Sermon Series: Living the Unanswerable Questions
Good morning! Welcome to worship online. Today we celebrate Senior Adult Sunday. Early in Greystone’s history, Hannah Hills began developing and leading a ministry with Senior Adults in our community. Because of her leadership, we now have a rich tradition of celebrating the gifts of those who are 65+ years old. Though COVID-19 has caused us to alter some of our traditions, you will find that some of the things we love the most are still happening. One of those traditions we were able to continue is that on this special Sunday, many of our worship leaders are Senior Adults.
We have also decided to do something new this year, so we have a special treat for all of our Seniors. The ministers will be in the Sawmill parking lot today from Noon to 1pm with a gift for each of you! Just drive through during that hour and roll your window down so we can give you your gift and say hello. Don’t worry, we will be wearing our masks!
Looking forward to seeing many of you today. Until then, let us be united in worship together.
What are you made of?
In my devotions this week, I opened my heart and thoughts to this piece. It has been playing over my spirit since I first read it. It expounds on the writings of Julian of Norwich, 14th century English mystic. Julian said that we are not merely made by God but are made “of God”. This […]
“Love Your Crooked Neighbor with Your Crooked Heart,” by Christian McIvor
In his Confessions, Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” I think all of us can relate to this feeling of restlessness we find within ourselves when we are chasing after things that are not of God. Thankfully, we […]
Sermon Series: A People Defined by Love
Welcome to worship on this rainy Sunday morning. Often, days like this give us an opportunity to slow our bodies and our minds from all that steals our attention. Because we cannot get outside to do the yardwork, because we don’t want to run to the grocery store in the rain, because everything just seems a little quieter, we have a chance to sit, to rest, and reflect. Maybe it’s because of the Gospel reading for this week or maybe it’s all the commercials, junk mail, and campaign texts we’ve been getting but this week (and weekend) as I’ve tried to slow my mind to hear a word from God, I have been amazed at all the things that are vying for allegiance and ultimate loyalty.
Remembering the words from today’s Gospel reading, I continue to sit with the words of Jesus: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.” Of course where this leads is the bigger question: What on earth could I have that doesn’t really belong to God?
As the weather gives us time to sit still and reflect a bit, I wonder if the Holy Spirit isn’t trying to teach us something about our loyalties. Are there things that we have (relational, material, spiritual) that we need to turn over to God? Is there something we are holding onto that we need to release? How is God calling us into the freedom of knowing that in God and God alone, we trust?
Better Together
Yesterday, I stood outside Crabtree Valley Church in the fog and humidity with members of the Welcome House Network “Dream Team”. We were there to welcome CBFNC Executive Director, Larry Hovis, and his cycling group at the finish line. Larry and his team started a 240-mile trek to Raleigh from the Blue Ridge Parkway. All […]
The Bright Field
What a beautiful day! Fall in North Carolina is simply the best time of the year. I hope that as you move through this week you take a moment to pause and notice the grace that is exploding in the spaces around you. The Holy Spirit is at work in these days; our job is […]
Sermon Series: The Heart of the Body
Today we join with Christians around the world who celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day intended to remind us of our unity with all people who claim, “Christ is Lord.” Unlike in years past, this year we all re-imagine our communion tables as they have necessarily become coffee tables, dining room tables, and kitchen islands (among other things). What we are learning, though, is that our unity is one that transcends time and space. Whenever we gather – virtually or in person – to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and to eat our holy meal, we are renewed by God’s grace.
“We’ll Be the Hands, We’ll Be the Feet,” by Christian McIvor
Ephesians 4.15-16 reads, “15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in […]
Sermon Series: Being of the Same Mind
Welcome to worship. Today our scripture reading is from the Pauline Epistle to the church at Philippi. The Philippian church is believed to be one of the healthier churches in the ancient world, at least if Paul’s affection for them is any indication. Even still, they struggle with disputes and division among themselves. In the verses read today, we will see that Paul encourages them to be of one mind, and for that to be the mind of Christ.
Our world today is full of so many opportunities for division and disunity. Seeing as our church is in this world, I suspect at times, we let those divisions permeate our fellowship. Therefore, I wonder if we might find any encouragement in the reading for today? Might Paul’s words help us remember why we exist? Might this reading help us remain focused and unified in our mission? I hope!
Tracing the Pattern
My friend, Mark Tidsworth (Pinnacle Leadership Associates), posted the following on Facebook last week: The chaos is an indicator deformation is now in full swing Cry, lament, curse, grieve…whatever we need to let Egypt go Making space in ourselves for creation and rebirth As God constantly works to make all things new, all things new […]