“The Acts of the Apostles: The Jesus Movement Morphs into a New Religion”
Sundays, May 5, 12 & 19 at 11:20am
LPC Pastor Jim Butler will lead a three-part series on the New Testament Book of Acts (aka “The Acts of the Apostles”) on Sundays, May 5, 12 and 19 in Wright Chapel following worship. The document is commonly understood as a memoir of the early years of Christian history, from the crucifixion of Jesus and the Easter “appearances” up to the martyrdoms of James, Peter and Paul (AD 62–68). Most scholars agree that it was written by Luke, a co-worker of Paul, as a companion volume to his Gospel.
Acts is full of very interesting stories of the scrapes and troubles the early Christian believers got into with religious and civil authorities as they took “the good news of God” to the world. But it is not just history, it also records the theological controversies and squabbles that occurred inside the movement as it slowly separated from Jewish synagogues and the Jerusalem Temple and welcomed more and more Gentiles. Acts hints of the long-term icy relationship between Paul and the original apostles and James, the brother of Jesus who led the Jerusalem “mother” church for 32 years following Jesus’ death. When read alongside Paul’s letters, a more fulsome, accurate and lively picture emerges of the serious birth pangs of the Jewish sect that blossomed into a new world religion.
“Discipleship & Service”
Sundays, April 21 & 28 at 11:20am
Aliyah Kennedy will lead a two-part series: Discipleship, Relationship and Serving Others. Lifelong discipleship requires an awakened and engaged commitment to God and to all people whom Christ loves. It is about the call to daily take up our cross and follow Christ. It is about striving to see all people the way Christ sees them, not from judgments or preconceived perceptions. It is about helping walk with others, responding to their needs, desiring their well-being. The way of discipleship and service helps us to create deeper personal relationships with those around us.
“Report on the Southern Border”
Sunday, April 14 at 11:20am
LPC member Marie Andrews will report on her recent Pilgrimage to the Southern Border with a PowerPoint slide show. All are welcome! Come and hear what’s going on in another part of the country and the people providing assistance. Marie’s experiences included a drive to the wall, worship, music, art, lectures and building fellowship with like-minded Christians.
“Dances of Universal Peace”
Sunday, April 7 at 11:20am
An important part of congregational vitality is supporting each other’s God-given gifts and empowering one another to use those gifts for God’s good purposes. Another part is congregational and self-care. On April 7, LPC member Subhana Graf will share her gift to bring peace and unity with Dances of Universal Peace. This tradition uses sacred phrases, chants, movements, and music from the world’s wisdom traditions. Everyone is welcome to this joyous group moving meditation. No experience needed. All is taught in the moment.
“The Pathway to Grief is Love”
Sundays, March 3 & 10 at 11:20am – In-person class
“The way we deal with grief in our culture is broken.” –Megan Devine, author of It’s OK That You’re Not OK
How we understand and address grief in our culture is in need of a complete and total makeover. Rev. Sue Pray, UCC Minister and Director of Spiritual Care at hospice will join us on March 3 and 10 at 11:20 a.m. to reflect on self-care and caring for each other during the difficult, but inevitable journey of grief. In this two-session workshop, we will explore how we understand grief, the myths our culture imposes on grief, and the reality of grief. Because if we have loved and lost, we have grief. Join us for this difficult but necessary discussion about our end-of-life experiences and how we might better prepare and manage our journey of grief.
“Answers to Job: Coping with An Imperfect World”
Sundays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 11:20am – In-person class
“There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was blameless and upright, revered God, and turned from evil…” And yet, Job’s life came apart at the seams. Foreign raiders stole his animals and murdered his servants; his children died together in a windstorm; and then he came down with a nasty, chronic skin disease. Job lost everything except for his unsympathetic wife and three friends who said it was all his fault — he sinned, and God was punishing him.
The ancient Hebrew story of Job deals with the question of why otherwise decent, good, God-fearing people suffer and experience loss. Many people ask the same question Job asked: “What did I do to deserve this?”
Beginning Sunday, January 7 at 11:20 a.m. and continuing for three more Sundays, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore how people of faith have coped with suffering, loss and disappointment.