We start out our series on reading the Bible by embracing an enjoyment of the writings as literature. Many of us have been taught to read the Bible “seriously” instead […]

When others struggle to feel God’s presence, we stand beside them because it is in relationship that we know God. No one is meant to do this alone. In a world that […]

Dr. David Gushee talks about the importance of liberal democracy and addresses the need for living with others in unity, as best we’re able. For more information on membership, and […]

Three different congregants share about their personal faith journey and why they’ve made Blue Ocean their church home. For more information on membership, and to download a copy of the […]

For our membership series, we explore getting outside ourselves to connect with others. Togetherness is the antidote to loneliness. We don’t need to have all the answers or to rely […]

We use the Book of Ruth and the Proverbs to talk about care for the poor. Part of what it means to follow Jesus, part of what it means to be […]

We talk about how healthy spirituality reduces shame, and we are welcome before God in all of our humanity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings […]

We talk about how the Proverbs caution us to be wary of extreme certainty, and wary of extremes in our thinking more generally. Many of the verses encourage us to be open […]

Pastor Emeritus, Ken Wilson, explores the wit and wisdom of Proverbs as field-tested advice from an oppressed people. Their experiences can help us navigate challenging situations, particularly as it applies […]

Today we explore the Proverbs as riddles. These riddle-type proverbs impart wisdom in witty or clever ways, just as Wisdom plays in the earth and delights in humankind. Learn more […]

Proverbs says everything meaningful in life has both upsides and downsides. Perhaps the most meaningful parts of our lives are enabled by the seemingly mundane things we do, day in and […]

The writer David Brooks talks about résumé virtues and eulogy virtues. The Book of Proverbs is deeply concerned with eulogy virtues—with character. It offers some guidelines that we’ll consider together. Learn […]

In the imagination of the Hebrew Scriptures, Wisdom is the fabric of the world. When we make wise choices, we have the wind at our back. Learn more about Blue […]

The catch all word for the stuff we learn that makes our lives work well is wisdom. We start a new sermon series this week on the earthy wisdom of the Proverbs […]

Habakkuk came to understand that living by faith meant that, even if he didn’t understand God’s ways or timing, he could rely on God’s character—Their wisdom, love, and reliability. Learn […]

Guest speaker Lisa Ruby talks about how we can lead responsibly in ways that reflect God’s good realm. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]

Today, we explore Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians on belonging to one sacred body as many members in One. Remembering that we can only be as healthy or as […]

This week we wrap up our sermon series on Original Blessing by summarizing what we’ve learned and looking at it in light of the Sermon on the Mount. Learn more […]

God’s desire is for us to both trust Them and show that we can be Trusted. We’re invited to grow and mature, to become discerning of good and evil, to hold grey […]

We look at another Scriptural metaphor that can help us think about how to live lives that reflect goodness and integrity. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]

We look at how the Bible asks us if we’re able to pick up the mandate of Original Blessing. Can we humans be trusted to care for ourselves and the […]

We dwell in a good God; a good God dwells in us. Today, we’ll explore how Original Blessing can help us turn away from the arrogance of thinking, “I don’t […]

On this Pentecost Sunday we talk about the symbolism of the trees and water in Scripture, and how we’re invited to drink from the Spirit to strengthen our souls and […]

We look at the metaphor of the garden in Scripture to explore what it’s saying about Original Blessing. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of […]

We talk about how the concept of Original Blessing is solving a different problem than Original Sin, which leads to a different gospel message. Instead of humans needing saving from […]

This week we take a closer look at some of the history and shortcomings of Original Sin and why it fails us. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

We’re starting a new sermon series on Original Blessing and how this idea impacts how we see God, ourselves, and our role in the world. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

Today, we explore two versions of Paul too often used for harm. Then, we consider some new perspectives on Paul, which can transform the meaning of his words. As he […]

Pastor Ken explores the first three books of the old testament—Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus—to highlight the foundations of harm alleviation in scripture. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we see in his teachings and actions a roadmap for how we are called to live in the world. We orient our own deep […]

The story of Palm Sunday offers an invitation to live our lives in ways that bring about peace through justice. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

As we continue our sermon series on following Jesus during a rise in Christian Nationalism, today we look at a repeating pattern: liberation movements followed by a rise in “stiff-necked” […]

We talk about the violent militancy of this white Christian nationalism and then look at Jesus for some guidance for how to relate to it. Learn more about Blue Ocean […]

The best predictor that someone embraces Christian nationalism is that they also subscribe to traditional gender norms. We look at how Genesis starts out the Bible narrative with a challenge to gender hierarchy […]

We contrast how Jesus used power with the dominionist theology that’s driving part of the white Christian nationalist movement today. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find […]

We talk about the deep story driving Christian nationalism, and touch on how that story is counter to the project to which Jesus called his followers. Learn more about Blue […]

This morning we talk about the path to healing after a loss. Healing doesn’t mean getting back to the person we were before the loss, but rather integrating the loss into […]

We talk about how our emotions often feel like they’re in chaotic disarray in the weeks and months (and sometimes years) following a loss—feeling the feelings is part of the path […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We talk a bit about our shared human experience of grief, and how to care for each other in times of mourning. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We talk about God’s work in us during the cold, wintery seasons of our spiritual life using Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the sea beast.Learn more about Blue Ocean […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

Kim Robinson, Executive Vice President of The Forum for Youth Investment and the Managing Director for the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, guest preaches—incorporating some of her research to talk about […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

On Epiphany we celebrate the story of the magi. Today, we also look to the night sky in a reflective exploration of what we can learn from the moon, who […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

Pastor Emily, joined by the children of Blue Ocean, shares stories about St. Nicholas of Myra; followed by a performance by the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, led by Crystal Harding. Learn […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

Guest preacher Lisa Ruby talks about ways to actively find peace in our daily lives. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can find recordings of past services, learn […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We look at Luke 2 and talk about how Simeon and Anna understood the story they were part of and the role they played in it. They stood in a […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We finish up our series by looking at the stories of a couple of saints who embody the longing for a healthy relationship with nature and with people of other […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We talk about the mystical stream of the faith that connects Logos and Woman Wisdom and Jesus—remembering that God transcends gender. We also touch on a couple of the icons […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

We remember these saints to remind ourselves that we don’t have to do anything extravagant to be remembered as a person who shows God’s love to the people around us—we […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

On this All Saints Sunday we’re starting a new series talking about the communion of the saints and the icons we use in our worship space. We start off by […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor

In the final sermon in our membership series, we talk about the grace and inclusive welcome of the table of God. Learn more about Blue Ocean Church at a2blue.org. You can […]Blue Ocean Church Ann Arbor