“Love Yourself Unconditionally”

Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu philosophy that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better—the author, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, of Fierce Love lays out the nine daily practices for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, our posse, and our larger communities.

In her book, she suggests that there are harmful images and beliefs about God that needs to be let go of before we are able to embrace God as love.  She writes, “Unfortunately religion is too often weaponized.  Wars are waged in the name of religion.  People are enslaved and terrorized in the name of religion…. I’m a Christian pastor, and these are things my tribe has done, all in the name of Jesus.  If humankind is to thrive, we need to let go of any religion that wounds and kills…  But we need to exercise a spiritual imagination free of fear and shed the constraints of unhealthy religion”. (Fierce Love, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, p. 129)

Siblings, we must see the world through the eyes of God who is love and believe with all our heart in love.  And all this begins with loving yourself unconditionally.  Are you good about loving yourself?

We begin our first Sunday of 2024 with reflecting on loving ourselves as God loved us.   Join us.

 

Join us in person or via Zoom, Facebook or YouTube Live.

Sunday service begins at 10:15AM.

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2024 January – February Worship Series

Fierce Love

Inspired by the tenets of ubuntu—the Zulu phrase, “I am who I am because we are who we are”, that we are each impacted by the circumstances that impact those around us, and that the world won’t get better until we all get better.  In her book, Fierce Love, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis shares her own experience, of being the first female and first Black minister in her church’s history, of being in an interracial marriage, and of making peace with childhood abuse – illustrates that our human capacity for empathy and forgiveness is the key to reverse a world divided and broken.She lays out the nine daily practices in her book for breaking through tribalism and engineering the change we seek but in our worship, we will reflect on six practices. From downsizing our emotional baggage to speaking truth to power to fueling our activism with joy, it demonstrates the power of small, morally courageous steps to heal our own lives, and our larger communities.

Sharing stories that trace her personal reckoning with racism as well as the arc of her journey to an inclusive and service-driven faith, Dr. Lewis shows that kindness, compassion, and inclusive thinking are muscles that can be exercised and strengthened.  She says, Fiercely Love!  Love! Period!

 

Jan 7, 2024  |   Epiphany

Love Yourself Unconditionally.  It All Starts Here.

Jeremiah 31:3

Mark 1:9-11 (NLT)

 

Jan 14, 2024   |   Human Relations Sunday

Travel Lightly. Downsize the Burdens You Carry

1 John 4:16 – 19

 

Jan 21, 2024   |   Christian Unity Week

Show Kindness and Affection Wildly

Luke 10:25-37

(Guest Preacher:  Ken Schoon)

 

Jan 28, 2024

Think Inclusively!  They are Your People, Too!

Luke 19:1-10

Galatians 3:28

 

Feb 4, 2024   |   Black History Month      

Find Joy Purposefully!  It is the Water of life!

Isaiah 12:1-6

John 4:14

 

Feb 11, 2024

Have Faith in Love!  Love is the way! Period!

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Leviticus 19:18