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The Big Idea: The ancient Christian stories tell about many times that Jesus appeared to many people, in curious and surprising ways after his resurrection. But there came a time when those appearances stopped, just as suddenly as they started. The story about Jesus' ascension is a story about the pivot to the next chapter in God's story with humans. The next chapter in the story about God's action through Church of the Covenant will be a sudden shift in perspective.

The Big Idea: After doing all they knew how to do, Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples had gone back to fishing. They fished all night, but were unsuccessful. Jesus told them to try again. Try something of what you know -- fishing -- but this time in a new way. The fish were right in front (below?) them all along. What is Jesus inviting us to do, perhaps in a new/old way, that will change everything about the outcome?

The Big Idea: How does a person keep hope alive in the midst of disappointment after disappointment? Crushing disappointment is a deadly experience. It can sap the life out of any person, any movement, any sense of "progress." When these two disciples of Jesus experienced the crushing disappointment of his execution, the only way they could experience hope again was to see Jesus himself. Jesus himself was able to help them see what God is doing in the world by retelling the Biblical story in reference to his own resurrected self. What resurrection awaits Church of the Covenant in seeing Jesus?

Guest preacher Rev. Richard Thayer.

The Big Idea: The appearance of Jesus in always a shock and surprise. But Jesus wants to give us that we need. We have the testimony of thousands upon thousands of people who have gone before us to show us the way, but if we need "proof" we'll get through the eyes of faith.

The Big Idea: The real 4th century pilgrim known as Egeria experienced this proclamation of Easter: He is Risen! When she participated in the vents of Easter in Jerusalem she, too, was proclaiming an event so momentous that it changed the course of history. The plain meaning of Jesus' resurrection is Death has been defeated! There is nothing, nothing, anywhere, that can change that outcome. Now our task is to live out that very hope. It's not the end of the story, but just the beginning of a totally new way of life.

The Big Idea: This moment on this road for Jesus feels both like the end and the beginning. Such are so many moments of our lives. A pilgrimage may reach its destination but the hope, the wisdom, the lessons learned along the way have offered a new starting point for us. What have we learned on the way and what transformation is God calling us to?

The Big Idea: New paths are possible through freedom in Christ. And these ways made plain before us if we have eyes to see. Yes, we will strain against adversity–such is life. But new life is always possible. New horizons are ours through relationship with God and with each other. God, our rock and our redeemer is with us every step

The Big Idea: No matter what we call “home” in this physical world, we yearn for a spiritual home that offers serenity, acceptance, belonging. The extravagant acceptance of the father for the son in Jesus’ parable of the wandering son is difficult for us to believe, that no matter what we have done, who we are, how far we are from what we want to become, we are welcomed home by the Loving Parent.