Bluegrass United Church of Christ

Many of us have been brought up to believe in the rapture, the notion that one day, at any time, Jesus will return to earth and snatch all the Christians away, leaving a world full of "bad people" trying to endure God's wrath and survive the tribulation. How truthful is this teaching? What does the bible have to say about it?

MESSAGE: "Left Behind” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:32-40

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THIS WEEK WE ARE IN AWE OF SELF-GIVING: A sense of awe can include witnessing acts of “moral beauty.” Jesus’ life was an example of moral beauty–a ministry of lifting up the cause of the lowly and advocating for the power of peace and justice. Research shows that when we witness with awe others’ kindness, courage, strength, and overcoming, we are more likely to feel inspired to give ourselves in service of the good. We become more self-giving, more ready to lend a helping hand or commit energy to making the world a better place.

MESSAGE: "Self-Giving” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: an excerpt from Psalm 118

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THIS WEEK WE ARE IN AWE OF CONNECTION: Awe is a gateway to connection. As we have experiences that give us a sense of being part of something larger than “just us,” our penchant for self-preservation and obsession with the competitive default-self gives way to a renewed commitment to the greater whole. We need moments of “collective effervescence” that increase hope and joy at being part of the human family.

MESSAGE: "Connection" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: an excerpt from Psalm 149

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*We had some audio issues during today's sermon.We are so excited to have noted pastor and author Josh Scott with us today. Josh has written several books that speak to our need and ability to read and understand the bible with proper context - considering the time, the culture, the people, and the politics of the times in which they were written. Josh helps us understand that everyone, whether they consider themselves fundamentalist or progressive believers.

MESSAGE: "The Art of Cherry Picking" by Josh Scott

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Today, we continue our spring and summer series, "Purveyors of Awe," focusing on the awe of delight.We humans love repetition... up to a point. But sometimes, we just need a good “Wow!” and some goosebumps to help us feel fully alive. Our physical response to awe-filled moments come from a very ancient part of our evolution–even before language. And those goosebumps? They helped us forge connections with others as we faced the vast mysteries of life together. Delight still plays an important role in our spiritual needs and in our sense of a deeply relational life.

MESSAGE: "Delight" by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: excerpt from Psalm 36

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Today, we resume our spring and summer series, "Purveyors of Awe." Our world is as uncertain today as it's been in a generation. But we have the tools to make a difference if we use them. When we are curious, we give God an opportunity to use our seeking to find resources and help for those in need.

MESSAGE: "Curiosity" by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: excerpt from Proverbs 2

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We're super excited to have one of the area's most talented and beloved drag queens with us for Pride Sunday Church! Helena Handbasket, known as Anthony Smallwood when not in drag, comes with a message of hope, love, and encouragement to remind us that every day is an opportunity to live in love and give it away.

MESSAGE: "LOVE has EVERYTHING to do with it" by Helena Handbasket

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:7-8

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We resume our series called "Purveyors of Awe."We humans are “meaning-mongers.” Our brains are wired to interpret the ordinary stuff of life in metaphorical ways so that we can make some sense of it all. We long for meaningful lives in which we are more sure about the direction of our lives and about what we are to bring to this world. We yearn for experiences that leave us feeling more fulfilled. When we are “on the lookout” for meaning in our lives, we live at a deeper level, and mere existence turns into purpose.

MESSAGE: "Meaning" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 19

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We resume our series called "Purveyors of Awe."This week we are in awe of wonder: The “wide eye of wonder” creates optimal conditions for awe. When we open our senses to the “extraordinariness of the everyday ordinary,” we have begun the journey to a deeper existence than what resides at surface level. Wonder can be an antidote to anxiety and depression, pulling us instead toward the awe-filled knowledge that there is more than meets the eye, there are solutions in the midst of problems, possibilities where we sense only dead ends.

MESSAGE: "Wonder" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107:6-9, Psalm 139: CEB

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This is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost and Pride are more alike than you may think. So many things were happening as Jesus' followers gathered to wait for God's "new" Spirit to come. When it did, the experience and the results not only changed the believers and others that day, it changed our world too, and it has special significance for those who've been marginalized by religion's gatekeepers. Join us for Pentecost: The Pride Version.

