Worship songs: Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing, Grateful, Death Arrested,

Resurrecting

Connection Group Questions:

Read through the anointing narrative, John 12:1-11

What were the different types of anointing and what do they each signify in

Jesus' life (hygienic/cleansing, medicinal/healing, sacred/inaugurating, ceremonial/burial)? What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one? What is the significance of his burial? How is this central to fulfilling his mission?

Jesus said of the anointing, "everywhere the gospel is preached around the world her story will be told." (Matthew 26:13, Mark 14:9) How do we tell her story when we proclaim the gospel and call Jesus the Christ? This week will you tell her story, and share his story, to prepare the way for Easter?

Closing: This Sunday marks the final week of Jesus' ministry, "Holy Week." You

are encouraged to spend time in the word this week, reading through the events that lead up to Good Friday and resurrection.

Jesus said of the anointing, "everywhere the gospel is preached around the world her story will be told." (Matthew 26:13, Mark 14:9)

Worship songs: Won't Stop Now, Living Hope, God You're So Good, Here As in Heaven

Sermon Notes:

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.." ~ Philippians 4:12-13

Envy Facts:

Symbolized by the color green and the dog

Is maybe the only deadly sin that is no fun

Jealousy is when you worry someone will take what have;

Coveting wants what someone else has;

Envy wants to take what someone else has from them!

Envy is fed by proximity and comparison

Connection Group Questions:

You could just watch the movie Amadeus (Salieri) or The Incredibles (Syndrome) for a great case study on envy. Or discuss your own struggle with "The Green-Eyed Monster."

Read Proverbs 4:30 and Philippians 4:10-13. Discuss the difference between jealousy and coveting and envy. Have you been playing the Comparison Game? With whom and why? What impact is it having on your peace and contentment? Envy is truly the enemy of love and the greatest commandment(s). How is Christ the secret to contentment?

Contentment Challenge: for Holy Week give up all social media and screens, and focus on Jesus and the cross.

Worship songs: Won't Stop Now, Living Hope, God You're So Good, Here As in Heaven

Sermon Notes:

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.." ~ Philippians 4:12-13

Envy Facts:

Symbolized by the color green and the dog

Is maybe the only deadly sin that is no fun

Jealousy is when you worry someone will take what have;

Coveting wants what someone else has;

Envy wants to take what someone else has from them!

Envy is fed by proximity and comparison

Connection Group Questions:

You could just watch the movie Amadeus (Salieri) or The Incredibles (Syndrome) for a great case study on envy. Or discuss your own struggle with "The Green-Eyed Monster."

Read Proverbs 4:30 and Philippians 4:10-13. Discuss the difference between jealousy and coveting and envy. Have you been playing the Comparison Game? With whom and why? What impact is it having on your peace and contentment? Envy is truly the enemy of love and the greatest commandment(s). How is Christ the secret to contentment?

Contentment Challenge: for Holy Week give up all social media and screens, and focus on Jesus and the cross.

Envy wants to take what someone else has from them! Envy is fed by proximity and comparison.

Anger can be a constructive and motivating virtue, i.e. “Righteous Indignation” but is most often rooted in fear and the pain of loss.

Worship songs: Every Beat, Raise A Hallelujah, Build My Life, How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Sermon Notes:

"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." ~ Colossians 3:8

Anger Facts:

Symbolized by the color red and the

Only one letter away from “danger"

Is most often rooted in fear and the pain of loss

Alleviated by acceptance, meekness and forgiveness

Can be a constructive and motivating virtue, i.e. “Righteous Indignation”

Connection Group Questions:

If you could have any superpower what would it be, and why? Is anyone willing to admit to a moment when you went "full Hulk" on someone or a situation?

Read Ephesians 4:25-32.  Some people bottle-up, others blow-up. Have you ever made yourself sick with anger? Did you ever blow up and NOT regret it? Does the devil have a foothold in your life due to anger? Can you think of a time when you had righteous anger and it motivated you to do something great for God? What will you do to get rid of all anger, malice, bitterness or rage? (Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8). Do you need to accept something that can't be changed or forgive someone/thing to move past the poison of anger?

Worship songs: Every Beat, Raise A Hallelujah, Build My Life, How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Sermon Notes:

"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." ~ Colossians 3:8

Anger Facts:

Symbolized by the color red and the

Only one letter away from “danger"

Is most often rooted in fear and the pain of loss

Alleviated by acceptance, meekness and forgiveness

Can be a constructive and motivating virtue, i.e. “Righteous Indignation”

Connection Group Questions:

If you could have any superpower what would it be, and why? Is anyone willing to admit to a moment when you went "full Hulk" on someone or a situation?

Read Ephesians 4:25-32.  Some people bottle-up, others blow-up. Have you ever made yourself sick with anger? Did you ever blow up and NOT regret it? Does the devil have a foothold in your life due to anger? Can you think of a time when you had righteous anger and it motivated you to do something great for God? What will you do to get rid of all anger, malice, bitterness or rage? (Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8). Do you need to accept something that can't be changed or forgive someone/thing to move past the poison of anger?

Worships songs: Open Up the Heavens, Raise a Hallelujah, Faithful to the End, Jesus We Love You

Sermon Notes:

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11

Sloth Definition: "Acedia," literally "without care"

Also a 2 or 3 toed mammal found in Central and South America

Symbolized by the Goat and the color indigo

Traditionally, the first of the deadly sins

Traditional punishment: thrown into a pit of snakes (FYI, not part of our church beliefs!)

Directly violates the greatest commandment by not caring enough to love God or neighbor, or even self.

Connection Group Questions:

Read Romans 12:9-13 and discuss:

How have you been slothful with your work?

How have you been slothful in your relationships with people?

How have you been slothful in your faith walk with God?

Read Matthew 11:28-30.  What is the yoke of Jesus, and how does this relate to our mission and vocations?

This week, when you are tempted to say "Whatever," or "I don't care," let that be your cue to shift and ask, "Why do I care so much that I want to disengage? What does love compel me to work for in this situation?"

Worships songs: Open Up the Heavens, Raise a Hallelujah, Faithful to the End, Jesus We Love You

Sermon Notes:

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11

Sloth Definition: "Acedia," literally "without care"

Also a 2 or 3 toed mammal found in Central and South America

Symbolized by the Goat and the color indigo

Traditionally, the first of the deadly sins

Traditional punishment: thrown into a pit of snakes (FYI, not part of our church beliefs!)

Directly violates the greatest commandment by not caring enough to love God or neighbor, or even self.

Connection Group Questions:

Read Romans 12:9-13 and discuss:

How have you been slothful with your work?

How have you been slothful in your relationships with people?

How have you been slothful in your faith walk with God?

Read Matthew 11:28-30.  What is the yoke of Jesus, and how does this relate to our mission and vocations?

This week, when you are tempted to say "Whatever," or "I don't care," let that be your cue to shift and ask, "Why do I care so much that I want to disengage? What does love compel me to work for in this situation?"