12/15 Title: Do the Good That Is Yours to Do Text: Luke. 3:7-16 Summary: Faith isn't just about lofty ideas or perfect theology; it's about how we live, how we treat others, and how we trust God, however momentous or mundane the moment in our lives Keywords: Joh the Baptist, brood of vipers, snakes in the grass, bluntness, hopes and fears, O Little Town of Bethlehem, repentance, act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God, share, honesty, power, abuse of power, contentment, generosity, integrity, Holy Spirit, alarm clock, caffeine, hope, goodness
12/1 Title: You Are a Blessing Text: Luke. 1:26-38 Summary: To be blessed isn't a promise of comfort or ease, but an invitation to live with purpose, even in difficult times, knowing that God is with us and working through us to bless the world. Keywords: Interesting times, blessed, favored, shine, light, hope, healing, love, blessing
11/24 Title: We Are Co-Creating with God Text: Eph. 4:7-9, 11-16 Summary: As followers of Jesus, we're engaged with God in nothing less than the ongoing act of creation itself. Keywords: creation, Creator, creating, flourishing, accountability, active, ongoing, Michelangelo, The Agony and the Ecstasy, "When will it be finished? When it is finished!", unfinished, Eden shalom, goodness, truth, beauty, together, enjoy the ride
11/17 Title: Fully Inclusive Text: Luke. 10:25-37 Summary: We are a people living into what it means to be fully inclusive children of our fully inclusive God. Keywords: Good Samaritan, Great Commandment, neighbor, Middle East, border policy, Black Lives Matter, Back the Blue, Red State, Blue State, Palestinian, Focus on the Family, victim, judgmental, holier-than-thou, hypocrites, unity without uniformity, diversity, pride, repair
11/10 Title: Restorative Community Text: Is. 32:1-8, 12-13,15-17 Summary: Now is the time to double down on our mission to be a restorative community of Christ's followers. Keywords: 2024 Election, fear, anger, love, compassion, building bridges not walls, divisiveness, unity caste society, inclusivity, culture, restoration, lament, mourning. Spirit, safe place, refuge, welcoming, affirming hospitality, grace, wholeness, peacemakers
11/3 Title: Followers of Jesus Text: Luke 9:23-24 Summary: Being a Christian isn't just about "believing" in Jesus; it's about following Jesus, anchored in his teaching and pursuing his way of life. Keywords: Faith, Jesus, belief, follow, way, wisdom, witness, C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Christian Nationalism, religious affiliation, cultural heritage