Being. Present THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

Transcription

1 Being Present THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

2 Helping people take next steps with Jesus B eing Present The Christmas season can sometimes swirl into a busy, bursting-at-the-seams calendar that has you seeing a lot of friends and family, but never really connecting and building your relationships. This Christmas, we want to encourage you to slow down, to remember the true reason for the season, and to Be Present with your friends and family. The 12 Christmas Experiences in this book are intended to draw us into God s Word and send us out to share the incredible love that was sent to earth in the form of a baby boy. Each experience has a short devotional with some introspective questions for you and your family, along with an action step and suggested practical opportunities to live out the action. For more insight, direction, and ideas you can visit east91st.org/bepresent. We hope this booklet helps you take the next step toward truly experiencing Christmas and being present with the people around you.

3 Experience One By Natalie Hubartt Bible Verses: LUKE 10:38-42 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord s feet listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, Lord, doesn t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me. But the Lord said to her, My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. Do you ever feel like the holidays have become just a rat race for doing, doing, doing? We often get so caught up with buying presents, creating perfect instragram worthy memories, and trying to cram in every holiday party that we lose sight of what s most important. This season, let s take to heart Jesus words to Martha and spend our time resting in and honoring Jesus, the good and perfect Gift of Christmas. What might we, like Martha, need to say or do differently this Christmas season to slow down the vicious cycle of doing? What are some ways we can spend intentional time (like Mary did) with Jesus this season? Pick a day and spend time relaxing and being with people you love. Don t go to a party or serve at an event; just BE TOGETHER. Spend time talking and connecting with each other. Parents! Take advantage of E91 s Parent s Night Out on December 2nd to spend time with your spouse, significant other, or close friends. Allow yourself to spend time and connect with a special person in your life. Go to east91st.org/events to Register! Experience Two By Sara Shetterley Bible Verse: JOHN 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. People want to feel loved, connected, and have a purpose. The holidays can be a hard time for people. At a time when family and friends are gathering together to celebrate, others can feel alone and isolated. By reaching out to those around us we can show our love for others. When people feel loved and connected, we have the opportunity to invite them into a family of great purpose - the family of believers. Who are some people in your life or circle that might need a friend? What are some ways you can reach out this Christmas to make them feel accepted? How might our love for people illustrate the love that Christ has for us? Reach out to someone who might feel lonely or like an outsider. Consider going out of your way to show love to them this Christmas. Invite someone to come with you! Bring someone to church one Sunday in December. Help people to feel connected and find community by asking them to sit with you. Young Adults Opportunity: Ugly Sweater Party December 8th Family Opportunity: Jingle Jam December 8th For more information on Jingle Jam or the Ugly Sweater Party visit east91st.org/events.

4 Experience Three By Sara Shetterley Bible Verse: LUKE 3:11 John replied, If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry. The holidays can be full of opportunities to give. Sometimes the pressure to give big can take the joy out of giving altogether. In this verse John is speaking to the crowd who asked, What should we do? He responds in verse 11 telling them how they should live. John doesn t say, try to outgive everyone around you, or take out a loan to get the biggest gift! He says if you have two, give one away. Share what you have with those in need. He s reminding us that giving even a little goes a long way. Is there something that you have more of than you really need? How could you share your abundance with someone around you? Keep your eyes open this holiday season and look for opportunities to share your abundance with someone who is lacking. Choose a day to fast during lunch and donate your lunch money to help pay off Student Lunch debt for needy students at Mary Castle Elementary. Drop your donation in an envelope marked Give Up Your Lunch and put it in the generosity box at the Welcome Center. Spend your lunch hour in God s Word and praying for the student who is impacted by your generosity. Experience Four By Joyce Rowland Bible Verses: I JOHN 3:17-18 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God s love be in that person? Dear children, let s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. As the seasons change and winter approaches, you have probably begun getting those winter coats, gloves and hats out of the back of the closet. Maybe you even decided to buy a new hat or some new gloves just because you can afford it. What if we took the challenge to look around and notice people nearby who may not have these essentials stashed away and might need them? Consider purchasing gloves, hats, and scarves for those in need. Their bodies will be warmed by your generosity and your heart will be warmed by the smile of God. How can meeting a physical need also encourage someone with the love of God in the process? Think of someone in your neighborhood who has a need. How can you meet their need? Donate new hats, gloves, and scarves for the children and students at Shepherd Community Center. We ll be collecting donations at E91 at the IMPACT Drop Off area until December 18th.

