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The Wonderful World of Faith: Transforming Love - Beauty and the Beast Everyone loves a good before-and-after story. Beast’s monstrous exterior was a reflection of the cruelty in his heart, but he was made human again by experiencing Belle’s love. Saul of Tarsus was a “beastly” figure transformed into a saint by the love of Christ, and the Holy Spirit still works in us today to soften our hearts and help us embody the love of Christ in a hurting world. Scripture: Acts 9: 1-6, 17-20

Those Who Dream...persevere On Epiphany, we celebrate how God’s love transverses cultural and geographical barriers to become good news for all people. We marvel at the persistence of God to shine the way for the Magi so that they might bear witness to the divine. We honor that the Magi trusted their dreams and returned home by another way. As we journey forward, we carry the dreams of our ancestors in faith. With courage and resilience, we dream on. (Resource: A Sanctified Art) Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12

Those Who Dream... Will Not Keep Silent God’s dreams are not for us alone. Simeon and Anna could not keep silent—they witnessed Jesus’ divine presence in the temple and were compelled to speak up. Like the prophet Isaiah, we will not keep silent and we will not rest until what has been sown will spring up as righteousness and peace in every nation. Joint Service with People's and Mount Horeb UMC Scripture: Luke 2:22-40 & Isaiah 61:10-62:3

this night, we are THOSE WHO DREAM The Christmas story reminds us that we are all dreamers. Like those gathered around the manger, we come to this night watch year with awe, wonder, and holy imagination for what is possible. Like Mary, we treasure God’s dream in our hearts and commit to keeping it alive. Like the holy family, we believe and trust in a God who comes to us in the vulnerability of a child. SugarRiverUMC.org

Those Who Dream...are not alone This week, we recognize what preceded Mary’s song of praise: news that was disorienting and bewildering, possibly threatening her life. Together, Mary and Elizabeth find courage and comfort in spite of their unusual circumstances. We, too, are called to carry, support and encourage one another’s dreams. Dreams delivered through a message of God who so loved the world that God gave…. Scripture: Luke 1: 35-45

Those Who Dream... Sow Joy Ultimately, dreams sow joy, even if that joy doesn’t immediately spring forth. Sowing seeds into the soil always feels risky--how can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Like Mary, we are called to tend and nurture the dreams God has woven into us. What great joy! Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, 9-11; Luke 1:46-55

Those Who Dream...prepare the way (PEACE) Isaiah 40:1,2-5; Mark 11-5 John the Baptist calls the crowds into the journey of repentance and transformation, fulfilling a prophecy in Isaiah written 5,000 years earlier. Likewise, we are called to prepare the way for God’s message of love and liberation to be shouted, heard, and received. Those who dream make way for righteousness and peace. (A Sanctified Art resource) www.sugarriverumc.org

Those Who Dream...keep awake (HOPE) Resource: A Sanctified Art Mark 13:28-37 Those who dream do not fall asleep to the realities of the world. God prompts us to pay attention to where God’s dreams for change and new life are emerging. This week we remember there is hope through God’s ultimate dream to be intimately connected to us--to come down and dwell among us. As we stay alert, we join others pleading for restoration and for God to draw near.