Could you have imagined one year ago what 2008 would bring? Can you imagine what events will happen in your life in 2009, what will happen internationally?
What can you do in 2009 to be ready for the changes that will occur in your life and in the world? Since I was a child I have made personal goals at the beginning of each year. I no longer make personal goals but try to think about the communities I'm in and what our community goals will be.
Last night my family sat down to a beautifully prepared meal my wife made. Pork tenderloin wrapped around spinach and provolone cheese, sauteed peas, mushrooms, carrots, salad, and potatoes. Jill offered the children a copy of our family's one year Bible to read personally and suggested we read it together as well. We talked about what the year would bring, we discussed how we were getting our house in order individually and collectively.
Next week our church will have these discussions, sitting around meals, in offices, in coffee shops. I'll have these conversations with various ministry leaders, shepherds, fellow ministers at Garnett. I'll talk to Eric, Keith, Lara, and others on the ZOE team and we'll discern what God is leading us to in 2009. I'll meet with Jeff Krisman and talk about what will happen with Neighborhood Kitchens/Wednesday night meals at Garnett.
To begin this year, I'll also talk with Leonard Allen about what's going on with Leafwood/ACU Press that I can help with. We have a few cool things up our sleeves in all these areas. I'll check in with Clint Davis about Kibo's goals--he and I met yesterday in his yard, but for a different purpose: to cut a pesky tree that was damaging his house. I'm glad I'm down off that roof and the limb is safely down without breaking windows. We were proud of ourselves!
January is really about conversations of direction and purpose in the communities I live in. We don't make goals as much as we prepare ourselves for what could come, for what God is doing in the world. Will we be ready to face challenges that come, and what do we need to do and be to be ready? That question is more important than the goals we make. Are we shaped in the image of Christ? How do we do that so we're ready for opportunities and challenges that life and God bring our way?
So our exercise fitness, the way we eat, the way we daily pray, fast (or not), enter in Scripture and thought of fellow Christ followers, all serves the purpose of the communities of Christ followers I live in. For many years my goals were about fitness and Bible reading and books to get through and degrees to obtain, but those things all serve the end of my life becoming shaped into the image of Christ in the communities I'm in.
What communities do you need to talk to about what 2009 will look like? Enjoy talking and acting on those conversations.
May God bless those talks. Happy New Year 2009.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Garnett looking for a designer
Garnett Church of Christ is looking for a good designer to produce several new brochures to describe our church, ministries, and outreach. Are you a designer? We welcome talking with anyone who would either volunteer or charge a fee--just be straight with us about your abilities (bring some samples) and what you'd like to charge or not charge. We'll take a look at samples of your work or that of others you recommend, and make a decision early in 2009. Deadline for getting samples by Christmas. Mail samples to 12000 E 31st St. Tulsa OK 74146 Attention: Greg Taylor. You can also email PDF files to gtaylor@garnettchurch.org.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
First week of Advent
Today is the first day of Advent. The following format tells us about this practice but can also be used by families or groups, with younger people asking the question and others answering.
What is Advent?
Advent is a tradition of Christians that means "coming" and calls us to live in the tension of how Jews felt while waiting for the Messiah. They waited for Emmanuel, God with us.
What do we wait for?
We're waiting for the return of Jesus, but until he comes, we live expectantly as disciples who seek the light of Christ in a dark world.
Is that why we light candles?
Yes, four candles are lit, one each week. Some people make wreaths with four candles. My family has a block of wood that my sister gave us that says, "Jesus is the light of the world" and has space to put four votive candles. We've lit the first candle with family during Thanksgiving weekend and spoke about Jesus as our light who is coming.
Isn't this just a tradition of men and not biblical?
The return of Jesus is certainly biblical and Adventus is Latin translation for the Greek biblical word, "parousia," meaning second coming. So Advent is both a reminder of how the Jews waited for Messiah and also a reminder that we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are the first two weeks of Advent, and we'll post next two later.
Make an Advent Wreath
Take a shallow bowl and fill with sand or salt and place four purple candles around the edges, or use candle holders. Place one large white candle in the middle. Make a circle of evergreens and place around the bowl or candle holders.
