Sin, Not Just the Dots but the Whole Picture ("Grounded" 3/8)

Sin is a strong word with a lot of baggage. Many of us have internalized the idea that a sin is a demerit, a ding on our permanent record that, if we earn enough of them, will keep us out of heaven when we die. But if we back up a bit, those individual dots may form a very different picture. If we recalibrate our thinking about sin--and forgiveness--focusing on our relationships rather than our spiritual report card, maybe we won't have to wait till we die to live abundantly. Which is the whole point. (1 John 1:2-5)Lent is a season in the life of the church for reflection, when we intentionally sift our lives, all that we do and leave undone, looking to build upon all that is life-giving, for ourselves and our neighbors, and leave behind all that is not. It's a time to sink our roots deeper into God's good soil and grow from there.The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a radically inclusive, justice-seeking Christian community. We are a member congregation of the United Church of Christ denominational family. Join us for worship Sundays @ 10am LIVE! online via Zoom. Connection info at www.NeedhamUCC.org.