MESSAGE: "Pentecost: The Pride Version" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-16

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This week, longtime BUCC Elder, Deb Core, shares the story of her arrival, not only to her current church home, but her place in life. From an upbringing that settled on a church, maybe for convenience's sake, she followed the circumstances and happenstance of seminary and lay ministry that led her to understand that some theological questions do not have easy answers. The path was not simple, or straight, but meandering to a good end. Enjoy Deb's beautiful and rich story.MESSAGE: "With Crooked Lines" by Elder Deb Core

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:1; 8-15

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This week, we continue our series called "Purveyors of Awe," looking at the awe of beauty. Beauty is complex. We call something “achingly beautiful” when it creates a pathos within us–a sense of something so precious that we want it to last forever, from the plump cheeks of a newborn to the wrinkled face of an elder. But, as we know, we are all mortal and not meant to exist in this bodily form forever. We open ourselves to the awe that is the beauty of life in between the first and last breath.MESSAGE: "Beauty" by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Job 33:2-4, Psalm 27:4

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What does it mean to be in awe? What does it mean to be a purveyor of Awe? Awe is a powerful emotional response that can significantly impact our well-being and perception of the world. As a species, we tend to attend to that which we dread and fear. It helps keep us alive. But now the frequency of bad news is off the charts, and it isn’t keeping us alive; rather, it is quietly draining the life right out of us. We must engage in awe-filled practices that heighten our connection to that which is bigger than us, remind us that we are not alone, and offer us respite and resilience.

MESSAGE: "Awe" by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 5

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Following Jesus comes with its own set of responsibilities. We are to be influencers for good, doers, of good who make a good difference in our world. Jesus called it being "light" and "salt." and he tells those of us who follow him that we have no choice but to be God's earthly influencers. Today's message is a hopeful reminder of what it means to be salt and light.

MESSAGE: "Who You Are" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13-16

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Now that Easter Sunday has come and gone, we're left with what to do with the things we've witnessed, the lessons we've learned, the promises we've heard. The work of healing and restoration continues because the impact Jesus made continues. Truth is, Easter hasn't gone anywhere... Easter Lives!MESSAGE: "Easter Lives" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: John 20:19-3

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Easter is the Christian believer's most sacred moment. It is the reminder again of the promise that Jesus made to his followers and us that he gives all of himself for us - his example, his words, his love, his life, so we can live and love like him - and his promise that we are never alone, that God is always with us, somehow, somewhere, in common ways, in extraordinary ways, God is with us.

MESSAGE: "Caught Between Grief and Hope" by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:1-12

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Our Lent series, "everything [in] between" is inspired by the Gospel of Luke. This week is Palm Sunday, the time we look at Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and the start of his final week before he is put to death. The celebration that ensues is not of his making. It is spontaneous and is sparked by the people who are sure they have found their liberator.

MESSAGE: "The Rocks Know" by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:29-40

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Our Lent series, "everything [in] between" is inspired by the Gospel of Luke. On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Jesus stops in his tracks to invite himself to dinner at one of the city's most despised people, and he gets a lot of criticism for it. But what happens next is a lesson in what could happen when we take the time to show mercy even when everyone around us thinks it's a bad idea. It's another important lesson as we explore the in-between of righteousness and mercy.

MESSAGE: "Saved!” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

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Our Lent series, "everything [in] between" is inspired by the Gospel of Luke. On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Jesus shares a parable about a tree that is struggling to do what it was planted to do. The tree's owner wants to cut it down to make room for a more productive tree, but the gardener wants to nurture it, give it the care it needs to flourish and produce fruit. He wants to give it time to grow. It's an important lesson as we explore the in-between of rest and growth.

MESSAGE: "Time to Grow” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 13: 6-9

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Our Lent series, "everything [in] between" is inspired by the Gospel of Luke. On this third Sunday of Lent, we find Jesus mixing and mingling with a group of undesirables and taking a lot of criticism from the church leaders for it. Jesus didn't deny that his crowd was the best society had to offer, but he didn't back away from his desire to be among them. As a matter of fact, he told the religious leaders that God would leave the church, if necessary, to make sure those undesirables knew how loved they were.

