Series:  Theology of Play

Title: A Theology of Food

We continue our summer series: Toward a Theology of Play. “Sirloin steak, roasted cauli ower, salted caramel ice cream. The world is full of foods that delight. Food can be a source of joy and satisfaction. However, our relationship with food is complicated: eating can be a source of shame and confusion. God has something to tell us about food. There is a way we can relate to food that a rms the goodness of God and creation. Come on Sunday to hear a theology of food and gain some practical guidance too!”

Series:  Theology of Play

Title: The Sacred Art of Movie Observance

Last week we explored the world of literature, and now we turn our attention to movies. Does God like movies? Movies are visually dramatic stories, and in the Bible the dominant means through which God communicates with us is through visually dramatic stories—not rational proofs and apologetics, doctrinal catechism, bullet points, or systematic theology. Much of the overall movement in Scripture is story, vision, symbol, and narrative. God seems to delight in using the dramatic, the visual, and stories to deliver His truth to us. God seems to love movies! Join us as we stroll through drama, theater, and parable in a study called: The Sacred Art of Movie Observance.

Series:  Theology of Play

Title: Reading for Understanding

We have started our summer series: Toward a Theology of Play. We are exploring how play is an important aspect of our lives with God. This week we will be looking at how reading good ction helps us become more fully human by helping us to appreciate beauty, gain insight into spiritual realities and situations, and learn to understand human nature and its many nuances. Our study this week is called: Reading for Understanding.

Series:  Theology of Play

Title: A Foretaste of Glory Divine

Last week we started our summer series: Toward a Theology of Play. We are exploring how play is an important aspect of our lives with God. Play is about celebrating our existence, and it reminds us of God’s love even when we are not working or producing. Leisure and play can also be eschatological in that it is a sign of the joy and liberation that is to come. What if play and celebration are putting us in touch with the character of the new creation? We want to understand more fully how our play puts us in contact with God’s future—now. Our study this week is called—A Foretaste of Glory Divine.

Series:  Theology of Play

Title: Play Matters

During the summer we are going to try and slow things down a bit and look at the idea of—PLAY. Robert Banks says this: “Our present experience of eternal life should call us to question the desperate busyness which marks so many Christians. To engage in frantic activity is to become enmeshed in the time patterns of the world which will one day come to an end and is even now passing away (1 Corinthians 7:29,30).” What does it mean to move toward a theology of play in a leisure- hungry and work-addicted culture? Plan to be with us as we explore this topic in a study called: PLAY Matters.

Series:  Pentecost

Title: Babel Syndrome and Pentecostal Reversal

Pentecost Sunday is a celebration of the great gift and outpouring of the Holy Spirit that marks the beginning of the church. The gospel doesn’t end with the celebration of Resurrection Sunday but culminates with Ascension and Pentecost and the creation of the church. When we explore the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis and compare it to the story at Pentecost, we nd some similarities and also a new thing that God is doing in the world. What does it mean for the church to be one? [We will be looking at several sections of Scripture this week, so make sure you have a Bible (or any devices that have the Bible on them).] Our study is called: Babel Syndrome and Pentecostal Reversal.

Series:  Ascension Sunday

Title: Introduce Your Policy to Your Values

As we celebrate Ascension Sunday, we will explore some of the implications of the fact that Christ has already entered the heavenly realms as the representative of the human race. He has been lifted up and has taken us with him. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and has brought us into the life of the Trinity. He has been glori ed and now gives us that same eternal glory. These are some of the fundamental realities and values of the Christian life. How we know and understand them will help shape how we view our relationship with God and how we live that relationship out in this world. Plan to be with us as we explore what it means to: Introduce Your Policy to Your Values.

Series:  Easter Celebration

Title: The Smell of the Charcoal Fire

We have been exploring di erent spots along the way of Jesus’ post- resurrection tour. Last week, we encountered the disciples locked in a room of fear, and Jesus released them into society with the breath of the Spirit. This week the disciples are back to the same old grind— shing. A mysterious gure on the shore calls out to them, and there is a miraculous catch of sh. Peter then hits the beach and is forced to confront the great failure of his life. Sometimes in life we all need a “do over” or second chance. If you have ever been there, then this is the story for you. Plan to be with us as we engage John 21 in a study called—The Smell of the Charcoal Fire.

 

Series:  Easter Celebration

Title: Behind Closed Doors

This Sunday we nd ourselves with the disciples in a locked room on Easter evening. All hope has been dashed on the rocks of failed expectations. Everything that could go wrong—has gone wrong. Crippled by fear, the disciples have closed the windows, shut the door, and locked it all up. Jesus does the impossible ands introduces peace in the midst of chaos as He did in the early pages of Genesis. Then and now, the Holy Spirit hovers over the mayhem and brings forth form, function, and calling. The one on whom the Holy Spirit descended and remained is He who immerses us in the breath of the Spirit. Plan on being with us as we hear these words afresh in a study called— “Behind Closed Doors”

Series:  Easter Celebration

Title: Tell Me Something Good

 We will continue our celebration of this Easter season by considering what it means to be the bearer of good news. What must it have been like to tell others that Jesus had actually risen from the dead? What is it like to share this same news today? We’ll consider some of the challenges and some of the things that make our message really good news. Join us as we consider the subject: Tell Me Something Good.