Nov 1, 2015
The Mighty Thor: Living between Heaven and Earth
1 Peter 5:5
What do we have in common with a Norse thunder god with long blond hair and an enchanted hammer? Consider: Is Thor’s primary loyalty to his heavenly realm of Asgard or to the planet earth? Does he carry himself with the pride and nobility befitting a prince or with the proper humility of someone who knows that others are as special as he is? We do see ourselves in Thor’s tensions. Our identity as followers of Jesus is that we are God’s children and princes and princesses of heaven. Yet we are called to live humble lives of service into the world we live in daily. How do we do that authentically? Come find out this Sunday how you are royalty living in our world.
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  • Nov 1, 2015The Mighty Thor: Living between Heaven and Earth
    Nov 1, 2015
    The Mighty Thor: Living between Heaven and Earth
    1 Peter 5:5
    What do we have in common with a Norse thunder god with long blond hair and an enchanted hammer? Consider: Is Thor’s primary loyalty to his heavenly realm of Asgard or to the planet earth? Does he carry himself with the pride and nobility befitting a prince or with the proper humility of someone who knows that others are as special as he is? We do see ourselves in Thor’s tensions. Our identity as followers of Jesus is that we are God’s children and princes and princesses of heaven. Yet we are called to live humble lives of service into the world we live in daily. How do we do that authentically? Come find out this Sunday how you are royalty living in our world.
  • Oct 25, 2015The Mighty Avengers – Assembling a Community of Saints and Sinners
    Oct 25, 2015
    The Mighty Avengers – Assembling a Community of Saints and Sinners
    Luke 4:18-19
    The newest box office superhero hit is Avengers: Age of Ultron. While a great movie, it also captures how working together with a constantly changing group of people who come with different backgrounds and different life experiences can be challenging. We can relate to this! Time and time again, however, The Mighty Avengers find a way to work together to save the world. As we strive to live out heroic lives by linking up with others we struggle to understand and agree with, God gives us the grace and wisdom necessary to work together for God’s good in our torn world. Come to find out how you can receive this grace and wisdom, too!
  • Oct 18, 2015Wonder Woman – The Strength of Love
    Oct 18, 2015
    Wonder Woman – The Strength of Love
    1 John 3:11-21
    Strength, power, and influence don’t have to be defined in terms of brawn, aggression and violence. In a world where we personally experience “might makes right” almost on a daily basis, we need a different approach. Our God calls us to be strong and mighty, but not in the ways the world operates. Wonder Woman, our superhero this week, offers an alternative, a way for us to see how we can live heroically in the strength and power of love, truth and  justice. 
  • Oct 11, 2015Daredevil – Vengeance or Mercy?
    Oct 11, 2015
    Daredevil – Vengeance or Mercy?
     
    Micah 6:8
    During the day, Matt Murdock is a lawyer who tirelessly strives as an advocate for justice by taking on cases no one else will. By night, he dons a red devil costume and fights as a vigilante against those who have escaped legal justice. In himself, Matt is torn between his own heroic ideals and his moral failures. People of faith are not always perfect pillars of virtue either. We are called to fight for justice and at the same time to show mercy. How do we authentically do both? Come this Sunday to struggle with this devil, if you dare!
  • Oct 4, 2015The Uncanny X-Men – Dealing with Discrimination and Diversity
    Oct 4, 2015
    The Uncanny X-Men – Dealing with Discrimination and Diversity
    Galatians 3:28
    The X-Men are a group of people who were born different. Because of that, people fear and hate them. Even so, they have sworn to protect the very people who are prejudiced against them. They have more ethnic, racial, and gender diversity than any other superhero team. What would you do if you were mistreated, feared, and even hated simply because of the way you were born? In this Sunday’s message we will wrestle with how God’s people are called to confront prejudice, welcome the stranger, and be a diverse community.
  • Sep 27, 2015The Incredible Hulk – Controlling Our Anger
    Sep 27, 2015
    The Incredible Hulk – Controlling Our Anger
    Ephesians 4:17-32
    When brilliant scientist Bruce Banner gets angry, he transforms into the mean green monster known as The Incredible Hulk. The Hulk is one of the most identifiable fantasy characters in popular culture. But is he a superhero or supervillain? His anger fuels his strength, which he can use for either good or for harm. The Hulk can be a vivid image of the visceral power of our own anger. Does our anger make us stronger? Does our anger make us lose control? Don’t miss this Sunday as we explore how God’s Word teaches people how to handle our own ambivalent relationship with anger.
  • Sep 20, 2015Spider-Man – Responsibility and Hard Times
    Sep 20, 2015
    Spider-Man – Responsibility and Hard Times
    Galatians 6:1-10 and Luke 18:9-14
    What does Spider-Man have to do with our life of faith? At first glance, it seems downright silly to try to draw lessons for living in the real world from someone who wears red and blue tights and has the proportional strength and abilities of a spider. Yet Spider-Man Is the most human of heroes. In his everyday life as Peter Parker, spider-Man is just a normal guy who, despite the hard times that come his way, tries to deal with those problems and life his life in a responsible manner. This Sunday we will put Spider-Man in dialogue with the Bible and discover ways that we can also live heroic lives, despite all the obstacles that stand in our way and the hard times we must endure.
  • Sep 13, 2015Fantastic Four: Family, Friends, and Foes
    Sep 13, 2015
    Fantastic Four: Family, Friends, and Foes
    Matthew 5:38-48
    This Sunday is Superhero Sunday! We’re starting our new series, Marvelous Myths, where we look at popular Marvel supreheroes to see examples and lessons of how we all can live heroic lives. Our first message uses the Fantastic Four, four ordinary people who are infused with cosmic rays that cause them each to develop unique superpowers. They commit to work for good and to fight crime. Yet their biggest challenges are learning to get along and work together. This is a powerful message we all need to hear! We are ordinary people infused with divine power to work for good. Yet sometimes our biggest challenges are around learning to work together and getting along. You don’t want to miss this exciting issue...er...I mean message. “Fantastic Four: Family, Friends and Foes.”
  • Aug 30, 2015A Pelican in the Desert
    Aug 30, 2015
    A Pelican in the Desert
    Psalm 102 and John 4:7-15
    Are you dry? Are you thirsty? Are you wear traveling the hot, dry road? Jesus is living water. He is the one who can change your situation. Jesus offers living water that brings life to barren waste, that brings green plant-life and colorful flowers to hard, cracking soil. Come to find out how you can have living water!
  • Aug 9, 2015Joining Jesus in His Mission
    Aug 9, 2015
    Joining Jesus in His Mission
    Series: Vital
    Luke 10:30-37
    How do I love my neighbor? We do the work of God by offering aid, advancement or advocacy to our neighbors who need our help. Which of these three ways of serving is our congregation doing well? Where could we improve? We have the power to reach across the street, across town and around the world. How will our church family use our gifts and talents to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Sharing God’s love in the world is the work of every disciple. Look for one unexpected way to reach out with love to someone this week.
     
