Gift Exchange
Life hands us difficult experiences that weigh us down: despair, anxiety, sorrow, darkness, and feelings of meaninglessness. In the midst of all this, God holds out precious and life-giving gifts – hope, peace, joy, love, light, and purpose. This Advent season, as we prepare for gift exchanges with friends and family, we will reflect on the gifts given to us by the greatest giver of all and how we can receive and embrace those gifts even in the most difficult of times.
Life hands us difficult experiences that weigh us down: despair, anxiety, sorrow, darkness, and feelings of meaninglessness. In the midst of all this, God holds out precious and life-giving gifts – hope, peace, joy, love, light, and purpose. This Advent season, as we prepare for gift exchanges with friends and family, we will reflect on the gifts given to us by the greatest giver of all and how we can receive and embrace those gifts even in the most difficult of times.
Week 1: Despair for Hope | Psalm 121:1-8
In life, we go through dark valleys that can lead us into despair. In such times, God gives the gift of hope in God’s love and protection.
www.youtube.com/live/A5LSXEJXl14?si=cLieGyC858HWY8VE
In life, we go through dark valleys that can lead us into despair. In such times, God gives the gift of hope in God’s love and protection.
www.youtube.com/live/A5LSXEJXl14?si=cLieGyC858HWY8VE
Week 2: Anxiety for Peace | John 14:27
In the midst of troubling times, Jesus holds out the gift of peace. The peace Jesus gives is one that we cannot find in other things in this world.
www.youtube.com/live/dsTBTJgGJUw?si=vH5tQ_lwFtrOB1Ol
In the midst of troubling times, Jesus holds out the gift of peace. The peace Jesus gives is one that we cannot find in other things in this world.
www.youtube.com/live/dsTBTJgGJUw?si=vH5tQ_lwFtrOB1Ol
Week 3: Sorrow for Joy | Psalm 30
When we experience sorrow, we can turn to God, trusting that joy will come again as a freely given gift.
www.youtube.com/live/rX8zn3lWR8U?si=Lj3ATZViaJs5-2TH
When we experience sorrow, we can turn to God, trusting that joy will come again as a freely given gift.
www.youtube.com/live/rX8zn3lWR8U?si=Lj3ATZViaJs5-2TH
Week 4: Fear for Love | 1 John 4:7-19
Fear can lead us into hating the people that God created. But fear loses its power when we receive the gift of love. We are made complete in love.
www.youtube.com/live/d3PUWSTcsTQ?si=R-TZtepJ9uyQAIWj
Fear can lead us into hating the people that God created. But fear loses its power when we receive the gift of love. We are made complete in love.
www.youtube.com/live/d3PUWSTcsTQ?si=R-TZtepJ9uyQAIWj
Christmas Eve: Darkness for Light | Isaiah 9:2-7
Christ gives us the gift of light in the darkest moments of our lives. His light will guide and lead us into abundant life.
www.youtube.com/live/Bm1mXWo49bI?si=hq593nf3qfHL_T7u
Christ gives us the gift of light in the darkest moments of our lives. His light will guide and lead us into abundant life.
www.youtube.com/live/Bm1mXWo49bI?si=hq593nf3qfHL_T7u
Week 5: Meaninglessness for Purpose | Jeremiah 29:11
Through our lives, we sometimes feel lost, not knowing who we are and where we are heading. God finds us in these places and gives us the gift of purpose for our lives.
www.youtube.com/live/HK4YMzeehKk?si=xU3g83qlCr2rlUkO
Through our lives, we sometimes feel lost, not knowing who we are and where we are heading. God finds us in these places and gives us the gift of purpose for our lives.
www.youtube.com/live/HK4YMzeehKk?si=xU3g83qlCr2rlUkO
Transformed By Grace
Grace is not merely a gift but God's invitation to a relationship that can change our lives and transform the world. In this series, we will delve into stories of transformation, connecting them to our everyday experiences. From feeling like outsiders to being part of a community, from fear to trust, from the “same old” to something creative and new – these are just a few of the transformations that God’s grace works in our lives. Say yes to grace and find new freedom in relation to yourself, others and even your personal and financial resources.
Grace is not merely a gift but God's invitation to a relationship that can change our lives and transform the world. In this series, we will delve into stories of transformation, connecting them to our everyday experiences. From feeling like outsiders to being part of a community, from fear to trust, from the “same old” to something creative and new – these are just a few of the transformations that God’s grace works in our lives. Say yes to grace and find new freedom in relation to yourself, others and even your personal and financial resources.
