Advent can be filled with worry about finding the perfect Christmas gifts. Deep down we want people in our lives to know they are special and that we love them. But sometimes we overlook the greatest gift of all… our very presence. This season, we are invited to be the gift of presence for our loved ones, for our communities, for those who need it most. Today is about being the presence of Hope in someone's life. Hope can make all the difference if we let it. MESSAGE: “Hope” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Mark 13: 24-37 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

This Sunday we will explore the biblical story of ten outcasts who encounter Jesus and in turn, find their healing. In Luke 17, while Jesus is on his journey, he comes across ten lepers who are forced to live their lives on the margins of society because of their disease. When they see Jesus, they cry out for mercy. How might this ancient story invite us to embrace every experience as a possibility to become our greater self? Can we too come to appreciate our journey to becoming and be filled with a worshipful attitude? Join us this Sunday at 10 AM as we do a bit of theological wrestling. MESSAGE: “Thankful Gratitude” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Luke 17: 11-19 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Pastor, author and thought leader Josh Scott joins us to talk about the premise of his latest book Bible Stories for Grown-Ups. He encourages us to think about the bible in a larger, more holistic way and view its stories with a more mature lens. He reminds us that it's okay to have questions, and even okay to hold onto some doubts about what we've been told we must believe to be in a relationship with God. MESSAGE: “The Bible Through Grown-Up Lenses" by Josh Scott Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Many of us who grew up around fundamentalist theology are familiar with what it means to be lost. We heard people talk about being lost and undone, lost without Christ, lost as in unsaved. Jesus told three stories in a row that were all about being lost - the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost boy. All three stories end with a party, a sheep party, a coin party, and a prodigal party. MESSAGE: “A Prodigal Party” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 15: 11-13, 25-28, 31-32 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

There's an interesting story in the bible about a young man named Eutychus who happened to fall asleep while Paul the apostle waxed on what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The young man was sitting on a window ledge and fell three stories to his death. Even though Eutychus was considered to be on the margins, Paul stopped his talk to rush to the young man's aid. He fell on him, held him, and prayed for God's healing because that's what a person of God does when someone has fallen. Today, United Church of Christ Conference Minister Chad Abbott shares this story with us and how we can see it as an example and opportunity to mirror that extravagant love for those who have fallen around us. MESSAGE: “When They Fall” by Rev. Chad Abbott SCRIPTURE: Acts 20: 1-12 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Rachel Cohn said, "The important People in our lives leave imprints. They may stay or go in the physical realm, but they are always there in your heart." This Sunday we will celebrate All Saints Day. We will light candles and remember those who have been a part of our faith formation. As a special treat, members of our BUCC Writers Group will share personal reflections as they remember those whose imprint made a difference in their own faith formation. MESSAGE: “Faith Forming Folk” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12: 1-2a Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

This week we begin our new fall series, Think Again. Based on Josh Scott's book Bible Stories for Grown-Ups, and leading up to having Josh with us on November 19th, we'll spend the next few weeks looking at some of the ways our faith has grown and our theology has evolved. We'll give ourselves permission to ask questions and seek deeper meaning in the stories of the Bible. MESSAGE: “Think Again” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 3: 8 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

The news this week has been big and hard. The fighting, the screaming, the power struggles, and the subterfuge have left lots of helpless victims in the wake. And that's just Washington, DC. There's also the tragedy in Israel and Gaza that's playing out in our news feeds and on our TVs while the war between Ukraine and Russia rages on. We expect October to be scary, but not like this. MESSAGE: “Us” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 6: 27-31 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

This Sunday we will take another look at the Israelites and Moses on their desert journey. Things are not going the way they expected and they get "fed up with life" along the way. In the least likely place, God hears, God sees, and God provides life-giving hope. But what about us? Does God still see us and hear us in the desert? Is God still life-giving in the year 2023? See you Sunday as we wrestle with this tough question. MESSAGE: “It Isn’t Supposed to be Like This!” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Exodus 17: 1-6 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

There's always room for one more. Join us this World Communion Sunday as Pam shares Romans 12:8 with the fictional character Grace Ellen. We'll follow along as Grace Ellen drives Fatmama to Cousin Betty's for a family reunion. Along the way, Grace Ellen reflects on the table talk she overheard and asks if there really is room for one more. MESSAGE: "Room for One More: A Fictional Sermon Told by Grace Ellen" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Romans 12: 8 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Have you ever had one of those "no good, very bad, horrific kind of days" that makes you want to just throw your hands up, go back to bed, and pull the covers over your head? Today we explore how the Hebrew people who were led out of bondage and toward the promised land dealt with those kinds of days in their own journey. We'll discover that God never abandoned them, but continued to support them with compassion, love, and hope. We'll talk about life in relationship with God-love that offers hope even on our horrible days. MESSAGE: "Everything's Gonna Be Okay" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16: 9-18 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

