“It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas.” This seems like a relevant lyric for today. Snow’s in the forecast, tomorrow begins the third week of Advent, and my “to do” list is getting harder to face. How about you? I know I need the support of practicing my faith in community to stay present to Jesus in these days. I hear the Holy Spirit’s prompting to ask things like:
Does this have to be done? Does it need to be me that does it?
What values am I trying to uphold in my purchases and schedule?
God would you show me how to be peaceful presence in my family and in my work?
Where are you trying to get my attention, Lord?
Who can I spend time with that will point me closer to God?
Here’s a little example from my week where this struggle was front and center for me. Friday evening, after working a half day, then traveling back and forth to pick up my daughter from college (yay!), well let’s say, I wasn’t really feeling excited to go out again. But I had given my word to our youth group that I would be at St. Stephen’s family movie night as we were scheduled to serve as a “Bless Others” activity.
I could have backed out, and believe me I thought about it. But I pushed through, thinking it was good to keep my word. And ya know, even on the drive over my viewpoint started to change. I found a bit more energy and I arrived with something to give. It was a simple night of helping out, and for me it was full of reminders that just showing up matters.
During the evening, I got to hear an update from from one of the young people and celebrate a good news. I got to hear another beaming with pride when they said “Ms. Amy, I helped give out all the popcorn.” I got watch the youth from our church be kind, have fun and do a pretty decent job with cleanup with little complaint. It might not be earth shattering, and I’m not sure it will make an eternal difference in anyone’s life. But I did go to bed thinking, I want to be part of the kind of community where young people will look back and think, these church folks were kind and they believed in me. I want to build a church where being faithful in the little is more important than drawing large crowds or leading flashy worship gatherings.
So in writing this afternoon, I am joyful as I cast vision for all of us to build this kind of church and say that making simple choices to offer your presence at our gatherings is doing something important. Fo real, each of you matter to what God is doing at Gathering Delco. And you know, God is faithful and will show us how to be part of his kingdom work in our ordinary lives.
Would you look at what’s coming up and make plans to join us in community at some or all of the following? And I sincerely urge you to pray about how who you can invite to come with you.
TOMORROW. Church in the Living Room, 10:30 am at the Ross’s place. If the weather’s bad, check your email / texts in case we decide to do zoom church.
MONDAY. Small Group 7:00pm at the Ross. Join us to pray for one another using prophetic listening techniques.
SATURDAY. Dec 20 5:00pm. Join us for a shared worship gathering with Gathering Delco & St. Stephens. Bring a friend. Bring your favorite holiday snack to share and come ready to hear the songs and scriptures of this season. And let me know if you’d like to help host this gathering by reading scripture, greetings, set up/clean up, offering a ride etc.
TUESDAY, Dec 23 at 7:00pm ” Christmas Eve’s Eve” ZOOM with the ROSS’ from Northern Michigan to celebrate the coming of the Christ child.
SUNDAY, Dec 28 at 10:30, Church in the Living Room at the Maraj’s place.
And finally friends, would you pray for the following:
- One of my students, age 4, is recovering from brain surgery. He is one of the sweetest children I have ever known, and suffers from a genetic condition which complicates this brain tumor treatment. Please pray for a miracle.
- Please pray for my childhood best friend’s father who is in the ICU, recovery from a severe heart attack.
- Continue to pray for Gathering Delco, and if you can use the songs of Good Shepherd by David Ruis as a guide.
May God’s goodness be close to you all.
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