Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

September 7 – February 22:   The Essentials – Packing our Biblical Backpack

Every hiker knows you don’t go out into the wilderness, even for a day, without the “essentials” – map, compass, first-aid kit, fire-starter, etc. In the same way, we can ask, “What are the essential biblical stories or passages that today’s Christian travelers need to know, or carry in their “biblical backpack?” Through the course of the fall and winter, we will look at 18 passages that cover the basic biblical story line of the Christian faith. These are stories we should know by heart– not by rote, but by heart. While we probably won’t memorize these stories, it is possible for us to know them so well that we carry them with us through the day or week of our lives. They are stories that reveal much to us about who God is, what God is like, and what it means to be God’s people. They are stories that help us recognize God’s activity in our time and in our world today. The list does not include the Christmas story(ies) nor Easter. Even the most marginal church attendee will hear and know those above others. Stories were not chosen because they were already well known (Noah, for example), but because in some way they seem essential for us to know. We will take a break from this series during Advent and the return to it in January.

The Stories

September 7: What is the Bible?
September 14: Prayer book of the Bible - Psalm 23 and 139
September 21: Exodus Story -Exodus 2:23-3:14 –
September 28: The Covenant (10 commandments)- Exodus 20:1-17
October 5: Voices of the Prophets- Micah 6:1-8, Amos 5:1, 12-15, 18
October 12: SAFE led service
October 19: The Incarnation of Christ -John1:1-14
October 26: Jesus’ Mission Statement- Luke 4:16-21
November 2: Laborers in the Field - Matthew 20:1-16
November 9: The Good Samaritan -Luke 10:25-37
November 16: The Prodigal Son -Luke 15:1-2; 11-32
November 23: The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12
January 4: The Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35
January 11: Pentecost - Acts 2:1-42
January 18 Paul and the Road to Damascus -Acts 9
January 25: Paul’s Early Church Hymn -Philippians 2:1-11
February 1: Peter and Cornelius - Acts 10
February 8 The Cloud of Witnesses - Hebrews 11:1-12:2
February 15 – Songs of Lament - Psalm 13/137
February 22: Revelation’s New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:1-4, 22-22:7

Other components of this series
Essentials Booklet (available September 7 ) – containing each week’s Bible passage. In addition to the booklet, each worship service will include an additional handout for reflection and prayer.

Digital Storytelling – A digital story is a short video, 2 – 5 minute range, which brings together images and narration, which is written in first person, on a perspective about some aspect of a lived experience. Digital storytelling is an art that allows people to reflect, teach, learn, connect, and grow. We are looking for volunteers to tell their story of how one of the biblical stories below has made a difference in your life. ORUCC has professional digital storytellers that will work with you to help craft your story. Please contact Winton Boyd if you are interested.
Music and the Arts – Each week, we will sing a response to Scripture that reminds us of this journey to make Biblical stories part of our own faith story. The response has been written by Senior Choir Director Bruce Gladstone. In addition, we hope to commission a visual art piece to be completed by the end of the series that will encompass the whole journey and be a reminder of the power of the Bible in our lives.

Discussion and reflection – in worship and after worship we will offer periodic opportunities for all of us to respond to the Scriptures and to learn from one another about how these stories shape our lives.