Following Jesus with our Heads

January 1   1st Sunday of Christmas/New Year’s Day/Communion
Text: Hebrews 2:10-18
Theme: Like Us to Save Us
Big Idea: Jesus had to become like us in order to save us (Hebrews 10:17).

January 8   Baptism of Our Lord/Installation of New Officers
Text: Matthew 3:13-17
Theme: Baptism and Ordination
Big Idea: The baptism of Jesus was a baptism of water and the Spirit into ministry (Matt. 3:11).

January 15   2nd Sunday after Epiphany/MLK Weekend
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Theme: Called
Big Idea: Following Jesus is inspired by a clear sense of call.

January 22   3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Matthew 4:12-23
Theme: The Three Practices of Discipleship
Big Idea: Faithful disciples follow Jesus with their head, heart, and hands.

January 29   4th Sunday After Epiphany
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Theme: Consider Your Call
Big Idea: Those who practice the way of Jesus are called to a way of life distinct from the ways of the world.

Following Jesus with our Hearts

February 5    5th Sunday after Epiphany/Communion
Text: Matthew 5:13-20
Theme: How to Live as Salt and Light
Big Idea: At its core practicing the way of Jesus places form ahead of function.

February 12
Text: Matthew 5:21-37
Theme: Defining Practices
Big Idea: Following Jesus involves both right thinking and right action.

February 19   Transfiguration of the Lord/Congregational Meeting
Text: Matthew 17:1-9
Theme: Lessons from the Mountain
Big Idea: As Jesus is, so will we be.

February 22   Ash Wednesday
Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Theme: Inhabiting the Practices of Faith
Big Idea: Practicing the way of Jesus calls for obedience from the heart.

February 26   1st Sunday of Lent
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Theme: The Battle
Big Idea: Jesus succeeds where Adam and Israel failed.

Following Jesus with our Hands

March 5   2nd Sunday of Lent/Communion
Text: Matthew 4:23-25
Theme: The Healing Ministry of Jesus
Big Idea: Jesus went about doing good indiscriminately to Jews and Gentiles.

March 12   3rd Sunday of Lent

Text: John 4:5-42
Theme: Giving Water to the Thirsty
Big Idea: Followers of Jesus share the water of life with all who are thirsty.

March 19   4th Sunday of Lent
Text: John 9:1-41
Theme: From Sight to Insight
Big Idea: The darkness of the man born blind, and the ignorance of the religious leaders is a potent image of the condition of people inside and outside the church.

March 26   5th Sunday of Lent
Text: John 6:1-15
Theme: On Mission with Jesus
Big Idea: A Disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and on mission with Jesus.

April 2   Palm Sunday/Communion
Text: Matthew 21:1–11
Theme: Who Is This?
Big Idea: The most important question demands a clear answer.

April 6   Maundy Thursday
Text: John 13:31-38
Theme: Choices: Betrayal, Denial, and Love
Big Idea: Love conquers the darkness of the human heart.

April 7   Good Friday

April 9    Resurrection Sunday
Text: Matthew 28:1-10
Theme: The Meaning of the Resurrection
Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus changes everything.