Bluegrass United Church of Christ

Where is God in the battlefield, in the hospital? Where is God in the life of those who are suffering? Is it possible to see God? What does God look like? Is God appealing to us today, or is God outdated and irrelevant to the world we live in now? MESSAGE: "I Saw God?” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8:5-13 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

How long should we wait for God to show up? How long should we hurt, worry, and be afraid before God's promises become real to us? In our instant society, we've grown less and less patient with each other, and almost certainly with God. But when it is time, we can count on God to be there for us. MESSAGE: "Hello? Are you there, God?” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:31 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

There's a story in the Bible of the time Jesus healed a woman who was bent over with sickness. One Sabbath, she happened to encounter the healer, and his compassion went into overdrive. He was moved by her pain and how it was limiting her ability to live and serve others. However, the religious authorities were not moved at all by her pain; they were angry that Jesus would break their rules and heal her on the Sabbath. Was Jesus wrong? Were the religious leaders? MESSAGE: "Time to Stand Straight” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Luke 143:10-13 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

There is a thought among some charismatic evangelical Christians that living as a Christian means joining Jesus' army of spiritual fighters. Some go as far as incorporating warfare language in their lessons and songs. Did Jesus ever advocate for "violence"? What should we do with Jesus' confession that he came to cause division? Why would he want to "bring fire upon the earth"? MESSAGE: "Violence: In Jesus' Name” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:49-56 MESSAGE: "Left Behind” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:32-40 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Many of us have been brought up to believe in the rapture, the notion that one day, at any time, Jesus will return to earth and snatch all the Christians away, leaving a world full of "bad people" trying to endure God's wrath and survive the tribulation. How truthful is this teaching? What does the bible have to say about it? MESSAGE: "Left Behind” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:32-40 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

THIS WEEK WE ARE IN AWE OF SELF-GIVING: A sense of awe can include witnessing acts of “moral beauty.” Jesus’ life was an example of moral beauty–a ministry of lifting up the cause of the lowly and advocating for the power of peace and justice. Research shows that when we witness with awe others’ kindness, courage, strength, and overcoming, we are more likely to feel inspired to give ourselves in service of the good. We become more self-giving, more ready to lend a helping hand or commit energy to making the world a better place. MESSAGE: "Self-Giving” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: an excerpt from Psalm 118 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

THIS WEEK WE ARE IN AWE OF CONNECTION: Awe is a gateway to connection. As we have experiences that give us a sense of being part of something larger than “just us,” our penchant for self-preservation and obsession with the competitive default-self gives way to a renewed commitment to the greater whole. We need moments of “collective effervescence” that increase hope and joy at being part of the human family. MESSAGE: "Connection" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: an excerpt from Psalm 149 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

*We had some audio issues during today's sermon.We are so excited to have noted pastor and author Josh Scott with us today. Josh has written several books that speak to our need and ability to read and understand the bible with proper context - considering the time, the culture, the people, and the politics of the times in which they were written. Josh helps us understand that everyone, whether they consider themselves fundamentalist or progressive believers. MESSAGE: "The Art of Cherry Picking" by Josh Scott Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Today, we continue our spring and summer series, "Purveyors of Awe," focusing on the awe of delight.We humans love repetition... up to a point. But sometimes, we just need a good “Wow!” and some goosebumps to help us feel fully alive. Our physical response to awe-filled moments come from a very ancient part of our evolution–even before language. And those goosebumps? They helped us forge connections with others as we faced the vast mysteries of life together. Delight still plays an important role in our spiritual needs and in our sense of a deeply relational life. MESSAGE: "Delight" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: excerpt from Psalm 36 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Today, we resume our spring and summer series, "Purveyors of Awe." Our world is as uncertain today as it's been in a generation. But we have the tools to make a difference if we use them. When we are curious, we give God an opportunity to use our seeking to find resources and help for those in need. MESSAGE: "Curiosity" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: excerpt from Proverbs 2 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

