Today we celebrate the final week of Advent. Advent is a time set aside for us to turn toward reflective preparation, sacred anticipation, and a faith-stirring season rooted in the story of Jesus’ birth.

This week’s advent readings are: 

Matthew 1:18-22 (ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name emmanuel” (which means, God with us)

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Thoughts to consider this week:

• Thinking back through the month of Advent, can you sense any invitations from God?
• Has anything been initiated within you through God’s gift of His presence?
• Is there something right now that feels chaotic? Take a moment now to write this out or offer it to God in prayer. Say a welcoming prayer, “God, I welcome you into this chaos. Increase my ability to see you through it all, and grant me peace as I walk it out with you.”
• Take the last few moments in a time of gratitude. Thanking God for this gift of His presence this advent season.

It’s the 3rd week of Advent. Advent is a time set aside for us to turn toward reflective preparation, sacred anticipation, and a faith-stirring season rooted in the story of Jesus’ birth.

This week’s advent readings are: 

Luke 2:10-11: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 1:39-45: At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Thoughts to consider this week:

+ Checking in with myself, how am I coming into this time of advent reading and prayer? Is there anything specific that is surfacing for me?

+ What can I bring to God in prayer with complete honesty and vulnerability today?

+ John 14:27 says, “peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…” Invite the peace of God to rest upon you. If you are experiencing any anxiety during this time, release it to God. Invite Him to carry it with you. Ask for the peace of God to reveal the beauty that exists around you.

We invite you to linger a little longer in this posture of reflection. We encourage you to set a timer for 2 minutes to sit in stillness & silence. Giving your mind and heart a moment to reflect on the prayer, questions, and scripture we just read.

Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and hope. Living in advent, in this time of waiting, we are given this beautiful gift of presence. An important space and time. There is something meaningful happening while living in the waiting.

This week we look more closely at living in Advent and that it is where we discover the irreplaceable necessity of togetherness, the holy spirit, sacred songs, and being with God. Enjoy the Sunday Replay from December 11th.

It's the 2nd week of Advent. Advent is a time set aside for us to turn toward reflective preparation, sacred anticipation, and a faith-stirring season rooted in the story of Jesus’ birth.

This week’s advent readings are Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1:31-33, and 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Thoughts to consider this week:

+ Jesus enters into the story of humanity as Emmanuel, “God is with us”. A sign of hope, light coming into the darkness. As you think back over this year, how has God been revealed to you in your own life and story as light shining into darkness? Recount or journal your experience. 

+ How might God be inviting you to be a carrier of his light to those around you, especially right now?

+ Consider spending some time reflecting and praying about how you might want God to move more deeply in your life as a source of provision. Jot those ideas or longings down, and bring those to God in prayer with trusting faith.

We invite you to linger a little longer in this posture of reflection. We encourage you to set a timer for 2 minutes to sit in stillness & silence. Giving your mind and heart a moment to reflect on the prayer, questions, and scripture we just read.

Advent is a time of waiting, anticipation, and hope. It’s the space between the two comings of Jesus. One of these we celebrate at Christmas, and one as we await Jesus’ imminent return to make all things new.

The focus of this year's Advent is “the gift of presence.” Our hope is to encourage people to be present, face to face, side by side with one another, as much as possible, through this time as we celebrate the gift of presence we have in Jesus our Emmanuel.

This week we are going to be looking at finding God’s presence in our poverty.