We begin a new lectionary cycle today by turning to Genesis 3 and the beginning of our relationship with God. In our beginning we see our ending as God's love endures even when ours does not.

Paul tells the church in Corinth to "discern the body" whenever they gather to celebrate communion (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). This week we'll explore what that means and a little bit of how the celebration has changed since Paul's day and is changing now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-27 that we "are the Body of Christ and individually members of it." So what part are you? What gifts has the Spirit given you? Paul also tells us that those gifts were given "for the common good" to build up the Body so the health of the body (the church) depends on its members using the gifts that they have been given. So what are your gifts? How you are you using them?

This week we turn to Luke 9:23-25 and Jesus' invitation to daily follow him. What does that invitation to daily discipleship mean to you? Our Heart, Soul, and Strength interview this week puts this text in conversation with the 12 Step motto "One Day at a Time" which is good no matter what that behavior is that is destructive to our lives. Be sure to check out those interviews at www.facebook.com/fpchamond.

In this week's story we turn to 1 Kings 19 where Elijah is ready to give up until he lays his head down to rest and an angel brings him food to eat. His situation is still dire but the moment of renewal helps give him perspective to keep going. Who has helped you find perspective? How can you be someone else's angel?

Today our Heart, Soul, and Strength series turns to Psalm 137 to look at anger and frustration as part of a normal life and for some cues as to what to do with them.

If I have faith, why am I still anxious? Can I be a Christian and still worry? How can God help me respond better to stress? This week we turn to the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:36-46) to explore the relationship between faith and fear in the midst of this pandemic that has given us plenty of reason to be afraid!

We turn to Psalm 23 this week. These familiar words of comfort remind us that we belong to God and for that reason we often read them at funerals. As part of our ongoing Heart, Soul, and Strength series we consider our own death and reflect on how we can find peace of mind for ourselves and our families in the knowledge that "the Lord is my Shepherd."

It is Christmas in July! This week we turn to Philippians 2:5-11 to explore what it means that God was "born in human likeness." As part of our Heart, Soul, and Strength series our pastor also interviewed a church member with Multiple Sclerosis to explore how the doctrine of the incarnation helps us think about our own pain and suffering. That interview can be found at https://www.facebook.com/FPCHammond/videos/286969672385342/.

The Heart, Soul, & Strength series continues as we consider the why we study scripture at all. To help us explore that question we turn to Psalm 119:9-16 and John 1:1-14.