Closing out our Closer Look series

Sometimes we can't make it on our own. (thanks, U2) To live as faithful followers of Jesus, we need help: support, community. We are part of a team, a group, a family, a body; the Body of Christ. We need each other.

Can you handle the Truth? Truth is, worship is important, even essential, in our being disciples of Jesus.

What about your baptism? One thing that happens in baptism is we are initiated into something bigger than ourselves. This was true even for Jesus.

1st in a 5 part series called "Closer Look," we're looking closely at some of the most basic elements of being a Christian. It all starts with confession: any challenge, issue, problem, brokeness we are willing to confess, God is willing to being healing.

We wrap up the "Do I Belong" series with this message based on Luke 13:1-9. Do the bad things I've done - or that have happened to me - affect God's love for me? Do I belong to God even if I've done horrible things? In a word, yes. But check out the whole message. Roughlock Falls Nature Area | Black Hills & Badlands - South Dakota (blackhillsbadlands.com)

Do I belong to God if I struggle to believe? We are thankful that our belonging to God depends on God rather than on us!  Director of Student Ministries and Worship Leader Julia Castleman brings it with this message shared Sunday morning, July 18, 2021.

Guest Preacher Rev. Marianne Brown-Trigg, Campus Minister for United Methodist college students in Denton, Texas, offers an insightful glimpse at the splendor of Jesus' people gathered together.

In the USA, there are a lot of mixed messages about the overlap or intersection of being a believer and being a patriot. Here's how we think Jesus can help us address this.

Is it ok to have friends who aren't Christian? Well, Jesus seems to have enjoyed spending time with "Tax Collectors and sinners."