There's something about watching a candle. It brings calm. It invites contemplation. It provides clarity.
Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year. It is the 'advent'ure of awaiting the coming of Christ.
This is also the Sunday that I've missed being present at church the most. Was it the energy of a new season? Was it the intensity of leading in an observance of Advent? Was it the passion of the music? Yes - to all three questions. But, most of all, I missed watching a candle.
Many churches mark this season with the Advent wreath - four candles surrounding the Christ candle. Sunday we would light the first candle. Next Sunday we would light two candles and so on. The Christ candle is reserved for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The beautiful part of the Advent wreath is that candles are named. Many churches develop a theme allowing the candles to tell the theme's story. For example, Isaiah 9:6 could be the central Scripture for the four weeks: His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Or, a traditional naming of the candles includes Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.
The Center for Faith & Culture at Lindsey Wilson College will provide ideas in this space for thoughtful and meaningful Advent observances at home. May we join together in lighting a single candle this evening in our homes? Give your candle a name and contemplate why you chose that particular name. Read Scripture. Pray.
"Light and life to all He brings." There's something about watching a candle.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stand in the Gap
"Mind the Gap" the announcer says as you prepare to exit the London tube train and the doors begin to open. The space between the train and the platform can be dangerous, unless you follow the advice and take a lengthy step. In this Sunday's Psalm reading, verse 23, Moses literally stands in the gap, the breach; knowing the impending danger the people are in, from their own doing.
Our team from the Center for Faith & Culture at Lindsey Wilson College will continue sharing from our discussions for the upcoming Sunday's lectionary Scripture readings, two passages in particular this week. Whether for your sermon, or a seed to share in a Bible-study in the church, we hope our thoughts will, at least on occasion, be the icing-on-the-cake you need for Sunday.
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time/19th Sunday after Pentecost (Oct. 9-15)
Exodus 32:1-14 - the account of The Golden Calf
Our team from the Center for Faith & Culture at Lindsey Wilson College will continue sharing from our discussions for the upcoming Sunday's lectionary Scripture readings, two passages in particular this week. Whether for your sermon, or a seed to share in a Bible-study in the church, we hope our thoughts will, at least on occasion, be the icing-on-the-cake you need for Sunday.
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time/19th Sunday after Pentecost (Oct. 9-15)
Exodus 32:1-14 - the account of The Golden Calf
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 - from this "history Psalm," Kelsey Redford shares:
When it takes longer for an issue to be resolved, we often assume the worst. In verses 19-23, the people of Israel possibly assumed God had left them when it took Moses a little longer than expected to come back down the mountain. The same can be true for the season we are in. What we thought would be two weeks, maybe a month, has turned into 7 months now. It would be easy to assume the worst, that we have been left. However, that's why we have the Scriptures, so that we may learn from past mistakes. The people of Israel completely overreacted. How are we going to react? Will we become insane with the world around us? Or will we trust that God is still with us and rejoice in what He has given us?
Philippians 4:1-9 - Ryan Engle shares:
When I read this passage, I instantly made the connection to Isaiah 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You." Peace. This is the essence of this passage. When peace reigns in our hearts, it is recognized by everyone. How do we get this peace though? The crazy thing is that seeking peace is not how we get peace, but rather by seeking God. When we keep our eyes on God, doing as Paul says here is not a chore to do, but is the naturally occurring fruit trusting God.
Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
The Center for Faith & Culture team at Lindsey Wilson College,
Gerald Chafin with Ryan Engle, Kayla Koerner, Kelsey Redford, Jerrica Townsend
When it takes longer for an issue to be resolved, we often assume the worst. In verses 19-23, the people of Israel possibly assumed God had left them when it took Moses a little longer than expected to come back down the mountain. The same can be true for the season we are in. What we thought would be two weeks, maybe a month, has turned into 7 months now. It would be easy to assume the worst, that we have been left. However, that's why we have the Scriptures, so that we may learn from past mistakes. The people of Israel completely overreacted. How are we going to react? Will we become insane with the world around us? Or will we trust that God is still with us and rejoice in what He has given us?
Philippians 4:1-9 - Ryan Engle shares:
When I read this passage, I instantly made the connection to Isaiah 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You." Peace. This is the essence of this passage. When peace reigns in our hearts, it is recognized by everyone. How do we get this peace though? The crazy thing is that seeking peace is not how we get peace, but rather by seeking God. When we keep our eyes on God, doing as Paul says here is not a chore to do, but is the naturally occurring fruit trusting God.
Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
The Center for Faith & Culture team at Lindsey Wilson College,
Gerald Chafin with Ryan Engle, Kayla Koerner, Kelsey Redford, Jerrica Townsend
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