This week we think about what prayer is and we learn from Jesus how to pray.

If you need our prayers, please go to tulipstreet.com/nextsteps to fill out a prayer request!

Also check out prayercourse.org for additional prayer teachings and resources.

This week we look at the act of giving. Jesus had a lot to say about money / possessions, and so does the Bible as a whole. The best thing we can do with our money is give it away, not hoard it all for ourselves.

tulipstreet.com/give

SOME RESOURCES:

https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/what-the-bible-says-about-generosity

https://bibleproject.com/articles/generosity-what-missing/

https://bibleproject.com/podcast/generous-gospel-new-testament-themes-part-4/

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/stewardship-tithing-and-giving

https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/church-giving-statistics-tithing

This week, Will Crooks visits us from Campus Outreach at Indiana University, one of the many great missions we support. He brings an update on the campus ministry at IU and an encouraging message about Seeing, Knowing, and Being the Light.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

campusoutreach.org

Communion / the Lord's Supper / The Eucharist is one of the Christian sacraments commemorated across the globe and throughout the centuries. The bread and the cup remind us of God's abundance, God's salvation, and the future feast God has prepared for all people.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

This week we begin a 5 part series called Ordinary Liturgy. We will look at why we do what we do as a church. This week begins with baptism.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

References and Resources:

Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer,

by Rowan Williams

http://tinyurl.com/mrmwzhku

The Meaning of Baptism in the Bible: Understanding Baptism as a Biblical Design Pattern

by Shara Drimalla & BibleProject Team

https://bibleproject.com/articles/baptism-in-the-bible/

Baptism: The Demonstration of Devotion, by Max Lucado

https://maxlucado.com/baptism-the-demonstration-of-devotion/

Joe Martin challenges us on the last day of 2023 to actively pursue Christ and his mission in 2024.

On the final Sunday of Advent we look at the stories of Simeon and Anna as Mary and Joseph present baby Jesus in the Temple to dedicate him to God according to the Law. Simeon and Anna were waiting faithfully on the Lord, recognized him when he showed up, and told everyone about him. May we learn from their example this holiday season.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

What happens with God shows up? Luke 2 gives us two very different contrasting scenes - the Holy Family alone in a stable with Mary having just given birth to her firstborn son AND the shepherds in the field who witnessed the glory of the Lord shining around them and the entirety of Heavens Armies shouting their praise to God.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

This week we will focus on Mary, her life, her faith, and her song.

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

Featured Song:

https://youtu.be/V93lwaoLK-0?si=lPpEXXAkQZRY3NpR

This is the first message in our Christmas series, Christmas Carols Volume 1. Each week of Advent we will look at and listen to one of the songs featured in Luke chapters 1 & 2.

Today we look at Zechariah's song and story, how God was doing something new in the world and is getting his people ready through Zechariah's son, John.

YouTube Playlist for the Featured Songs

tulipstreet.com/nextsteps

_________________

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

5 Covenants of the Old Testament

-Clayton Kraby

https://reasonabletheology.org/5covenants/

Luke 1:67-79 – The Songs of Christmas: Zacharias’ Song

-Jeremy Meyers

https://redeeminggod.com/sermons/luke/luke_1_67-79/

Zechariah's Song | Luke 1:57-80

-Isobel Lin

https://www.equip.org.au/equip-news/2020/12/19/zechariahs-song-luke-157-80#:~:text=The%20song%20is%20full%20of,and%20his%20trust%20is%20renewed.

Advent: Zacharias’ Prophetic Song (Luke 1:67-79)

-Michael A. Milton

https://www.preaching.com/articles/advent-zacharias-prophetic-song-luke-167-79/