October 2022 at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz, as we seek to be faithful to God by being fully inclusive.  We have open hearts, open minds, and open doors.  Join us as we deepen our resolve to share love generously.  This is a time for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and the world as we grow deeply in our faith. 

Join us as we seek to build relationships with spiritual depth, reaching out to the world.    

We remain committed to offering a healthy and safe ministry in the midst of this COVID Pandemic, offering Hybrid Worship and Hybrid/Zoom Small Groups.  Check out our website for the latest information, and “Like Us” on Facebook!  

Rainbow Cross

Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey,you are welcome to grow with us.

October 2nd – World Communion – Luke 17:5-7

Ice Cream Social
Photo courtesy of Joseph Jacobs

We welcome Jon Visitation, Spiritual Care Counselor for Hospice of Santa Cruz County.  We look forward to engaging with Jon’s message, “Leftovers Anyone?”.  Our focus will be on God asking us to always look forward, be visionary, be creative.  Jesus uses the “leftover” stories of his day to powerfully reach out to others in our time. 

Come and feast this day!

October 9th – Luke 17:11-19

We begin a three-week focus on planning for ministry in 2023.

Today’s focus is on Faithful Mercy.  This parable is about healing.  Healing can be about mercy.  Like so many spiritual gifts, mercy is “unwarranted”; so very unexpected!  When have you experienced mercy in your life?  Are you in a spiritual place to offer that kind of mercy to others?

Faithful Mercy

October 16th – Luke 18:1-8

This image is entitled “Persistence in Pursuit of Justice: A Feminist Interpretation”; artist unknown

Today we focus on Faithful Persistence.  Do you find yourself sticking with something even when you find yourself struggling?  Do you find yourself giving up…or perhaps giving yourself time to find another way to address the situation?  Do you ask for help, or do you rely solely on your own abilities?  Becoming spiritually aware/savvy can make all the difference in the world!  Becoming “aware” is a process.  Take time for prayer and spiritual development … answers come! come!

October23rd – Luke 8:9-14

Today we focus on Faithful Sharing.  We live in a culture in which we compare ourselves to others.  We judge others and ultimately judge ourselves.  Are we worthy?  Are our neighbors worthy?  We do not have to judge!  We can share our giftedness without being diminished.  Come share your gifts from God from a spiritual place of humbleness.  What gift(s) do you bring?  Be prayerful and mindful as you gratefully share!

Stonehenge in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire England

October 30th – Luke 19:1-10

Blessing of the Animals

As we celebrate the Blessing of the Animals, we are also called to be mindful of “seeing Jesus”.  For Zacchaeus, “seeing Jesus” literally meant having to climb a tree in order to “see”.  No matter our size or our motivation, we are invited to come and be a part of the empowering ministry of Jesus.  God sees the very center of our being, where we are invited to grow and share God’s grace!  We are all part of God’s Beloved Community!  What a reforming thought!  Share this Good News!

May we find the welcoming place of God as we invite others to share in this journey of the Spirit!

September 2022 at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz, as we seek to be faithful to God by being fully inclusive.  We have open hearts, open minds, and open doors.  Join us as we deepen our resolve to share love generously.  This is a time for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and the world as we grow deeply in our faith. 

Join us as we Worship in September.    

We remain committed to offering a healthy and safe ministry in the midst of this COVID Pandemic, offering Hybrid Worship and Hybrid/Zoom Small Groups.  Check out our website for the latest information, and “Like Us” on Facebook!  Donate to the Kentucky Flood Relief via Pay Pal on our website.  

Rainbow Cross

Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

September 4th – Communion – Jeremiah 18:1-11

Potter

Imagine yourself being shaped by the Beloved into the best possible human being!!!  How are you shaping up to be the spiritual image God intended?  Work with God to help shape the broken pieces of our world into a beautiful mosaic of loving possibilities!  Help address the atrocities of our current age . . . and bring to completion what God envisioned for the world . . .

September 11th – Luke 15:1-10

Imagine being able to reimage the world after ‘The Fall’ (i.e. 911).  How might you be imaging the world since that time?  How are you being the change you desire to experience in the world?  Are you finding joy by sweeping away the destructive nature of our current world evils . . . and finding your passion for the lost and broken realities we are living?  Join with others to creation a celebrate of a world restored!

