11/1 WK7(All Saints Sunday): A Kingdom That Is Coming

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 4:13-18

SUMMARY: King Jesus will return and all those who follow him will live in his kingdom forever.

DISCUSSION: There are many details about Jesus’ return that we do not know and that Jesus tells us in Acts 1:7-8 that we do not need to know. What are the main things that Paul wants the Thessalonians and us to know? According to v. 13 and 18, why does he want us to know this? How has the Resurrection provided hope for you in times of grief? How could it offer hope during this pandemic? Paul writes so that we do not grieve as those who have no hope, but not that we don’t grieve at all since we are also called to “grieve with those we grieve” in Romans 12:15. How are you grieving well and with others during the pandemic?

This is a demo version of the "Sanctus" (a piece of liturgical music sung during the celebration of the Eucharist)sung in Spanish.

Written and performed by Mark Meyers, Bonnie McMaken, and Eduardo Dávila.

Find the lead sheet, lyrics, and chart here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t8noemij9xmdfp1/AAC1O3KbXyt-cyoKA8HHWTXTa?dl=0

Copyright © 2019 City of Light Church Aurora

Note: Due to technical difficulties, the audio quality for the first three minutes is poor, but improves shortly thereafter.

Anuncio: Por causa de dificultades técnicas, la calidad del audio al comienzo es mala, pero mejora después de tres minutos.

THE MESTIZO CHURCH | LA IGLESIA MESTIZA

Lucas | Luke 10:25-37

Hechos | Acts 2:1-12

In such divisive times, the church can look to mestizos, those whose very lives embody multi-ethnicity or multiculturalism, for guidance for cultural healing and reconciliation. In this sermon, Deacon Eduardo (City of Light Aurora) celebrates how the church has always been a mestizo church, and is the only place that offers cultural healing and hospitality to the world.

The sermon is delivered in Spanish and translated live by Mimi Guiracocha, and directed to a culturally mixed audience for our annual diocesan gathering, Revive.

En tiempos tan divisivos, la iglesia puede encontrar guía en los mestizos (aquellos cuyas vidas encarnan la multietnicidad y multiculturalismo) para la sanidad y la reconciliación cultural. En este sermón, Pastor Eduardo (City of Light Aurora) celebra que la iglesia siempre ha sido una iglesia mestiza, y es el único lugar que ofrece sanidad cultural y hospitalidad al mundo. El sermón es en español y traducido por Mimi Guiracocha, y dirigido a una audiencia culturalmente mixta para nuestra reunión diocesana anual, Revive. Culmina un día entero dedicado a explorar lo bello y lo quebrantado en North Lawndale y La Villita.

http://midwestanglican.org/

10/25 WK6: A Culture of Sexual Holiness

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 4:1-8

SUMMARY: Following King Jesus teaches us what is truly loving and empowers us to live in holiness.

DISCUSSION: Find all of the mentions of the word “holy” or “holiness” in this section. What is holiness? In v. 3, Paul says that Jesus instructs us to avoid all sexual immorality. Have you seen how sexual sin has hurt you or hurt others? What would it mean for you to believe and obey that in your life? What happens in v. 6 when we do not follow God’s way of holiness? How can we stay more connected to the Holy Spirit so that we can live a more holy life?

10/18 WK5:A Hard-working Kingdom

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 4:9-12

SUMMARY: In the culture of the church, we work hard at being generous.

DISCUSSION: In the ancient world and in many cultures today, large extended families share their home, their resources, their food, their work, their lives. How do we normally think about the church as a the family of God in our culture? How is the Spirit inviting us into a deeper relationship as brothers and sisters in his household? How does the broader culture think about work and money differently than the Kingdom of God culture? How could you take a step of Kingdom generosity in your financial life? What’s holding you back?

Matthew 22:15-22

How should Christians vote? What are our Kingdom politics?

Not only does Jesus avoid the trap set for him in this malicious public debate, he gives us a diagnostic question for where we have placed our own allegiance.

10/11 WK4: A Culture of Closeness

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 3:1-12

SUMMARY: In the kingdom, we grow closer together when we suffer together.

DISCUSSION: How would you feel if someone at church use words as affectionate as Paul does for the Thessalonians? Why? How can we intentionally show our affection to one another during this pandemic? In Acts 16:19-26 Paul and Silas are beaten, thrown into prison, and then spend the night singing hymns out loud. Paul references this in 1 Thessalonians 2:2. How would going through that affect Paul and Silas’ relationship? Can you think of a time when you suffered and someone was there with you in it? What did that mean for your relationship? How can we grow closer to one another during this season?

10/4 WK3: A Kingdom Leader

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 2:5-12

SUMMARY: Kingdom leaders lead like a loving mother and father.

DISCUSSION: Have you followed trustworthy leaders? Have you been hurt by untrustworthy leaders? Are there ways that your relationship with earthly parents has impacted your relationship with God? With the church? In your own life, how might the Lord be inviting you into leadership that is more humble, more loving, more like a parent? Paul said that he was “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God.” Where do you need encouragement, comfort, or urging today? How might you encourage, comfort, and urge those you are leading to live lives worthy of God?

http://www.cityoflightanglican.org/events/kingdom-people

9/27 WK2: A Kingdom Culture

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 1:8 - 2:4

SUMMARY: Following King Jesus means turning from following other kingdoms.

DISCUSSION: What are idols in our culture that are also in your life? That are also in the life of the church? How is the culture of the Kingdom of God different in that area? What would turning from those idols look like in your life in God? In our church? Are there brothers and sisters in the Lord in your life from a different culture? How does their life in God look the same as yours? How does it look different? What might they have to teach us through the way the Kingdom of God is being shaped in their culture and lives? How might their life in God expose the idols in our lives and culture?

http://www.cityoflightanglican.org/events/kingdom-people

9/20 WK1: A Resilient Kingdom

SCRIPTURE: Thessalonians 1:1-7

SUMMARY: Followers of King Jesus persevere through hardship like Jesus did.

DISCUSSION: Where have you needed endurance over the last 6 months? How could the hope of Jesus strengthen you in your labor of love? (v. 3 ) How did the message of the Gospel come to you? Have you received it? When? (v. 5)

PRACTICE: Review your Rule of Life for the fall. What is the Lord inviting you into this year to persevere and share the hope of Jesus with others?

http://www.cityoflightanglican.org/events/kingdom-people