Last fall a member of our congregation brought to my attention a report from GfK Custom Research, a noted market research organization. They released results from a 2005 study of various values that Americans hold dear. The report was intended to inform product and service providers about purchasing motivation, advertising strategies and marketing messages. However, the list of values intrigued me as tangible expressions of what Christian living can create and cultivate. So, in worship during the season of Epiphany we’ll look closer at these values in ascending order of rank from 7th to 1st: Stable Relationships, Justice, Friendship, Health and Fitness, Freedom, Family and Honesty.
Isaiah 62: 1-5 A Sermon Preached by Dan Johnson on 1/14/07 We continue our Epiphany worship series inspired by a report from GfK Custom Research about a 2005 study of various values that Americans hold dear. The report was intended to inform marketing strategies for businesses, but the list of values are intriguing expressions of what Christian living can create and cultivate. So, in worship during the season of Epiphany we’re looking closer at these values in ascending order of rank: Stable Relationships, Justice, Friendship, Health and Fitness, Freedom, Family and Honesty. If these are the top seven values Americans are seeking these days, how can our faith and our church provide the mentoring and the means we need to develop these values in our daily lives?
1 Corinthians 12:14-26 A Sermon Preached by Dan Johnson on 1/21/07 We continue our Epiphany worship series inspired by a report from GfK Custom Research about a 2005 study of various values that Americans hold dear. The report was intended to inform marketing strategies for businesses, but the list of values are intriguing expressions of what Christian living can create and cultivate. So, in worship during the season of Epiphany we’re looking closer at these values in ascending order of rank: Stable Relationships, Justice, Friendship (today), Health and Fitness, Freedom, Family and Honesty. If these are the top seven values Americans are seeking these days, it seems important to reflect on how our faith and our church can help develop these values in our daily lives.
Top American Values: #4 Health and Fitness 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 A Sermon Preached by Becky Sechrist on 1/28/07 I’ve been thinking about how to address this sermon topic this week. I’ve been thinking about it in all those down moments. While I was lifting weights, while I was walking my dog, while I was waiting for my soup to warm up. I also thought about it while hurtling down the highway at 65 mph, late for my next meeting. Oh, and while I was popping popcorn. During the Sundays of Epiphany, we are exploring the results of custom research by GfK. In 2005, they determined the top 10 American Values, and we are looking at the top seven, in ascending order. Stable Relationships, Justice, Friendship, Health and Fitness today, and then Freedom, Family and Honesty.
For six weeks our worship services have referenced a marketing survey about top-ranked values that Americans hold dear. During this season of Epiphany we’ve reflected from a faith perspective about stable relationships, justice, friendship, health and fitness and freedom. Next week we’ll look at the top ranked value of honesty and today we focus on the theme of family including input submitted from a number of you about the topic. Family is often in the public eye. Like the family of Lisa Marie Nowak – talented aeronautical engineer, Navy pilot, space shuttle astronaut, loving daughter, mother and wife who recently assaulted a woman who was vying for the affections of another astronaut whom Nowak coveted as her boyfriend. Family is often in the pubic eye.
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2This morning we conclude our worship series on top ranked values among Americans. The international marketing firm GfK Custom Research has been doing this survey of values annually since 1997 and for the first time, honesty was ranked #1 with the long standing top value of family dropping to the #2 spot. 79% of Americans now say honesty is an extremely/very important value to them, a 10% increase since the inception of this study. Interestingly, Brazil is the only other country of the 30 surveyed that also ranked honesty as their top value.
Good Samaritan United Methodist Church is part of the reconciling movement. We welcome and affirm all persons regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or socioeconomic background. We seek to reconcile any differences that divide us.
Our Mission: We CARE--We are a Christian Community of Acceptance, Reaching out to others and Engaging members in vital ministry.
