Upcoming Worship Series
Looking Through a Different Lens
Life is hard. Frustrating. Exciting. Challenging. Stressful. And so much more! What if we could develop a pattern of looking at the same stress, events, disappointments and people and situations through a new lens? A life-giving lens, instead of a life-depleting lens? We won't ignore problems and struggles, but instead see them with new perspective, the way God sees them.
Theme Verse: Deuteronomy 30:19b:
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
WONDER
October 10 & 11
As we look with wonder at a sunset or the stars in the sky, and as we notice the beauty all around us, we look especially at animals on this “Blessing of the Animals” weekend. What do we learn from animals? To trust, to love unconditionally, to be faithful, to name a few. This week we’ll note the beauty of animals and how we can gain a new lens from them with which we see the world.
CURIOSITY
October 17 & 18
Having open-ended curiosity is a way of approaching the world with palms open to receive as opposed to fists shut to the world. Curiosity is what brings us through ‘threshold’ moments- those moments when we are in between ages, stages, and decisions in life.
JOY
October 24 & 25
Joy is not just happiness. Happiness is based on all our circumstances lining up and everything being good. Since life is full of trials, what if, in the midst of it all, we had a lens of a deep, abiding joy?
CONNECTION
October 31 & November 1
Whenever we have experiences that give us a sense of being part of something larger than “just us” our tendency toward hyper-focus on our own lives and problems turns to a renewed commitment to the greater whole. On this weekend, we will celebrate “All Saints” where we remember all those who have gone before us, and remember our place as part of God’s family across the ages.
MEANING/PURPOSE
November 7 & 8
We humans long for meaning in our lives. Our brains are wired to interpret the ordinary stuff of life 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 find greater fulfillment and purpose.
SELF-GIVING
November 14 & 15
“Love big. Pack light.” This is the title of the devotion for Bob Goff’s Nov 18 devotion. We are reminded to love in big ways, and don’t get too tied to the ‘stuff’ of life. Research shows that any time we witness others’ kindness, courage, strength, overcoming of adversity, we are more likely to feel inspired to give of ourselves in service to others. We become more self-giving, more generous, more ready to lend a helping hand, or commit energy to making the world a better place.
GRATITUDE
November 21 & 22
The ultimate lens through which to see the world is a lens of ‘gratitude.’ When we fill our lives with gratitude, we’ll spill over with love. Gratitude is not about ignoring problems or pretending difficulties don’t exist. Instead, it is a lens through which we see everything else.