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.

FōS at the Movies | An Introduction to Joy by Rob Bell

Sometimes it is good to pause our normal rhythms to allow things to decompress a bit. So this Sunday we are going to the movies, not really, but you get the point.

Stories are at the center of how we engage in cultural dialogues at FōS. Rob Bell is one of this generation’s greatest storytellers. His new tour film “An Introduction to Joy” just released a couple weeks ago, and we thought it would be a great break in-between conversation series. After we will spend some time responding to the movie together.

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.

Movie | An Introduction to Joy

1. Let the story be told. What is Rob Bell trying to say in this this film through the stories he told? Listen to the story before you agree/disagree with the point of the story.

2. Invite the story to speak to you. What stood out or spoke to you? It could be about you, others, your life with/without God, your relationships, your goals.

3. Embracing our human condition. What does this film say about what it means to be human? About character? About values?

4. Your take home. How will I live better and become a better follower of Jesus because of these reflections?

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 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.

FōS at the Movies | Blue Like Jazz

Sometimes it is good to pause our normal rhythms to allow things to decompress a bit. So this Sunday we are going to the movies, not really, but you get the point.

Stories are at the center of how we engage in cultural dialogues at FōS. Movies offer us a great medium to reflect and respond. This week we will watch Blue Like Jazz, which is based on the book of the same name by Donald Miller. After we will spend some time responding to the movie together.

1. Let the story be told. What is the director/writer trying to say in this story? Listen to the story before you agree/disagree with the point of the story.

2. Invite the story to speak to you. Moving beyon the moral behavior of the characters, what is the story saying to you? I could be about you, others, your life with/without God, your relationships, your goals.

3. Identify transformation. Where is change taking place in the character’s life, in a relationship or situation? What kind of change occurred? How was change brought about? By whom, and why?

4. Observe redemption. Where is repair, restoration, and reconciliation in the chacter’s life? Who and what brought this about, and at what cost? Why was there either openness or resistance?

5. Look for the Christ figure. What characters remind you most of Jesus, and why?

6. Embracing our human condition. What does the story say about what it means to be human? About character? About values?

7. Your take home. How will I live better and become a better follower of Jesus because of these reflections?

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.