The Whole Life of Christ in Us Series
January is a season of fresh starts. Gym memberships surge, and many of us resolve to build better habits. But what if this year’s most important resolution wasn’t about doing more, but about becoming more — specifically, becoming more like Jesus?
Beginning on the first Sunday of the new year, we’ll launch a six-week worship series called The Whole Life of Christ in Us, which will focus on historic spiritual practices that have shaped faithful Christians for centuries. These practices are six life-giving ways of following Christ that were modeled in the life of Jesus.
Series Content – follow this link to access the series content.
The Balanced Life (The Incarnational Tradition) The incarnational tradition invites us to discover God’s presence, not just in the sanctuary, but in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Faith is not an escape from the world, but is to be embodied as a way of loving God and others where we are. Faith is meant to be lived in everyday life. Jesus entered fully into human experience — working, resting, celebrating, grieving, and sharing meals with friends and strangers alike.
The Spirit-Empowered Life (The Charismatic Tradition)
Next, we’ll explore what it means to live open to the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended upon him. He was led by the Spirit in his ministry, teaching, healing, comforting, and the calling of his disciples. This week will invite us to consider how the Spirit still works today, giving us power, comfort, wisdom, and unity, as we follow God together.
The Word-Centered Life (The Evangelical Tradition) Jesus was deeply rooted in Scripture. He trusted the Word of God, taught from it, prayed it, and lived it. This week will focus on practices that help us engage Scripture faithfully: reading, studying, memorizing, and reflecting, so that God’s Word shapes our beliefs, choices, and hope.
The Prayer-Filled Life (The Contemplative Tradition) In a world of constant noise and hurry, Jesus often “withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). This emphasis invites us to slow down and rediscover prayer, not as a task to accomplish, but as a relationship to enjoy. We’ll talk about prayer, silence, and listening for God’s gentle voice.
The Virtuous Life (The Holiness Tradition) The holiness tradition focuses on becoming people of integrity, humility, forgiveness, generosity, and obedience. Practices like self-discipline, confession, repentance, and accountability open space for God to shape our character from the inside out.
The Compassionate Life (The Social Justice Tradition) Finally, we will reflect on how love of God overflows into love of neighbor. Jesus had a special concern for the poor, the sick, the lonely, the stranger, and the forgotten. This aspect of the Christian life affirms that faithful discipleship includes acts of mercy, generosity, hospitality, and justice. For a church with a long history of serving this community, this stream of tradition reminds us that our generous life together is not just activity — it is worship.
This six-week series is more than a set of sermons. It’s an invitation to build rhythms instead of resolutions, practices instead of good intentions, and a shared way of life, rooted in Jesus. As we begin a new year, may we grow together into the life Christ modeled so beautifully.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Doug Scalise