Sermon:           God’s Overwhelming Presence.

Theme:            We are healed and transformed by the power of God’s presence and awe, so that we may choose to follow a new path of wholeness and peace.

Purpose:          We will examine the gifts of awe and the power of God as we experience them in our lives.

Scriptures:       Exodus 24:12-18         The glory of God’s power is shown to Moses and Israel.

                        Matthew 17:1-9          The story of the transfiguration, and the call to listen to Christ.

Questions:

What is the difference between experiencing the awe and wonder of God’s presence and being entertained or excited about an event? What purpose does the Transfiguration play in our relationship with Jesus? What does it mean to see Jesus differently? What influence does the power of God and wonder in God’s glory have in our ability to thoughtful and wise Christians? How does acknowledging God’s greatness and Jesus’ divinity cause us to see ourselves in a different perspective?

Sermon:           A Clean Heart, a Right Spirit

Theme:            We submit ourselves to Christ’s renewing presence that sets us free from our sins.

Purpose:          The congregation will choose to open themselves to God’s renewal through self-examination and prayer.

Scriptures:       Joel 2:1-2, 12-17         A call for a fast and repentance before God.

                        Psalm 51          A Psalm of repentance.

                        Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Instructions for Fasting and for focusing on our relationship with Christ.

Questions:

Are we really happy and joyful in our relationships with God and with the people around us? How do we move from feelings of insecurity, hostility, and fear to a place of love and wholeness? What is it that keeps disrupting our ability to have healthy community and good relationships? What is it we need to identify in order to grow and change? What is the path that will take us to a place of feeling good about ourselves and others?

Sermon:           Our Problem

Theme:            We are people who are mired in sin and unable to overcome our weakness.

Purpose:          We will understand our need for submission to God.

Scriptures:       Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7            God’s commandment to not eat of the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil.

                        Matthew 4:1-11          Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by the devil.

Questions:

What role does temptation and trial play in our process of sorting out our priorities? How is it that we come to examine what we truly believe rather than the things we wish we believed? What is the path we need to walk in order to come to a place where we are able to be authentic in our faith? What causes people to be more focused on their own will and desires rather than on what would truly be fulfilling and joyful?