Bluegrass United Church of Christ

This Sunday we continue our Advent series, "There'll be joy!" We're focusing on Peace as we take a look at the moment when angels suddenly appeared late one night to a group of tough and hardened shepherds. Why, of all the people to hear the news, did God choose these non-influential, everyday people to share the announcement with? MESSAGE: "Peace” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Luke 2: 8-14 Learn m...

Advent is here! This Sunday we begin our journey toward Christmas - the moment our relationship with God would change forever. This first Sunday of Advent introduces us to the special relationship between Jesus' parents, Joseph and Mary. By law, Joseph was within his rights to end their engagement, but knowing the shame it would cause his soon-to-be wife, he chose to hold onto love instead. MESSAG...

This Sunday we will look at an encounter Jesus had with ten lepers. After healing them, one returns to Jesus and thanks him profusely for the healing. Are we more like the thankful one or the ones who received healing and went on about their everyday life? How do we build our faith on gratitude? Join us for "A Letter of Gratitude." MESSAGE: "A Letter of Gratitude” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Luke...

Sometimes we're strong - strong enough to be a force for ourselves and for others who may need a little boost. Sometimes though we need a little help, and that's when we rely on those around us to help us make it through the season we're in. As you'd imagine, the Bible has some thoughts on how we can be there for one another. MESSAGE: "A Time to Carry and a Time to be Carried” by Pam Lee-Miller SC...

Our plan was to conclude our election-time series last Sunday. However, we've heard from a lot of people who are looking for assurance and hope after this past Tuesday's elections. A lot of folks are afraid, and many feel threatened. What do we do with our anger and anxiety? How do we respond to our fear and our grief? How committed are we to the good work of justice and righteousness in our world...

As of this message, we are hours away from casting our final votes for who will be the next president of the United States. Getting here has been hard, emotional, and disconcerting. Families and friends have staked their territory and many have chosen not to listen to the other side, outside of the targeted parts and pieces their own side wants them to hear. Our nation is fractured, maybe not as d...

This Sunday we continue our worship series that invites us to extend ourselves beyond the divisions we feel in this world. We will consider what it means to respect each other, irrespective of our differences. "R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to me." Aretha Franklin convinced us that it means a lot. Sometimes we think having respect means to agree or be the same, but that is not actually th...

Today, we continue our worship series that points us toward connection in a world of divisions. The root of the word “human” is the same as the word “humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.” From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human. This...

Today, we continue our worship series that invites us to consider the qualities that will help us navigate the divisions we are experiencing in our world. This week, we consider compassion. Why do we need this quality more than ever now? Because we are complex beings living in a complex world. We sometimes deal with conflict within us in addition to the conflict between us. Research tells us that...

This Sunday we begin to delve into what it means to love our neighbor during an election year. Do different political views give us the right to throw sand and kick people off the playground? We will examine what it means to have compassion for one another - even when we do not agree. We'll see you this Sunday to begin our new series, "Do Unto Others. MESSAGE: “In the Sandbox” by Pam Lee-Miller SC...

Bartimaeus was a blind man who made his living as a beggar. He lived at the mercy of others, and that meant he lived most of his life in poverty and great need. One day though, he heard that Jesus the healer was walking by, and with nothing to lose, he called out once again for mercy. This time though, the results were different. MESSAGE: “Leave the Cloak Behind” with Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Mar...

Was Jesus the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T)? When he asked his closest followers what was on their minds, he discovered they had selfish ambitions that could hamper their work for the kin-dom. That's when he brought a little child into the group, embraced him and used him as an example of what true welcome and humility is. MESSAGE: “No Need to be the G.O.A.T.” with Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Mark...

Who do you say Jesus is? It's a great question, but the answer probably depends on a lot of things. When Jesus challenged his followers with the honest question, some of them tried to use the moment to prove their bravado. Jesus shut them down with stern words, "Get behind me, Satan." Seems harsh, doesn't it? MESSAGE: “Get Behind Me and Follow” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Mark 8...

