Jason Miller, Mariah Keener, Zach Gillis, and SBCC Band - For the past few weeks, we've held the paradox of waiting and waking up: naming the deep, unfulfilled longings that we don't have the power to satisfy for ourselves, and recognizing our power to act. This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent occurs on Christmas Eve. So in this special episode of the podcast, we're sharing with you in real time the same songs, prayers, reflections, and teachings that will accompany our gatherings in South Bend today. In order to more fully participate in this experience, you may want to have an unlit candle nearby as you listen.

Ways to Get Connected

• Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to the general fund, the Tribune Project, or the Christmas Offering. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to select the correct fund when giving.

Jason Miller - Advent poses a question for us: what are you waiting for? But hidden in that question is a paradox, because sometimes it confronts us with the powerlessness we face in our unfulfilled longings, and sometimes it calls us to step into our power and make a difference. This week's gatherings focused on the second half of that paradox, inviting us to step into a creative stance and do something.

Ways to Get Connected

• Join us for Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 at 11a or 11p

Kierre Bjorn Lindsay - During this season, we are taking some time in our gatherings to follow the liturgical calendar and spend some time in the traditional themes of Advent. This weekend we centered ourselves on the theme of peace through song, reading, and candle lighting. Wherever you are over the next month we hope that this liturgies offer the time to pause and reflect this holiday season.

We had the opportunity to welcome a new friend, Kierre Bjorn, as he led us this weekend. Kierre is the Central Worship Pastor at Celebration Church and a singer-songwriter who has worked with Common Hymnal, Housefires, Maverick City Music, and more.

Jason Miller - Advent poses a question for us: what are you waiting for? But hidden in that question is a paradox, because sometimes it confronts us with the powerlessness we face in our unfulfilled longings, and sometimes it calls us to step into our power and make a difference. This week's gatherings focused on the first half of that paradox, inviting us into a deeper wanting and waiting.

Ways to Get Connected

• Join us for Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 at 11a or 11p

During this season, we are taking some time in our gatherings to follow the liturgical calendar and spend some time in the traditional themes of Advent. This weekend we centered ourselves on the theme of hope through song, reading, and candle lighting. Wherever you are over the next month we hope that this liturgies offer the time to pause and reflect this holiday season.

To follow along with the transcript, head to our website.

Jason Miller - Advent poses a question for us: what are you waiting for? But hidden in that question is a paradox, because sometimes it confronts us with the powerlessness we face in our unfulfilled longings, and sometimes it calls us to step into our power and make a difference. During this season of Advent, we'll lean into that paradox through teaching and practice.

Ways to Get Connected

• Join us for Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 at 11a or 11p

Since the founding of South Bend City Church, we’ve focused on the practice of generosity as one way of celebrating Christmas, with gratitude for God’s generosity to us in the gift of Jesus. This year’s practice includes three invitations to give: (1) to support the church’s general fund and sustain our regular ministries, (2) to give to the Tribune project to ensure that we are able to cross the finish line on the phase 1 renovation, and (3) a special Christmas offering. As with past years, this Christmas offering goes to support objectives in line with our calling as a community of grace and peace for our city and the world.

In this episode, we speak with leaders and stakeholders who represent the causes we'll be supporting this Christmas. To give to our Christmas Offering, The Tribune Project, or our general fund, click below and make sure the correct fund is selected.

Give to the Christmas Offering

Matt Graybill and Jason Miller - In the last few months, we've made major progress on the Tribune Project. We're not just talking about the building renovation, though. We've also been in conversations with our downtown neighbors and other city stakeholders about the future of downtown. Catch this update with Matt Graybill, our executive pastor, and Jason Miller, our lead pastor, about where the project stands.

Ways to Get Connected

• Head to our website for our holiday schedule.

Jason Miller and Mariah Keener - In this third week of series on gratitude, we bring the two weeks of teaching into practice. In this gathering, instead of hearing a teaching, we spent some time in three movements — Notice/Capture, Reflect, and Express — in an effort to practice gratitude individually and collectively.

If you’re a long distance community member, or a local one who wasn’t able to join us, we hope that you jump in to these practices with us. Our time will culminate with the practice of Eucharist so make sure to have some form of bread or cracker and wine or juice with you.

Ways to Get Connected

• Support the ongoing work of SBCC by giving to our general fund. South Bend City Church is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

In this weekend's liturgy, we offered time to offer gratitude to the Divine as well as get honest about the ways in which gratitude might be counterintuitive to our current circumstances. We hope that this time of reflection, reading, and singing offers a space to get honest and, if it's aligned with our hearts, to be moved to gratitude.

To follow along with the transcript, head to our website.