The Long, Cold Dark

As we enter the sacred season of Advent, what does it mean to remember why God came to save us, and why we need saving?

The Curse

Van City Church

Enslaved

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Far From Home, But Not Alone

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Prisoners of Hope

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Through the Dark Channel

Van City Church

Community Practices

• Communion

  Preparation

  Take turns having one person in the community commit to bringing bread and grape juice to share for communion on a given week. If you’re going for authenticity, use matzo (unleavened) bread. But really, any bread that everyone enjoys will do. Your first couple of times taking communion together in community, watch this video together before you take the bread and the cup.

  
  Gather together as a community for dinner as usual, with the bread and the cup on the table alongside the evening meal. Have someone from your community volunteer to lead. 

  
  Communion

  To begin the evening meal, the leader will invite everyone to take a piece of bread and a glass of grape juice and will choose one of the following Scriptures to read:

  Matthew 26:26–28

  Mark 14:22–24

  Luke 22:19–20

  1 Corinthians 11:23–26

  After reading one of the Scriptures, the leader will pray, giving thanks for the body and blood of Jesus. The leader might have everyone take each element individually, reciting the sacramental phrases, “ this is the body of Christ broken for you," and, "this is the blood of Christ shed for you,” before each element. Or, the leader might simply give thanks, then invite the group to eat and drink. With the sacrifice of Jesus in mind, everyone takes the bread and the cup, and then the community meal begins!

• Advent: Slow Down and Connect

  The season of Advent is a time in the church liturgical year when we are reminded to slow down in order to reflect on themes of waiting, tension, and hope in the darkness. But Christmas time is also full of activity and events, leading to very full calendars. So, for community practices over the next month, the goal is to have a simple time of discussion and checking in with each other about how life is going and what God is teaching you–a chance to slow down and connect with the people in your life. Use this simple guide as your community practice each week for this Advent season.  

  Read

  Gather together as a community in a comfortable setting, then have one person read Luke 2:8-14 and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your time. 

  Discuss and Check In

  1. What stood out to you during the most recent teaching at church, and how has God been using that to shape you this week?

  2. Share how you are doing this week. (Remember, the Christmas season can mean a lot of different things for different people, and can bring up feelings both good and bad–being vulnerable about where you’re at spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically is important.)

  3. What is God speaking to you about or teaching you during this Advent season? (e.g., slowing down, holding onto hope in the darkness, experiencing more joy and peace, avoiding distraction and leaning into intentionality, growing in generosity, fully embracing the fun and excitement of Christmas, etc.)   

  Pray

  End by having everyone share any prayer needs they have. Either spend time praying for each other now, or send out a group message with the requests so that you can be praying for each other over the next week.