MESSAGE: "One Out of A Hundred” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Luke 15: 1-7

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Today is the second Sunday of Lent and we continue our Lent series "everything [in] between." This week we peek in at a gathering where Jesus and his disciples stopped in at the home of Martha with her sister Mary. One is busy making a meal and the other is just sitting and visiting. In many translations of the story, Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” which has been used to create a divide between Mary and Martha. However, in the Greek, Mary has chosen the “good portion,” and Martha’s tasks are called “ministry.” Therefore, perhaps Mary represents our faith, our desire to know God intimately, and Martha represents our good works, our desire to transform the world. Both are needed, and both are good.

MESSAGE: "The Work of Faith” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10: 38-42

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Today is the first Sunday of Lent and the beginning of our Lent series "everything [in] between." We begin with the parable Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. The parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the lawyer who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive political climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we label as “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors.

MESSAGE: "Stranger Danger” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10: 25-37

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You know what usually pops into your head when someone refers to the "F" word. We don't talk about it a lot in church, but maybe we should. It's important to our everyday life, our sanity, our spirit, our wellbeing, our relationships. The bible has a lot to say about it, so we're going to take a look at how we can incorporate it into our lives, for our own sake, and for the sake of our world.

MESSAGE: "The 'F' Word” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 36: 5

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Sometimes the best relationships, the best experiences, the best memories, come from those unexpected encounters, those moments we didn't plan for, but left us changed for the better. This Sunday we're looking at one such encounter as we examine that bizarre exchange between Moses and God, with a blazing bush between them. Moses was forever changed, and so was history. Join us as we enjoy the blessing of "Unexpected Encounters."

MESSAGE: "Unexpected Encounters” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:1-5

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This Sunday we will explore the Sermon on the Plain found in Luke 6. In the story, Jesus had stepped away to the mountain to pray; when he came down, it was to be on the same level as those who had gathered - he wanted to be on the same level with them - and he began to preach. He reminded his disciples and the others who had gathered that God is in the midst of every encounter they'd experience. Perhaps, more than ever, we need to be reminded that the Holy resides with us to fuel us, we are never alone. He reminds us to simply love - not just those we like, but also those we may think of as enemies. It sounds simple, but if we're honest, we know it can be difficult. Join us as we wrestle with loving the other... even when we don't want to.

MESSAGE: "Love Who?” by Pam Lee-Miller

Tony Campolo was known for his big stories. As a dynamic preacher and a sought-after speaker, he was always asked to share from his experiences because he was really good at it. One of his most beloved stories is about a sermon he heard that gave him hope for the future. "It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming" is that kind of story. It reassures us that the moment we're in may feel dark and hopeless - just like Jesus' followers felt on the Friday when he was buried. But a promise had been made that wouldn't be fully realized until the weekend was over.

MESSAGE: "A Long Weekend” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6: 7-10

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We all agree that our nation is in a scary and unprecedented time. Only a few days into the new presidential administration and our emotions are already exhausted. We know from experience the turmoil and upheaval that we can expect these next four years. Politics that uses Jesus for power but denies his mission and message is not new, but seeing the abuse on full display has left many of us angry and bewildered. Why would a nation as enlightened as ours do that to ourselves? How can we save ourselves? So what do we do? Ultimately, the question forced on us is who do we follow - someone who uses Jesus' name to do evil things or the real Jesus?

MESSAGE: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14: 3-14

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This Sunday is extra special as we hold our first baptism of the new year. We also reflect on Jesus' own baptism and the Spirit's affirmation to him that he was marked by God's love. We ask ourselves what it means to be marked by God's love and how we might be changed if we commit that truth to our own self-worth. Where might that message lead us as individuals, partners, and friends? But most of all, how does that claim challenge us to be the church?

