Wheaton’s Gary UMC to host ‘Making Sense of the Bible’ sermon series in September

If you have ever had questions about the Bible, Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St. in Wheaton, will feature a series of honest and frank messages entitled “Making Sense of the Bible” during Sunday worship, Sept. 6-Oct. 4.

The Bible, which can be uplifting and life-giving, contains some of the loftiest and most beautiful verses in literature. Millions look to it for inspiration and guidance. At the same time, some parts are confusing and others are deeply disturbing. Here’s the series schedule:

• Sept. 6: "Bible Interpretation: What the Bible Is and Is Not" Is the Bible the Word of God? Who wrote the Bible? And what framework or lens should we use to understand and interpret it?

• Sept. 13: "Can We Trust the Bible? A High View of Scripture" Why we need to take the Bible seriously, but not literally.

• Sept. 20: "Biblical Application: Women and Slavery in the Bible" The Bible has been used historically to exclude women from leadership and to justify and even endorse slave-ownership. Why do we read the Bible differently on these topics today?

• Sept. 27: "Biblical Application: Homosexuality and the Bible" LGBTQ+ rights are a hot topic in today’s culture and even caused a split in The United Methodist Church. What are some of the perspectives on how to understand what the Bible says or doesn’t say about homosexuality?

• Oct. 4: "Does the Whole World Read the Same Bible?" On World Communion Sunday, we ask, “Do people in different countries and different cultures read the Bible differently? How does our location impact how we see the text and live it out?"

The church has vibrant music, kids, youth and adult ministries, plus opportunities for local, national and global missions. On Sundays through Sept. 6, the church offers summer worship at 9 a.m., including Kids’ Church. At 10 a.m. there’s a coffee fellowship hour, plus the chapel is available for prayer and reflection. Starting Sunday, Sept. 13, the church will restart its second service at 11:11 a.m., along with Sunday School for all ages between services.

For information, go to garychurch.org or contact the church office at office@garychurch.org.