News
For the past several weeks we have focused on exploring Jesus' central teachings in the “sermon on the mount,” found in Matthew chapters 5-7. This has been a broad overview intended to help us understand the big picture of Jesus’ core message. It turns out, Jesus’ sermon also helps answer two big questions many people are asking about Christianity today:
There are two pressing issues facing religion today that are largely going unanswered: Why is religion so often on the wrong side of the most important issues facing the world? And how can we cultivate a spirituality that brings goodness, compassion, and repair to a troubled world without becoming religious hypocrites? But these aren’t just the most pressing questions facing religion today...
Yesterday, our church community began the season of Advent together with an intergenerational worship service of storytelling and music. Kids and adults alike had the opportunity to make and take home their very own Advent wreath, which has five candles to be lit each week leading up to Christmas day!
I have crafted a GUIDE for individuals and families of all ages to use for a weekly time of candlelit reflection. Whether you choose to follow along with your own advent wreath, electric candles, or other sources of light, we encourage you to join us on this sacred journey through hope, peace, joy, and love to Christmas.
unday, Nov 28 we begin Advent! This year, The Oceanside Sanctuary is inviting you to join us in reading through an excellent new Advent devotional called, Traveling With Our Ancestors by Disciples of Christ pastor, activist, and theologian Sandhya Jha, who writes in the in opening note:
We learned a lot about America this week. The ugliness of Jan 6th confirm that systemic racism, white supremacy, and the dangerous threat of authoritarianism and Christian nationalism are very real threats. Some are already pushing for the nation to unify and heal. But this runs the risk of ignoring the very real trauma, loss, and grief that Americans are experiencing...
Tuesday we learned that officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake will not be held accountable. This re-awakens the ongoing trauma so many of our fellow Black Americans experience after high-profile killings of people like Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
Why would anyone still choose church? With the extreme polarization of our society leading up to the 2020 national elections, you’ve probably noticed there is a growing disillusionment with religion in America. More and more people see church as the source of the problem, not the solution to our problems.
Advent is upon us! Join us for a season of preparation during the first four Sundays of December. We will recount the ancient roots of the gospel in the promises of God made to the Israelites and ask how we can look for the same sparks of hope in our worlds biggest and deepest challenges.
Sunday at 10:30 AM at the Oceanside Sanctuary or follow along on our podcast page every week!
