ADVENT 2017 | GIVING
Christmas is often called the season of giving, but what exactly is it that we are giving? Sure, we exchange presents, spend time with family, and see an uptick in general generosity, but most of our giving is based on a material understanding of the world. The truth is, this is just one layer of what it means to be human. Our needs are much more than skin deep.
When Jesus became flesh, He not only took on our form, but He did it so that he could give to us a solution to our brokenness on all levels. He gave us an example of what it means to be truly human. The best gift that we can give is to reflect the gift He gave. In this series, we will learn what that looks like.
HE HAS GIVEN… | Hebrews 1.1-4
…SO WE GIVE | Hebrews 10.19-25
THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT
USING OUR GIFTS | Romans 12
ADVENT 2016 | CHRISTMAS SONGS
We were created to SING
The world because of Sin is dark and cold, but God sent is His Son Jesus to be “the light of the world.” Jesus left the comfort of Heaven to enter into this cold harsh world on a mission of redemption. This history hinging event of the incarnation is recorded in the Gospel of Luke; this account includes 4 songs as God’s people proclaim their joy in response to His character and actions. It also reveals the angels singing the royal birth announcement to a group of dirty shepherd on the night shift. As people come into contact with Jesus, even as a baby, they SING.
Through history, this incarnation has caused normal people to leave the comfort of their homes to go into their community to “sing” the Good News of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus we are called to be ambassadors to our communities “singing” light into the dark world we currently dwell in.
Our hope is this that advent is not just a time for you to sing songs that fade into the background, but that it is a time to be shaped through worship. Take the time to learn the song of the incarnation and to practice it so that you can share it with others.
HOPE: Zechariah’s song | Luke 1.68-79
PEACE: Angel’s song | Luke 2.10-14
LOVE: Mary’s song | Luke 1.46-56
JOY: Simeon’s Song | Luke 2.29-32
DOXOLOGY : Our Song | Romans 11.33-36
ADVENT 2014 | Living in Light of the Incarnation
The intent of this series is to dig into the mystery of the incarnation. To look at how the HOPE of the Messiah could only be met by something that was greater than expected. How the power of the incarnation conquered the greatest power in the world and brought PEACE. How the LOVE of God manifested in the incarnation is both how we can find ourselves loved and find the motivation for loving others. How the glory of God, manifested in a man, becomes our JOY and changes us into worshippers.
ADVENT 2014 Study Booklet
A Light bright enough to shine back | HOPE | John 1.1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
A Light bright enough to outshine darkness | PEACE | John 1.4-5
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A light bright enough to provide warmth | LOVE | John 1.9-13
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
A light that still shines today | JOY | John 1.14-18
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
ADVENT 2012 | The ones who were there
HOPE: The Prophets and the Wise Men
LOVE: The Magnificant
PEACE: The Shepherds
JOY: The Host of Angels