Going to the Movies, July 16

Last week, we began a new sermon series called, “Movie Club: Hope.” I hope you had a chance to give the movie, Soul, a peek this week if you haven’t seen it. Pastor Heather is right. It is chock full of theological concepts. Some will feel familiar and comforting in terms of how the church views eternal life. Others will really stretch your categorical concepts. I thought it was a beautiful film. Hope was woven all through this movie...hope in a dream, hope in what’s next, hope for finding your “spark.”

This week, our movie is the film version of the musical, Hamilton. Not surprisingly, the main character is Alexander Hamilton. Again, if you haven’t seen this movie, I hope you’ll watch it either before or after the sermon. This movie, however, will probably require a few screenings. The words come at you really fast! It is a powerful film about a complicated man, living in a complicated time. Throughout his life, Hamilton had to hold onto hope in what was yet to be. He probably crossed several ethical lines in this effort, but he also freed his creative genius to run at full speed. People are messy. We are messy. I’m looking forward to viewing this movie through the lens of the short parables in Matthew 13:44-46.

The following week, we’ll focus on an action-packed adventure, Wonder Woman 1984. The final week, we’ll focus on a poignant drama, Here Today. If you want to get ahead, pull those up on your streaming service and enjoy!

After Movie Club: Hope, Pastor Heather and I are planning a 4-week series on forgiveness. Often this is an immovable barrier in our relationships with God and with other people. I would love for you to send your hardest questions on forgiveness to me via email. Click the link and it will open an email for you! Ask your friends and family, then send me their hardest questions. Heather and I want this series to speak to the places you get stuck so tell us what those are.

Pretty cool! We made the state-wide United Methodist magazine called, “Contact,” for our creativity on the 4th of July. If you’re curious, here is a direct link to the article. We were featured in a section called, “Ministry in a Minute.” Glad Linda Saviers took some pictures for us. Way to go, Faith!

See you Sunday...in the sanctuary or online,