  • Aug 2, 2015Where Everybody Knows Your Name
    Aug 2, 2015
    Where Everybody Knows Your Name
    Series: Vital
    Acts 2:42-37
    Who knows your nickname? When a church grows, it may be too big for everybody to know everybody. But we should never be too big for everybody to know somebody. Small groups connect people in relationships. Being together in the community of a group can give Christ-followers both roots and wings. Roots keep you connected to Christ. Wings are what release you to serve. Are you in a small group? Everybody has a deep desire to be known, cared for, prayed for and welcomed…and that can happen only in a small group. Are we making room for new people to join groups within our church family? How will we intentionally create at least one more connection point?
  • Jul 26, 2015You and I Were Made for Worship!
    Jul 26, 2015
    You and I Were Made for Worship!
    Series: Vital
    Hewbrews 12:15 (NLT)
    You and I were made to worship! Fully worshiping God involves our physical selves, our emotions, our money and our ministry. As followers of Christ, when we worship, we interact with the Holy Spirit in Christian community. Are we vital and engaged? Would someone coming for the first time want to come back next week? How can our worship together change us?
  • Jul 19, 2015Releasing God’s Dream in Me!
    Jul 19, 2015
    Releasing God’s Dream in Me!
    Series: Vital
    Ephesians 4:11-13
    Did you know that God has a dream for your life? Are you living into it? What will you do this week to begin to fully realize God’s big dream for your life? Dream, pray, fast and read looking for God’s dream for you. Vital congregations release their people into ministry. How are we equipping and releasing each other into the work of God in the world? In order to release people into world-changing ministry, we first have to invite them in. How are we inviting new people into our church to join us in God’s dream?
  • Jul 12, 2015Vital: Led to Follow
    Jul 12, 2015
    Vital: Led to Follow
    Series: Vital
    2 Timothy 2:1-2  
    How are you doing at leading your life well? Or, put differently, how is it with your soul? How is it with your ministry? These two key questions get at our walk with Jesus (faithfulness) and our work for Jesus (fruitfulness). To be vital, we need to be faithful to God and fruitful for God, together. Who is asking you “how is your soul?” How can you find one way this week be truly connected to an accountable, Christian community? Leadership in God’s kingdom has always been a daunting task accomplished by less than likely people. We have everything we need to be vital and fruitful in the world. What great thing will we accomplish next?”
  • Jun 7, 2015Cracked Pots
    Jun 7, 2015
    Cracked Pots
    Ephesians 5:1-16
    You are fearfully and wonderfully made! That is what the Bible says about you. God made you, and, as the saying goes, God doesn't make trash! Yet, do you feel like trash? Do you see yourself as far from wonderful, far from the way God wants you to be? Do you feel broken and full of cracks? This Sunday we're talking about your cracks. You don't have to be perfect to be in God's plan. In fact, God does something wonderful with your brokenness. Come and find out why your cracks are so important to how God is using you!  
  • May 24, 2015Sharing the Word
    May 24, 2015
    Sharing the Word
    Luke 24:25-27
  • May 10, 2015Sharing the Meal
    May 10, 2015
    Sharing the Meal
    Luke 24:28-32
    May 10, 2015
  • May 3, 2015Redeem Your Time
    May 3, 2015
    Redeem Your Time
    Ephesians 5:1-16
    "May 3 2015 Podcast".
  • Apr 26, 2015Sharing the Road
    Apr 26, 2015
    Sharing the Road
    Luke 24:13-24
    "April 26 2015 Podcast".
  • Apr 5, 2015Sharing the Road
    Apr 5, 2015
    Sharing the Road
    Luke 23:44-47 

    https://www.foresthillsumc.net/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4.5.15PP.pdf

 
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