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High anthropology and the bait and switch gospel

A high anthropology approach to religion can be devastating, as it sets unrealistic expectations for human behavior and leads to burnout and disillusionment.

Read the whole article at High Anthropology and the Bait and Switch Gospel - Mockingbird (mbird.com)


H
igh anthropology is the tie that binds together nearly every account of religious burnout and disillusionment. It is the foundation of legalistic and oppressive forms of religion, without which they cannot find oxygen. A high anthropology approach to religion devastates. I am speaking mainly about Christianity, but you can encounter instances of it in many traditions. Anytime you hear someone refer to a former religious observance with some form of “I just couldn’t keep it up anymore,” you are in the vicinity of high anthropology.

Dramatic tales of deconversion and denouncement are the

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Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher

Lydia Week of Summer Kids Bible Club (Photos)

Talked about Lydia this week

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News, Photos, Neighbors Cris Escher News, Photos, Neighbors Cris Escher

St Lucie Mets Game - July 27th

Photos from the mets game

We had a fun time. But it was rainy at the beginning.

I forgot to shoot pictures before some people left. Woops.

Thanks to all that came.

BASEBALL - Tons of Fun!:

Join us for a Mets baseball game on Thursday, July 27, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM

at Clover Park (Mets Stadium). We will have shaded seating upward left as you walk in the main center entrance (3rd Base Side).   Playing the Bradenton Marauders. 

Enjoy $2 hot dogs, $1 soda, and $1 popcorn as well as $1 draft beer at the concession stands.  See Pastor Cris for more details.

Tickets are 10 Dollars General Admission.
Just show up and purchase a ticket and meet us at the seats.

Fun Announcement !

Hey, you wanna join us for a night of cheap thrills and spills?

We're heading to the St Luice Mets Game, where everything is practically a steal.

10 bucks to get in, a buck for drinks, a buck for popcorn, and 2 bucks for dogs. That's less than a movie ticket, and way more fun.

We'll be sitting in the shade up high behind home plate, 3rd base line, where we can see all the action and heckle the players.

Don't miss this chance to have a blast all together!

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Kingdom Carol - Missio Dei

Jesus is sitting with Scrooge-like religious leaders when one talks about how great the feast in God’s kingdom will be. But will those scrupulous Scrooges even be there, or will God bring everyone else to the party from all the roads and the countryside?

Jesus is sitting with Scrooge-like religious leaders when one talks about how great the feast in God’s kingdom will be. But will those scrupulous Scrooges even be there, or will God bring everyone else to the party from all the roads and the countryside?

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Kingdom Carol

  1. Describe a time you felt excluded from a party or an invitation to something great.  How did you feel?

  2. Discuss the difference between an invitation of grace and a lightning bolt of judgment.  How do you see those differences in Luke 14:1-24?

  3. When are some times you might use excuses to miss out on Jesus’ grace?  How does Jesus always come back to you and invite you to his party?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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News, Read Cris Escher News, Read Cris Escher

When Cain and Able Meet Again

We cannot forget that even scripture does not get the final word. Heaven does.

Read the whole article at When Cain and Abel Meet Again - Mockingbird (mbird.com)

SARAH CONDON / 7.17.23

This reflection originally appeared in today’s entry of Daily Grace: The Mockingbird Devotional, Vol. 2:

Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell …

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. (Gen 4:1-5, 8)

It can be very tempting to read the Old and New Testaments like a before-and-after home makeover: No one understood the space before the designers came in! What’s with the old carpets and wallpaper? Was this even a real house?………………………………………

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Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher

6th Week of Summer Kids Bible Club (Photos)

Fun was had this week.

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Plans - Missio Dei

Jesus sends his disciples to bring the mission of God to the Children of Israel. But how Jesus sends them out is so much different than our planned expectations.

Jesus sends his disciples to bring the mission of God to the Children of Israel. But how Jesus sends them out is so much different than our planned expectations.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK:   Plans

  1. Read Mark 6:1-13.   Jesus experiences opposition and then sends his disciples out in His mission.  What does that mission look like for the disciples?  What are they to bring?  What are they to do in opposition?  What is the goal of their ministry?

  2. How important is it for us to recognize that the mission of God is not our mission? What false leanings do we succumb to if we believe the mission belongs to us? 

  3. Do you think the great commission is called great because it is so wonderful? Or because it is so huge? Talk about both.   Why is the act of us being sent so wonderful?  Why is the mission so huge?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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News, Neighbors Cris Escher News, Neighbors Cris Escher

Walther League Wednesday 1pm

We will have the church fellowship open for everyone to come and socialize in a cool place

Let’s try something new!!!!

Starting this Wednesday July 19 2023 at 1:00 PM,

we will have the church fellowship open for everyone to come and socialize in a cool place. 

We will provide some snacks, drinks and air conditioning.  

You can come to socialize, play cards or games you may have at home.  

Anything can happen!    Let’s try it!  

Leigh Liagre is setting it up. If you would like more information or to help, call or text Leigh

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Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher Kids, Photos, News Cris Escher

5th Week of Summer Kids Bible Club (Photos)

Fun was had this week.

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News, Photos, LWML Cris Escher News, Photos, LWML Cris Escher

23' LWML Convention Photos

LWML Convention

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Born & Light - Missio Dei

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. But how is this light dawned by being born again?

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. But how is this light dawned by being born again?


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher Service, Sunday, Sermons Cris Escher

[Sunday] Field of Fishermen - Missio Dei

Jesus walks into Galilee, and rather than expecting his followers to come to his level, Jesus calls his disciples right where they are.

Jesus walks into Galilee, and rather than expecting his followers to come to his level, Jesus calls his disciples right where they are.


What Had happened at Grace this week. 

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News, Photos, Kids Cris Escher News, Photos, Kids Cris Escher

4th Week of Summer Kids Bible Club + Sunday School

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