MESSAGE: "Claimed by Love JOY!” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 3: 21-22

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Most of us have grown up with the notion that when the magi came to see Jesus, it was a cordial call, or maybe a sign that even those who practice foreign religions find him to be other worldly or divine. As best we can tell though, their reasons were probably more selfish than that. Maybe they were interested in him for other reasons entirely.

MESSAGE: "We Need THAT Kind of Epiphany” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2: 10-11

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Welcome to the fourth Sunday of Advent. As we continue to journey with some of the people and characters who were important to the Advent story, today, we get to know the magi who traveled from the East, through Herod's palace, to Bethlehem. The "star" finally led them to a place of joy, but the journey was nothing less than a big deal and a big adventure.

MESSAGE: "There'll be JOY!” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2: 1-2, 10-11a

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Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent. There's a part of the Christmas story that is often overlooked. A man named Simeon had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Christ child. And a woman named Anna had spent most of her old age waiting at the temple for his arrival. Their promises came true when Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus came to the temple for his cleansing. What does that mean for us today? MESSAGE: "Holding Out for HOPE” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2: 25-38 Learn more about us at:

This Sunday we continue our Advent series, "There'll be joy!" We're focusing on Peace as we take a look at the moment when angels suddenly appeared late one night to a group of tough and hardened shepherds. Why, of all the people to hear the news, did God choose these non-influential, everyday people to share the announcement with? MESSAGE: "Peace” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2: 8-14

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Advent is here! This Sunday we begin our journey toward Christmas - the moment our relationship with God would change forever. This first Sunday of Advent introduces us to the special relationship between Jesus' parents, Joseph and Mary. By law, Joseph was within his rights to end their engagement, but knowing the shame it would cause his soon-to-be wife, he chose to hold onto love instead.

MESSAGE: "It Must Begin with Love.” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1: 18-21, 24-25

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This Sunday we will look at an encounter Jesus had with ten lepers. After healing them, one returns to Jesus and thanks him profusely for the healing. Are we more like the thankful one or the ones who received healing and went on about their everyday life? How do we build our faith on gratitude? Join us for "A Letter of Gratitude."

MESSAGE: "A Letter of Gratitude” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 17: 11-19 Learn more about us at:

Sometimes we're strong - strong enough to be a force for ourselves and for others who may need a little boost. Sometimes though we need a little help, and that's when we rely on those around us to help us make it through the season we're in. As you'd imagine, the Bible has some thoughts on how we can be there for one another.

MESSAGE: "A Time to Carry and a Time to be Carried” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Luke 5: 17-26

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Our plan was to conclude our election-time series last Sunday. However, we've heard from a lot of people who are looking for assurance and hope after this past Tuesday's elections. A lot of folks are afraid, and many feel threatened.

What do we do with our anger and anxiety?

How do we respond to our fear and our grief?

How committed are we to the good work of justice and righteousness in our world?

MESSAGE: "Blessed Are You: The Sunday After a Tough Election” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5: 1-12

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As of this message, we are hours away from casting our final votes for who will be the next president of the United States. Getting here has been hard, emotional, and disconcerting. Families and friends have staked their territory and many have chosen not to listen to the other side, outside of the targeted parts and pieces their own side wants them to hear. Our nation is fractured, maybe not as drastically as it was in the mid-1800s, but probably as divided as it's been since. It would be a good time to be reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 22 that loving our neighbor is not an option, and Abraham Lincoln's words to a broken nation as the Civil War was coming to an end... "With Malice Toward None."

MESSAGE: “Malice Toward None” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22: 34-40

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This Sunday we continue our worship series that invites us to extend ourselves beyond the divisions we feel in this world. We will consider what it means to respect each other, irrespective of our differences. "R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to me." Aretha Franklin convinced us that it means a lot. Sometimes we think having respect means to agree or be the same, but that is not actually the depth of what respect is about. It comes from the Latin "respectus" which means "the act of looking at one often, to consider, to observe." We are called to respect by tending to one another. We'll see you this Sunday to continue our series, "Do Unto Others."

