Spirituality and Religion

While worship is the central activity of our Sunday mornings as a congregation, we also have a wonderful opportunity to avail ourselves of time together in conversation and learning. At 8:45 AM each Sunday, consider taking part in Faith Formation. There are classes for all ages and room for more of you. Below is a brief article submitted by Brenda Hefner that highlights what is going on in the fellowship hall each Sunday:

The Faith Formation Forum is starting a 7-week session using the Animate Faith DVD program.  This promises to be not just your usual Sunday School class.  The materials are designed to raise questions, flip established answers and assumptions upside down, and to stick in your head for months and even years to come.  Session guides include Nadia Bolz-Weber and other contemporary Christian theologians who are challenging us to think in new ways. 

In week one, we heard Brian McLaren say “Sometimes, when I hear people speak about God, I feel like an atheist.  The God they speak of I don’t believe in: a God who loves Christians but hates Muslims; or a God who pours luxuries on the rich but consigns the poor to poverty; or a God who cares about human souls but doesn’t care about conserving and protecting our beautiful, fragile planet.  So if you ask me, “Is God real?” I first have to ask, “Which God are we talking about? And what do you mean by God?”


This Sunday, we explore the topic of “Religion: Spirituality is Not Enough” by Lillian Daniel.  In 2011, Lillian wrote an online devotional called “Spiritual But Not Religious: Stop Boring Me” that went viral.  It drew strong agreement from some, vehement disagreement from others.  View it at Spiritual but not Religious.

Don’t miss this opportunity at 8:45 AM in the Fellowship Hall!  (Coffee and Tea provided)

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Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 18, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, your Sun Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. 

Give us grace to love one another, 

to follow in the way of his commandments, 

and to share his risen life with all the world, 

for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.  Amen

Readings

Acts 7:55-60

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

1 Peter 2:2-10

John 14: 1-14