This week in our series, we consider how things that we largely are taught to be negative (limitations and failure) can actually save us; they can increase our humility, our creativity, and our acknowledgement of our interdependence within community. They can help to mitigate some of our harshest divisions because they can lead us into an open mind, admitting where we may not be right about everything. How can people of faith model an honest assessment of their limitations and a playful spirit of experimentation that may include success and failure? Perhaps if we can build our comfort with these things, we can rebuild a culture of dialogue, cooperation and REAL unity!
9/8/2024: HOLY DISUNITY WEEK 2: Argument and Separation
Today in Church is Rally Sunday where we “rally the troops” and restart many of our programs like Sunday School, Youth Group, our musical programs and more! It is also a day when we welcome four new members to our church family. What a celebration!
We continue on in this Fall sermon series called “Holy Disunity”, considering today how argument and separation can actually be used for our good; perhaps they can sometimes even save our relationships? Maybe our problem is not the fact that we have conflict, but how we address that conflict. What are our goals? What values drive HOW we argue? Do we know when to take a time out? Can we trust God to move in the hearts and minds of our so-called opponents (who also maybe happen to be people we love)? Do we trust God to move in our OWN hearts and minds? We do not need to be afraid of these things. We can grow stronger by working them through with God’s help!
9/1/2024: Holy Disunity: NEW SERMON SERIES
Today we jump into our first sermon series for Fall! The description for the series is below and today we begin with thinking about the value of difference (does it always have to be something that drives us apart) and the value of tension (sometimes friction and agitation is necessary for movement in a new direction).
FALL SERMON SERIES (9/1-9/22):
Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us
These days, there’s no dirtier word than “divisive,” especially in religious and political circles. Claiming a controversial opinion, talking about our differences, even sharing our doubts can be seen as threatening to the goal of unity. But what if, in a world created with such astounding diversity, unity shouldn’t be our goal?
What if our primary calling instead is to seek authentic relationship with God, ourselves, one another, and the world around us? And what if that means actively engaging those with whom we disagree. Our religious, political, social, and cultural differences can create doubt and tension, but disunity also provides surprising gifts of perspective and grace.
This series is informed and inspired by the book of the same name by PCUSA Pastor and writer Layton Williams.
8/25/2024: Rest is Resistance FINAL WEEK: New Creation!
This final week of our series on Sabbath examines how God wills a rhythm of rest for absolutely all of creation, even beyond human beings! This means that our stewardship of this earth connects to our sabbath practices. This is a full circle moment! God rested after “working” at creation, and now creation participates in all things being made new! Together, we will consider all that we have learned about rest and areas where God might be calling us next to share this sabbath blessing with the world.
8/18/2024: Rest is Resistance WEEK 4: Building Capacity to Make Change
This week we consider what role rest plays in movements for justice, peace and social change. How does this God-given rhythm of rest and work empower us to make this world what it was meant to be? Where are areas of life where rest is considered a luxury? Who are the people who are bowed down in exhaustion? And what role should the church play in ensuring that sabbath is truly a gift for all people?