Fall Worship Series starting Sunday, Sept. 13
There isn’t an aspect of our life together that hasn’t been affected by the on-going realities of this global pandemic. In fact, just being together is the hardest thing to do. But each day, somehow, we go about our work and life continues. As a community of faith, scattered but still united, we return once again to God’s story as it’s laid out in scripture. And the ancient chronicles speak of how God remains relentless in God’s pursuit to stay connected to us and God’s expectation that we stay connected to one another. Reflecting on this truth, the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Rome, “I am convinced… nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8:38-39). This fall, we’ll be exploring how our physically distant realities don’t change the spiritual truth of God’s love for us and how we should live in response.
| Sunday | Narrative Lectionary Focus Text | Gathering Hymn | |
| Sept. 13 | The cracks in creation can’t separate us. | Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 | ELW 824 |
| We hear the story of God’s amazing creation in Genesis 2 but quickly the story moves into Genesis 3 and we discover the cracks in creation. This mirrors our year: spending time in the beauty of creation but also feeling like this pandemic may never end. Where do we find hope? | |||
| Sept. 20 | Our doubts can’t separate us. | Genesis 15:1-6 | ELW 793 |
| So often we are afraid to talk about, or acknowledge, our doubts. But doubt is an element of faith. In our story about Abram we see that God holds space for our doubts as wide and deep as the night sky. | |||
| Sept. 27 | Broken relationships can’t separate us. | Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21 | ELW 769 |
| What would the world be like if we could bridge the gaps, come together to fight injustice, and forgive one another? We explore the notorious life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers. | |||
| Oct. 4 | Whatever keeps us captive can’t separate us. | Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8 | ELW 807 |
| It’s not just the people in power that keep us all tied up. Being in relationship with God, means being set free for a life with limitless boundaries. | |||
| Oct. 11 | Mis-guided allegiances can’t separate us. | Exodus 32:1-14 | ELW 522 |
| We are living in a world of unknowns and uncertainty just as the people were when they wandered in the wilderness. How do trust in God when we feel lost and alone? | |||
| Oct. 18 | What’s beyond our control can’t separate us. | 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10 | ELW 840 |
| An ancient song of praise and promise reminds us that God’s vision has the power to set all that is wrong, right once more. |