Week 1:
Called by Love | Luke 19:1-10 When God calls our name, it’s an invitation to a transforming relationship as an agent of grace. Zacchaeus went from being an agent of the state to an agent of God.
www.youtube.com/live/ajFkbj-PNqM?si=wYyMV05YpA7QG-Mg
Called by Love | Luke 19:1-10 When God calls our name, it’s an invitation to a transforming relationship as an agent of grace. Zacchaeus went from being an agent of the state to an agent of God.
www.youtube.com/live/ajFkbj-PNqM?si=wYyMV05YpA7QG-Mg
Week 2:
“God Trusted Me with It!” | Matthew 25:14-30 Fear leads us to waste the gifts we’ve been given. God invites us to a mindset of abundance and trust.
www.youtube.com/live/rARbtXB2m3s?si=sD2KdlW5PCi6IbMz
“God Trusted Me with It!” | Matthew 25:14-30 Fear leads us to waste the gifts we’ve been given. God invites us to a mindset of abundance and trust.
www.youtube.com/live/rARbtXB2m3s?si=sD2KdlW5PCi6IbMz
Week 3:
The Secret of Contentment | Philippians 4:1-7, 10-14, 19 As we learn what it really means to have enough, we are freed to embrace and leverage what we have.
www.youtube.com/live/Bj3vi6qjcFg?si=CAPD-O1g5AvG2PK4
The Secret of Contentment | Philippians 4:1-7, 10-14, 19 As we learn what it really means to have enough, we are freed to embrace and leverage what we have.
www.youtube.com/live/Bj3vi6qjcFg?si=CAPD-O1g5AvG2PK4
Week 4:
A Disciple’s Lifestyle | Luke 16:1-13 A disciple’s lifestyle is one of creativity and care for all God provides, including our resources and finances.
www.youtube.com/live/us8qRYsiTjY?si=lFhTx7gSOrphQvI9
A Disciple’s Lifestyle | Luke 16:1-13 A disciple’s lifestyle is one of creativity and care for all God provides, including our resources and finances.
www.youtube.com/live/us8qRYsiTjY?si=lFhTx7gSOrphQvI9
Created for Connection!
Observing the widespread and severe effects of social disconnection on Americans’ health, Dr Vivek Murthy (Surgeon General of the United States) says that “loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being.” This reality reflects what our faith already teaches us: God created us for connection and community. Drawing on the experiences of the early church in scripture, let us relearn how God leads us into lives of meaningful relationship with Godself and one another.
Observing the widespread and severe effects of social disconnection on Americans’ health, Dr Vivek Murthy (Surgeon General of the United States) says that “loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being.” This reality reflects what our faith already teaches us: God created us for connection and community. Drawing on the experiences of the early church in scripture, let us relearn how God leads us into lives of meaningful relationship with Godself and one another.
Week 1:
Connection Among Christians | Ephesians 4:1-6 Our local church is a place to build meaningful relationships through the gift of our one faith
www.youtube.com/live/yWPo5FOChOA?si=Ird5JJVEiPXzJRQW
Connection Among Christians | Ephesians 4:1-6 Our local church is a place to build meaningful relationships through the gift of our one faith
www.youtube.com/live/yWPo5FOChOA?si=Ird5JJVEiPXzJRQW
Week 2:
Connection with God | John 15:1-12 Jesus was connected to the Creator and all his relationships were built on this relationship; so may all our relationships be built on our relationship with God. Staying connected to God helps us have more loving relationships with others and bear fruit.
www.youtube.com/live/Scf28l_SYlo?si=YuXeNtw6dxjZ0EPm
Connection with God | John 15:1-12 Jesus was connected to the Creator and all his relationships were built on this relationship; so may all our relationships be built on our relationship with God. Staying connected to God helps us have more loving relationships with others and bear fruit.
www.youtube.com/live/Scf28l_SYlo?si=YuXeNtw6dxjZ0EPm
Week 3:
Connection with Community | Hebrews 10:23-25 In our loneliness, we often retreat from church and community. We are called, as believers, to prioritize the time for worship and small groups, to encourage each other in the faith
www.youtube.com/live/qzeZritnzi0?si=GP4qnYjkgt_3UIIw
Connection with Community | Hebrews 10:23-25 In our loneliness, we often retreat from church and community. We are called, as believers, to prioritize the time for worship and small groups, to encourage each other in the faith
www.youtube.com/live/qzeZritnzi0?si=GP4qnYjkgt_3UIIw
Week 4:
Connection Across Barriers | Ephesians 2:11-22 Division and barriers can isolate us from one another. Christ, through faith, can break down hostilities and move us into new community and connection with one another.
www.youtube.com/live/PbTu2p7j1oQ?si=gMtInJQYhwuUNyK4
Connection Across Barriers | Ephesians 2:11-22 Division and barriers can isolate us from one another. Christ, through faith, can break down hostilities and move us into new community and connection with one another.
www.youtube.com/live/PbTu2p7j1oQ?si=gMtInJQYhwuUNyK4
Week 5:
Connection with the Larger Church (World Communion Sunday) | 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 On World Communion Sunday, Christians remember that they are part of the one body of Christ. Whether they share communion in a cathedral or the countryside, this Sunday celebrates our diversity as well as our common bonds
www.youtube.com/live/GdVPh9QFcCs?si=4x_UoeCVV9Dhr_9w
Connection with the Larger Church (World Communion Sunday) | 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 On World Communion Sunday, Christians remember that they are part of the one body of Christ. Whether they share communion in a cathedral or the countryside, this Sunday celebrates our diversity as well as our common bonds
www.youtube.com/live/GdVPh9QFcCs?si=4x_UoeCVV9Dhr_9w
ON PURPOSE
Have you ever asked this question: Why am I here? Trying to discover the purpose of our lives can lead to a lot of questions: Who am I? Do I have a “calling”? What am I supposed to do with my life? What does purposeful living look like? Often, the world is all too ready to give us answers to these questions – promising that finding the perfect job or achieving the next milestone will make us happy. But in this series, we will embrace these questions as an invitation to discover what it is that God wants to do with the story of our lives right now.
