Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Challenge
 

What is Maundy Thursday?  The word Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “mandate” or “command” and it’s a reminder that on Jesus’ last night with his disciples he called them to live by the command to love one another.  So on Maundy Thursday we want you to take up this command and let us know how you show the love of Christ in your community.  So buy some canned goods for the food pantry, bring flowers to an elderly neighbor, write a note of encouragement to your child, or show some other act of love and instagram a picture of it or post it on Facebook with the hashtag #liveoutlove.  Together we can send out a tidal wave of love this Thursday!  



Last Words – Lent Prayer Challenge & Sermon Series

Lent Sermon Series & Lent Prayer Challenge
 
I Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning Feb. 15 on Facebook Live
 
I  Sunday am beginning Feb. 18 
 

What are the last words you want to hear before you die?  What are the last words you want to say to those you love before you die?  Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings on Facebook Live during Lent as we look at the last 7 statements Jesus made before his death and join us on Sunday mornings as we look at the last 7 statements that Jesus heard as he hung on the cross.  May these final words prepare us to serve him with deeper devotion this Lenten season as we truly see Christ’s character revealed in the words spoken during his darkest moment.



Advent: A Season of Waiting

Advent- The Waiting 
By Andy Gilstrap, Experiential Worship Director 
 
We are now in the Advent season.  A season of waiting and preparation.  At the introduction of her sermon this week Pastor Rachel spoke about the idea of waiting.  A people group waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah.  Waiting that was passed down from generation to generation.  Waiting for centuries.  The earth waiting for the Son of God for millions of years.  The universe expecting.  Waiting for a child to be born.  

 

I want you to sit where you are and think about all this Christmas season is.  I want you to think of all you have to do.  The to-do-list.  The shopping that needs to be done. Think of all that needs to be arranged for your upcoming travels.  Think of all the presents you still have to buy.  The shopping to be done.  The work parties.  School parties.  Rehearsals for Christmas programs.  Take a look around your home.  What’s not been done?  Decorating to finish.  Baking to be done.  Christmas cards to write.  Think of all the Christmas traditions you have.  All the things you are going to be doing in the coming weeks.  Think of the church activities.  The ways you’ve volunteered to serve.  The dinners.  The parties.  The family gatherings.  Think of how busy this season is.  

 

Now, I want you to take a few moments as you focus all that is ahead of you, as overwhelming as it it may seem, and just sit with it.  I want you to just see it for what it is.  Sit in the tension of it all.  You will feel the urge to finish something.  You’re mind will think of another thing to do and you will want to write it down so you don’t forget.  You will feel as if you’re wasting precious time. Let those urges come, see them for what they are, and let them go.  Don’t try to control these urges and feels,  or make them go away. Just continue to sit in the tension of it all.  All that is incomplete.  All that around you that needs to be done, accomplished, or finished.  Just bring to mind all the busyness that this season is for you and just sit with it. 

 

I want you realize the difficulty in waiting.  Think of how you have to fight the urge to move on.  To do something else.  Think of how much effort and focus it has taken you to sit still in the busyness of your life for a just a brief moment.  

Ask yourself….what does it mean to wait?  What am I waiting for? 

Take a few more moments and just…wait.



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