We've probably all said it at some point; "If I knew then what I know now..." One of the great advantages of living a while is the number of opportunities we have to learn and adjust what we believe about our faith and religion, and our understanding of who Jesus is. That means sometimes rethinking some of the ideas, maybe even some of the "truths" that we thought we knew. Changing our minds is not a bad thing when we are attempting to adapt to better ways of understanding. MESSAGE: "What We Know" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 3: 1-10 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

It's hard to believe that it's been 22 years since 9/11. Many of us remember the events of that day but had the comfort of viewing it all from safe a distance from the actual destruction. But many didn't, including a man who grew up in Central Kentucky but experienced the horror of the day from his apartment just across the river from the doomed Twin Towers. Listen as we recount his story. MESSAGE: "What a Day" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 11: 35-37 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Sometimes it seems like God asks a whole lot from us. Sometimes when we feel that divine nudge, we may feel more confident in God's calling than our own ability to accomplish the end goal. This Sunday our lead elder Deb Core is going to bring us some encouragement for those moments when we desire to live into God's calling, but may not feel wholly equipped. We may even feel it is a Mission Impossible. MESSAGE: "Mission Impossible" by Elder Deb Core SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3: 1-15 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Many of us spend time wondering how our ordinary life makes a difference or if it really does. We often aren't sure where the Spirit is calling us because we are just trying to make it through the day. Simon was an ordinary person in an ancient land trying to catch a few fish when he was changed by the love of Christ and his life was never ever the same. If it happened for Simon, perhaps, just perhaps, it might happen for us as well. Join us Sunday for "The Epic Adventures of a Man Called Peter the Rock." It is sure to be a tale you don't want to miss! MESSAGE: "The Epic Adventures of a Man Called Peter the Rock" by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16: 15-18 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

It can be a bit of a challenge these days to know what is authentic and what is not. We hear cries of fake news and seeds of doubt are sown into every bit of information we hear. Then there are the Christians who claim to be deeply in love with Jesus but seem to ignore pretty much every command he gave to love and serve those who are on society's margins. How do we discern what is real and what isn't? Jesus gives us a clue and a little bit of help. MESSAGE: “For Real” by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 6: 43-45 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

All of us have times of unrest and chaos in our lives. Sometimes it seems those moments will never end. But it's reassuring to know that when we are in the middle of our personal storms, we are in the company of a God that loves us and would never leave us to survive alone. it's reassuring to know that when we are enduring the wind and rain, we are doing it as one of God's beloved. The story of the disciples on a stormy sea is made more reassuring when we see that Jesus himself was in the boat with them. MESSAGE: "Jesus - A Great Calm on our Story Sea” by Rev. Diane Vego SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8: 23-27 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

There is great disparity in our world, just as there was in the world that Jesus lived in centuries ago. There are several stories in the bible that speak to God's provision, but as believers, we count on God's ability to see us through difficult and needy times. Faith in God's radical, extravagant abundance is central to our relationship with God. But God also relies on us to do what we can for ourselves, but especially for others. That is how God's extravagant abundance is expressed - when we are available to and willing to express it. MESSAGE: “Extravagant Abundance” by Pam Lee-Miller SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14: 13-21 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Have you ever just wanted to hear quiet? With all of the talking and yelling and beeps and honks and commercials and other noises that seem to occupy all of our space, it would feel good to be able to turn it all down and make room for something else. With all the opinions and conflicting voices, we are expected to sort through it all and try to find something that assures us that things will be okay. Sometimes we just have to remember that in truth, it's just noise. MESSAGE: "It's Just Noise" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: Luke 19: 37-39 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc

Some of us are kinda spooked at the thought of God knowing everything about us. But it's probably because we've been warned of a god that gets some kind of strange delight out of taunting us with judgment, then punishing us for whatever kind of "sin" we've been secretly living in. But that's not the God we ever find in the bible. We can take comfort in knowing that God does in fact know us and takes great delight in loving us just the same. MESSAGE: "God Knows" by Kenny Bishop SCRIPTURE: John 4: 4-7, 9-16 Learn more about us at bluegrasschurch.org Facebook: facebook.com/bluegrasucc Twitter: twitter.com/bluegrasucc Instagram: instagram.com/bluegrasucc YouTube: youtube.com/@bluegrassucc