We're super excited to have one of the area's most talented and beloved drag queens with us for Pride Sunday Church! Helena Handbasket, known as Anthony Smallwood when not in drag, comes with a message of hope, love, and encouragement to remind us that every day is an opportunity to live in love and give it away. MESSAGE: "LOVE has EVERYTHING to do with it" by Helena Handbasket SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:7-8 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

We resume our series called "Purveyors of Awe."We humans are “meaning-mongers.” Our brains are wired to interpret the ordinary stuff of life in metaphorical ways so that we can make some sense of it all. We long for meaningful lives in which we are more sure about the direction of our lives and about what we are to bring to this world. We yearn for experiences that leave us feeling more fulfilled. When we are “on the lookout” for meaning in our lives, we live at a deeper level, and mere existence turns into purpose. MESSAGE: "Meaning" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Psalm 19 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

We resume our series called "Purveyors of Awe."This week we are in awe of wonder: The “wide eye of wonder” creates optimal conditions for awe. When we open our senses to the “extraordinariness of the everyday ordinary,” we have begun the journey to a deeper existence than what resides at surface level. Wonder can be an antidote to anxiety and depression, pulling us instead toward the awe-filled knowledge that there is more than meets the eye, there are solutions in the midst of problems, possibilities where we sense only dead ends. MESSAGE: "Wonder" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107:6-9, Psalm 139: CEB Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

This is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost and Pride are more alike than you may think. So many things were happening as Jesus' followers gathered to wait for God's "new" Spirit to come. When it did, the experience and the results not only changed the believers and others that day, it changed our world too, and it has special significance for those who've been marginalized by religion's gatekeepers. Join us for Pentecost: The Pride Version. MESSAGE: "Pentecost: The Pride Version" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-16 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

This week, longtime BUCC Elder, Deb Core, shares the story of her arrival, not only to her current church home, but her place in life. From an upbringing that settled on a church, maybe for convenience's sake, she followed the circumstances and happenstance of seminary and lay ministry that led her to understand that some theological questions do not have easy answers. The path was not simple, or straight, but meandering to a good end. Enjoy Deb's beautiful and rich story.MESSAGE: "With Crooked Lines" by Elder Deb Core SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:1; 8-15 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

This week, we continue our series called "Purveyors of Awe," looking at the awe of beauty. Beauty is complex. We call something “achingly beautiful” when it creates a pathos within us–a sense of something so precious that we want it to last forever, from the plump cheeks of a newborn to the wrinkled face of an elder. But, as we know, we are all mortal and not meant to exist in this bodily form forever. We open ourselves to the awe that is the beauty of life in between the first and last breath.MESSAGE: "Beauty" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Job 33:2-4, Psalm 27:4 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

What does it mean to be in awe? What does it mean to be a purveyor of Awe? Awe is a powerful emotional response that can significantly impact our well-being and perception of the world. As a species, we tend to attend to that which we dread and fear. It helps keep us alive. But now the frequency of bad news is off the charts, and it isn’t keeping us alive; rather, it is quietly draining the life right out of us. We must engage in awe-filled practices that heighten our connection to that which is bigger than us, remind us that we are not alone, and offer us respite and resilience. MESSAGE: "Awe" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Psalm 5 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Following Jesus comes with its own set of responsibilities. We are to be influencers for good, doers, of good who make a good difference in our world. Jesus called it being "light" and "salt." and he tells those of us who follow him that we have no choice but to be God's earthly influencers. Today's message is a hopeful reminder of what it means to be salt and light. MESSAGE: "Who You Are" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13-16 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Now that Easter Sunday has come and gone, we're left with what to do with the things we've witnessed, the lessons we've learned, the promises we've heard. The work of healing and restoration continues because the impact Jesus made continues. Truth is, Easter hasn't gone anywhere... Easter Lives!MESSAGE: "Easter Lives" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 20:19-3 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

Easter is the Christian believer's most sacred moment. It is the reminder again of the promise that Jesus made to his followers and us that he gives all of himself for us - his example, his words, his love, his life, so we can live and love like him - and his promise that we are never alone, that God is always with us, somehow, somewhere, in common ways, in extraordinary ways, God is with us. MESSAGE: "Caught Between Grief and Hope" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:1-12 Learn more about us at: bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube