We don’t ask for what makes us more resilient, no one does - it’s a gift none of us wanted and serves as validation of our own healing and empowerment for the journey ahead. After surveying the mysterious and monstrous of the Old Testament, our own resilience is activated as we prepare for the ultimate healing gift that defies all expectations and even the desires of some. In the season of Advent, we anticipate the birth of Jesus - God coming to dwell with us - and pay attention to how hope, faith/peace, joy, and love set the pattern for new life in Christ.
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*Play on bad VBS titles.: This year we embark on a journey. We have spent considerable time in the last several years working through our own healing journeys that have included stepping into lament and celebration and this year the Spirit seems to be taking us on a trip together again. We imagine ourselves preparing for a long hike, think Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail. Hikes that a number of people have written and told stories about, often highlighting the ways the journey allowed them to reclaim themselves in some ways and discover themselves in other ways. Y’all know we love a good title for our sermon series and we decided to lean into the idea of reclaiming a part of our stories that seemed lost when we had to throw out theology that caused us harm. We’re going back to Vacation Bible School this year! We hope that the series titles offer opportunities for us all to joyfully “repack our bags”.
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.
November 30th/Thanksgiving Weekend Brunch & First Sunday of Advent (Hope) - No One Knows , Matthew 24.36-44
December 7th/Second Sunday of Advent (Faith/Peace) - A Shoot, A Branch - Enduring, Romans 15.4-13 (Isaiah 11.1-10)
December 14th/Third Sunday of Advent (Joy) - Blooming Joy, Isaiah 35.1-10
December 21st/Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love) - A Gift Not Asked For, Matthew 1.18-25
December 24th/Christmas Eve, Wednesday (Christ) - The Word Enfleshed, John 1.1-14
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December 28 - No Gathering. Enjoy gathering with friends and family.
January 4 - New Year Brunch Gathering!
Note on First Nations Version use in Gatherings:
Throughout Advent we are introducing the First Nations Version of Psalms in our liturgy. We understand that the Spirit has no gender. While the FNV does use the word “Grandfather” for the Great Spirit, and we at Trinity might more naturally gravitate toward a feminine or gender-inclusive term for the Spirit, we have chosen to read from this version to open ourselves to the diverse humanlike depictions of Creator and hear these sacred texts in new ways. No translation is perfect. If you’d like to read what the translators of the FNV have to say about their choice regarding gender and the Great Spirit, you are welcome to read the excerpt at the front of this Trinity Gathering copy (it is marked).
DISCUSSION PROMPTS
-Reread the text for the week. Where does resilience show up?
-Consider the Advent theme for this week. How are you or might you need to experience hope, faith/peace, joy, love, or Christ this week?
-In what ways might you/we need to make space to receive the healing gift of God coming to dwell with us?
-As Advent sets the pattern for the year ahead - as the Church - how are you being empowered for the journey ahead?
-In new or old ways, how might you celebrate Jesus’ birth this year?
ADVENT BOOKS & GUIDES
-The Holy in the Night by Shannon Dycus
-The Art of Advent by the Salt Project
PARENT CUE
- Illustrated Advent
- Birth of the Chosen One by Terry M. Wildman
- The Book of Belonging