Text: Mark 4:26-34

Description:  Some of us are looking for change, and others would be happy if things stayed just the way they are, thank you very much! Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Reign of God, when things will definitely be different than they are right now. How can we get on board with those changes that are bound to come, in God’s good time?

Text:  Mark 3: 20-35

Description:  The strongman (Satan) is always trying to get a stronghold in this world by dividing our church....but we can divide his house if we step into the possibility of Jesus.

Text: Isaiah 6:1-8

Description: In a vision, Isaiah has a terrifying encounter with God in which he is forgiven and sent out to turn others to God. We can fear God and feel close to God at the same time.  We must resist the urge to understand God in only one way.  

Text:  Acts 2: 1-28

Description: Pentecost marks what we (sometimes) consider the birthday of the church.  It's not marked by cake and ice cream, however, marked by when the Holy Spirit flowed like a violent wind  upon the disciples and gave them the power to proclaim the Good News to others in their own language.  Connecting with others isn't always easy and we need the Holy Spirit to help us connect with others and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ...how is She helping you and where do you see Her moving you in that direction?

Gospel: Luke 6:27-42

Description: Being nice to our friends is easy; being generous to those who wish us ill…that’s some Higher Level Jesus stuff! How does recentering on God’s love instead of ourselves change our relationships?

Texts: 1 John 3:16-24 & John 15:9-17

Description:  Jesus calls us to love one another...to lay down our lives for one another and to pick up the cross of service.  Doing that isn't always easy but is where our joy becomes complete.

Text: Mark 2:1-12  

Description: The saying goes, “Don’t wait for six strong men to bring you to church.” In this story from Mark’s Gospel, four people literally carry their friend to meet Jesus. What does this story tell us about growing relationships with each other in the way of Jesus?

Texts: Luke 6:12-16 and Luke 8:1-3

Description: Jesus called a variety of people to follow him and become his disciples. Through their relationships with him they also were formed into relationship with each other, a community of disciples. A faith community is one of the few spaces in our lives where we’re called or even COMMANDED to love people we may have nothing else in common with. What does the way of Jesus teach us about growing relationships with each other in a faith community?

Text: Luke 24:36-48  

Description: Jesus is risen from the dead and appears to his disciples.  His appearance understandably freaks them out. To prove it’s really him and not a ghost, Jesus invites them to touch him and he even eats in front of them.  Once again, God shows how real Jesus is and how far God is willing to go to show how beloved we are in all our messy, complicated, blessed humanity. 

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Description:  Peace can be elusive in a world divided.  Jesus appears to us daily and says "Shalom Aleichem" (Peace be upon you) and restores our peace.