Interest in dystopian fiction is at an all-time high. But is the interest in these stories a novelty or part of an ancient tradition of reflecting on the great evils we face as a people? In this Lenten sermon series, we explore some of the more popular dystopian visions and how they might help reveal a concern that is at the heart of the gospel, a gospel that does not leave us in dystopia, but calls us through the broken world into the hope of the Kingdom of God.
“The Road: All Has Come to Ash”
February 10, 2016, Ash Wednesday, 11pm
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
“The Giver: The Absence of Free Will”
February 14, 2016, First Sunday in Lent
The Temptation in the Wilderness
Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 18:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
“Children of Men: We Are Cut Off“
February 21, 2016, Second Sunday in Lent, 7pm
Abram’s Heir & the Sorrow of Jerusalem
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
“The Hunger Games: Sacrifice of the Innocent”
February 28, 2016, Third Sunday in Lent, 7pm
The Tower of Siloam
Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
NO SERVICES—SPRING BREAK
March 6, 2016, Fourth Sunday in Lent, 7pm
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
“The Walking Dead: The Dead Among Us“
March 13, 2016, Fifth Sunday in Lent, 7pm
Mary Anoints Jesus at the House of Lazarus
Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
“1984: The Oppression of the System”
March 20, 2016, Sixth Sunday in Lent (Passion/Palm Sunday), 7pm
The Passion & Crucifixion
Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 31:9–16 (UMH 764); Philippians 2:5–11; Luke 23:1-49
“Star Trek: The Better World Awaiting”
March 27, 2016, Easter Sunday, 7pm
The Resurrection
Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 (UMH 839); 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12
Some, uh, Theologica 