Empire State of Mind | Genesis: Primeval Atoms & Adams pt. 5

The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

The Shared Story

FōS’ Reading Rainbow by Glenn Collins

Finding Faith written by Peter Rollins

Message | Empire State of Mind | Dr. Randy Furishima

This week in our final conversation from Genesis, we are exploring the story of Joseph. This story has become one of the quintessential narratives we tell about overcoming obstacles in life. Many find inspiration in the meteoric rise of Joseph from slave to second in command in all of Egypt. Yet, we often fail to talk about the impact these shooting stars have when they finally land.

Formational Learning

As we explored the story of Joseph in Genesis, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

How does the story of Joseph change when viewed through different perspectives?

Each conversation in this series opened up new ways of seeing the stories of Genesis. How have these shifting perspectives affected the way we engage these stories?

(Heart)

Joseph was sold into slavery, and when Joseph found power, he ended up enslaving others. Joseph ends up repeating the trauma he experienced at the hands of his brothers. How do we break cycles of abuse?

(Hands)

Joseph’s policies left people with little choice manipulating them to make choices that were against their best interests. How do we lead in ways that empower instead of oppress others?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Hagar's Manifesto | Genesis: Primeval Atoms & Adams pt. 4

The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

The Shared Story

Sunday Morning poem by D. Fretter

Great Is Your Faithfulness sung by Kareem Adly

Message | Ishmael, the God Who Hears

In the stories of Genesis, a character shows up twice and is only given two lines. In these two lines, Hagar, an enslaved Egyptian, gives a name to the God of Israel. This name will affect how God could be understood. It is in the strength of these quiet voices that Genesis shifts, creating space for those outside the controlling narrative.  Join us as we sit in Genesis 16 to experience the wisdom of Hagar.

Formational Learning

As we explored the story of Hagar in Genesis, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

Hagar has two lines in the entire Bible, and yet, her experience names God. How does naming God from personal experience affect your understanding of God’s name?

What systems kept her wisdom from effecting the main story?

(Heart)

Often, we only pay attention to Abram, or the commonly heard, narrative. Can you name a time when your understanding was affected by those outside the main or commonly heard narrative? How did it challenge or change you? Did it affect your view of Jesus?

(Hands)

How can we intentionally engage Hagar’s voice? Where do we hear her in people today?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Flooded with Regret | Genesis: Primeval Atoms & Adams pt. 3

The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

The Shared Story

SOAP Reflection | Mikhaila Tobin

Coffee Roasting | Ryan Tang

Message | Flooded with Regret

This week we stop and explore the story of the flood in Genesis. It is one of the most ancient stories told around the world. It is another story we have heard so often from childhood that we think we know it by heart. It is a story of un-creation that is told intentionally contrasted to the creation stories we read earlier in Genesis. Today, however, we will explore a theme in the story that is not often brought to the surface. What happens when God repents?

Formational Learning

As we explored the story of the Flood in Genesis, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

The story of "Noah and the Flood" is a story in which all of creation is broken, and God, the creator, also seems to be facing brokenness. In this story, the creator of all things becomes the destroyer of all things. What are some images of God that this story challenges for you? Why?

In this story, we see God go from creator to destroyer, and at the end of the story, we see God repent of the destruction God brought about. What does the idea of God repenting provoke in you? Why?

(Heart)

How do you wrestle with the tension of creation, un-creation, and new-creation in your own life?

Does the image of the waters of chaos barely held at bay, and at times seeping into the world resonate with you? If so, where does chaos, or un-creation threaten to flow into your life?

(Hands)

How does repentance open the door for new possibilities in your life?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Blessed Mother | Genesis: Primeval Atoms & Adams pt. 2

The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

The Shared Story

I Just Wanna Live | Keedron Byrant ft. Jonny Tobin

I Can’t Breathe | Sunia Gibbs

Poetry | Drew Jackson

At Your Name | Kareem Adly

Message | Blessed Mother

Our stories shape us, giving our imagination material to dream about possible futures. However, there are times when other people assume the right to control our narrative and delimit our hopes. This is what happened to Eve. The Church fathers, men in the early Church, used Eve's story to inhibit a woman's ability to lead within Christianity. Join us as we walk through Eden to discover Eve's wisdom through the voices of her daughters.

Formational Learning

As we explored the story of Eve in Genesis, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

Eve's story has been used to limit the role of women throughout the history of the Church, inhibiting their ability to influence groups. How have you seen this shape or playout within your experience of the Church?

How do we wrestle with 1 Timothy using Eve to delimit women?

(Heart)

Have you ever missed someone's voice, unable to hear what they are saying because you were trying to speak for them rather than listen to them?

(Hands)

Genesis and 1 Timothy are two examples of telling Eve's story. How do we create space to listen to both while protecting the vulnerable in the community?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

The Stories In-Between Chaos & Creation | Genesis: Primeval Atoms & Adams pt. 1

The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

Message Synopsis

This week we look at the creation narratives of Genesis. We explore how the poetry of Genesis one creates space for us to imagine God hovering over the primordial waters of chaos, bringing forth life. At the same time, the story found in Genesis two introduces us to the intimacy of God, who creates humanity with intention and purpose.

Formational Learning

As we explored these two ancient stories of creation in Genesis one and two, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

Many stories that seek to answer the questions of “where do we come from, and what is our purpose?” How do the two stories found in Genesis chapters one and two answer those questions?

(Heart)

The idea that our stories expand when encountering other stories is one that challenges our need to defend our story as the sole story. How has your story been expanded by encounter new and other stories around you?

(Hands)

Genesis two invites us to find our purpose in this world as co-creators with God who help create the conditions for life to flourish. How can you participate in creating space/s where life flourishes because of your presence?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.