“Bearing Witness: Testifying to life in a new year!”Sermon title is “The Man without Fear?’ John 21: 15 -19

We are grateful to jump back into our series with Rev Mark Tao and Rev Val Tao, “Bearing Witness: Testifying To Life In A New Year!” The sermon title is “Won’t you be my neighbor?’ Luke 10: 25-37.

Pastor Dennis is active in leadership, programming, and in prayer and worship ministries. He is an advocate for racial righteousness and has led numerous anti-racism training and initiatives. He is passionate about helping people of all ages who have experienced trauma and oppression to recognize and reach their potential in Christ. He currently serves as LCHC’s Behavioral Health Director. His professional career has represented a balance of research, programming, and direct services. His research experience came from investigating military family and team dynamics for the U.S. Army Research Institute. Program management experience came from developing and evaluating mental health services for ethnic minorities for the American Psychological Association. Direct services experience came as a therapist to homeless men and to incarcerated youth.

Scripture Readings:

Psalms 137

Psalms 30

Psalms 88

Title: "Keep Calm and Carry On"
Text: Matthew 6: 25-34
Theme: Calm, Non-Anxious
Summary: We bear witness to God's faithfulness by being calm/ non-anxious. By limiting our worry, getting back to the value of things, and leaning into God's care we make present God's goodness in an often anxious world.

Series: "Bearing Witness: Testifying to Life in a New Year"
Title: "Oh the Places You'll Go!"
Text: Ecclesiastes 4:4-12
Summary: We are invited to bear witness by nurturing our connections to one another. In a world of often profound disconnection we can embrace the possibilities of love that come in connection and give our flowers to those who have loved on us.

We kick off a new six part series titled, Bearing Witness:Testifying to life in a new year.! This series will be led by & Rev Val Tao & Rev Mark Tao! Throughout the six weeks of this series, we would hear highlights of six different aspects of witness that help us to testify the life of God that is available to us so we can live with purpose and joy. Bearing witness is about a kind of revelation in community which helps us to (in the words of M Shawn Copeland), "make present what has been absent". In this new year, what are some commitments we want to make present- to give proactive attention so that God can be given the glory in and through us, and so that we can participate in that divine life.

"Witnesses to the Reign of God: Now and To Come", Acts 1:1-11

Interim Teaching Pasttor Benjamin Crook