You need a Bible, matches, and you can also use a manger scene. Light one candle during this week’s reflection. The second week, light two, then three the third week and four the fourth. On Christmas Eve, light all and the middle white candle. Set aside some time each week for this short ceremony. Invite those who are alone to join you in worship. Use the telephone to join someone. Gather as a family or with friends.
First week of Advent: Read Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44. Waiting for Advent also teaches us to wait for the return of Jesus. Light candle. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Have a Family Meeting. Hold a family meeting to decide what your goals are for the holidays. What are your spending limits? Avoid debt. Put away credit cards.
Draw names. Consider drawing names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a budget. Don’t buy everything on a child’s list. Don’t rush out and get something for someone just because they got you something or to “equal” what you think they’ll get or to make the number of gifts equal. Consider giving the gift of time, a handmade gift.
Hope in a Bowl. Write down scriptures such as Isaiah 9:1-7 and Jeremiah 33:14-16—ones that announce coming of God’s redemption, Jesus the Messiah—on index cards. Drop the cards in a bowl. In the days leading up to Christmas, when you sit down to eat together, draw out a card and read the scripture.
Idea for 2nd Sunday of Advent – Dec 7
Light 2nd candle.
Read Luke 2:25-26
What is unique about this man?
Read the passage again. What word do you hear repeated. How many times?
Who is this man and what is he waiting for? What are we waiting for at Christmas?
Pray: Say the Lord’s Prayer together.
Do: With your Nativity scene at home . . . What if we hide Wise Men, Shepherds, Jesus until we read that part of the story closer to Christmas, then we put each person in as we read along?
What is Advent?
Advent is a tradition of Christians that means "coming" and calls us to live in the tension of how Jews felt while waiting for the Messiah. They waited for Emmanuel, God with us.
What do we wait for?
We're waiting for the return of Jesus, but until he comes, we live expectantly as disciples who seek the light of Christ in a dark world.
Is that why we light candles?
Yes, four candles are lit, one each week. Some people make wreaths with four candles. My family has a block of wood that my sister gave us that says, "Jesus is the light of the world" and has space to put four votive candles. We've lit the first candle with family during Thanksgiving weekend and spoke about Jesus as our light who is coming.
Isn't this just a tradition of men and not biblical?
The return of Jesus is certainly biblical and Adventus is Latin translation for the Greek biblical word, "parousia," meaning second coming. So Advent is both a reminder of how the Jews waited for Messiah and also a reminder that we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are the first two weeks of Advent, and we'll post next two later.
Make an Advent Wreath
Take a shallow bowl and fill with sand or salt and place four purple candles around the edges, or use candle holders. Place one large white candle in the middle. Make a circle of evergreens and place around the bowl or candle holders.
You need a Bible, matches, and you can also use a manger scene. Light one candle during this week’s reflection. The second week, light two, then three the third week and four the fourth. On Christmas Eve, light all and the middle white candle. Set aside some time each week for this short ceremony. Invite those who are alone to join you in worship. Use the telephone to join someone. Gather as a family or with friends.
First week of Advent: Read Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44. Waiting for Advent also teaches us to wait for the return of Jesus. Light candle. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Have a Family Meeting. Hold a family meeting to decide what your goals are for the holidays. What are your spending limits? Avoid debt. Put away credit cards.
Draw names. Consider drawing names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a budget. Don’t buy everything on a child’s list. Don’t rush out and get something for someone just because they got you something or to “equal” what you think they’ll get or to make the number of gifts equal. Consider giving the gift of time, a handmade gift.
Hope in a Bowl. Write down scriptures such as Isaiah 9:1-7 and Jeremiah 33:14-16—ones that announce coming of God’s redemption, Jesus the Messiah—on index cards. Drop the cards in a bowl. In the days leading up to Christmas, when you sit down to eat together, draw out a card and read the scripture.
Idea for 2nd Sunday of Advent – Dec 7
Light 2nd candle.
Read Luke 2:25-26
What is unique about this man?
Read the passage again. What word do you hear repeated. How many times?
Who is this man and what is he waiting for? What are we waiting for at Christmas?
Pray: Say the Lord’s Prayer together.
Do: With your Nativity scene at home . . . What if we hide Wise Men, Shepherds, Jesus until we read that part of the story closer to Christmas, then we put each person in as we read along?