Lamp

September 18th – Luke 16:1-13

Tree

Imagine yourself as one of the characters in this parable.  Remember that each character, like us, has a redeeming side and a shadow side!  Do you find yourself serving two masters . . . and who are they?  What are the changes you are willing to make to become “spiritually solid” . . . and how will you help make the necessary changes in our world that will welcome grace?   

September 25th – Luke 16:19-31

Imagine yourself once again as a character in this parable.  Whom do you identify most?  Are you leading with your spiritual senses, and practicing your faith from the very depths of your soul?  Are you working to have your ego be ‘less onery’, and allowing your spiritual light to shine?  Practice peace.

Elephant and Friend

May we find the welcoming place of God as we invite others to share in this journey of the Spirit!

August 2022 at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz, as we seek to be faithful to God by being fully inclusive.  We have open hearts, open minds, and open doors.  Join us as we deepen our resolve to share love generously.  This is a time for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and the world as we grow deeply in our faith. 

Join us as we Worship in August.    

We remain committed to offering a healthy and safe ministry in the midst of this COVID Pandemic, offering Hybrid Worship and Hybrid/Zoom Small Groups.  Check out our website for the latest information, and “Like Us” on Facebook!  Donate to the Kentucky Flood Relief via Pay Pal on our website.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

August 7th – Communion

Rainbow Cross
Open Hands

Luke 14:1, 7-14 invites us to ‘live humbly’.  What are the ways you live a humble life?  Do you open your hands in a stance of welcome . . . open to being filled?  Are you inviting your associates to live simply, so that others may simply live?  May we be ‘imitators of Jesus’ who welcomes those who are struggling to have a life of wholeness. . . .

August 14th

Isaiah 5:1-7 invites us to ‘sing a love song’ to God by being an example to others.  Are you a person of justice . . . so that one day we may faithfully respond to the cry of distress?!  Lynn Gill shares this painting of Tree to Tree: Sing Me A Song from Isaiah; Light of Nations Series.  Be the Light of God. . . .

Be the Light of God

August 21st

Share what you have

Luke 12:32-40 invites us to “fear not”! We are invited to share what we have and be in faithful ministry with those who are in need.  Be the lamp that burns brightly, ready to respond.  We have nothing to lose by sharing what God has so generously shared with us . . . .

Join us after worship for a short presentation from our leadership after worship about responding to our financial stewardship

August 28th

Jesus, according to Luke 13:10-17, shares willingness his ability to be a part of God’s healing ministry.  Jesus invites us to be prayerful concerned for the care of others . . . to affirm God’s loving vision, and to participate in helping to cure the brokenness of our world.  We are so in need of God’s healing touch!  Rejoice in being a healer as God’s Amazing Grace . . . .

Healing Touch

May we find the welcoming place of God together as we invite others to share the journey!

June 2022 at the United Methodist of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to this Season of Pentecost and beyond . . . a time for  sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors.

We remain committed to offer a healthy and safe ministry as this COVID Pandemic changes.  We offer Hybrid Worship and Hybrid and Zoom Small Groups.  Check out our website for the latest information about our ministry.  We invite you to “Like Us” on Facebook!   https://umcsantacruz.org  

Join us as we deepen our resolve to share love generously.  

Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

Rainbow Cross

June 5th – Pentecost and Communion

Pentecost Sunday

Celebrate the birthing of the Christian Movement with Acts 2.  Allow the Spirit of God to ‘fall afresh on you’ and inspire you to grow in your faithful outreach to others.  Our Visual today is variegated flax, contributed to us by Joseph Jacobs.  Wear ‘fiery colors’ as we express support for our LGBTQI sisters and brothers this PRIDE month….

June12th

We recognize the gift of Wisdom as we embrace God who is Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We will address Proverbs 8,
and hear the emphasis on Peace with Justice. Wisdom comes in many forms, and God invites us to take the path that leads to the inclusion of all people.

Linda Wilde shares this visual from Old Rhodes, Greece.

Old Rhodes, Greece

June 19th

Alaska

Today we embrace the writer of Psalm 42, who wrote this prayer trying to integrate personal struggle with spiritual life. Perhaps as we recognize our male mentor/life coach, we can write a psalm reflective of our journey in faith and life.


