Frankly Advent
After a period of jubilee - celebrating, finding joy, and participating in redistribution - we now enter the Advent season. During this season of waiting, anticipating the birth of Jesus - the incarnation - we slow for inward reflection. Focusing on the frank words of the prophet Isaiah to expand our prayer life, we journey through Advent.
WEEK BY WEEK
During Advent, we’ll be exploring revised common lectionary passages. The lectionary is a selection of scripture readings which the global Church uses for worship, study, and retelling of the story of God.
December 3/First Sunday of Advent: Prayer of Hope that Burns - Isaiah 64:1-9
December 10/Second Sunday of Advent: Prayer of Faith to be Gathered - Isaiah 40:1-11
December 17/Third Sunday of Advent: Prayer of Joy that Proclaims Liberty - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
December 24/Fourth Sunday of Advent + Christmas Eve (MORNING GATHERING ONLY): Prayer of Love that Beams forth Justice - Luke 2.1-20
December 31 - No Gathering. Enjoy gathering with friends and family.
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
-Reread the text for the week. What do you notice in your body - how is the Spirit stirring within you?
-How might the text model new ways of speaking with God or stretch your prayer life?
-What has your experience of God been like in this season of waiting? What do you desire in Jesus’ celebrated arrival?
-Consider the Advent theme for this week. How are you experiencing hope, faith/peace, joy, love, or Christ this week?
ADVENT BOOKS
-The Holy in the Night by Shannon Dycus
-Honest Advent by Scott Erickson