December 11th, 2017
Gideon Tsang, our friend and pastor of Vox Veniae, continued our Advent reflections with an invitation to live with joy.
Quotes and Resources:
- “If I do not feel a sense of joy in God’s creation, if I forget to offer the world back to God with thankfulness, I have advanced very little upon the Way. I have not yet learnt to be truly human. For it is only through thanksgiving that I can become myself.” — Kallistos Ware
- “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” — Meister Eckhart
- “My own personal task is not simply that of poet and writer; it is basically to praise God out of an inner center of silence, gratitude, and ‘awareness.’…my task is simply the breathing of this gratitude from day to day, in simplicity, and for the rest turning my hand to whatever comes, work being part of praise, whether splitting logs or writing poems, or best of all simple notes.” — Thomas Merton
- “Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about God.” — Thomas Merton
- “I don’t think you can make a decision that ‘I’m going to be present.’ What does that mean?… But if you’re actively noticing things – so you’re going to go home tonight and, if you live with somebody, notice five new things about that person. And what will happen is, the person will start to come alive for you again, and that facilitates the relationship… And this person that you thought you knew will feel different, and that person will respond to you differently.” — Ellen Langer
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
- TED Talk: Megan Phelps-Roper
Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide
Discuss more in a Community Group
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
December 4th, 2017
Grief is the natural and normal response to change or loss.
Everyone deals with grief, but the holidays have a way of bringing our loss to the forefront.
Here are a few things you or someone you know might be grieving:
- The loss of a loved one
- The end of a relationship
- The loss of a job
- The failure of an exciting opportunity
- The loss of a pet
There are also have many reasons to grieve in our broader culture, including:
- The wide-spread pain from sexual assault brought to light by #MeToo.
- Multiple mass shootings and a lack of political will to address them.
- How a political and social divide has invaded daily and family life.
How We Address Grief as a Church Community
At Austin Mustard Seed, we know that grief is normal, unavoidable and significantly impacts our daily lives. We believe that God meets us in our grief and even shares our grief.
One way we address this reality is at “Lament Night.”
Lament Night is an opportunity express our grief or stand in solidarity with others who are experiencing it. Lament Night usually takes place in the privacy of homes.
However, due to the more obvious needs of the holidays, we are hosting a special Lament Night Liturgy this Advent.
How to Invite Someone to Lament Night
Talking about grief is awkward and so talking about Lament Night might be awkward to do. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you invite your friends and neighbors:
- Don’t forget our definition of grief: a normal response to change or loss.
- Be specific! Tell people “We are hosting a one-night event focused on grief.”
- Remember who it is for: anyone experiencing grief and those of us who want to support others in grief.
- Talk about the season. It’s common knowledge that the holidays can be painful, so don’t be afraid to talk about it!
We hope you’ll participate in Lament Night and invite a friend.
Lament Night: An Advent Liturgy of Longing is December 18 at 7pm.
CLICK HERE TO INVITE YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS
December 3rd, 2017
John Chandler Advent, and the new Christian year, with a look at the arrival of Jesus as told by the Gospel of Mark.
Quotes and Resources:
- “proclaiming Jesus is not a philosophical concept or the most recent speculative homiletical theory. It means that proclaiming Jesus to generate hope is grounded in this world and should have an impact on this world.” — Luke Powery
- Wikipedia: Triumphal Arch article
Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide
Discuss more in a Community Group
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
December 1st, 2017
As the days grow shorter and cooler (in some parts of the country, anyway) it means that Advent is almost here! During the busy and frantic time leading to Christmas, Advent gives us opportunity to slow down and prepare ourselves for Jesus’ arrival.
This year, Advent begins on December 3. Advent is a time of patient waiting and expectation. We participate in the story of God’s people for centuries, longing for the Messiah to come. During Advent we prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus as a baby, and we prepare our world for Jesus to return again.
Families can celebrate Advent together. Children are primed for the symbols and and stories of Advent. Candles, wreaths, and lights for the season of Advent all give kids something tangible to help them enter into the season. Perhaps the easiest part of Advent for kids to relate to is waiting. During Advent we wait…and wait…and wait. We wait for Jesus to come just like God’s people waited for the Messiah to come and save them so long ago. We are still waiting for Jesus to come again.
Five Ways to Celebrate Advent as a Family
Here are a few resources with ideas for ways you can observe Advent with your family this season:
- Create an Advent wreath. Traditional Advent wreaths consist of greenery and four candles, three purple and one pink. Most Advent wreaths also have a white candle to light on Christmas Eve.
The first Sunday of Advent light the first purple candle. This is the candle of hope. Read Psalm 130:5-6 together as a family. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Discuss these questions: When is it hard to wait for something? What makes waiting easier for you? What does hope mean?
The second Sunday of Advent light the first and the second purple candle. This is the candle of peace. Read John 14:27 together as a family. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Discuss these questions: When do you feel afraid? Who or what helps you when you’re afraid? What does it feel like to be at peace? How does Jesus give us peace?
The third Sunday of Advent light the first two purple candles and the pink candle. This is the candle of joy. Read Luke 1:46-47 and Philippians 4:4 together as a family. “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47) “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Phil 4:4) Discuss these questions: What do you look like when you feel joyful? How can we feel joy when things are good? What about when things are bad?
The fourth Sunday of Advent light the first three candles and the last purple candle. This is the candle of love. Read 1 John 3:1 together as a family. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Discuss these questions: Who loves you? How do you show someone you love them? How does Jesus coming to earth as a baby show us that God loves us?
