A Six-Week Sermon Series | May 31 to July 5
Sundays at 9:30am | Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? And what does that tell us about the beauty, richness, and gift of human diversity?

This summer, we're devoting six intentional Sundays to exploring that question together. As a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, Mount Calvary has made a deep commitment to celebrating diversity not just in words, but in worship, in community, and in action. This series is our chance to live that commitment out loud.

Each week will feature music from "Singing in Community," a collection of paperless, oral-tradition worship music drawn from traditions around the world. Learning music by listening rather than reading requires us to rely on each other in a new way. And isn't that exactly what celebrating diversity asks of us?

Each Sunday, you'll also be invited to contribute to a shared community art project. A canvas, paint, supplies, and a creative prompt will be waiting for you after worship. Come make something beautiful together.

Join us. All are welcome. Every single one of you.

WEEK 1 | Sunday, May 31 | Holy Trinity Sunday

We begin with the foundation of our faith: the Triune God, three persons and yet one God. If we are created in the image of the Trinity itself, are we not naturally blessed by diversity? What does it mean to be made in the image of a God who is, by nature, a community?

Readings: Genesis 1:1-27a

WEEK 2 | Sunday, June 7 | Graduation Sunday

We celebrate our graduating seniors and the years of love, formation, and faith that brought them here. How does a congregation benefit from celebrating these years of loving and forming our youngest members? How do we experience the diverse nature of God by caring for and learning from our youth?

Readings: Mark 10:13-16 | 1 Timothy 4:12

WEEK 3 | Sunday, June 14 | Pride Sunday

We celebrate and affirm our LGBTQIA+ siblings and the ways their presence has blessed the life of this congregation. How have our Queer siblings taught us about being made in God's image? How can we be better allies, supporters, and beloved community in these times?

Readings: Acts 2:26-39 | Psalm 139:13-18

WEEK 4 | Sunday, June 21 | Juneteenth Sunday | Outdoor Worship!

We explore what it means to believe in a God of liberation and justice. When confronted with the reality of our history and the challenges of our current national climate, what does it mean to be created in the image of God? How does our understanding of God lead us to be on the side of justice, liberation, and reconciliation? What does it mean to believe in God that sets the captives free and lifts the bonds of the oppressed?

Readings: Isaiah 61:1 | Psalm 146:7-9 | Exodus 3:7-8 | Galatians 5:1

WEEK 5 | Sunday, June 28 | Differing Gifts and Abilities Sunday

We celebrate the gift and blessing of the special needs community within our midst. What have we learned about the nature of God from those in our community with special needs? How is the gift of diversity revealed in our siblings with special needs? How are we called to be better allies of those with special needs?

Readings: John 9:1-12 | Isaiah 35:1-10 | Matthew 11:2-6

WEEK 6 | Sunday, July 5 | We the People Sunday | Outdoor Worship!

We close the series on the occasion of our nation's 250th birthday with a question: what does it mean to live in a diverse nation, made in the diverse image of God? How do we recommit ourselves to embracing that diversity in our nation? How do we move forward together?

Readings: Acts 10:1-15 | Romans 3:21-31

Join us this summer as we worship, create, sing, and celebrate together.

All are welcome. Come as you are. 🧡