So often, our view of the good life is the busy, exhausted, driven, and unhappy life. But what if there was a different way to live–now, not when we get to heaven, but now?
September 9: “Happiness Redefined”
Scripture: Psalm 125 & Matthew 5: 1-16 
Theme: We live in a world inundated with messages about what “the good life” is. In a world of mixed messages, it’s difficult to know when you’re flying right-side up or upside down. The Beatitudes serve as a way of getting our bearings as to how God operates, what God values, and where “the good life” is truly found.
September 16: “Heaven Happens” (Communion & Welcome Back BBQ)
Scripture: Psalm 19 & Matthew 4: 17
Theme: Context is king. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 are really a response to what transpires in the latter part of Matthew 4 and Jesus’ declaration of the kingdom of heaven coming near. Before Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven, he demonstrates it. Through Jesus, we are reminded that the “kingdom of heaven” isn’t just a location on the other side of the grave. It’s a “happening” on this side of the grave.
September 23: “For the Bankrupt” (Joining of New Members)
Scripture: Psalm 1 & Matthew 5: 3
Theme: When the kingdom of heaven “happens,” it makes a difference for the poor in spirit – those who are in a broken condition far beyond their own capacity and resources to repair. People like to say “God helps those who help themselves,” but that maxim is far from biblical. In fact, God helps those who cannot help themselves, which is really all of us—people hopeless before God, standing in need of grace.
September 30: “Aching Visionaries”
Scripture: Psalm 124 & Matthew 5: 4
October 7: “Get Small” (Communion)
Scripture: Psalm 26 & Matthew 5: 5
Theme: When the kingdom of heaven “happens,” it makes a difference for the meek – those who are “small” and surrendered to God out of a profound sense of their “smallness.” The bigger we are (or think we are) the smaller God seems, but when we are humble, we know our need for God and God can do big things through us.
October 14: “Craving God’s Future” (Intergenerational & St. Thomas Youth Choir)
Scripture: Psalm 22: 1-15 & Matthew 5: 6
Theme: When the kingdom of heaven “happens,” it makes a difference for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – those who crave for things to be made right again in their lives and world. We often think of “righteousness” as personal piety, but throughout the Bible, righteousness indicates right-ness between people, justice for the oppressed. Crave these things and you will be filled with soul food and living water.
October 28: “Mercy Me”
Scripture: Psalm 34: 1-8 & Matthew 5:7
Theme: When the kingdom of heaven “happens,” it makes a difference for the merciful – those who are generous in deeds of deliverance on behalf of others in bondage to guilt and need. The prophets and Jesus alike emphasize God’s love of—and desire for us to practice—mercy. Regardless of whether they “deserve” it, we are to show others the grace and unmerited kindness that God shows to us.
November 4: PWS&D Sunday
Theme: We will welcome a guest speaker from Presbyterian World Service and Development to share about the important work of this organization and in particular explore our partnership with Francisco Coll School in Guatemala. Francisco Coll School is a safe haven on the outskirts of society in the midst of a dangerous area located near a garbage dump in the heart of Guatemala City, Families have come to the city, desperate to find work. PWS&D provides affordable tuition, nutritious snacks, supplies, uniforms and scholarships. This support opens doors to jobs and a future outside the dump. Following the service there will be a lunch and learn related to the possibility of a future congregational mission exposure trip to Guatemala.
November 11: “The Road to Peace” (Remembrance Day)
Scripture: Psalm 127 & Matthew 5: 9-12
Theme: When the kingdom of heaven “happens,” it makes a difference for the peacemakers – those who are contending for God’s wholeness – God’s shalom – in our violent, fragmented world. Conflict seems inevitable, but it is possible to live in a way that embodies God’s peace, living as children of God on earth, indeed bringing heaven to earth.
November 18: “You Can Change the World” (Communion)
Scripture: Psalm 126 & Matthew 5: 13-16
Theme: As we align our lives with these realities, we become as salt and light in our world – difference-makers. But we are only as salty and enlightening in our world to the degree that we reflect the nature of the King and his kingdom as described in the Beatitudes.