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Core Beliefs
What does our church believe? Our shepherds are asking us to meditate each day this week on these core beliefs.
What We Believe (Core Beliefs)
God
We believe God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities--God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth and lived a perfect life, as God and man. Through his death, burial, and resurrection we can claim eternal life, freedom from sin, and access to God. Through faith in Jesus Christ we become children of God.
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God and lives in the heart of each believer. The Holy Spirit's power is to help each Christian to understand and accomplish God's will. He is our comforter that provides peace in times of loss, grief and despair. The Holy Spirit works through the Bible and the body of believers to guide us, reveal God's plan for us and bring Glory to our heavenly Father.
God's Word
We believe that the Bible is God's word to us. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. It is the supreme source for Christian beliefs and living. It is the only written authoritative voice of God on the earth.
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a part of the salvation experience. We believe in the practice of baptism by immersion in water.
Salvation
We believe that all mankind is sinful and falls short of God’s glory. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by following Jesus Christ can we enjoy the benefits of salvation.
Communion
We believe in observing the Communion as a way of celebrating what Jesus did for us on the cross and anticipating His return.
Love
Our faith in God is displayed in our love for each other.
What We Believe (Core Beliefs)
God
We believe God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities--God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth and lived a perfect life, as God and man. Through his death, burial, and resurrection we can claim eternal life, freedom from sin, and access to God. Through faith in Jesus Christ we become children of God.
Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God and lives in the heart of each believer. The Holy Spirit's power is to help each Christian to understand and accomplish God's will. He is our comforter that provides peace in times of loss, grief and despair. The Holy Spirit works through the Bible and the body of believers to guide us, reveal God's plan for us and bring Glory to our heavenly Father.
God's Word
We believe that the Bible is God's word to us. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. It is the supreme source for Christian beliefs and living. It is the only written authoritative voice of God on the earth.
Baptism
We believe that baptism is a part of the salvation experience. We believe in the practice of baptism by immersion in water.
Salvation
We believe that all mankind is sinful and falls short of God’s glory. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by following Jesus Christ can we enjoy the benefits of salvation.
Communion
We believe in observing the Communion as a way of celebrating what Jesus did for us on the cross and anticipating His return.
Love
Our faith in God is displayed in our love for each other.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Small Group Questions for Sep 14
- Read Matthew 5:3-12. When you read the Beatitudes, do you typically read them as “kingdom blessings” (this is the way things are in the kingdom) or “ethical prescriptions” (this is the way you have to be to enter the kingdom)?
- Why do you think it makes a difference?
- What is your understanding of what it means to be “poor in spirit”?
- Can you tell us about a time in your life when you’ve felt “poor in spirit”?
- Do you know someone who is right now “poor in spirit”?
- If so, what can you/we do to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this person?
- How can we pray for you?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Gala & Daughters of Anna Lunch
Garnett Bilingual Preschool Starry Night Gala, “Night of Our Little Stars”
A benefit dinner and auction is being held on Friday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Phillips Hall. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased online at www.GarnettBilingualPreschool.com or by contacting Heather Hodges at 918-625-8155. Tickets will be available for sale after the assembly in the mall area.
Daughters of Anna
The Daughters of Anna monthly luncheon will be held after services Sunday, September 21, in the Great Room for all ladies who attend church services alone, all ages.
A benefit dinner and auction is being held on Friday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Phillips Hall. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased online at www.GarnettBilingualPreschool.com or by contacting Heather Hodges at 918-625-8155. Tickets will be available for sale after the assembly in the mall area.
Daughters of Anna
The Daughters of Anna monthly luncheon will be held after services Sunday, September 21, in the Great Room for all ladies who attend church services alone, all ages.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
News
Contact Church Work Day
Work day for the Contact Church Recovery House II is Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (or when work runs out!). Address is 5003 S. 34th W. Ave. Here is the link for the map. Call Greg Taylor with questions: 918 576 8442 or email gtaylor@garnettchurch.org.
Sunday, September 14, 9-10 a.m. in the Mall. The purpose of this mixer is to gather those in the stage in life roughly between 25-50 years old, both singles and married, with kids and without to get to know one another and discuss Sunday class options.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)