Into a Culture of Death Comes Life in Christ

Excerpts from sermons to be delivered around Orange County on Sunday:

LIFE IN ABUNDANCE: “The constant bombardment of advertising and consumerism tells us that life is a commodity. These forces contribute to a culture of death. It’s not new. It’s merely human. . . . But into this culture of death steps Jesus, telling us, ‘I came that you might have life and have it abundantly.’ ”

--Pastor Steve Beckham, speaking at 9:30 a.m. services at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 800 N. Cambridge St., Orange. (714) 639-9390.

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GOD IS PRESENT: “Trust means confident expectation in God. When we are confronted by the tragedy of what has happened in Colorado and Kosovo, we may find ourselves doubting a divine plan. But we can know that God is present in every circumstance and every situation.”

--Rev. Margaret M. Mohit, speaking at 10:30 a.m. services at Unity Community Church, 22911 Mill Creek Drive, Laguna Hills. (949) 472-9230.

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IMPERFECT CHARACTERS: “Hebrews 11 presents an impressive array of faithful characters. But there is a danger in thinking that Israel had nothing but faith-filled heroes and heroines. . . . Take a deeper look. This chapter is treating these imperfect characters in the heroic classical sense, thus pushing us to be as we ought to be. . . . Take this as an encouragement, that you can be counted in their number in spite of your inadequacies and failings.”

--Rev. John McFarland, speaking at 10 a.m. worship services at Christ Our King Fellowship, meeting at the Anaheim Memorial Medical Plaza, near Weir Canyon and Santa Ana Canyon roads, Anaheim Hills. (909) 737-6661.

The Message highlights excerpts from sermons to be delivered in Orange County houses of worship in the coming week. Submissions should be delivered by noon each Thursday to Orange County religion editor Jack Robinson.