Sermons on rooted in grace (Page 15)
Spirit
Worship this morning invited the Spirit to guide us in responding to the strengthening of restrictions on LGBTQIA people at this week’s legislative gathering of the United Methodist Church in St. Louis and the District Attorney’s decision regarding the killing of Stephon Clark. Paul writes, “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4.1). What bold faith might the Spirit be stirring in us?
Bitters
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 6.27-38. In these verses, Jesus calls those who listen to love their enemies. While we can’t will ourselves into this kind of craft faith, God is already mixing us into a beloved community. Matt reflects on bitters with local craft bartenders and holds these learnings in conversation with Luke 6 and the special legislative gathering of the United Methodist Church in St. Louis this week.
Heart/Feeling Triad (2, 3, 4)
Pastor Matt’s message is rooted in John 2.1-11 & invites reflection the the Heart/Feeling Triad (2, 3, 4) from the Enneagram. Our worship series draws on Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile’s The Road Back to You. Here is a link to information on the book.
Gut/Anger Triad (8, 9, 1)
Pastor Linda’s message is rooted in Luke 3.15-17, 21-22 & invites reflection the the Gut/Anger Triad (8, 9, 1) from the Enneagram. Our worship series draws on Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile’s The Road Back to You. Here is a link to information on the book.
Enneagram (Overview)
Linda’s message is rooted in Matthew 2.1-12 & introduces our worship series called “You: The Enneagram as a Catalyst for Knowing & Transforming You.” Our worship series draws on Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile’s The Road Back to You. Here is a link to information on the book.
Cast Party
Matt’s message is rooted in Luke 2.41-52.
11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve
Linda’s message for 11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve is rooted in John 1.1-14.
5pm Candlelight Christmas Eve
Matt’s Christmas Eve message for our 5pm candlelight worship at The Table is rooted in Luke 2.1-14.
Polishing Rehearsal
Polishing rehearsals are specifically held for the purpose of correcting problems that occurred in previous run-throughs. Actors and directors must discern what to do given certain challenges that have arisen throughout rehearsals. Similarly, John the Baptist is calling everyone around him to “correct problems” that have arisen in their life together. The people ask John what they should do and he replies with concrete next steps. What might we learn for our lives today from the ancient call by John the…
Read Through
Actors in a play read through the entire script in order to prepare. Similarly, the Christian calendar calls followers of Jesus to read through the entire script of the Good News as a way of preparing our hearts and minds for God-with-us, Emmanuel. Jesus calls his followers to “watch” and “stay awake” amidst the distress of the nations (Luke 21.25-36) near the end of his life. Our socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges are different today, but we find ourselves unquestionably in…
The F-Word
The F-Word is at the heart of Christianity. Matt’s message is rooted in Peter’s experience of a dark night that began began apocalyptically and then got worse (Luke 22). Peter betrayed the very center of who he said he wanted to be. Peter f’ed. What might the f-word have to teach us about following Jesus today?
No. No. No. No. No.
Linda’s message invites reflection on Peter’s call to follow Jesus (Luke 5.1-11). Our worship series, Failing Forward, holds our lives in conversation with the “Failure Resume” developed by Peter throughout the New Testament. Ultimately, Jesus would chose to build the church upon Peter. What might we learn from Peter’s story as we seek to follow Jesus today?