Welcome to the United Church of Sun City
Pastor's Post
All are welcome at United Church
each Sunday at 10 am
for the worship and praise of God.
...as church,
we must keep doing what we do,
serving and caring for others
in the name of the Lord.
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NRSV).
Recently I preached on these opening words from Hebrews Chapter 11. I find them to be some of the most meaningful words in the entire Bible, highlighting the deep connection between hope and faith.
What are your hopes? And when you consider them, how does faith steady and sustain them? From my own experience, and from conversations I have had, common hopes include the wellbeing of family and friends, living peacefully and safely, enjoying good health, and contributing to the world in meaningful ways.
Nearly thirty years ago, as I was taking my first steps toward ordained ministry, I had to consider my own source of hope. A pastor invited me to spend time with a youth group and answer their questions about my call to ministry. The very first question came from a teenager who asked, “What does the resurrection mean to you?”
Huh? What a serious question! Nobody told me the conversation would get this deep, this fast.
I sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Then, from somewhere inside, words came: “The resurrection means that for any situation I face, I can have hope.”
That’s what I said then, and that’s what I believe now. My source of hope in any situation is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Now, let me be clear. That doesn’t mean life always turns out the way I hope. Not at all. There’s a significant difference between wishful dreaming and faith-fueled hope. We all know from our own experience that things don’t always go as we hope. The bad doesn’t always become good, right doesn’t always prevail over wrong, and evil still exists in the world.
Still, no matter the circumstance, there is hope in knowing that God did not end Jesus’ story at the cross, but continued it in resurrection. Friends, no matter what we are experiencing, God is present in the middle of it too.
A few days after I preached this sermon on faith and hope, I came across these familiar words: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).
That promise offers courage to live more fully with both faith and hope today.
Peace,
Pastor Brady
United Church of Sun City, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, has the distinction of being the first church to be established in a Del Webb retirement community. Organized in 1960, United Church has been serving Sun City and the surrounding area since at the current location of 107th Avenue and Sun City Blvd.
Today, with an atmosphere of inclusion and care and with respect for diverse theological thought, the goal of United Church is to create a church family, while nurturing individual and collective spiritual development through meaningful biblically based worship, music, education, fellowship, and involvement of members and friends. United Church strives to provide wider community service, social justice, and responsible stewardship.
Senior Pastor Rev. Brady Abel, the United Church staff, and the entire congregation extend a special invitation to everyone for Sunday worship. All are welcome!
We're a lively congregation where age is a number and life is a gift.
- a fabulous music program
- a varied and stimulating activities program
- meaningful mission and creative outreach
- thought-provoking sermons and wonderful worship
New to United Church of Sun City? Check out our Visitors Page or watch to a recent sermon. Read our ONA statement.
In short, we're a community where people come to be part of family who worship, work, and have fun together.
The United Church of Sun City was the first church established in Sun City, Arizona. We have a well-deserved reputation for excellence in programming and warmth in our welcome. But we aren't stuck in the past! We know God is still speaking, and we are still listening! Come see for yourself.
Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
United Church of Sun City
United Church of Sun City
11250 N. 107th Avenue, Suite 105
Sun City, AZ 85351-4002 MAP
(Corner of 107th Ave. & Sun City Blvd.)
Phone 623-933-0058
Email office@uccsc.com