MESSAGE: “We are the Body-that’s who we are” by Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31

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Today, we continue our worship series that points us toward connection in a world of divisions. The root of the word “human” is the same as the word “humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.” From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human. This week, we remember to look first at our neighbor as a person, not a position. Beginning conversations this way may help us to stay human and “on the ground” with one another rather than needing to come out “on top.” MESSAGE: “One” by Kenny Bishop

Today, we continue our worship series that invites us to consider the qualities that will help us navigate the divisions we are experiencing in our world. This week, we consider compassion. Why do we need this quality more than ever now? Because we are complex beings living in a complex world. We sometimes deal with conflict within us in addition to the conflict between us. Research tells us that because we humans are desperate for a sense of cohesion and belonging in these confusing times, we are hanging onto ideological generalities instead of treating ourselves and each other with the compassion required to alleviate despair. Compassion grows when we are able to know ourselves and one another on a deeper level and act out of understanding. MESSAGE: “Compassion” by Kenny Bishop

This Sunday we begin to delve into what it means to love our neighbor during an election year. Do different political views give us the right to throw sand and kick people off the playground? We will examine what it means to have compassion for one another - even when we do not agree. We'll see you this Sunday to begin our new series, "Do Unto Others. MESSAGE: “In the Sandbox” by Pam Lee-Miller

Bartimaeus was a blind man who made his living as a beggar. He lived at the mercy of others, and that meant he lived most of his life in poverty and great need. One day though, he heard that Jesus the healer was walking by, and with nothing to lose, he called out once again for mercy. This time though, the results were different.

MESSAGE: “Leave the Cloak Behind” with Pam Lee-Miller

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10: 46-51

Was Jesus the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T)? When he asked his closest followers what was on their minds, he discovered they had selfish ambitions that could hamper their work for the kin-dom. That's when he brought a little child into the group, embraced him and used him as an example of what true welcome and humility is.

MESSAGE: “No Need to be the G.O.A.T.” with Pam Lee-Miller

Who do you say Jesus is? It's a great question, but the answer probably depends on a lot of things. When Jesus challenged his followers with the honest question, some of them tried to use the moment to prove their bravado. Jesus shut them down with stern words, "Get behind me, Satan." Seems harsh, doesn't it? MESSAGE: “Get Behind Me and Follow” by Pam Lee-Miller

We all have questions, especially those of us who've grown up in church. As we grow and learn, what we believe changes, and things related to our relationship with God and the bible are no exception. Today, we take the time to address some of the questions you have. MESSAGE: “Ask the Pastors” with Pam Lee-Miller and Kenny Bishop

We've heard it said before, laughter is good like medicine. It relaxes our minds, exercises our bodies, fills our lungs with air, energizes our hearts, lifts our spirits, and makes for happier moments. It always feels good to laugh, and these days, it seems more important than ever for us to find something that brings us that kind of joy. And another thing, laughter is contagious.

MESSAGE: “It's Contagious!” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 21: 1-4

August is recognized as Overdose Awareness Month. Being a part of a community means being aware of the needs around us, and recognizing the great need for compassion toward those who are fighting the internal war on drug abuse and addiction. It also means walking with those who are addicted and supporting them as we can. It means instead of throwing stones of judgment, we can instead bring stones of compassion.

MESSAGE: “The Stones of Compassion” by Daniel Beasley

SCRIPTURE: John 8: 1-11

Today we are making the history that the generations who follow will write about and discuss. We have to ask ourselves what our motives are. Are we seeking a better world? If so, for whom do we seek it? If our hearts are set on being our best for others more than ourselves, then we are following the great Shepherd that we read about in Psalm 23.

MESSAGE: “Dark Nights of the Soul & The Grace of God” by Rev. Diane Vego

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23, Jeremiah 20: 7-18, Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Most of us have a lot of demands for our time, our attention, and our resources. Sometimes we're able to manage to survive with at least a degree of success. But eventually, we find ourselves feeling burnt out and tired. That's when we discover that even though the tasks may not have been monumental, they have been constant and nonstop. In the words of a great songwriter, "It ain't the mountains that cause me to falter... it's the little hills whose constant rhythm is unbroken that drains our strength away."

MESSAGE: “It Ain't the Mountain” by Kenny Bishop

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6: 9-10