The Sacrament of Resistance | Sacramental Reality pt. 4

The world around us points us towards the divine. Creation itself in the Bible is said to testify to the reality of God. Humanity is said to be created in the image of God. Thus, every encounter we have with others holds within it the possibility to reveal God present. All of this defines reality as sacramental, meaning, reality itself points us towards the God who is beyond us, with us, and within us. In this new conversation series, “Sacramental Reality,” we will explore different rhythms that help us experience and see this.

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 | The Sacrament of Resistance

This week we explore the Sacrament of Resistance through looking at different examples of resistance against the Empire from Jesus to Pirates to John Lewis. There are many ways that our faith will call us to resist the lure of comfort and complicity. We chose to highlight three specific things to resit that we see as formational for FōS as a community: resist second-hand faith, resist the status quo, and resist apathy.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the Sacrament of Resistance, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

Growing up with a faith tradition, you are given a version of second-hand faith. What does moving towards ownership of faith look like for you?

(Heart)

How do we give room for the unexpected and the extra grace that comes resisting the status quo?

(Hands)

How do we embrace and apply the idea of Good and Necessary Trouble in resisting apathy? What does resisting apathy look like in our 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 Sacrament of Presence | Sacramental Reality pt. 3

The world around us points us towards the divine. Creation itself in the Bible is said to testify to the reality of God. Humanity is said to be created in the image of God. Thus, every encounter we have with others holds within it the possibility to reveal God present. All of this defines reality as sacramental, meaning, reality itself points us towards the God who is beyond us, with us, and within us. In this new conversation series, “Sacramental Reality,” we will explore different rhythms that help us experience and see this.

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 | Rauna May

Message | The Sacrament of Presence

This week we explore the Sacrament of Presence through the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes and then being rejected by them found in John 6. The story shows us that sometimes we experience Jesus’ presence as hospitality, something that invites us to follow. Sometimes we experience Jesus’ presence as hostility, something that drives us away. And sometimes we sit in that tension knowing that the promise of Jesus’ presence is all that we have.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the Sacrament of Presence, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

What is the difference between experiencing presence as hospitality and experiencing presence as hostility?

(Heart)

How have you experienced Jesus' presence in community? What amplified the experience, and what hindered it?

One of the primary ways that we experience the presence of Jesus today is through the body of Christ, the community of followers of Jesus known as the Church. How have you experienced the presence of Jesus as hospitality? How have you experienced the presence of Jesus as hostility? 

(Hands)

How can we practice the Sacrament (extra grace) of Presence within our community and the world around us?

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 Sacrament of Listening | Sacramental Reality pt. 2

The world around us points us towards the divine. Creation itself in the Bible is said to testify to the reality of God. Humanity is said to be created in the image of God. Thus, every encounter we have with others holds within it the possibility to reveal God present. All of this defines reality as sacramental, meaning, reality itself points us towards the God who is beyond us, with us, and within us. In this new conversation series, “Sacramental Reality,” we will explore different rhythms that help us experience and see this.

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

The Blessing | Kareem

Message | The Sacrament of Listening

This week we explore the Sacrament of Listening through the story of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Gentiles and Pharisees. Insiders and outsiders. How does learning to hear the voice of the other help us to expand our own stories?

Formational Learning

As we explored the Sacrament of Listening, 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 was listening used in this story to create community and open the door to the possibility of something new?

(Heart)

Sometimes we are the gentile who needs to be included, and sometimes we are the Pharisee who needs to include others. How do you see yourself in both of these characters?

(Hands)

There are a lot of conversations happening around us culturally right now. Who do you have a hard time listening to, and how can you learn to hear their voice?

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 Sacrament of Questioning | Sacramental Reality pt. 1

The world around us points us towards the divine. Creation itself in the Bible is said to testify to the reality of God. Humanity is said to be created in the image of God. Thus, every encounter we have with others holds within it the possibility to reveal God present. All of this defines reality as sacramental, meaning, reality itself points us towards the God who is beyond us, with us, and within us. In this new conversation series, “Sacramental Reality,” we will explore some different rhythms that help us to experience and see this.

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

If I Had a Son | Bukola

Give Me Faith | Kareem

Message | The Sacrament of Questioning

This week we will explore the Sacrament of Questioning through the story of the believing/unbelieving father found in Mark 9. How does doubt and hope help us to encounter God and each other?

Formational Learning

As we explored the Sacrament of Questioning, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

In the story found in Mark 9, we see a father desperate to see his son healed. We also see the disciples of Jesus deflated because they were not able to help this man’s son. Both the disciples and the father find themselves in the space of doubt, but find hope in Jesus. How does doubt create space for hope?

(Heart)

How have you wrestled with doubt and hope in your faith journey?

Does your faith allow for questions? And how can these questions help you encounter God and others in a more profound way?

(Hands)

How do we create space for questions within 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.