Summer Sermon Series

Can you believe that summer is already here?  I am amazed!  School will soon be out, summer vacations will start … AND we will be starting our Summer Worship schedule.

For those of you who are new to our congregation since last summer, you are in for a treat (at least I think so).  We go totally casual and sing more songs … there is a spot where everyone gets to suggest their favorite hymns.  We pray together, and my sermon series is always just a tad different than what I do the other 9-10 months of the year. 

Last year I took on the persona of a different biblical character each week and told their story – from their perspective.  From what I was told, it went over really well.  So ... I am going to attempt the same thing again this year – with different characters. 

Recently, I sent an email out to the congregation soliciting their suggestions and comments and the comment I got back most often was, “why not include women in your series?”   That is a good question.  Initially, I resisted the idea since I don’t look very good in a dress – past Luau’s aside. However, I was reminded that there are many different ways of creatively approaching the challenge of doing a woman character – without sacrificing what little modicum of respect I have.  So … rest assured, as you will read below, there will be women profiled this summer.

Here is my tentative list of bible characters I will be presenting to you.  First, from the Old Testament: Cain (Abel’s brother and Adam and Eve’s son), Balaam’s donkey (no snide comments, please), Noah, Esther (the princess who saved the Jews), and Bathsheba (David’s wife and mother of Solomon).  The New Testament characters include: Pontius Pilate’s wife, Judas (the one who betrayed Jesus), Barnabas (one of Paul’s companions), Dorcas (who Jesus raised from the dead) and Onesimus (Philemon’s slave).

It is quite a list and I promise you will learn a lot each Sunday about each character – much which you do not presently know.  So please join us.  We start our summer series on Sunday, June 29^th the week after we worship together at the Convention Center in downtown San Jose (June 22^nd).

Let me tell you a little about that.  For the first time ever, our denomination is holding its bi-annual convention here in San Jose.  On the first Sunday of the convention there is this fantastic worship service for all those who have come to the convention and the local churches.  It is an amazing, spiritual feast.  Our choir is one of many choirs who are joining together to sing at that service.  Some of us are liturgists, some ushers.  Most of us are just going to go downtown and participate in a once in a lifetime event.

Please join us.  We will get more information to you as the date grows closer.

Well, my space is up and I have to get back to preparing for Sunday.  Have a great month, be blessed, and as always … I’ll see you on Sunday!

Pastor Tom