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I vividly remember being in middle school and going to my first school dance. It was pretty typical, I’d imagine. Groups of people on the sidelines with music playing, too nervous and self-conscious to get out on the floor. But here’s the thing - I wanted so badly to actually dance. I love dancing. It is always so fun to cut loose, relax, and move. But of course, I didn’t go out to the floor. I followed the cues of my much cooler peers and was afraid that if I did go out there and dance, I’d be a laughing stock.

Today, I have compassion for my middle school self, but I will tell you one thing: now, any opportunity I have to dance, I go for it. And on these “dance-y occasions,” I am at PEACE with the fact others might think I’m ridiculous. Frankly, it’s not my business what others think of my dancing. And, although it’s hard, I am trying to be at PEACE with every part of who I am and filter out those whose opinions of me aren’t helping me learn or grow.

What does PEACE look like for you? Is it a place, a feeling, a fleeting moment?

This week as we begin our series "Dare to Dance Again," we’re going to look at Jesus’ first words to the disciples, “PEACE BE WITH YOU,” and how powerful these words truly are. As you prepare to listen to this sermon, take a moment to think about this phrase and read the Scriptures that inspire this sermon.

Have you ever felt the “earth shake under your feet?”

Has Resurrection ever “rocked your world?”

Well, in this Easter sermon we explore 3 earthquakes in Scripture and wonder together what it means for God’s love to shake our foundations and bring us into a whole new reality.

Does that sound a little over the top? Well, beloveds I have seen Resurrection happen in your lives and in our community. And I love this Holy Day where we come together again and ask God to “Rise up in me and us again!” Or as the we will sing, “Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!”

After all, Resurrection was never about one soul being saved. It's communal... ALL of US rising with Christ.

"Why should I care? It’s not going to change anyway."

I remember well when an old crusader for justice wistfully asked me this question just last year. She felt like we were moving backward in some ways and had lost her will to fight once more. Can you relate?

“Fatalism,” the worldview that the outcome is set and / or we can’t change it, is a mindset we encounter all around us and can easily fall prey to ourselves. After all, haven’t you also said, “Well, it is what it is.”

But, if we are going to follow Christ to Calvary, we have to be ready to see and believe in change. After all, at Resurrection, Jesus shows us “Death is NOT what it was” nor are the other deadening “-isms" and actions of our world. Christ comes to change all that. So come to this sermon to explore these Scriptures, the way fatalism and apathy take hold of us, and the way simple practices like Alms-giving can help us join in Christ’s fatal blow to all things that bring death - like poverty, injustice, and more.

Some Scripture passages are big, fat, hairy doozies! This Old Testament reading is just that! God’s people complain, and God responds with snake bites of all things. It reminds me of a cringe worthy scene from Indiana Jones.

Interestingly the famous, often comforting, New Testament Scripture, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son," is actually introduced by John with a reference to the Old Testament snake story.

So read the passages and wrestle with what on earth God is trying to say to us today?

In this sermon, we explore the Israelites, our own desires for comfort, and how true worship of God takes us way beyond our comfort zones.

As Jesus continued his journey to the cross, he remained confident in who he was without condemning others. In other words, as things in his life looked increasingly grim, there is no “blame or shame in his game.” And so, if we want to join Jesus in his world-saving work, we have to look at why we so often rely on the practices of blame and shame.

Personally, I find great comfort in the Genesis text for Sunday. Read it over and note how quick Adam is to point the finger at the woman who points the finger at the serpent and God. No doubt, we come by the blame game naturally. Then read the Gospel text. Ask yourself, "Why and how does Jesus avoid these traps? How can we?"

Finally, in this sermon we consider how Christian Hospitality is a spiritual discipline that can help us fight the trap of blaming another or feeling shame ourselves. And we'll consider how this spiritual discipline is a practical part of how Christ saves our world.

What does “silence” sound like to you?

For me, some silence is peaceful, like when the kids are finally in bed.

And other silence is awkward, like when you think, "Why can’t I think of anything to say?"

And then there’s the silence that’s unsettling, like when a voice is missing that used to fill the space.

But truth be told, most silence in my life is only on the exterior. Seldom does my mind shut up. It’s constantly analyzing, judging, criticizing (often myself), or just outright overthinking. Any of that ring true for you?

Perhaps this is why God always invites us into prayer and commands us, “Be STILL and know that I am God.” Stillness of mind, body, and spirit makes way for a holy encounter with God and enables us to know and hear from the mysterious God of the universe, not the God of our own making.

In this sermon, as we continue our series “A World Worth Saving,” we will explore ways Jesus stilled his spirit so he could face, fight for, release, and save our world.

Our world is so fast! We connect with one another via “Instagram” - the name says it all. Or snap chat - a message that literally disappears in a few seconds no matter if you weren't fast enough to see it.

Yes, our world is so fast, but God is not. God is often slow and plodding, initially prepping the soil and then planting seeds, watering, weeding, and readying for harvest. God recognizes the importance of passing through seasons for true growth to occur.

This week, we entered into the season of Lent, 40 days marked by fasting and praying. Christ came to save the world, and his long walk to Jerusalem and the cross were essential in his salvific work. So, we too slow down to walk with Jesus towards Calvary. In order to understand the importance of this journey, we fast (refrain from things that fill us up or distract us from God) and pray (dedicate time to conversing with God). After all, It’s hard not to look around and see that our world still needs saving. Violence, brokenness, and division are everywhere, but it takes discipline to see the Spirit of Christ at work among us and through us in the subtle and essential ways of sacrificial love, selfless service, intentional forgiveness, active peace-making, and more. Why? Because all those things mean we look beyond ourselves.

Fasting is for the soul what distance training is for the body. It helps us look beyond what is right before us and teaches us reliance on God. And though it is a personal discipline, it sculpts our soul to do important life-saving work in the world. What do I mean? Check out the Scriptures and come to this sermon to learn more.

What is “NOT optional” in your life?

Certainly, food, family, and shelter may be a few things on that list. What else? Is there a particular relationship you feel you need to truly be you? Or something you must do like exercise or pray? Bill W., a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, concluded that “service” or walking alongside other struggling alcoholics was NOT an option for him if he was going to remain sober.

What about you? What role does serving others play in your life?

Read over the Scriptures for this sermon. Then, ask yourself how Step 11 (on prayer) and Step 12 (sharing the message and serving those still struggling) are connected, and spend some time in prayer. Ask where and with whom God may be asking you to serve. And remember, such service may be one way God keeps you on the journey of faith and freedom that God has for you.