Happy New Year! We enter into a new decade - 2020! As we begin the new decade together, our question we will wrestle with throughout the season of Epiphany is - WHY CHURCH? Have you ever thought about that question? How would you answer that question?
“Why Church?” As you know, people come to church for a variety of reasons – community, obligation, or even for the coffee. But those are surface level reasons. Throughout the season of Epiphany we are going to look deeper into that question. When we really look deep into the “why” of church, it’s all about what God does in our hearts: transformation. And, that’s what people are seeking, to be transformed! So why church? Because church…
Join us throughout Epiphany as we explore worship together and explore “Why Church?”
January 12th we kick of Epiphany - Asking the question
WHY CHURCH?
The answer
For the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations - Psalm 100:5
It is Camp Sunday, GLLM staff will be present to lead worship and preach with Summer 2020 theme - Generation to Generation - For the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations - Psalm 100:5
January 19 Asking the question
WHY CHURCH?
The answer
Because church is RESTORATION.
Jesus gets up very early and goes out alone to find a quiet place to pray – his way to restore his soul. The disciples cannot find him but when they finally do, they say, “Everyone is searching for you.” In our fast-paced society, what is it that we searching for? How do we find it? Is it Jesus? Why church? Because church is restoration.
January 26th - Asking the question
WHY CHURCH?
The answer
Because church is REIMAGINATION .
People are clamoring to get near Jesus. When the crowds are so great, a group cuts a hole in the roof to lower a friend through to be healed by Jesus. They used creativity to figure out how to connect with Jesus. Jesus, too, reimagines what it means to be a follower when he seeks out Levi, a tax collector. People often think of church as unchanging — “we’ve always done it that way.” That is not the tone set by Jesus! Why church? Because church encourages re-imagination!
February 2 - Asking the question
WHY CHURCH?
The answer
Because church is a RE-CREATION of boundless opportunities.
In God’s kingdom, even when things seem to die such as a seed, God brings new life through ways we could never imagine. Both the sower and the mustard seed begin small but with God, amazing things happen. Why Church? Because church is a re-creation of boundless opportunities.
February 9 - Asking the question
WHY CHURCH?
The answer
Because the church tells and lives the RESURRECTION story.
Jesus continues his healing work, but ups his game. Not only does he heal a woman who had been cast out from society for twelve years, but he even raises a girl from the dead. Why church? Because the church tells and lives the resurrection story.
How would you answer Why Church? I am going to push you a little further… As Trinity in Madelia celebrates its 150 anniversary…. I invite both my beloved churches to ask and answer the question Why Trinity? Think about it… You will be given the opportunity to answer this question in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Peace be with you and your family this new year!
Pastor Krista