Our visual comes from Cindy Schuette, who shares the vastness of Alaska. Where do we find the Saving Presence of God?

June 26th

II Kings 2 expounds upon the Elijah and Elisha story. Elisha yearns for ‘double the spirit’ of Elijah before they are separated. 

What gift of wisdom would do you yearn to inherit from your mentor/life coach?  Are you willing to speak this sacred truth to you beloved?  to God?  Are you able and willing to share this ‘doubled spirit’ for the fulfillment of our hurting world?!

Our visual this day comes from Joseph Jacobs

Easter Season 2022 at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to the Season of Easter; a time for Celebrating new life and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors.

We remain committed to offer a healthy and safe ministry as this COVID Pandemic changes.  We offer Hybrid Worship and Small Groups. Thank you for connecting with our website, where we provide updated information about our ministry.  Worship information may be obtained by contacting us on our website: https://umcsantacruz.org  

“Like Us” on Facebook!  

Join us as we deepen our resolve to share love generously.  Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

We offer Zoom Small Groups on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the first, third and fourth Thursdays.    Friday Night Shelter is offered as part of our service to the community.  Indoor Worship includes welcoming vaccinated participants, indoor masking and singing, interactive Passing of the Peace, Prayer Stations at safe distances, and outdoor masking based on your comfort level.  Safe Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday.  Sing with Music Team on Tuesday evenings!  Enrich your spirit; let us know how we can support you!

Here is our Hybrid Worship the Easter Season:

April 17th – Celebrate the Resurrection

The Easter story comes from John 20:1-18. 

We welcome everyone to gather and celebrate new life as experienced by the first witnesses who have passed down this exciting faith to us!    Our Music Team will sing; their will be additional music.  We invite you to stay and socialize outside as we offer fellowship treats and festive conversation!  There might event be treats to share!  No matter what, the Celebration of New Life is a gift to share!

April 24th

Join Haley Feuerbacher as she shares the message from John 9, focusing on “Christianity Is a Verb”, helping us to understand compassion and connection as the heart of following Christ.  Dr. Haley Feuerbacher is the founder and executive director of the Center for Courageous Compassion and is a storyteller, facilitator, spiritual activist, and theologian transplanted from Texas.

May 1st – Communion

“Drink of it, for it is my blood,” was created by Ulyana Tomkevych of Lviv, Ukraine

This Religious Icon, “Drink of it, for it is my blood,” was created by Ulyana Tomkevych of Lviv, Ukraineh.  This image will serve as a reminder of the way hearts can be changed … O God Hear Our Prayer!  As we celebrate the early followers of ‘The Way’ in Acts 9:1-20, we discover how “Saul” would become “Paul”. No, he didn’t just have a ‘name change’ … he had a ‘faith change’!  He began to see (literally!) in a new way, and such new sight gave him the opportunity to treat others with empathetic understanding.  Are we open to new insights about ourselves as we relate to others in new ways? 

May 8th

Acts 9:36-43 invites us to explore how we can learn to support others on their journey… as we have learned (and continue to learn) from others on our journey of faith. This Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate those mentors in our lives who have taught us life lessons.  Who are we mentoring in our lives … supporting, nurturing, welcoming into this new season of life?

Photo courtesy of Joseph Jacobs

May 15th

John 13:31, 33-35 instructs us to ‘Love One Another’. We are to follow the Resurrected Jesus into the world by caring and sharing with our neighbors.  As we are nourished by our faith, how do we nourish others?  What are the ways we acknowledge our brokenness and the brokenness of the world, and make a commitment to bring healing to others and the brokenness of our world?

May 22nd

From John 14:23, 25-28 and Acts 16:9, 12-15, we discover what it means to find peace as a ‘spiritual state of being’.

Perhaps we all have a longing to find that great place of peace…in our hearts…in our minds…in our world.  Peace within our family systems … Peace in our neighborhoods … Peace within the Chaos!

The gift of spiritual peace is found by cultivating peace with one another.

This picture of peace comes to us by way of Pat Verheul, from a recent visit to Henry Cowell.

Breathe in the peace … Breathe out peace to our world. Repeat. Repeat often. Repeat for as long as it takes. 

Photo courtesy of Pat Verheul

May 29th

Acts 16:16-34 reminds us of what keeps us imprisoned and what brings us liberation.  How ironic that Paul and Silas stayed free of their imprisonment in order to keep someone from being imprisoned—or worse!  What does being free mean to us?  And how does our spiritual freedom encourage us to offer reconciliation to others?

Reconciliation with the world brings us true freedom. 

Palm Sunday and Holy Week – April 10-16, 2022

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Palm Sunday and Holy Week hold a rich tradition in the Christian Faith.

Journey with us as we follow the journey of Jesus in Jerusalem during this week, preparing our hearts and minds to absorb Good Friday and wrap our spirits around the Resurrection on Easter Morning.

April 10th.  Palm Sunday Hybrid Worship at 10:45 am

Share your contact information on our website by 9 am on Sunday to receive additional information.

Please note that our protocols remain in place; we ask that you be fully vaccinated for in-person worship.

Our Music Team will be singing in Worship for the first time since the Pandemic began.

April 15th. Good Friday Self-Guided Meditation, noon to 3 pm

Our Sanctuary will be available for prayer and meditation during the afternoon.  You may come at any time and spend time in contemplation during this time.

Lent 2022 Information from the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

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Welcome to the Season of Lent; a time for reflecting upon our relationship with God and one another as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

We remain committed to offer a healthy and safe ministry as this COVID Pandemic continues.  We offer Hybrid Worship and Small Groups.   

Thank you for connecting with our website, where we provide updated information about our Small Groups.  Worship information may be obtained by sharing your contact information on our website.  “Like Us” on Facebook!  Share our web addresss:  https://umcsantacruz.org  

Join us as you grow deeper in your faith this Lent.  Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

We offer Zoom Small Groups on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the first, third and fourth Thursdays. Friday Night Shelter is offered as part of our service to the community.  Indoor Worship includes welcoming vaccinated participants, indoor masking and singing, interactive Passing of the Peace and Prayer Stations at safe distances, and outdoor masking based on your comfort level.  Safe Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday.    Enrich your spirit; let us know how we can support you!

Take a peek at our Hybrid Worship for this Season of Lent as we journey with Jesus:

March 2nd, noon, Ash Wednesday in the Sanctuary – Gospel Focus: Matthew 6

Ash Wednesday

We gather to prepare for our Lenten Journey with Jesus by remembering that ‘we are dust, and to dust we shall return’.  May we immerse ourselves into the spiritual practices of repentance, fasting, service, prayer, study, and faithful reflection.  While this service is sparse and will only last one-half hour, this is our opportunity to “begin anew”.

March 6th.  Communion will be served – Gospel Focus:  Luke 4:1-13

During these five Sundays of Lent that will lead us onto Palm Sunday and Holy Week … and then onto Easter, we will explore the historical ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ in a new way.  Exploring the question, “What gets in our way of Spiritual Faithfulness?”, we will look at how the earth/environment, racism, sexism, immigration, human trafficking, child vulnerability, and other issues are affected by our struggles to live faithfully, causing the world to live unharmoniously.   Today we will explore the harm that comes from the three temptations Jesus is offered:  The temptations of Feeding our Hunger (Gluttony; people starving); Feeding our Power-hunger (Lust; wanting everything in the world); Feeding our Apathy (Sloth, resisting being actively involved in our own faith journey).

March 13th – Gospel Focus:  Luke 13:31-35

“What gets in our way of Spiritual Faithfulness?” is an appropriate question as we explore the next ‘Deadly Sin’ of Pride.  Ponder how excessive pride can get you into trouble.  Sometimes we are not even aware how our pridefulness can be harmful to others.  Sometimes pride is more identifiable in others, and we neglect to recognize such pridefulness in ourselves.  Jesus is on a journey; live humbly. 

March 20th – Gospel Focus: Luke 13:1-9

“What gets in our way of Spiritual Faithfulness?” as we become Angry … a very ‘churchy word’ for anger is wrath.  Jesus invites us to change our hearts and lives.  Such self-examination is much more difficult when we are angry.  We don’t always seem to think rationally when anger strikes us.  This is an opportunity to be aware when our anger increases … to explore what is causing such an emotion, and how to address anger before we share words and actions that harm others as well as ourselves.

