There are times when the world can feel dark and chaotic. Many feel we are living in such a time. How do we not just eek out a living in moments like these — how do we find resiliency and strength to thrive in the midst of the turbulence?
This week we lean into an idea in Otis Moss III’s book by the same title: we must learn to Consecrate our Chaos.
This series draws from Otis Moss III’s book by the same title. Our first week reminds us that justice and love must be linked. One cannot exist without the other. Where do we practice only one — or neither? How do we change? We spend the last few minutes with a “Dance Break”. If you didn’t get the chance to participate in it, send us an email and we’ll connect.
The final week in Jonah is a rollercoaster. Redemption and repentance. Resistance and retribution.
What do the final two chapters have to say about how we go about our lives in this world?
Image shared at the end of the sermon:
We often avoid the darkness and quiet – perhaps afraid of what may arise in the silence. But in Jonah’s story, it’s there in the belly of the beast that he finds clarity and needed perspective.
We’ll be spending the next three weeks looking at the story of Jonah. Today takes a look at the first chapter – a story of an impossible mission and an understandable response.
Teresa and Chris consider the sacredness of questions — and invite us into a story full of them (John 21).
Over the summer, we invited folks to share some of the things they’ve always wondered about. We’re taking a look at some of them at summer winds down. Today, Chris looks at these two wonderings:
“Did God intentionally make the Bible such that we can interpret it in different ways? How can we know what is true and shalom?”
“Why do so many American Christians unilaterally support the nation of Israel even to the point of funding the military?”
Over the summer, we invited folks to share some of the things they’ve always wondered about. We’re taking a look at some of them at summer winds down.
Today, Teresa looks at these two wonderings:
“Did God intentionally make the Bible such that we can interpret it in different ways? How can we know what is true and shalom?”
“Many of us have moved from a literal or traditional understanding of God, theology, faith, etc. to a more open and progressive view. How do we avoid falling into the sin of certainty we find so distasteful in the communities we’ve left behind?”
We continue considering the interplay between disorientation and reorientation.
Psalm 34
Speaker: Chris DeBlaay
Teresa leads us through Psalm 81 – a Psalm of disorientation – and SaraJane leads us through the practice of mindfulness – a helpful resource in times of disorientation.
We consider a lament Psalm that does not contain Israel’s complaints, directed at God. But the reverse.
God speaks a psalm of lament to Israel.
Psalm 81
Speaker: Teresa Kinnear
We consider a psalm of disorientation — a song that speaks of those times when the world is turned upside down.
Psalm 74
Speaker: Chris DeBlaay
We take our first look at a Psalm of Disorientation – a song for those times in our life when everything seems to be falling apart.
In these ancient lyrics we find an encouragement to be honest and to bring whatever it is we are feeling or thinking to God.
Our third “orientation” psalm this week is Psalm 37. This longer song offers a hope for a world that is ordered and just, even though wickedness succeeds.
Speaker: Chris DeBlaay
We begin a summer series on The Psalms.
One way to consider the 150 Psalms is see them as either psalms of orientation, disorientation or reorientation. Psalm 1 is a psalm of orientation as it grounds us and orients us toward a particular way of life.
Speaker: Chris DeBlaay
Teresa and Christ wrap up this series by reflecting back on each week and sharing key take aways.
We begin a three year journey toward making the building a place that is accessible to all – a place where we and our community partners can grow, be transformed, and belong.
0:00 – Our building is not just for us. We own and care for it so that it can be a safe and transformative space for others. We remember those partners together.
2:36 – We remember and celebrate what we have already accomplished together.
4:55 – video
5:52 – Launch of Rooted and Restored
7:15 – What we will accomplish together through this campaign
8:42 – Our goal for Rooted and Restored, how we landed at this goal, and how we might accomplish it.
16:30 – Big reveal of how much has already been committed!
17:50 – We need everyone. There are a number of ways to help us reach our goal.
22:10 – Next steps
25:15 – Q&A
32:45 – Reflecting on how we may be feeling
35:30 – Hope as a compass
39:50 – Imagining a new future
Hope can often seem elusive. In those moments, wisdom teaches us that hope is not dead if we find proximate purpose.
Text: John 21 – Jesus giving Peter ‘the next right thing’
Speaker: Chris
Week 4
In order to embody hope we would be wise to lean into all of life, know when to hit the lower power mode, and cultivate joy.
Speaker: Chris
The Good News is Inspiring Us to Act
Mark 11:1-11
Preacher: Teresa Kinnear (it really is her — a technical snafu recorded the podcast at a different rate changing the tone of her voice 🙂
