Love Without Limits Preaching Series Information
As we said goodbye to long days and summer vacations and hello to changing light and the first day of school, we began a yearlong journey called Love Without Limits. The idea behind this theme is to explore how we, who understand ourselves as recipients of God’s limitless love, might in turn live into that way of love as we reach out to our neighbors. In particular, we are challenging ourselves to reach out to those individuals and groups of people for whom the whole Christian church could do a better job of loving.
The current climate in our culture promotes division, shaming and blaming, even scapegoating of people who don’t exactly fit into an arbitrary definition of what is normal. There is less and less safe space for people who are ‘different’ because of their ethnicity, faith tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class, age, income, etc.
I am reminded of a line from the old camp song (at least that’s where I remember hearing it), “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” And I wonder, is this true today? In this country, in the year 2016, do people know the church by our love? Perhaps it is time for us to rethink our message… can we reclaim the good news that, in Christ, God’s unconditional, limitless love for all people has been revealed?
Stay after worship for prayer & conversation on each topic.
As we said goodbye to long days and summer vacations and hello to changing light and the first day of school, we began a yearlong journey called Love Without Limits. The idea behind this theme is to explore how we, who understand ourselves as recipients of God’s limitless love, might in turn live into that way of love as we reach out to our neighbors. In particular, we are challenging ourselves to reach out to those individuals and groups of people for whom the whole Christian church could do a better job of loving.
The current climate in our culture promotes division, shaming and blaming, even scapegoating of people who don’t exactly fit into an arbitrary definition of what is normal. There is less and less safe space for people who are ‘different’ because of their ethnicity, faith tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class, age, income, etc.
I am reminded of a line from the old camp song (at least that’s where I remember hearing it), “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” And I wonder, is this true today? In this country, in the year 2016, do people know the church by our love? Perhaps it is time for us to rethink our message… can we reclaim the good news that, in Christ, God’s unconditional, limitless love for all people has been revealed?
Stay after worship for prayer & conversation on each topic.
I am so pleased with the way we began this Love Without Limits journey. The theme for the last three Sundays has been Love People of All Abilities Without Limits. I am so thankful for the wonderful people who joined us for this conversation.
Pastor Mike De Witt, ministry consultant for Bethesda Lutheran Communities, along with residents and caregivers from one of the nearby Bethesda Community homes, Pastor Bruce Strade and Cindy Wilkins from the Interfaith Disabilities Network of Oregon, and Pastor Mary Peterson, chaplain for Providence Hospice.
When I set out to put this series together, I had no idea I would get three pastors in a row to join us! I think all three of them did an amazing job of connecting the ancient Old Testaments texts with our theme of loving people of all abilities without limits. Their messages were faithful, challenging and relevant to the issues we face in our world today.
I am also thankful for all the people that hung around after worship to engage in conversation with our guests about what it meant to be a welcoming church to people who are different from us.
Pastor Mike De Witt, ministry consultant for Bethesda Lutheran Communities, along with residents and caregivers from one of the nearby Bethesda Community homes, Pastor Bruce Strade and Cindy Wilkins from the Interfaith Disabilities Network of Oregon, and Pastor Mary Peterson, chaplain for Providence Hospice.
When I set out to put this series together, I had no idea I would get three pastors in a row to join us! I think all three of them did an amazing job of connecting the ancient Old Testaments texts with our theme of loving people of all abilities without limits. Their messages were faithful, challenging and relevant to the issues we face in our world today.
I am also thankful for all the people that hung around after worship to engage in conversation with our guests about what it meant to be a welcoming church to people who are different from us.
We begin with some basic learning about the faith and history of Islam, and give thoughtful attention to our questions and our concerns. After that, we will take the next step of reaching out to members of Bilal Masjid, so that together we might create opportunities for further conversation, greater trust and interaction and mutual understanding. We explored the connections between Islam and Christianity. In particular, the way Muslims understand Jesus.
We welcomed:
Laila Hajoo, director of Islamic Social Services of Oregon State, who shared her story with us from the perspective of a Muslim American woman. She shared with us about her growing up and her desire to build bridges between people who have been separated by fear and prejudice.
Shahriar Ahmed from the Interfaith and Outreach Department at Bilal Masjid.
Faiza Noor a member of the speakers bureau at Muslim Educational Trust.
Thank you for all the ways you are living out your faith, welcoming others and showing people in Washington County what Christian community can look like.
We welcomed:
Laila Hajoo, director of Islamic Social Services of Oregon State, who shared her story with us from the perspective of a Muslim American woman. She shared with us about her growing up and her desire to build bridges between people who have been separated by fear and prejudice.
Shahriar Ahmed from the Interfaith and Outreach Department at Bilal Masjid.
Faiza Noor a member of the speakers bureau at Muslim Educational Trust.
Thank you for all the ways you are living out your faith, welcoming others and showing people in Washington County what Christian community can look like.
Our Love Without Limits series
continues into the new year!
Beginning in January, 2017…
Love [People of All Races] Without Limits!
During this 7-week series, beginning on Sunday, January 8th, from 10:45am to Noon, we will use Jim Wallis’ book, America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America, as the focal point for conversations about race in America. Reading the book will be helpful, but not required, to participate in these discussions.
There’s a sign-up sheet in the Commons for those who would like to order a copy of the book. The cost is $12.00.
Let’s explore how we can work together toward racial justice, healing, and reconciliation in our communities and across the country.
continues into the new year!
Beginning in January, 2017…
Love [People of All Races] Without Limits!
During this 7-week series, beginning on Sunday, January 8th, from 10:45am to Noon, we will use Jim Wallis’ book, America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America, as the focal point for conversations about race in America. Reading the book will be helpful, but not required, to participate in these discussions.
There’s a sign-up sheet in the Commons for those who would like to order a copy of the book. The cost is $12.00.
Let’s explore how we can work together toward racial justice, healing, and reconciliation in our communities and across the country.
"Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, |
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Breathing Underwater
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Bible Reading
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PowerPoint
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| Breathing Underwater: Introduction Sermon Slides |
(no PowerPoint for this sermon)
| Breathing Underwater: Step 2 Desperate Desiring Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 3 Sweet Surrender Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 4 A Good Lamp Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 5 Accountability IS Sustainability Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 6 The Chicken or the Egg - Which Comes First? Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 7 Why Do We Need to Ask? Sermon Slides |
| Breathing Underwater: Step 9 Skillful Means Sermon Slides |
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Community of ChristChurch 5170 NW Five Oaks Drive, Hillsboro, OR 97124 503.617.9526
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