"Certain Signs of Grace" Series 2022

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 “Certain Signs of Grace” Series Overview

In the Sacraments, God’s love becomes visible.  The physical becomes a vehicle for the spiritual, a means of grace.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two Sacraments in the United Methodist tradition.  These “sign-acts” signify God’s gracious involvement in the events of history and in our human lives.  They affirm God’s faithfulness and prompt a faithful response from us.  In this series, we will explore the Sacraments from a Wesleyan perspective and discover how they are not merely symbols but “certain signs of grace” through which God strengthens our faith in Jesus Christ.

 

July 3
OPEN AND WELCOMING: Unlike the secret rituals of some groups performed in private, the church’s Sacraments are celebrated openly and made available to all.  Prevenient grace welcomes us to the font and to the table.  In Titus 2:11-15, Paul insists that God’s grace makes salvation available to all people.

July 10
THANKS AND PRAISE: We call the liturgy for Holy Communion “the Great Thanksgiving.”  In Communion, we thank God for all that They have done for us.  In Thessalonians 5:14-25, Paul recommends finding something to appreciate in every kind of situation.

July 17
BY YOUR SPIRIT MAKE US ONE: The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is also called Holy Communion because we seek to be one with Christ, with each other, and in ministry to the world.  In Romans 12:4-8, Paul promotes the idea that we are united in the midst of our diversity.  How does Christ promote unity?

July 24
FREEDOM AND POWER: Committing to the new covenant that God made with the church is about being willing to reject evilness within ourselves and outside ourselves.  In Galatians 5:13-15, Paul teaches that the purpose of freedom is not self-serving but serving others with love.

July 31
NURTURE THESE PERSONS: Baptism is not a once-and-done event.  Each time someone enters into the covenant, we all reaffirm our commitment and also commit to nurturing them.  In Hebrews 10:24-25, the author emphasizes the potency of encouraging one another when Christians gather together.  Who has shaped your faith?



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