We all have questions, especially those of us who've grown up in church. As we grow and learn, what we believe changes, and things related to our relationship with God and the bible are no exception. Today, we take the time to address some of the questions you have. MESSAGE: “Ask the Pastors” with Pam Lee-Miller and Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 Learn more about us at bluegrasschu...

We've heard it said before, laughter is good like medicine. It relaxes our minds, exercises our bodies, fills our lungs with air, energizes our hearts, lifts our spirits, and makes for happier moments. It always feels good to laugh, and these days, it seems more important than ever for us to find something that brings us that kind of joy. And another thing, laughter is contagious. MESSAGE: “It...

August is recognized as Overdose Awareness Month. Being a part of a community means being aware of the needs around us, and recognizing the great need for compassion toward those who are fighting the internal war on drug abuse and addiction. It also means walking with those who are addicted and supporting them as we can. It means instead of throwing stones of judgment, we can instead bring stones...

Today we are making the history that the generations who follow will write about and discuss. We have to ask ourselves what our motives are. Are we seeking a better world? If so, for whom do we seek it? If our hearts are set on being our best for others more than ourselves, then we are following the great Shepherd that we read about in Psalm 23. MESSAGE: “Dark Nights of the Soul & The Grace of...

Most of us have a lot of demands for our time, our attention, and our resources. Sometimes we're able to manage to survive with at least a degree of success. But eventually, we find ourselves feeling burnt out and tired. That's when we discover that even though the tasks may not have been monumental, they have been constant and nonstop. In the words of a great songwriter, "It ain'...

Jesus' offer of bread and wine was universal; he not only left room, he made room for everyone, even those who we may not feel deserve the invitation. Thankfully, just like the bread, the table is not ours, it belongs to God. Then, after we enjoyed its nourishment, we were asked to share it with others. MESSAGE: “Come Share the Bread” by Elder Deb Core SCRIPTURE: John 6: 24-27; 30-39; 47-51 Le...

Did you see the show this morning? It was spectacular, big, bright, and right on time. The sun came up this morning and it was a magnificent sight as it erased the dark and made way for all of the opportunities that come with a new day. That's what light does - it erases the darkness in our world, in our lives, in our hearts. MESSAGE: “Lightin' Up” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 8: 1-12 L...

It was important to Jesus (so it should be important to us) to take some time to get away. Today Pam leads us into a few moments of reflection and contemplation as we look at the moment he led his followers to a quiet place to rest awhile. MESSAGE: “Taking a Time Out” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Mark 6:30-32 Learn more about us at ⁠bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/bluegrasucc⁠ Twitter...

Maybe our world has always been as unsettled as it is today; maybe we are more aware of it now, thanks to, 24-hour news, social media, and access to information we've never had before. Regardless, our world seems to be in desperate need of peace and calm. Not everyone has the option, but if it's possible, we invite you to make a few minutes and find a place, then allow your mind to settle...

Every few weeks we ask the congregation to bring their questions about the bible, some of its stories, characters, and lessons. We call it "Ask the Pastors" MESSAGE: “Ask the Pastors” with Pam Lee-Miller & Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 Learn more about us at ⁠bluegrasschurch.org⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/bluegrasucc⁠ Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/bluegrasucc⁠ Instagram: ⁠instagra...

A touch can be a powerful thing. It can be violent, it can be calming, it can be healing. When we read the story of the woman who had been sick for twelve years and had been declared unclean by the religious law, we are reminded of the courage it took for her to reach through the throngs of people surrounding Jesus just for the chance to touch the hem of his robe. She risked a lot, but in the end,...

When Jesus and his disciples started their journey across the sea the winds were calm and the waters were smooth. To take advantage of the time away from the crowds, he even took a pillow to get some rest. Then things changed. A sudden storm started rocking their boat violently and the once-resting disciples were now afraid. But Jesus continued to sleep... until they decided to wake him. His messa...