You’ve Got A Friend
​April 25-May 23, 2021

Jesus was accused of being a friend to the wrong people. He also had high expectations for friendship, as once he said the greatest love is in one who lays down their life for a friend. One of the ordination vows proposed to elders, deacons and pastors is this: Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry? Friendship is important. Over the year, we have had to get creative in how to practice friendship with one another. In this series Rev. Tom Are will explore why friendships matter and identify barriers that some friendships must overcome.

April 25	Don’t Go to Any Trouble on My Account
May 2	I Don’t Have Time for That
May 9	I’m Not Enough
May 16	Let It Go
May 23	The Spirit Came from Heaven

The Spirit Came from Heaven
May 23, 2021 - Rev. Tom Are

On the first Sunday we returned to in-person worship, there was much to celebrate. And yet, we also know that the past 14 months have taken their toll. Many have lost loved ones. Others have lost jobs. Others have lost hope. Rev. Tom Are preaches it will be important during these days of struggle that we remember this: the Spirit of God has come to us, to dwell with us, to renew our hope. There is no weariness so deep, that the Spirit cannot provide rest. There is no grief so strong, that the Spirit cannot provide comfort. The Spirit of God has chosen to dwell with us. Our Scripture reading is Acts 2:1-13. 

Bulletin 5-23-21​
Sermon Transcript 5-23-21

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Let It Go
May 16, 2021 - Rev. Tom Are

Rev. Tom Are points to a touching moment in a Biblical story where forgiveness is involved. The truth is, friendships can’t last long without learning something about forgiveness. None of us gets it right all the time, so if we are going to walk the journey of life with one another, we are going to need to learn how to let some things go. Our scripture readings are Acts 15:36-40 and 2 Timothy 4:9-11.

Sermon Transcript 5-16-21

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I’m Not Enough
May 9, 2021 - Rev. Tom Are

The Gospel of John tells us on the night of the last supper, Jesus took a towel and basin, he knelt down and began to wash the feet of his disciples. It made Peter uncomfortable. It would likely have made us uncomfortable. It was a moment when Jesus shows us what his love for us looks like. It is a love we don’t often feel like we deserve. We might be right about that. But he loves us anyway. Real love is not earned, it’s just trusted. Our scripture reading is John 13:1-11. 

​Sermon Transcript 5-9-21

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I Don’t Have Time for That
May 2, 2021 - Rev. Tom Are

It’s not enough to carry our friends in our hearts; they have to show up on our calendars as well. Jesus taught us something about that when he went to have dinner at Mary and Martha’s house. Rev. Tom Are talks about this in the second sermon in the series “You’ve Got a Friend.” Our scripture reading is Luke 10:38-42. 

Sermon Transcript 5-2-21

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Don’t Go to Any Trouble on My Account
April 25, 2021 - Rev. Tom Are

Rev. Tom Are starts a new sermon series titled, “You’ve Got a Friend,” reflecting on aspects that encourage meaningful friendships, as well as some barriers to friendship. He begins the series by reflecting on Paul's spiritual advice to "bear one another's burdens." Sometimes we are the strong one; but sometimes we need someone else's strength. Our scripture reading is Galatians 6:2. 

Sermon Transcript 4-25-21

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