Awaken Community

Implication_It Goes Both Ways

Our brains tend to want to put all of life into categories - good/bad, saved/unsaved, in/out. But God's heart pulls us beyond the categories into a world of inclusion and welcome through the particular and specific work of the life of Jesus.

Implication_No nuts - No problem

Continuing in Acts, we read the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in chapter 8 in a whole new light. It's as impactful now as it was then - a religious, ethnic, sexual outsider becomes the first named convert in the book of Acts. That's not by accident. 

Implication_Holding God Hostage

In Acts chapters 6 and 7, Stephen speaks to those in power and show that God has moved beyond their temple and their law; that they've been holding God hostage in a box of their own creation. 

Implication_Oh come on, you've got to be kidding me

This week, Micah brings a new take on the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. After everything their community had gone through, they missed the point; they lied and withheld resources from each other. What do those actions mean for a community that was present for the death and resurrection of Jesus?

Implication_Unschooled & Ordinary

In Acts 4, Peter and John are being charged by the Sadduccees of mixing things up too much in the temple. Why are the Sadduccees going on the offensive? And what do they stand to lose if Peter and John and the gospel of the apostles, who were with Jesus, is heard in the temple? Like so much of the gospel, the way of Jesus is backwards and upside down from what is expected. He uses the unschooled and ordinary to speak to those that have power and influence.

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Implication_Why are you looking at the sky?

As we make our way out of the Easter season, we begin a new series to think about the implications of the resurrection. This week, Micah starts with a question from the first chapter of Acts: “Why do you stand here looking at the sky?”

Echoes of Easter

On this very different Easter resurrection Sunday, Micah speaks a word of liberation and victory. And even though it is difficult to not be able to gather together this morning, it is a joy to see the fruit of these echoes - presence, love, and peace - showing up in our community and in our lives.

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Good Friday

The Good Friday Tenebrae service includes the seven last words of Jesus, meditations on those words by our staff, music and Eucharist. To participate in the service, gather seven candles and the elements for communion.

Metamorphosis_Adult Monarch

In the final installment of the series, and the final week of Lent, Micah guides us through the adult monarch phase of the butterfly and the end of Moses’ life.

What can these parallel stories and processes show us about our current situation?

 

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Metamorphosis_Eclosure

This week we look at the Israelites in the book of Numbers as they come out of the chrysalis of the wilderness and before they enter the promised land.  For something new to emerge or something new to be born, there's always struggle.  Original songs by Jon Sunde and Melody Olson along with the Song of Blessing and the Lord's Table.  We hope it's just what you need. 

Here's a link to the Awaken Resource Document. https://mailchi.mp/e5b0e44d3642/sp4cdervp1-2765061