Archive for guest preacher

Life That Flourishes: November Worship Series

This fall we have examined the facets of our new vision statement: “Connection. Compassion. Courage. That all may flourish.” In November we wrap up the worship theme by taking a final look at what it means to commit to and work toward a flourishing life for all, following the example that Jesus set.

November 10: The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46)

November 17: Our guest preacher will be the talented Rev. Grace Imathiu, a United Methodist pastor serving a church in Evanston, IL, and originally from Kenya.

November 24: Putting It All Together: The Good and Flourishing Life (John 1:14-16)

Breaking Out of the Bubble Wrap: October Worship Series

This month we continue immersing ourselves in a new vision for LAUMC. Each worship series examines one facet of the vision; this month the focus is on breaking out of the places we get stuck and finding the courage to take meaningful risks. Don’t miss our guest preacher on October 13: theologian and author Brian McLaren. He will give the message at the morning services and join us for Conversational Church.

October 13 – Faith Seeking Action: The Seventh Story

Brian McLaren, guest preacher

October 20 – Where We Get Stuck: Swaddled in Safety

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

October 27 – Where We Get Stuck: Virtual Action Figures

Luke 9:28-36

November 3 (All Saints Day) – Where We Get Stuck: The Illusion of Control

Mark 10:17-23; Holy Communion

In the Shelter, Sept. 15

Irish poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama teaches and speaks internationally about conflict transformation, religion, and the power of storytelling. He travels widely, lecturing and leading retreats, and he publishes both poetry and prose. Come hear him preach and lead an evening of story and song with singer/songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine on Sunday, September 15.

Stay With Me: The Power of Sustained Connection

8:30 and 10:00am, Sanctuary

Pádraig Ó Tuama will preach and Bobby Jo Valentine will offer special music.

In the Shelter

5:00–7:00pm, Creekside

Poems, stories, and songs about losing shelter, finding shelter, and being shelter to one another, by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Bobby Jo Valentine. Light dinner and conversation to follow. Dinner is $10/adult, $5/child, or $25/family. Please register by September 12 so that sufficient food quantities can be prepared.

“It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.”

A Bigger Table Sermon Series

From August 19 through September 23, we will be exploring John Pavlovitz’ book A Bigger Table and taking a closer look at who Jesus ate with. A bigger table implies being in relationship with others seated at the table with us, not merely serving others. How can we continue to make the table bigger?

On August 19, Senior Pastor Kathi McShane will start off the series with a look at Fred Rogers’ life and work from the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor at the morning services, and author John Pavlovitz will be our special guest preacher at the evening service. The series will continue with a look at some of the people Jesus ate with:

  • August 26: Martha (the too-busy, distractible ones), Luke 10:38-42
  • September 2: Judas (the betrayer), Matthew 26:20-25
  • September 9: The Canaanite woman (the challengers), Matthew 15:21-28
  • September 16: James and John (the ambitious), Mark 10:35-45
  • September 23: Nathaniel (the racist), John 1:43-50

The table is not our table, but God’s table. Making it a bigger table is messy work, but we are incomplete until everyone is invited to the table. Come learn from Jesus’ example and consider who we need to sit with, who will change us as we sit with them.

Guest Preacher: Reorienting Grace, March 18

On March 18, at all services, we are delighted to welcome the Rev. Dr. David Vasquez-Levy as our guest preacher. He will preach on the topic of “Reorienting Grace.” His scripture will be Luke 17:11-19, the healing story of the ten lepers, when only the Samaritan leper returns to give thanks. The text speaks to the broader theme of how God’s grace works through the most marginalized, dislocated individuals and situations in our lives to reorient and heal us. Dr. Vasquez-Levy is president of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley and will also be our guest speaker at the A Bigger Table dinner that evening.