Our role isn’t seeking or finding but being open to the one who seeks us. This sample of worship starts with a prayer, followed by a reading of Luke 15:1-10 (at 36s) and the Sermon (at 2m6s). Thanks to Ralph

Do you enter relationship as equal or with prejudgment? Do you reconcile differences that come up? We always have a choice of how to act in relationships, especially when we have power. Christians ask how Jesus would have us act. We can transform the way we think and act thanks to Jesus’ transforming power to engage what is broken among us, and we can seek justice by following Jesus’ way of modeling love.

As our ways of being church change, the one thing we must hold onto is the vision that enables us to see where God moves in the world. The greatest danger for congregations of old and new may be to quench the flame of the Spirit with our preoccupation with anything less than what Jesus has called us to do. Jesus bridged the gap between God and God’s humanity, and he gave new rituals of remembrance that put us on our knees, washing feet and serving others, and rituals of fellowship, reminding us that all are welcome at his table. We must discern Jesus’ call for this day and this age. As the Body of Christ, may we let sight of Jesus shape us into people alert to where God’s Spirit is already working in the world.

Have you ever ended up in a situation with the wrong shoes? Did you ever feel like a fraud in certain outfits? Having chosen the Jesus way, we’re on a path that requires certain things, and according to Paul, a rejection of other things. Paul says put on the right clothes and conversely if you’re in the wrong clothes, you may be living a life that’s ill-fitted for who you are and who you can be. Paul in his letter to the Colossians is urging them to look to Christ for guidance and not the old patterns, the old fashions, and the old crowd that pulled them into a world of ill-fitting vices. Paul says leave it behind by reminding us that people are seeing us send signals out all day. Paul calls us to strip off the old self and cloth ourselves with the image of our Creator. Let us seek the things that are above so Christ can be revealed through us.

Jesus is again tested in today’s Scriptures and again responds in an astute and challenging way. God’s love compels us to love our neighbor, to extend God’s love to others: simple to say but not simple to do. We are to extend God’s love, especially to those that seem unlovable. Selfless, compassionate love responds in countercultural ways to those around us. Radical love in difficult circumstances demonstrates God’s love to the fullest extent. Consider if you are doing all you can to live out the Greatest Commandment in your own life. We can always do more, especially if we give up some of our own comfort and love beyond ourselves. Let love change you and change us all.

Pastor Jason doesn’t offer answers, but rather helps us find them! Pretend you’re writing a sermon based on the story of Zacheus. Where is the Holy Spirit calling? Ask yourself, what’s the trouble and what’s the grace? The Scripture can speak to us all in different ways and by studying it in community, we can all learn so much more. How is Zacheus’ story relevant to your life and the life of our community today?

“We claim a Light that comes to us across the space of two thousand years and from the beginning of creation; a light that warms us, heals us, comforts us, nourishes us, guides us and grows us.” We must carry the light in our hearts. Start within our own lives and develop good habits of spiritual attention in prayer and through scripture. When we listen we can hear God calling us to new visions and tasks. When we listen we can bring a deeper wisdom and understanding back to the body. We must focus the light together in church. Communal devotions, discussions and shared leadership will help us find clarity and ensure our decision-making represents the congregation as a whole. We must spread the light in our community. We have already accepted the call to be a witness to our denomination. If that makes us a thorn to some brothers and sisters, then it is all the more important to work with those whom we disagree on God’s priorities. We must be the light in the world. We already partner with the community through gardening, distributing food, collecting personal care products and educational supplies, donating money and so much more. How can we do even more? What stirring of the Spirit of God have you felt as the flames of God’s light within are flamed? For this, we rededicate ourselves to carry the light.

Follow this link to see the drama of "The Wedding Reception Planning Team" that goes along with this mix of worship: http://bit.ly/ACoBMessage62616

The drama reminds us that silly arguments can have negative effects. Not all conflicts are silly, but we can act silly about all conflicts. Paul faced strong disagreement in Galatia and other locations about his revelation that the Gentiles were to be welcomed into Christian community without adopting the law and practices of Jews. He was not willing to compromise the revelation he received. We have freedom in Christ he says, but the freedom is not unrestrained. We are gifted with "Fruit of the Spirit" that keeps us from selfish desires. In this worship, we discarded the types of selfish desires and each put on a spirit fruit. We are to use these gifts for others. God believes in us! That makes us able for all things, even difficult situations of conflict.

IMG_4310Pulse was a place where LGBTQ people found the support, joy, and love denied them in many other social places, including in the church. In this place of sanctuary, 49 heartbeats of God's dear children were violently stopped, targeted because of their identity. Our world is full of lines separating us by who we are, yet Paul says the dividing lines don’t exist for those who are in Christ. Accepting this freedom radically unites all of us on the basis of Jesus. This leaves us with some decisions to make in living out our faith in community. Are we really ready to accept the freedom of Christ not just for ourselves but for all Christians? Do we sit under cover of an otherwise silent rainbow of inclusion and call it enough? Where is Christ calling us to stand up and speak up against violent hatred and silent permissivness? When our pulses race, fed-up with frustration and deep sorrow, what would Jesus have us do to continue his work peacefully, simply, and ALL together?

Paul’s disagreement with Peter’s decision to stop eating with the Gentile Christians raises the question, should Paul stand up for the new understanding he has been called to teach or keep the peace back among the faithful ranks? Compelling Gentiles to live like Jews for the sake of unity meant that unity was based on law, rather than the gospel of grace. Before commissioning Paul, Jesus lived, died and rose again to change the way God redeems humans. Paul writes extensively about grace and how we are reconciled with God by the faithfulness of Jesus. So, for Paul, the answer isn’t about a power struggle in the church: it’s about following Jesus. Paul could never agree to unity if it compromised the gospel . Looking back to the inclusion of Gentiles into full fellowship in the Christian church can help us look forward to annual conference. Must justice wait for unity? In the final analysis, we are accountable to God who calls us into grace. As the Gracious One continues to speak, may we keep listening!