Christmas Eve |
Great Expectation
November 29, December 6, 13, 20, 2015 Advent is the time of expectation leading to the birth of Jesus. Sermons will focus on the themes of each Sunday (Peace, Love, Joy, Hope) and lead toward the birth. In this series, we will explore how God's Kingdom is realized in the birth of Christ and how the Spirit of God is born in each of us because of the life of Jesus. God exceeds human expectations through his birth as a human, making our lives so much more than they ever could have been without his presence. |
One Kingdom
October 18, 25, November 1, 8, 2015 As we move to the end of ordinary time we approach Christ the King Sunday (the last Sunday before Advent) and want to develop the idea of the now-but-not-yet kingdom. Sermons will look at different views of the reign of God and what it means to have the kingdom of God open. Rev. Dr. Howard Snyder helps us to identify eight different views of Heaven generally describing how different groups of Christians perceive Heaven. We will be looking toward the end time and the supreme reign of God and how we should look at life today in light of what the future may hold. |
Missional Life
September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 2015 This series will address the missional aspects of the Scripture and how we are called to be in mission. Sermons will address major concepts of freeing people from oppression and social holiness topics. Intent is for people to realize Wesley's comment regarding social holiness (there is no holiness but social holiness). A missional life is biblical and necessary - even when we think we are too old to go on missions now. |
Purified
August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 13, 2015 Sermons will address the process of being made holy and what purification means to modern Christians. Topics of defilement, pride, and temptation will be addressed as recurring stumbling blocks. The Bible teaches that we are made unclean by what we take in, not by what comes out. God makes us pure, freed from sin, yet our human nature finds ways to sin again. We will wrestle with the art of leading an evangelistic Christian lifestyle in a world in which everyone seems to be looking out for themselves. |
Communion
July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2015 This is a four week series on Holy Communion. We will celebrate Communion each week in both services. Sermons will progress through each of the four views of Communion (Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Substantiation, Memorialist). In the Eucharist persons encounter the risen Christ and receive God's grace. John Wesley viewed the Lord's Supper as a means of Grace and calls all persons to celebrate Communion as often as possible. |
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In touch
May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 2015 Ordinary time is the season of growth and puts us in touch with God as we examine the birth, life, and death. This first part of Ordinary time has us looking at God as the Trinity and then at God at work in our lives (God's grace). Sermons focused on these aspects, so people heard that God is in touch with them and that they too can be in touch with God. Unlike the festival seasons, there is no culminating holiday to which we are building up, but in these weeks we wanted to emphasize God's touch in our lives even during routine living. |
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Pentecost
Pentecost stands somewhat by itself between Easter time and Ordinary time as the birthday of the church through the conversion in the marketplace. Its emphasis is on the movement of the Holy Spirit. |
Easter
April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 2015
Easter swings from the confusion of Resurrection morning to the confidence and celebration of the Ascension. We begin with confusion and hurt of Jesus' death at the beginning of the service. Sunrise service emphasizes the confusion, morning services focus more on the recognition of the resurrection. Throughout Easter we are reminded of the salvation restored through Jesus' death and resurrection. It is essential to grasp that Jesus died for our sins and God forgave us. The Resurrection is the evidence of God's conquest of death to sin and new life through relationship with him.
April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 2015
Easter swings from the confusion of Resurrection morning to the confidence and celebration of the Ascension. We begin with confusion and hurt of Jesus' death at the beginning of the service. Sunrise service emphasizes the confusion, morning services focus more on the recognition of the resurrection. Throughout Easter we are reminded of the salvation restored through Jesus' death and resurrection. It is essential to grasp that Jesus died for our sins and God forgave us. The Resurrection is the evidence of God's conquest of death to sin and new life through relationship with him.
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Lent - On the Road
February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2015 The larger concept of Lent is moving away from the temptations of the world and toward the glory of God (the Kingdom). Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem amidst a celebration of his arrival (the triumphant entrance). We move through the season of Lent to triumphant entrance into the Kingdom of God by divesting ourselves of the things of this world and focusing on Jesus. |