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What happens when our world falls apart? How do we press onward when our tightly-knit plans begin to unravel and everywhere we look we see nothing but loose threads? What do we become when our identity, or the path we've chosen, becomes undone?

Could this unraveling, as disruptive and unpleasant as it is, lead to something new, something better? What if all of this coming-undone is not the end we fear it will be? What if being unraveled is sometimes the only way to be transformed and made new? Is it possible something good comes out of all this?

In our unraveling, sometimes God surprises us with unexpected joy, love, and hope, or even with a new beginning we couldn't have imagined. Sometimes we need God to unravel us, so that we can experience the change we so long for. This worship series explores 14 stories of unraveled shame, identity, fear, grief, dreams, and expectations. These are stories where God meets us in the spiraling, unraveling our plans, and changing us into something new.

Throughout this 14 week worship series, we will use art to help us explore and experience both the unraveling and the transformations. Each of the 14 Scripture readings has a visual to help illuminate the story, along with statement from the artist who created it. There is a “Unraveled Study Journal” which allows you to explore these stories individually or with others. (The journal only covers the original 12 stories.) You will be invited to make your own piece of art throughout the series, weaving together your thoughts and prayers into a beautiful hoop weaving. We will also be inviting artists from our congregation to make unique pieces of art during each worship service.

Here is the schedule of stories, Scripture readings and themes we will be using:

June 7 - Sarah Laughs | Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 | Unexpected Joy and Surprise
June 14 - Peter Sinks in the Water | Matthew 14:22-33 | Unraveled by Uncertainty
June 21 - Rizpah Mourns Her Sons | 2 Samuel 21:1-14 | Public Grief That Inspires Action
June 28 - Zacchaeus the Wealthy Tax Collector | Luke 19:1-10 | Radical Unraveling of Vocation
July 5 - Pharaoh Hardens his Heart | Exodus 7:8-23 | When Humans Unravel God's Plans for Justice
July 12 - The Conversion of Saul | Acts 9:1-20 | Discovering a New Path
July 19 - Exiles to Plant Gardens & Build Houses | Jeremiah 29:1-7 | When Dreams Unravel
July 26 - The Samaritan Woman at the Well | John 4:1-19, 25-29 | Unraveled Shame
Aug. 2 - Doubting Thomas | John 20:19-29 | When the Unimaginable Has Happened
Aug. 9 - Moses' Mother Gives Moses | Exodus 1:22, 2:1-10 | When Our Plans for Our Children Unravel
Aug. 16 - Job's Lament and Loss | Job 28:12-28 | Seeking Understanding When Everything Falls Apart
Aug. 23 - Jesus Heals Legion, a Man Possessed by Demons | Mark 5:1-20 | The Unraveling of the Mind

Aug. 30 - Mary Mother of Jesus | TBA | When Life Unravels 
Sept. 6 - Balaam and his Talking Donkey | Numbers 22:5-6, 12-17, 21-34 | Unraveled Expectations

If you would like an “Unraveled Study Journal,” materials and instructions for making a hoop weaving, and/or more information about being a Sunday morning artist, please click here to email Pastor Jim.