Heading into the holidays, we are in a three week series thinking about Hospitality in terms of welcome, comply, and farewell. The holidays can be a space in time when anxious scarcity is the loudest voice and heaviest feeling. By practicing hospitality, we begin to depart that system and realize the wealth of what we have to offer to one another: generous abundance. It just so happens that ‘Celebrating Abundance’ is the title of the guide we’ll be using for Advent in December. See where we’re going with this one?

 

TEXT: John‬ ‭13:1, John‬ ‭14:27

TAKEAWAYS:

• When we are with people this next month, let’s remember to see them, listen to them, wish them well.
• Is there someone we didn’t properly say goodbye to? Might we need to circle back?
• In small ways and larger ways, what are we leaving with each other and what are we receiving from each other. When we remember each other, how do we feel?
• Some things to leave when we leave: A joke. A compliment. A truth. A note. A small gift. Food. Peace.

RESOURCE:

Watch this and revel in times gone by. When Darren played the song at the beginning of his teaching, we had no idea what was going on. We just knew we didn't know what to do, so some of us laughed.

PRACTICE:

This practice is not directly tied to the sermon this week, but it is relevant to the time of year and our heading into Advent. Brene Brown talks often about joy coming from gratitude. This week, practice an examen of gratitude:

• Take 10 minutes to think about the past 24 hours, past week, past year. Whatever length of time, think through it from beginning to end.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide in revealing the gifts you might come across.
• Practice gratitude for these things. Thank God for them. Thank people for them.
• Admit something: they did not come from you.

SONGS WE SANG:

• Relentless - Bethel Music
• Skeleton Bones - John Mark McMillan
• Centuries - Aaron Strumpel
• You Found Me - Loud Harp