"Anything But Ordinary" Series 2024

By -


“Anything But Ordinary” Series Summary
Do you believe in miracles?  Some of us feel the miraculous simply in waking up each morning, and some of us search for concrete answers to explain the unexplainable.  Surely, Jesus’ closest followers felt the same way since his ministry was anything but ordinary.  Join us in January as we explore the miracles of Jesus and what they mean for us today.




January 7 | Epiphany
MIRACLE WITH US: The incarnation of Christ is itself miraculous.  In Matthew 2:1-12, the Magi bring gifts to the baby Jesus.  Where do you see Christ embodied today?

January 14 | Baptism of the Lord
STILLING THE STORM: The storms of life come in the form of sickness, loneliness, pain, and rejection.  These are fearsome forces.  In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus is calm because he is stronger than the storm.  When have you been afraid?

January 21 | Second Sunday after Epiphany
THE BENT-OVER WOMAN: Sometimes, we feel overpowered by our circumstances.  Chronic health conditions can take a toll.  So can oppressive social norms like sexism.  In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus disregards sabbath rules to liberate a woman from a crippling condition.  What indignity do you want to overcome?

January 28 | Third Sunday after Epiphany
GERASENE DEMONIAC: In Jesus’ life and ministries, he encountered evils that seem to be other-worldly.  In Luke 8:26-39, Jesus exorcises demons from a man in Gerasa.  The casting out of the demons declares Christ’s power over all evil.  When have you felt God’s deep healing?

February 4 | Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
FEEDING THE 5,000: All that life demands from us can leave us feeling depleted.  It can make us feel anxious about having enough time, money, and energy.  In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus blesses 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed a multitude.  After everyone ate, there were leftovers!  If I had more [___], I’d worry less.

February 11 | Transfiguration Sunday
RAISING THE WIDOW’S SON: When our hope dies, we feel a total loss.  In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus revives a widow’s son who died.  Jesus meets our despair with compassion.  What loss are you grieving?

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Wholeness of Being" Series 2026

By -
Image
“Wholeness of Being” Series Summary for Eastertide (April 12-May 24) Easter reveals God’s commitment to the wholeness of the world.   T heologian Ilia Delio argues that science and faith are not rivals but essential partners in understanding the mystery of life and God's ongoing work.  She says: “We are one body, and we seek one mind and heart so that the whole may become more whole, more personal and unified in love” ( The Unbearable Wholeness of Being ).   Join us this spring as we explore connections between science and faith for a season of becoming whole so that we can live as agents of love’s unfinished future.  Apr. 12 | Easter 2 - Communion  LOVE IS COMMUNITY: One is the loneliest number, according to the 60s ballad.   In Luke 24:13–35 , Jesus accompanies the disciples to Emmaus and eats with them.   Resurrection is discovered in relationships, not isolation.   Delio argues that, in an evolving universe, Christ is found in communal belongi...
Read more

"Healing Wounds" Series 2026

By -
Image
  “Healing Wounds” Series Summary (Feb. 18-Apr. 5) What do we do with wounds that won’t close—grief that lingers, shame we carry quietly, a world that feels fragile?   In Lent, we will take those questions seriously through an encounter with Jesus, not as a distant savior but as a wounded healer who knows pain firsthand.   Guided by Erik Varden’s Healing Wounds and a medieval devotional prayer by Arnulf of Leuven, we will linger with Christ’s scarred body and discover how God’s love works not by erasing suffering, but by entering it and transforming it.   Each week, we will recommend a different prayer posture.   Join us this Lent for a season of honest prayer and surprising hope as we open ourselves to the promise that what hurts most can become the place where new life begins. Feb. 18 | Ash Wednesday AFFLICTION: We are wounded people living in a wounded world.   In Mark 8:31-35 , Jesus says that following him means taking up a cross rather than chasin...
Read more

“Faith and Film” Series 2026

By -
Image
  “Faith and Film 2026” Series Summary (May 31-June 28) Movies can be modern parables that reveal our deepest longings, struggles, and hopes. They not only reflect who we are, but they can also offer glimpses of God’s presence in our world.   In our annual Faith and Film series, we will explore how some of this year’s Oscar-nominated films speak to the human desire for healing, justice, and reconciliation.   The films that were chosen by Trinity Wilmette members include Hamnet , F1 Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, KPop Demon Hunters .   They reflect the stories that resonate most with our community. Join us in June as we engage these films through the lens of faith, discovering how they challenge, inspire, and point us toward God’s truth.   May 31 | Trinity Sunday HAMNET : In the wake of devastating loss, Agnes and William Shakespeare embody the disorienting, uneven journey of grief. Their story invites us to honor sorrow not as something to rush past, but ...
Read more