Looking Toward Sunday

August 12, 2012 - "Cleaning House" Sermon Series

Week 4 - Cleaning Out Our Calendar

"Breathing Space"

This Sunday is the final installment in our "Cleaning House" sermon series.  This week we're going to be thinking about our calendar (or day planner or Blackberry or whatever it is you use to keep your daily agenda) and pondering whether there are a few things that need to be cleaned out.  

Our scripture readings for the day are Genesis 2:1-3 (the Creation story, where God finishes the job and takes a day off) and Deuteronomy 5:13-15 (that pesky fourth commandment that says we need to take the day off too). You can read the Genesis passage here and you can read the Deuteronomy passage here. We'll be thinking about how well we've made room for sabbath - time that's set aside for rest, reflection, restoration, and recreation as modeled by none other than God's own self.

Chances are your calendar is a bit fuller than you'd like it to be - possibly a lot fuller.  What would it be like to obey the commandment to observe sabbath?  What if you could open up that kind of breathing space in your life?  What would it mean to your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being?  How would your relationship with God be different?  With friends and family?  With yourself?  Join us as we imagine what it might be like to obey all ten of those Ten Commandments.

See you on Sunday!

Looking Toward Sunday

August 5, 2012 - "Cleaning House" Sermon Series

Week 3 - Cleaning Out Our Material House

"The Simple Life"

Our summer sermon series entitled "Cleaning House" continues this week. The last two Sundays we reflected on the emotional and spiritual "stuff" in our lives that may need to be sorted through, boxed up, and swept out. This week we'll take a look at all the literal, material "stuff" we accumulate and consider whether it makes our lives more satisfying - or less so.

The scripture lesson for the day is Jesus' parable of The Rich Fool and Jesus' subsequent warnings about materialism. (You can read it here.)  He has some harsh criticism for those who "store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." (Luke 12:21)

Jesus challenges us to ask ourselves where our is wealth invested - in earthly treasures or in God's kingdom? Have we become caught up in our culture's endless cycle of desiring, acquiring, and consuming? Could divesting ourselves of some of our excess stuff and choosing a simpler life bring us more contentment? Join us as we ponder what a good "housecleaning" might mean for our quality of life.

See you on Sunday!