Future Sermons

I've been working on my sermon calendar for the next year. I'm pretty excited with my plans so far. Thought I would share my overall themes and see if you all have any input. Let me know your ideas, illustrations or worship element suggestions!

Good Words in James
James will be a five week series on the the Epistle of James. James offers very straightforward concepts on the words we choose to use, not showing partiality and demonstrating our faith through our deeds (faith without deeds is dead!).

Vision
I have spent the last four months meeting with about half of our worshiping attendance in small groups for four weeks at a time. We brainstormed the following areas together: Intentional Discipleship, Missions, Evangelism/Growth and Short/Long Term Goals. I will spend four weeks revealing those results and offer a WUMC sized vision for tomorrow!

Relationships
Five weeks discussing the difficulties and keys for success in the following relationship situations: singleness, marriage, children, friendship and Christ. These areas are not completely solidified and I may tweek them:)

Give it Away
Even in recession, many are still living in abundance- but some are not. We will spend four weeks proposing different ways to "give away" our abundance. I'm thinking of focusing on the following areas: stuff, food and money (outside church/inside church). I'm hoping this will be a month to focus on Missions and all the ways we can serve and help. I also have a bombshell of an idea that I am hoping to reveal in September in preparation for this series!

Ruth
I read the Old Testament book of Ruth a few weeks ago and was absolutely floored! It's a beautiful story of God's provision and love; it's romantic, tragic and awe inspiring . . . and four chapters long.

Christmas Series
I don't know just yet- but it will be something Christmassy'. How about some help here!?

Romans
After Christmas we will begin the highly thought provoking New Testament book of Romans. It's 16 chapters long and will likely be our Lenten focus taking us to Easter. In Romans, Paul is writing to the Church in Rome that is no doubt experiencing growing pains. He painstakingly emphasizes the importance of grace by faith alone in Jesus Christ to a pagan culture. Romans will help deepen our Christian beliefs and stretch us in areas concerning God's sovereignty and our Jewish cousins (our faith relatives).

Completion of First Vision Group!

Yesterday we wrapped up the first Vision Group. They met once a week for four weeks in January. It was a phenomenal group of people who were full of great ideas and visions for the future of Weston United Methodist Church. All of them are spark plugs in our church and are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work for Christ in our community. If you haven't signed up for a Vision Group yet there is still time. This is an opportunity for everyone to share their input and ideas in order to shape the future of our church. The next group will start on Wednesday nights and run again for four weeks. In March they will meet on Sunday afternoons from 4-5:30pm. In April they will meet on Monday nights from 6:30-8pm. You can sign up outside the sanctuary anytime. Hope to see you there soon!