iHOPE

What Is On Your "Bucket List"?

We are continuing our summer sermon series, "Sacred Journeys: Lessons Learned Along the Road" with an issue raised by the film, The Bucket List.

The urgency behind a bucket list is the unfinished business of life:  "What do you want to do/ see/ experience before you die?"

I had never heard of a "Bucket List" until I saw the movie. Now, it seems everyone has one. There is even a web page that is dedicated to sharing your bucket list and encouraging others to accomplish their goals.

Some of the most popular and highlighted items people posted on the Bucket List web site show a wide variety of goals

Got a Question or Concern?

Do you have a question or concern?  Email me and I'll address it.

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about the church, the Presbyterian church, Worship, Session, the denomination and specific issues (homosexuality, the end times, the Bible, racism; you know, the "easy" issues!). Let's use this space to start the conversation!  If you have a specific question in one of those (or any other) areas, drop me an email (use the link at the bottom of the right-hand column). If you have a question and want to remain anonymous, just let me know.

I have been think about bringing back the "Ask the Pastor" (sometimes referred to as "Stump the Chump"- very rude) time I did a couple years ago. On particular weeks, I would stick around after the service and field questions in a "Town Hall" format. It went well. We've learned a few things and I think it's time to bring it back (maybe in August, but certainly in September). I'll use the questions that get asked here as part of what I'll address in those times, too.

So, what's on your mind? What would you like to hear me address? If I need to think about it for awhile, I'll let you know.  If it's really tough, I'll refer it to Erik! :)

 

 

The Envelope, Please: Movie Selections for the New Series

Every summer we have a series called, “Moving Pictures.”  It uses clips from movies to raise an issue or ask a question, and then looks at what the Bible and our faith have to say about them.  The latest installment starts this Sunday (July 7).  The theme is “Sacred Journeys:  Lessons Learned Along the Road”

Last Spring I put out a call for favorite “Road Movies”: movies where the action takes place while on the road.  I got more than 40 different nominations. Some were more  “usable” than others. Someone from my early youth ministry days wanted to see if I would use, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (Uh, no). There were so many good selections, we even extended the series!

Here are the movies that were chosen- and the week we will use them:

July 7:  The Way (this is the one that inspired the series)

July 14: The Wizard of Oz

July 21:  Lord of the Rings (the services will be extended 9 hours in order to watch all three in their entirety- or maybe not)

July 28: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (a version of the THE Road Story of all time)

August 4: The Bucket List

August 11:  Driving Miss Daisy

August 18: The Blues Brothers (Pork Pie hats and sunglasses are encouraged)

August 25:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Thanks for all the suggestions! And now, let the series begin!