Lenten Sermon Series, February 22-March 29
“Out of the Wilderness”

The wilderness is real, and today it seems even more so. Jesus lived there for 40 days but made his way out, even if it was towards a cross. In Lent, we are going to look hard at those contemporary places of wilderness that come our way. Join us in worship as we follow Jesus “Out of the Wilderness,” both then and now! Sunday worship services are at 8:30 (chapel), 9:30 (fellowship hall), and 11:00 am (sanctuary/livesream).

February 22 – First Sunday in Lent
Sermon Title: “The Devil on Your Shoulder”
Rev. Bayo Ogungbade
Lay Reading: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Preacher Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
On this first Sunday in Lent, we’re going to stand firmly in the middle of the crossroads of the world and the Word. We’re going to join Jesus as he comes face to face with his own temptations, and in turn, we confront our own temptations. Together, we’ll examine our hearts, minds, and spirits, and grow more in our capacity to pay attention to the worldly voices that we ascribe to. Let’s sift through all of the worldly distractions in our lives so that we can see and hear what Jesus is truly calling us to do.

March 1 – Second Sunday in Lent
Sermon Title at 8:30 and 9:30 am: “New Birth” by Rev. Stephen Coleman
Youth Sunday at 11:00 am
Lay Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Preacher Reading: John 3:1-17

March 8 – Third Sunday in Lent
Tom Berlin preaching about the woman at the well and living water
Lay Reading: John 4:1-10

March 15 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sermon Title: “The Not So Blind Blind Trust”
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Lay Reading: John 9:1-12
Preacher Reading: John 9:35-41
John 9 is a lengthy account of the blind man who sees and the Pharisees who are blind. The sermon will speak to the lengths we will go to avoid the truth. The blind man saw the truth of Jesus. The Pharisees came up with every device possible to deny who Jesus was. As a result, they were the blind ones. The sermon will speak of the many ways we do that today and encourage us to put aside these techniques, face the truth, and, like the blind man, fall down in worship and belief.

March 22 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sermon Title: “Take Away the Stone”
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Lay Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Preacher Reading: John 11: 1-6, 17-27, 38-45
We humans can be a hard-hearted people. We are stubborn, we resist change, and we want things our way. In contrast, the stories of Ezekiel and Lazarus represent a softer nature. Ezekiel, a chapter earlier, reminds us how God removes our hearts of stone for a heart of flesh. In our reading, dry bones come to life and breathe. Jesus weeps with tenderness with grieving people at a graveside. And then, into the hardness of death, he commands, “Take away the stone.” It isn’t so great to have a hard heart. Maybe that theoretically shields us from the pain, but it comes at a great cost.

March 29 – Palm Sunday
Sermon Title: “Be Careful With Crowds”
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Lay Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Preacher Reading: Matthew 21:1-11
There is a classic message out there about the Palm Sunday crowd. They were cheering Hosanna on Sunday, but crucify on Friday. Such is the superficiality of the crowd think. The danger continues with a deeper dive. Those crowds who shouted Hosanna on that Palm entrance also had the wrong picture of Jesus. Their King was not of the style and substance they envisioned. They still wanted a king who fit their desires. Jesus, however, did not. We still do this today. We pick the Scriptures we like, and we choose what part of Jesus we desire. Typically, this Jesus is about me and not so much about the cross. Alluding to Ross Douthat’s book Bad Religion, the sermon will offer a caution and correction.

After Lent

April 2 – Holy Thursday
Join us for this special service that begins with a meal at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall, followed by prayer and worship in the Garth, and a stripping of the sanctuary.

April 3 – Good Friday
7:00 pm, sanctuary/livestream, Rev. Stephen Coleman preaching

April 5 – Easter Sunday
6:45 am Garth
8:15 am sanctuary
9:30 am fellowship hall
11:00 am sanctuary

April 12 – Second Sunday of Easter
Sermon Title: “What’s So Great About Doubting?”
Rev. Dr. Peter Moon
Lay Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Preacher Reading: John 20:19-31
Many of us have endured the classic pattern. We celebrate the wonder of Easter, we boldly proclaim that Jesus is risen, that he is alive, and then the following week, we run into doubting Thomas. There, in thousands of pulpits, we will proclaim the goodness of doubting. Doubting is a good thing and an acceptable thing. It is ok to have doubts and questions. Ok, maybe an ok thing, but Jesus in the story didn’t see it that way. Sure, he showed himself to Thomas, but he didn’t celebrate the doubt and seeking. He rebuked it and said we are blessed when we don’t do it his way. The sermon will remind us that doubts are not something to be celebrated. Belief and faith are to be lifted up. They offer confidence and movement. Doubt leaves us in stagnation.

April 19 – Third Sunday of Easter
United Women in Faith Sunday
Guest Preacher