Four words come to mind when I think of Christmas:
Waiting
Watching
Praying
Obeying

In the last three weeks, we looked at Simeon waiting, the shepherds watching and Anna praying. This week we are going to look at all of the participants in the Christmas story and talk about all things obeying. It's not the normal word that comes to mind but it has everything to do with the first coming of Christ. And our obedience has everything to do with His second coming. 

God chooses to work through His people, and obeying directly impacts the plans of the Lord.

What does obeying have to do with Christmas? Let's find out together.

Merry Christmas! Or is it? Christmas isn't always a season of joy for everyone, and we live in the tension of the promise of abundant life here on earth while life feels more like a dark abyss.  

How do we carry grief with us through a season of joy? 

When grief is real and raw and pressing and heavy, how do we celebrate the holidays?

How do you celebrate a season of joy when all you feel is sadness?

How do we honor the history of what we've lost while living in the pain and grief of the present and still have hope about the future being good?

Join Cyndie Quinn, Barb Lagaras, and Toni Lagaras (and a special guest!) as we tackle these questions and so much more. And know that you are not alone. We are praying for you through this season. God is with you, and you are going to make it!

Four words come to mind when I think of Christmas:
Waiting
Watching
Praying
Obeying

In the last two weeks, we looked at Simeon waiting and the shepherds watching. This week we are going to look at Anna and talk about all things Praying. Anna? Really? There are only three verses about her in the entire Bible. What does prayer have to do with the Christmas story anyway? Does God really need us to pray? These three little verses really pack a punch.

What does it look to pray like Anna? Let's find out together.

Four words come to mind when I think of Christmas:
Waiting
Watching
Praying
Obeying

Last week, we looked at Simeon and Waiting. This week we are going to look at the Shepherds and talk about all things Watching. What is it? What does it look like? Who is supposed to do the watching? What is God doing while we are watching? There really is more to watching than meets the eye.

What does it look to watch like the Shepherds? Let's find out together.

Four words come to mind when I think of Christmas:
Waiting
Watching
Praying
Obeying

This week we are going to look at the Christmas story, Simeon's part in Luke 2 to be exact, and talk about all things waiting. What is it? What does it look like? What happens when we wait? What is God doing while we are waiting? And guess what - we don't even mention the word "patience" one time that I remember. 

What does it look to wait like Simeon? Let's find out together.

We started a conversation today about what to do when you find yourself in a grieving season. In this life, pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. Take a listen as we dive into what to do with the pain, how to know when you need help, how to come alongside someone who is grieving, and what to do when you feel stuck. Come back next time for part 2 as we dive deeper into processing change and finding identity after loss. 

God put a word on Pastor Toni's heart for our Sisterhood Worship night and we wanted to share it here too. Life doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. This is a good reminder as we head into the chaotic holiday season. Let us help you take some of the pressure off yourself. Take a listen as we talk about social media, pinterest, Mary & Martha and what Pastor Toni learned the Christmas she lost her mom. 

Are you in a caregiving season or do you know someone who is? This podcast will help!  Join Cyndie Quinn, Barb Lagaras, and Toni Lagaras as we dive into this topic. Caregiving is a tremendously difficult season for so many reasons. In this podcast we talk about the challenges and struggles of being a caregiver. We dive into exhaustion and rest, pouring yourself out without losing yourself, and finding joy in a difficult season. 

If you are the caregiver, we pray you find hope and strength and refreshing in this episode. If you aren't living this, we pray you will learn to understand what your sisters are going through and how you can best support them through it. 

Today we are broaching a subject that has been taboo in the church. Divorce. Join us as we talk about the process and answer biblical questions relating to divorce. If you have been through this painful process, are going through it right now, or know someone who has, this podcast is for you as we talk about Mackenzie's book Grace Under Fire and how God has redeemed her story. 

Mackenzie is a 30-something Jesus follower, joy-seeker and life-affirmer. She enjoys time with her husband and two daughters and serving in her local church.  You can find her working passionately at her local Pregnancy center, Reading CS Lewis, writing for passion and drinking all the coffee. Her goal is to help women overcome pain from their past, find Grace within their fire, and seek refinement through Jesus Christ. 

Today we get to meet this year's worship leader, Allison Costa. I've known Allison for a lot of years, and it was fun to get to talk today about all the things. Her heart for worship is amazing, and we can't wait for you to hear her vision for worship at the retreat this year. One thing is for sure, you will encounter the living God who loves you through worship at the retreat through Allison.