Emmanuel!

A few years back, I began a bit of a tradition (for me, anyway), by suggesting at Worship Services that we mirror the Easter tradition of saying, "He is risen" and responding with, "He is risen indeed!". My thought was that if this is how we remind each other of the true meaning of Easter, should we not also do something similar at Advent? So I stated, "Emmanuel", to which I had the congregation respond, "God with us!".

So, the natural question, as I post to this blog about Life Groups, Community and Belonging, is, 'How is Advent related to Groups Ministry?'

The answer (and it may already be obvious to you) is quite simply this:

Somewhere in eternity past, God put into motion a plan to create a world of beings that would exist to share Community with Him, who is Himself community. When those beings chose to rebel, His plan continued forward, carried out by a long thread of those who would trust Him, in spite of their own sin nature.

Thus, two millenia ago (give or take), in a crude, hay-strewn shelter for animals, placed in a wooden feeding trough, born to a carpenter and a virgin, sung of by angels, worshiped by shepherds, gifted by wise men, hailed by a star, the human descendant of prophets, priests, kings, prostitutes, widows and soldiers, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Almighty God and Savior of all mankind entered our world.

He would live as we live. He would face all the fear, pain, anger, loathing, suffering, temptation, sickness and struggle that we do, only to overcome it all on our behalf, and, in the end, overcome death itself. Why? Because God made us to walk with Him, to share Life with Him.

To know that we Belong.

Emmanuel! God with us! Merry Christmas.

The Next Step

If you've been part of a Life Group, you know what a rewarding, fulfilling and maturing experience it can be. Joining others each week to share, pray, study the Word and just share life together is a remarkable thing, and the sense of belonging that we develop is critical to the health of every person.

You probably also know that my heart's desire is to see as many folks enjoy this community aspect of church life as possible, and it will come as no surprise to you that we are working hard to make such an opportunity as widely available as possible here at Desert Springs.

In January, Pastor Mark will speak on groups, community and connecting for several weeks, and at the same time, we will hold open sign-ups for new groups to run in February and March for 8 weeks. Our goal is to have at least 10 new groups when we hold those sign-ups, so that we can accommodate as many people as possible for that eight week period.

To that end, I have been making phone calls for several days now, asking certain people to prayerfully consider being a Life Group Leader during that eight weeks. We are making it simple for them to do, with very little time commitment needed, and meeting guides provided by us, based on Pastor Mark's sermons.

Please join with me in praying that God would raise up the leaders we need for this effort! It will be the first time ever that we have attempted something like this, but I believe it is God's will that we help more people find significant relationships in the church family through which they can grow and mature in their faith!

Thanks!

Adventures in Advent

Ah, Christmas... The music, the food, the family gatherings, the shopping, the shopping, THE SHOPPING!

I'm not a power-shopper by any means, but somehow I found myself standing in a HUGE line outside the Palm Desert Old Navy this past Friday morning at 3 am! My brother, Brian, and I were lured there by the enticing offer of a free video game with a $20 purchase, and naturally we succumbed to the greed-driven group-think that overtakes the Holidays so often.

As I paused this morning to think about this time of year that I love so much and what it truly means, I couldn't help but recall to mind that morning, and how silly I felt when I walked away empty-handed (well, almost - I got a great Star Wars t-shirt!)

As a pastor of Groups, I have to beg the question: What is it all about? We talk each year about the 'reason for the season', but do our actions belie a different way of thinking than our words?

The powerful truth behind Christmas is what drives Advent Conspiracy, the movement our church is participating in this year to get back to the roots of the season, to remember that it's about Worshipping Christ more Fully, Spending Less on the commercialism and consumerism we are bombarded with, Giving More of ourselves, our time, our creativity, our care to others who desperately need it and by doing so, Loving All.

How is your Life Group participating in Advent Conspiracy? Are you gathering new, unwrapped toys for the kids at 29 Palms? Are you volunteering as a group to serve at the Christmas Store? Or are you taking an offering in your group to contribute to our church families in need? Whatever you do, don't let the season pass without urging your group to action!