaining faithful in difficult times. These are not the scriptures that are cross-stitched on our walls, but they do invite us to seek the presence of God in all things. When the world seems out of control, we trust the road Christ walks with us.
WEEK 1: The work of waiting —God is at work in the dark places, even when we cannot see it. Even in Election week!
10/27/2024: GeneroUS Gratitude (Stewardship Pledge Sunday)
This final week of our brief stewardship campaign culminates in Pledge Sunday. In this sermon series, we have been thinking about the things that motivate us to be generous—to give of our time, talent and treasure to a particular cause or community. At COA, what motivate us to be generous is US! And in this final week, we will think about how gratitude connects to giving; how does being grateful impact our willingness to give back? One of the things we are most thankful for as Christians is our inclusion in the promises and salvation of God. We have been adopted into God’s chosen family, and God’s love is now ours forever! How does that spur us on to create a world with more inclusion and unconditional love?
10/20/2024: GeneroUS Trust (Stewardship Week 2)
This second week of our brief stewardship campaign focuses on the role of trust in inspiring our generosity. In a community like a church, we have to trust each other; that everyone is giving the best of whatever they have (whatever that may look like with life’s limitations). We have to trust God that even what may feel like too little can be used towards abundant life for all. That is what God wills for every one of us! In this service, we will not only think about trust and generosity, but you will get the opportunity to hear from your Generosity Elder Noel Wagner (in word AND song!)