March 27th – Gospel Focus: Luke 15

United Methodist Committee on Relief Special Offering

“What gets in our way of Spiritual Faithfulness?” when we read this parable.  While many of the ‘deadly sins’ might fit this story, we will explore Greed.  We live in a community where there is greed in abundance.  While the prices of real estate skyrocket, the unhoused continue to be affected and our leaders are at odds as to how to best address the care of persons who need to have a hassle-free place to lay their heads.  While our community members are concerned, people also say that our unhoused neighbors are not welcome to stay in our ‘backyard’.  We face a continued crisis of greed in our own backyard!  This crisis also extends throughout the world.  How do you respond to this crisis?

April 3rd.  Communion will be served – Gospel Focus:  John 12:1-8

“What gets in our way of Spiritual Faithfulness?” might also be answered by addressing our ambitious nature of Envy.  Envy is that (fake/misguided/harmful) realization that others have what we want.  Sometimes there are ways we delude ourselves by being thankful for what we have and having our eyes wonder into our ‘neighbor’s backyard’.  But does that old adage ring true in our experience: ‘the grass (may look) greener on the other side of the fence (but in reality…are we being unrealistically envious)’?!

April 10th.  Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday – Gospel Focus: Luke 19:28-40

Join us as we welcome Jesus formally into our lives, our community, and our world.  We will journey with Jesus into the week ahead.  This Sunday, there will be music, familiar songs, and an opportunity for reflection so that we can “catch our breath” before we journey forward with Spiritual Faithfulness.

February 2022 at the United Methodist of Santa Cruz

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We remain committed to offer healthy adjustments to our activities & to keep people safe as this COVID Pandemic continues … Hybrid Worship and Small Groups (In-Person and on Zoom.)

Thank you for connecting with our website, where we provide updated information about our Small Groups.  Worship information may be obtained by sharing your contact information.  “Like Us” on Facebook!  Please share our web address:  https://umcsantacruz.org    

Join us as you grow deeper in your faith.  Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

We offer Zoom Small Groups on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the first, third and fourth Thursdays. Indoor Worship includes welcoming vaccinated participants, indoor masking and singing, interactive Passing of the Peace and Prayer Stations at safe distances, and outdoor masking based on your comfort level.  Safe Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday.    Enrich your spirit; let us know how we can support you!

Our Thanks to Joseph Jacobs for sharing his photograph with us (above).

Take a peek at our Hybrid Worship for February: 

February 6th –  Communion will be served

Black Pearl
“Black Pearl”, photo by Joseph Jacobs

Luke 5:1-11 offers us the example of ‘fishing’ during the time of Jesus.

Just drop your nets in the deep waters!”  Amazing the number of fish caught! Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Don’t be afraid!”

Are we fearful about going ‘fishing’ in our community in 2022?  Do we have expectations about sharing our faith with others?  How are we living our faith in these pandemic times?!

February 13th – Luke 6:17-26

We are pleased to have Sam Altis with us again as he shares insight about the “upsidedown-ness” of Jesus’ teaching.  Colin, Trish, Sherry, Elaine and Beth will share parts of the service to enhance our spiritual growth throughout worship.  Sam comes to us from the Association of Faith Communities (AFC).  AFC offers our community shelter for the unhoused and safe parking in various sights.  We have been part of AFC’s ministry for over 9 years.

Usidedown-ness

February 20th – Luke 6:27-38

Could there be a more challenging theme to tackle than trying to ‘love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and bless those who curse you’.  Finding a way to ‘pray for those who mistreat you’ sounds quite manageable after trying to love, do good and bless those who for whom you are estranged.  Join us as we explore how to be compassionate just like God!

February 27th – Luke 9:28-43

As Jesus secures insight from his spiritual forebearers, God reminds us to be observant and listen to the heartbeat of our faith.

What follows this event is another healing story of a man who has been tortured by an unclean spirit.  Jesus reminds us to prepare our hearts and minds for the care and healing of others … Jesus reminds us that we have been empowered to care for others.

When are we most overwhelmed by God’s greatness and what prevents us from being able to respond to the needs of others? These are wise questions to ponder as we move into the season of Lent during March.

