Sermon Series

February 19

40 Day Lenten Renewal

God is on the move at Christ Lutheran. Do you feel it? Attendance is growing, giving is generous, outreach is expanding, lives are transformed and the new building is coming. We can feel God’s spirit all around us.

God is preparing us so that we can make an even greater impact in our community and throughout the world. We want to make sure that we are ready in our body, mind and spirit.

Through this construction period, we are calling for a congregational preparedness for whatever plans God has for us. This will certainly continue throughout the next 14 months but there are three times that we have designated with intentional and intensive focus.

Lent 2012 BODY

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?” (I Cor. 6:19)

Through caring for our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, we want to be prepared for this new
temple for the worship of God. This 40 day regiment will include diet, exercise, and cleansing so that with caring for our bodies we can be ready for God’s work with greater energy, increased health and clearer sense of purpose.

Advent 2012 MIND

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

We are no longer children tossed to and fro by the whims of this world. With a mind that is focused on God’s Word, we can discern His call, articulate our faith and teach with clarity what it means to be His Church.

Lent 2013 SPIRIT

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressedto proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18, 19)

With these words, Jesus began his public ministry. In anticipation for the opening of the new building, we do the same. During the 40 days of Lent, we will pray for the Spirit’s guidance and anointing as we seek to mirror our ministry after Jesus’.

40 Day Renewal - Body

Please join us for the kick-off event of our 40 day renewal on Sunday, February 19 at 12:30-2:00 in the Forum. There will be various stations at this health fair including:

¨ The body as the temple of the Holy Spirit

¨ Blood pressure reading

¨ Body fat analysis

¨ Cholesterol check

¨ Healthy food preparation

Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from

6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Forum

Nutrition and Healthy Choices February 29

Fitness and Exercise March 7

Fasting and Prayer March 14

Stress Management March 21

Meditation March 28

Reflection April 4

Contact Kathy Graham 704-366-1595 kgraham@christelca.org

The second article of the Creed concludes with Jesus his resurrection and his reign as Judge of the world. We have many images of Jesus but sitting in judgment of the world is not the one that comes first in our minds. How does Jesus act as Judge? John 3:14-16 (Or Matthew 28); Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

February 19 Apostles’ Creed—Third Article

As we come to the third article of the Creed, we read about several undeveloped theological concepts; who is the Holy Spirit, what is the catholic Church, who is included in the Communion of Saints, when does the person experience the resurrection and the life everlasting? Each one is worthy of a sermon in itself. However, I think it would be interesting to wrestle with the idea of our own resurrection. Does that happen immediately or after the second coming?

Luke 23:39-43; 1 Corinthians 15:19-25, 51-7