Baby Jesus was wrapped in cloth, was laid in a manger, and was held. Nothing unusual for a baby, but might seem unusual for the Triune God to be so dependent on another human being. Together let’s explore what Jesus’ birth teaches us about how we are formed as his followers.

Also, on this second Sunday of Advent—Peace Sunday—we’re celebrating with an entire service of music, with an orchestra and full band!

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

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You know when you get so used to something you can sometimes miss the grandeur of what is going on around you? Each year, Advent comes and we immerse ourselves in the story of Christ’s birth. We know the story, but what if we stopped, closed our eyes, took a deep breath, and opened our eyes anew to the wonder of the arrival of Jesus? Join us as we collectively wonder about the moment prophesied about for thousands of years.

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d]

Footnotes:

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An early marker of God’s people was the identity of being blessed for the purpose of being a blessing to the world. Jesus followed up with his disciples about finding joy in giving over receiving. The practice of generosity is not of this world, but should not be foreign to the disciples of Jesus. As we learn to practice generosity in community, we learn to detach ourselves from the patterns of this world to focus on the freedom of participating in the Kingdom.

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

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As kids, we were taught that actions speak louder than words. While that could be partly true, we believe that words and actions together bear witness to transformed lives. As disciples, when our words and actions are paired together, they testify to disciples who know and live like Jesus did. Join us this weekend as we look deeper into the practice of service and witness.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Jesus calls all of us to be his disciples and to learn to live the “Way of Jesus.” That means we are transformed by being with and becoming like him, and then doing what he did! As we search through scriptures, we see that Jesus did a lot of … eating! Jesus constantly gathered people to a meal together. He valued table fellowship as a missional opportunity to build and deepen relationships, welcome everyone, and reconcile with friends. This Sunday, we also will be gathering around tables as we not only talk about this discipleship practice together but also … practice it!

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

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Do you ever feel like life is like a hamster wheel? You keep running and it keeps spinning. We wonder if and when we will ever be able to get off. What if I was to tell you the Lord gave us a practice in which we are able to step off the wheel? Join us as we explore together the practice of keeping the Sabbath.

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

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We live in one of the noisiest times in all of human history. We may not even know what silence sounds like. One essential practice of Jesus was to seek out silence and solitude in order to connect with the Father. Join us as we explore how the practice of solitude can transform our lives as apprentices of Jesus.

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

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Practicing the way of Jesus involves participating in the rhythms that Jesus did, becoming like Him, and being transformed. All these practices lead to abundant life, but we must start with the source of life, the Word of God. Join us as we examine Scripture as the source and learn to practice the way of Jesus together.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Footnote:

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Jesus prayed. Jesus’ disciples asked how he prayed. Yet for many of us, we still struggle with what we should pray, or how we should pray. The fact remains, a practice of prayer is essential to the life of a disciple. Join us as we learn from one another’s practice of prayer.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Footnotes:

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