Have you ever asked this question: Why am I here? Trying to discover the purpose of our lives can lead to a lot of questions: Who am I? Do I have a “calling”? What am I supposed to do with my life? What does purposeful living look like? Often, the world is all too ready to give us answers to these questions – promising that finding the perfect job or achieving the next milestone will make us happy. But in this series, we will embrace these questions as an invitation to discover what it is that God wants to do with the story of our lives right now.
Week 1:
Why Am I Here? | John 3:1-9 Why am I here? Asking this question opens us up to God’s purpose for our lives.
www.youtube.com/live/tSRhyRVi3y4?si=4gbIqFrCm8My786p
Why Am I Here? | John 3:1-9 Why am I here? Asking this question opens us up to God’s purpose for our lives.
www.youtube.com/live/tSRhyRVi3y4?si=4gbIqFrCm8My786p
Week 2:
What is a “Purpose”? | Matthew 5:13-16 We have a lot of misconceptions about what purpose is. Finding our purpose is about discovering who God has uniquely created us to be and how our own gifts can serve others in any given moment.
https://www.youtube.com/live/JVl6IWlc1rs?si=iOzf3Fkvr7vG0iG0
What is a “Purpose”? | Matthew 5:13-16 We have a lot of misconceptions about what purpose is. Finding our purpose is about discovering who God has uniquely created us to be and how our own gifts can serve others in any given moment.
https://www.youtube.com/live/JVl6IWlc1rs?si=iOzf3Fkvr7vG0iG0
Week 3:
Who Am I? | Acts 9:1-19, John 21:15-19 We may feel like we are defined by our highs and lows, but first and foremost we are defined by God’s love of us. And God’s love promises to redeem our whole stories. It allows us to look back over our lives and see how all our experiences – good, bad, and in-between -- can shape and clarify our purpose.
https://www.youtube.com/live/hNAJ4ydjGxc?si=08ZeEG6vausnLj_M
Who Am I? | Acts 9:1-19, John 21:15-19 We may feel like we are defined by our highs and lows, but first and foremost we are defined by God’s love of us. And God’s love promises to redeem our whole stories. It allows us to look back over our lives and see how all our experiences – good, bad, and in-between -- can shape and clarify our purpose.
https://www.youtube.com/live/hNAJ4ydjGxc?si=08ZeEG6vausnLj_M
Week 4:
Purpose is Present | Matthew 14:13-21 To discover our purpose, we must not focus only on the future, but also pay attention to the present. What do we have to offer right now, and who needs it? When we offer what we have now, we find – often to our surprise – that our purpose begins to come into focus.
www.youtube.com/live/xyx2W09vMq4?si=NVE2oAm6b7K4izy2
Purpose is Present | Matthew 14:13-21 To discover our purpose, we must not focus only on the future, but also pay attention to the present. What do we have to offer right now, and who needs it? When we offer what we have now, we find – often to our surprise – that our purpose begins to come into focus.
www.youtube.com/live/xyx2W09vMq4?si=NVE2oAm6b7K4izy2
Week 5:
No Time Is Wasted | Exodus 16 or Proverbs 8:22-31 When we don’t have the answer to where we are going, we often feel like we are wandering and “wasting time.” But with God, no time is wasted. In our wandering, God offer us an opportunity to explore new possibilities through acts of creativity, wonder, and play.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Hq0cRaKEY44?si=Q4brZCoI2JJUmRyi
No Time Is Wasted | Exodus 16 or Proverbs 8:22-31 When we don’t have the answer to where we are going, we often feel like we are wandering and “wasting time.” But with God, no time is wasted. In our wandering, God offer us an opportunity to explore new possibilities through acts of creativity, wonder, and play.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Hq0cRaKEY44?si=Q4brZCoI2JJUmRyi
Week 6:
Will Purpose Make Me Happy? | Matthew 16:24-26, John 11:1-37 In a world that prioritizes “happiness,” God calls us into a more expansive vision of faith and flourishing.
https://www.youtube.com/live/iwixGBtb9Ew?si=LBTVtQ8ab8_WQhwb
Will Purpose Make Me Happy? | Matthew 16:24-26, John 11:1-37 In a world that prioritizes “happiness,” God calls us into a more expansive vision of faith and flourishing.
https://www.youtube.com/live/iwixGBtb9Ew?si=LBTVtQ8ab8_WQhwb