On Christmas Eve light the first four candles and the white candle. This is the Christ candle. Read Luke 2:10-11 together as a family. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Discuss these questions: What would you do if you saw an angel? Why is the birth of Jesus good news? Who can you tell the good news about Jesus?
Search the internet or Pinterest for dozens of ideas to make your own Advent wreath. Or, here are a few ideas for how to make an Advent wreath for use at home: Traditional Advent Centerpiece, Simple Advent Wreath, Painted Votive Advent Wreath, Non-traditional Advent Wreath.
- Color your way through Advent using devotionals from Illustrated Children’s Ministries. Illustrated Children’s Ministries creates beautiful faith formation resources for families and churches. This year’s Advent for families includes five weeks of simple devotions, coloring pages, and an illustrated Advent wreath craft.
- Sign up to receive a free daily family Advent reading from Sparkhouse Family. Sparkhouse creates books and curriculum to spark kids’ curiosity about God and faith. These are geared for kids ages 3-10.
- Make your own Jesse Tree. Jesse Trees are decorative trees used during Advent to retell the Bible stories that lead up to the birth of Jesus. My Jesse Tree has lots of free downloadable resources to create your own Jesse Tree at home.
- Participate in the Advent Conspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy encourages people to prepare for Christmas in revolutionary ways: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Discuss with your family how to redirect your resources of time and money this Advent to love and serve your neighbors.
Whatever you decide to do this year, remember that Advent invites us all to slow down in preparation of Jesus’ arrival. Allow new Advent traditions to enrich and enhance your family’s experience of the season. May your Advent be filled with joyful anticipation and hopeful expectation for our Savior, Jesus, to arrive!
November 30th, 2017
Chris Morton and John Chandler close out our Catechesis series with another round of questions that didn’t make it into the sermon on Sunday.
Questions Responded to:
- What is heaven/what might the kingdom of God coming look like?
- Did Jesus die to save us and be a sacrifice for our sin or was it something else?
- What is salvation?
- What is hell? Does it exist?
- Is God sovereign?
Other resources mentioned:
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
November 28th, 2017
Our 2018 budget is preparing to be be finalized with growth opportunities in the following areas:
- Allocate additional resources to help our neighbors connect with our community so they can experience the rich relationships and meaning that aMS offers.
- Extend staff roles to address growing needs, especially in the areas of administration and kids.
- Strengthen our monthly giving so we can focus leadership and community resources into other needs and opportunities.
- Provide special giving opportunities throughout the year that meet needs beyond our church community rather than bolster our own church finances.
To best care for our finances, we need your help to project our giving for the year to come. Please complete the form below by Sunday, December 10.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
November 27th, 2017
April Karli, Shane Blackshear, and John Chandler close out our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by responding to questions submitted by our community.
Questions Responded to:
- What are the essential beliefs a church should hold to be considered Christian?
- In what sense is the bible “inspired” by God? We often hear about how the bible is both human and divine in its origin. Does that mean part of the bible is from human origin and part is from a divine origin? If so, how do we decide which part is divine and which is human?
- It sometimes frustrates me that God, who wants all Christians “to be one”, chose to communicate to us through a book that is so old, so ingrained in ancient cultures and worldviews, and so easy to misunderstand and misinterpret, or to interpret in more ways than one. What are we to do with all that? Why did God go about communicating to us in this way?
- How should we approach the debate between creationism and evolution?
- Who should we pray to in the Trinity? Father, son, or spirit?
- How does God as Trinity inform our relationships to God, the earth, and other humans?
- What about Revelation and end times?
Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide
Discuss more in a Community Group
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
November 20th, 2017
April Karli continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “Who is the Holy Spirit?”
Quotes and Resources:
- “When believers live in the power of the Spirit, the evidence in their lives is supernatural. The church cannot but be different, and the world cannot help but notice.” — Francis Chan
Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide
Discuss more in a Community Group
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
November 14th, 2017
We’ve called our 8 weeks of Catechesis a discussion series. We hoped each week would be more than a sermon, but a conversation starter into Community Groups and beyond.
In the same way, we don’t see our last week of the series as the end of the discussion. We hope it continues into further discussions in the life of Austin Mustard Seed.
There have been many great questions along the way during lunches, and in community groups, but we want to make space for more. On Sunday, November 26, we’ll engage those questions. (And if there is more than we can tackle in a Sunday, we’ll bring some to the blog too!)
Please take a few moments to share your question(s) on the form below:
Oops! We could not locate your form.
November 13th, 2017
John Chandler continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What happened at the cross?”
Quotes and Resources:
- “Ultimately, we cannot understand the full meaning of the cross of Christ. We can only stand in silence before it, acknowledge its wonder, and submit to its power. Nevertheless, we desire to understand the depth of Christ’s work on our behalf and to speak about the salvation we have experienced.” — Stan Grenz
- “Salvation in the New Testament is not seen as an escape from the world of space, time, and matter, but rather as its redemption. The death of Jesus was the moment when the great gate of human history, bolted with iron bars and overgrown with toxic weeds, burst open so that the Creator’s project of reconciliation between heaven and earth could at last be set in powerful motion.” — NT Wright, The Day the Revolution Began
- “…the point that must be made at the center of any account of Christian mission: the victory of the cross will be implemented through the means of the cross.” — NT Wright, The Day the Revolution Began
Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide
Discuss more in a Community Group
Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android |
