The journey toward Lent can be as exciting and renewing as the Lent experience itself. Our experiences along the way can prepare us for the challenges of living our Lent days set apart from our normal routines. And those experiences can sometimes make us more resolved when the temptation to give up and give in is strongest.

MESSAGE: "A Lenten Journey" by Deb Core
SCRIPTURE: Luke 4: 1-14

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"A Lenten Journey" by Deb Core

The invitation was couched within an offer to help a group of failed fishermen who'd spent the night pulling empty nets from the water. Their weariness and frustration was growing more and more intense as the night sky began to brighten with the morning sun. That's when Jesus invited them to throw their nets back into the water one more time. After a moment of protest, they obliged and ended up with nets overflowing - all because they heeded the invitation.

MESSAGE: "The Invitation" by Pam Lee-Miller
SCRIPTURE: Luke 5: 1-11

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"The Invitation" by Pam Lee-Miller

Oftentimes we believe that we must “deserve” the love we receive. We work, work, work to get approval and to feel like our life is justified — pulling our own weight, thinking that whatever life we create, and love we get, is only what we ourselves can conjure up. But the scriptures today offer the image of God as our “keeper” — always helping, always present. Nicodemus has followed all the rules and done everything HE can do, and yet he is still looking for love — for tangible connection with God. Jesus says that he must be born “of the Spirit.” It’s not all up to simply “doing the right thing!” It is about allowing the Spirit to help birth love in our lives.

MESSAGE: "The Helper" by Kenny Bishop
SCRIPTURE: John 3: 1-17

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"The Helper" by Kenny Bishop

Continuing our Lent series, "Lookin' for Love in All the Wrong Places," today we are looking for the Thirst Quencher - someone who will notice our need, and offer to meet it. As a first-person character growing up in a rural environment, Pam tells the story of a person injured by religion and relationships who one day finds compassion from an unlikely "Thirst Quencher"

MESSAGE:
"The Thirst Quencher" by Pam Lee-Miller
SCRIPTURE:
John 4: 5-42

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"The Thirst Quencher" by Pam Lee-Miller

Recently, several state governments across the country, including here in Kentucky, have passed legislation targeting the LGBTQ community. Bills that limit public school teachers to only discussing heterosexual relationships around students, bills that place strict limitations and heavy restrictions on trans individuals, their parents and caretakers, and their doctors, bills that remove multicultural and LGBTQ history from school libraries and curriculums, and bills that make drag performers criminals for appearing in public have all either recently become law, or are in the process. The LGBTQ+ community is feeling the anxiety and the pressure of being attacked by their government. Thankfully, there is one, a Shepherd, who knows and cares and walks with them every step of the way.

MESSAGE:
"The Intentional, Radical, Revolutionary, Law-Breaking Shepherd" by Kenny Bishop
SCRIPTURE:
John 9: 1-41

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"The Intentional, Radical, Revolutionary, Law-Breaking Shepherd" by Kenny Bishop

We tend to think of Jesus' entry and ride into Jerusalem on a donkey as the beginning of the end for his earthy work and ministry. The events of that day will lead to his last meal with his followers, his betrayal, his execution, his burial, and his resurrection. But it seems we've forgotten the reason the people were most excited to see this peasant leader. It was because he was supposed to bring change. They believed he was coming to change the way the government and those in power were ruling over them. Today in the U.S., thousands of our children and citizens are dying senselessly because of guns. Just like those first-century citizens needed someone to step up and lead the charge, we need someone to come and make some change.

MESSAGE:
"Palms of Change" by Kenny Bishop
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 21: 1-11

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"Palms of Change" by Kenny Bishop

NOTE: Much of today's message is brought via video by the beautifully inspiring Robin Wall Kimmerer. You can learn more about Robin and find her books on her website at robinwallkimmerer.com

It means something to "be the church." We can say we are the church, but actually being the church is something else altogether. It means we must do more than claim our position as followers of Christ, it means we must mimic his ways of compassion and embracing humanity. Today, the day after Earth Day, we continue our spring series "Be the Church" focusing on protecting the environment. The psalmist says the earth is the Lord's, which means it is intended to belong to all of creation, which means it is not ours to abuse and consume.

MESSAGE: "The Lord's Earth" by Kenny Bishop
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24: 1-2

Learn more about us at ⁠bluegrasschurch.org⁠
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Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/bluegrassucc⁠
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YouTube: ⁠youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

"The Lord's Earth" by Kenny Bishop

It means something to "be the church." We can say we are the church, but actually being the church is something else altogether. It means we must do more than claim our position as followers of Christ, it means we must mimic his ways of compassion and embracing humanity. Embracing the diversity of our city and our community was a founding tenant of BUCC. As we continue our spring series on being the church, today's focus is identifying ways we can be better embracers of those who may not feel accepted or comfortable in a church setting.

MESSAGE: "Us" by Kenny Bishop
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1: 27a

Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org
Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/bluegrasucc⁠
Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/bluegrasucc⁠
Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/bluegrasucc⁠
YouTube: ⁠youtube.com/@bluegrassucc⁠

"Us" by Kenny Bishop

Bluegrass United Church of Christ is a congregation in Lexington, Kentucky. We see the value and worth of all God's creation and practice our understanding of God's love toward everyone that "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

Bluegrass United Church of Christ

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