Exiled State of Mind | SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

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 | Stop, Look, Go!!!

Message | Exiled State of Mind

This week Megan Kirk takes us through the story of Israel’s exile experience found the book of Ezekiel. Who is responsible for our suffering? How does the trauma of an experience shape the way we remember and respond? These are some of the questions we will be exploring in our Sunday Liturgy this week.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the story of Israel’s exile, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

Today we explored the story of Israel’s exile as seen through the lens of Ezekiel. What do God’s agency and Israel’s agency look like in this story?

How does the trauma of exile affect Israel’s understanding of God, and their ability to reflect on their experience?

(Heart)

Looking over your life, has there been a time where you felt like God did not see you, or the suffering in the world? What helped you process and deal with that feeling? (it is okay if you have not yet)  

Or

 On the other hand, is there a dark moment in your life where God’s presence met you? How did God’s presence meet you during your “exile” experience?

(Hands)

Where is one place in your life where you have agency, and how can you use that agency to invest in systems that help others have an abundant 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.

Does God Remember? | SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

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 | Does God Remember

Does God remember? This is the question that Glenn will lead us through this week as he unpacks Psalm 105. We will explore the cycle of orientation-disorientation-reorientation and what that looks like when used as a lens to view life.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the question, does God remember, 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 does it mean for God to remember, and how does that show up in Psalm 105?

(Heart)

When you look back over your life, can you point out a place where you can say, “God remembered?” What did God remembering look like?

How do you see the cycle of orientation-disorientation-reorientation playing out in your own story? Where would you say you currently in this season of life?  

(Hands)

Who can you go to, and how can you show up that your acts of generosity will be experienced as good news?

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.

Epic Rap Battles of History: Jesus vs. The Religious Establishment | SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

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 | Epic Rap Battles of History: Jesus vs. The Religious Establishment

In John 10, Jesus says that he is "the gate for the sheep" and the "the good shepherd. These self confessions are made in light of Jesus' growing conflict with the religious elite. This week we take a look at the story of a blind man who clearly sees to get a better picture of who Jesus is.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the story of all the different elements surrounding Jesus' self confessions, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

When we look at the story of the blind man who saw Jesus clearly, we arrived at a famous verse, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance." How are the images of Jesus presented in that verse and the religious leaders displayed in that story?

(Heart)

What character, besides Jesus, do you resonate within this story, and why?

Labels are often ways that we try to place limitations on others. What are some labels that people have tried to place on you, or you have placed on others? What does liberation from those labels look like?

(Hands)

When we cultivate space for people to experience a life of joy and abundance, we participate in the work of the Good Shepherd. What are some ways amid COVID, economic uncertainty, and ideological divisiveness that we can cultivate spaces that help others experience life with joy and abundance?

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.

Written in Dust | SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and to rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

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 | Written in the Dust

This week we explore the story of the woman accused of adultery, found in John 8. This is a story about power and privilege. This is a story about mercy and justice. This is a story about being shaped in the image of Jesus.

Formational Learning:

As we explored the story of the woman accused of adultery, what stood out to you?

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

(Head)

Jesus’ presence in a story often shows up as a challenge to the religious and political powers. How does Jesus challenge those systems in this story?

(Heart)

Most often we fail to see ourselves as the antagonists or villains of the story. Do you resonate with those who were ready to stone the woman? Who are the people that you are so quick to judge guilty? Why?

(Hands)

If the goal is to be like Jesus, how do we use our presence to liberate and reconcile people?

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.

Control Alt Delete (Reset) | The SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and to rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

This week Glenn leads us through a conversation about learning to let go of our need for control and learn to lead from trust and vulnerability.

Formational Learning:

(Head)

• Paul leads from a place of weakness and vulnerability as he addresses the people in Corinth, what does leading from weakness and vulnerability look like for Paul?

(Heart)

• Can you name a time you needed to address conflict?

• What is different when I invest myself into community starting with vulnerability rather than control or defense?

(Hands)

• How do you empower yourself or others to face uncomfortable conversations from a place of vulnerability?

Everybody Eventually Dies | The SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and to rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

This week Glenn leads us through a conversation about finding new meaning in the Scriptures as we explore 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

Scripture:

For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures...51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed...54 ...then the saying that is written will happen, "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 51, & 54

Observation:

The author of First Corinthians, Paul, spends a few chapters discussing the tensions present within the community. He lists the obstacles they must overcome as they learn to become a new community reduced to love. Paul reminds them why we entered into the struggle in the first place. “According to scripture” is repeated in chapter 15 to call the people back to their shared story, Jesus. The story of Jesus is the catalyst that changes everything and restores the broken systems that threaten to disrupt the unity of those gathered around the table of Christ. The followers of Jesus anticipate this transformation by gathering around the Eucharist (ch 11), becoming love (ch 13), and learning to hear the new ending of the story that was written: “according to scripture.”

Application:

The Jesus story is constantly causing us to have to reimagine our faith as we try to find a way forward, and as we take up the work of restoration with Christ. FōS Church as a community seeks to engage the story of Jesus in such a way that everyone is able to find hope, beauty, and purpose within it.

Prayer:

Lord, help us create space for people at your table. Help us to imagine our faith in ways that cultivates hope for others. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen …

Formational Learning:

(Head)

• How do we find new meaning in the Bible in a way that is life-giving and healthy? 

(Heart)

• As we reimagine our faith together, what changes do you see coming that cause you to be hopeful for our future?

(Hands)

• What practice could we try this week to help us learn to lean into a responsive reading of the Bible?