Merced River, Late Afternoon
Merced River, Late Afternoon, photo by Pat Verheul

Small Group Book Study

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If God is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk

Finding a Faith That Makes Us Better Humans

by John Pavolovitz

Join us for this Zoom Small Group – or you may ask that we also offer this study in-person. The Zoom Link will be sent out to participants prior to the first meeting.

Books have been ordered ($12.25).  See Pastor Jay for additional options/arrangements. Order a Kindle edition on Amazon.

This every other Six Week Study will meet on Wednesdays: Morning Group – 10 am to noon, Evening group – 7 pm to 9 pm. You may attend either group:

January 26

Chapters 1 – 3

February 9

Chapters 4 – 6

February 23

Chapters 7- 9

March 9

Chapters 10 – 12

March 23

Chapters 13 – 15

April 6

Chapters 16 – 18

Links to book reviews:

https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/if-god-is-love-dont-be-a-jerk-finding-a-faith-that-makes-us-better-humans-2118514

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57005337-if-god-is-love-don-t-be-a-jerk

In-Person Worshippers, please Sign-Up during Worship. 

Zoom Worshippers, please send an email request to Pastor Jay: (pastorjay@umcsantacruz.org)

Welcome to Epiphany and Ordinary Time 2022!

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Join us at the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz!

We remain committed to making healthy adjustments to our activities, to keep people safe as this pandemic continues …

We offer you Hybrid Worship and Small Groups; In-Person and on Zoom; Singing!   

Thanks for connecting with our website!  

If you are new to our website, we invite you to share your contact information under “Contacts” to receive the latest recurring link to Worship, and updated information on Small Groups.   https://umcsantacruz.org    

“Like Us” on Facebook.    

Join us as you grow deeper in your faith.  Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to grow with us.

Our Zoom Small Groups continue every Tuesday; first, third and fourth Thursdays, and on Wednesday mornings; Hybrid options are available for many of our Small Groups.

Safe Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday; Indoor Masks; Outdoor Masking is based on your comfort level; Passing of the Peace and Prayer Stations are interactive. 

Enrich your spirit; let us know how we can support you!

Our Thanks to Pat Verheul for sharing her photograph with us (above).  

Take a peek at our Hybrid Worship for January: 

January 2nd –  The Celebration of the Epiphany – Communion will be served.

The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to celebrate the birth of Jesus; these were gifts representative of the needs, ministry and spiritual presence of Jesus.  What are the gifts you affirm in your life and plan to share with the community and the world?  Is there a spiritual practice you wish to explore in this new year that will help you and the world continue to find healing for yourself and the world?  Allow Matthew 2 to inform your spirit as this new year begins.

  January 9 – It’s 2022!!

Here is our opportunity to make a fresh start!  Today we will celebrate a “Reaffirmation of Baptism” based on both Isaiah 43:1-3a and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.   We live by an ocean.  We’ve seen lots of rain this season!  What changes will we make in our lives to be the change we want to see in 2022?!  Prayerfully consider that question.  May we be the change we want to see happen.  What will it take to make that change happen in us?  Are we working prayerfully with God to help make a difference in our world?  

January 16th – Human Relations Day – This is the first of six yearly special offerings. 

Today we explore the “Spiritual Gifts of the Spirit.  Ponder what gift(s) you have been blessed with:  wisdom … knowledge … faith … healing … being a miracle worker … prophecy … the discerner of spirits … the understanding of language … the gift of interpretation

We shall recognize the gift of leadership in our congregation…and give thanks!

January 23rd

What is the Good News in our time?

How do we discover it… follow it… ‘BE it’?!  Jesus reads from the words of Isaiah as recorded for us in Luke 4:14-21.

How are we helping to bring Good News …to the poor …release to the captives …sight to those who do not see …liberation to the oppressed?

Do we see this in our lives as being a time of “God With Us”?  And what are we doing about that ‘Good News’?!

January 30th –  Luke 4:22-30 

Jesus nearly gets pushed off a cliff … he nearly gets run out of town.  However, Jesus teaches us how to be empowered … how to face our truths … and grow from being defeated to enlightened … to grapple with deep truths that may hold us back from being ‘the child of God’ that God envisioned us to be from our birth.  We can face our demons.  We can address injustice.  We can be an example to others of God’s Healing Spirit!  Come and learn!  Grow in God’s Grace!