Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ, and he calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The culture of our city has the power to shape us in more ways than we might know. When Christians conform to the desires, values, and practices of their city, it creates real problems in the church. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a messy church experiencing all sorts of city-shaped problems. To confront these problems, Paul reminds the church of who they are in Christ, and he calls them to live with a Christ-shaped vision for life.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As humans, our foundational formation takes place within some sort of family system. We are discipled, whether with intentionality or not, into a way of life. Then at some point along the way we meet Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, we are reconciled to God and brought into His family. But how do we relate to His other children, and why do relationships remain so difficult? In this series, we’ll look to Jesus to learn how we can grow in love for one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As humans, our foundational formation takes place within some sort of family system. We are discipled, whether with intentionality or not, into a way of life. Then at some point along the way we meet Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, we are reconciled to God and brought into His family. But how do we relate to His other children, and why do relationships remain so difficult? In this series, we’ll look to Jesus to learn how we can grow in love for one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As humans, our foundational formation takes place within some sort of family system. We are discipled, whether with intentionality or not, into a way of life. Then at some point along the way we meet Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, we are reconciled to God and brought into His family. But how do we relate to His other children, and why do relationships remain so difficult? In this series, we’ll look to Jesus to learn how we can grow in love for one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As humans, our foundational formation takes place within some sort of family system. We are discipled, whether with intentionality or not, into a way of life. Then at some point along the way we meet Jesus. When we put our faith in Him, we are reconciled to God and brought into His family. But how do we relate to His other children, and why do relationships remain so difficult? In this series, we’ll look to Jesus to learn how we can grow in love for one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A homily from our time of worship and prayer in-between years.
As you celebrate today, we wanted to share a few tools for individual or family worship. Everyone observes this day differently—fit as much or as little of this into your day as you’d like!
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(ESV)
LEADER/PARENT:
Wonder upon wonder, Christmas morning is here:
tree trimmed, decorated, and gifts in tow.
We gather together, anticipating delights and traditions,
preparing our hearts to both give and receive.
Let the symbols and celebration of Christmas morning-exchanging gifts,
opening stockings, and reading about Santa-
turn our heads and hearts to the better story of Jesus birth and eminent reign.
PEOPLE/OTHERS:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
LEADER:
We give to each other with generosity,
like the bishop Saint Nicolas did to the poor and needy.
For we were once poor and needy,
but now are rich in faith and heirs to God’s kingdom.
Because God sent Jesus, born of woman, born under the law,
so our status as poor and needy orphans might change to righteous, adopted children.
PEOPLE:
We love each other in generosity because You first loved us.
For the Lord takes thought of us.
You are our Help and our Deliverer, O Lord.
Your generosity toward us
is abundant and immeasurable.
LEADER:
We recount the nativity and remember with all the saints
how from the foundation of the world,
You, O Lord, have been weaving a glorious story, reconciling a people to Yourself:
how Mary and Joseph trusted You,
how the angels declared the good news to the shepherds,
and how the wise men brought gifts to Jesus, because He is King and worthy of worship.
PEOPLE:
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.
His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation,
and His kingdom will know no end.
LEADER:
He is calling a people to Himself,
from every tribe, tongue, and nation,
and while we celebrate His kingship around a Christmas tree this morning,
we will celebrate with final rejoicing around His throne when He returns again.
PEOPLE:
So, until we see Him face to face, we will give thanks to the God of Heaven,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
ALL:
Amen.
Pick a Christmas song or two from this playlist to sing through as a family, or just listen through in the background.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A celebration and remembrance of the first coming of Jesus.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As the minor prophets helped the people of Israel prepare for and await the Messiah, they can likewise teach us how to stand between the first coming of Christ and His future return.