5 Experience Five By Sara Shetterley Bible Verses: MATTHEW 5:14-16 You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. In this sermon Jesus calls believers to be salt and light. Think about what that means in our roles as followers. When salt is put into a dish it changes the flavor. But if salt loses its saltiness it is no longer a catalyst for change and has no use. Light helps reveal the world around us. Have you ever stumbled around a room looking for the light switch? Light is what helps us see and points us in the right direction. As followers of Christ, we are called to be a catalyst for change and point people toward Christ. We do that by living out our lives influencing the people we interact with and extending Jesus to those around us. We light up our city, country, and world with the transforming love that Jesus has given us. How can you influence those around you in a positive way, pointing them toward God? How can you use your life as a light that reflects the unconditional love Jesus has for everyone? Throughout this season, think about influencing the world around you for God. Be intentional about reflecting God s love as you interact with people - in the drive thru, in the lunchroom, in the classroom, or in the office. Light up the block! Everyone loves the glow of beautiful lights and the glitter of ornaments around the holidays. Join us for a night of prayer for our neighbors, as we decorate the entrances of neighborhoods surrounding E91. Sign up at east91st.org/bepresent (click Experience 5). Experience Six BY Amy Blaskewicz Bible Verse: ROMANS 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. I was newly married and on a very limited budget when my old car died. My dreams of a shiny new convertible also died when my husband and I shopped around and found the only car we could afford: a used, dull, grey sedan. When the day came to pick up the car, I m embarrassed to say my attitude was quite poor. Imagine my surprise as I left work that day to find my new grey sedan in the parking lot - wrapped in a gigantic red bow! Knowing how I felt, my husband picked up the car early, washed and gift wrapped it! This verse in Romans encourages us not just to love one another, but to enjoy showing love to one another. By making the used car extra special, my husband did exactly what this Scripture encourages us to do. This Christmas, find the opportunities to love and honor others. God gave us the most amazing Gift of Love in his Son, Jesus. How can you share this Gift with someone else? Gifts don t have to be expensive, or even be actual things. What are some gifts you can give that show love and care to others? Invite someone who is alone for the holidays to spend the day with you. Write a card to a first responder and drop it at the IMPACT Drop Off in the box marked First Responders. Please label according to the department: Fire Department, Police Department, or Emergency Room Staff.

6 Experience Seven By Joyce Rowland Bible Verses: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. Our Lord is the God of all comfort, but that doesn t mean that all our troubles will be eliminated. We live in a fallen world that leaves us open to sin and the consequences of our own wrong choices or the choices of others. We may be experiencing pain, loneliness, or isolation, but God can comfort us through the actions of other people. God provides comfort, even in the midst of horrible situations of sickness, human trafficking, or abuse. How has God offered encouragement or comfort through other people during troubles in your life? Who do you know that is experiencing some kind of trouble? How can you remind them of God s goodness and his plan for their future? Family conversation: For guided talking points on the issue of human trafficking, visit east91st.org/bepresent and click on Experience 7. Consider how you can offer strength, encouragement and hope to people in your neighborhood, workplace, or school. Write a note of encouragement for the girls at Ascent 121 (an Indy-based safe house for victims of human trafficking). Make a Craft Kit for the Ascent 121 girls. For details visit east91st.org/bepresent and click on Experience 7. Experience Eight Bible Verses: MATTHEW 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. In Jesus time the primary way religious leaders expressed their faith was by doing so in very public ways, so people could see and admire their maturity and status. Jesus goes after their lack of authenticity and self-centered motivation for serving others. Serving those who are in need and loving others should be an overflow from what God is genuinely doing in your heart. Giving and serving are not intended to provide you with greater status in the minds of others, which is why Jesus encourages us to do them in secret, so only the heavenly Father sees. Have there been times when you ve done things for others for the wrong reasons? How does God grow our desire to sincerely love and serve others? BY Grant Scott Discuss some ideas of ways to serve people who are in need in your community. Make a plan to serve others in need. Pay and Pray It Backward. Pick a day to Pay it Backward in the Drive Thru by paying for the order of the person behind you. Say a prayer for them to experience God s love this Christmas. (Hint: crack your window to listen to their order to make sure it is within your budget. If not, pray for them and try again next time.)

7 Experience Nine By Gerri Baker Bible Verse: ISAIAH 1:17 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the opressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. She had blue eyes, blonde hair, and the face of an angel. Her clothes were dirty, with big holes in them, and she wore no socks or shoes. She was beautiful. Her name was Lovenia, and she was the first orphan I had ever met (many years ago, on my first mission trip). I wanted to make her smile, to ease her burden, and to help her know that despite the things she didn t have, she did have a Lord who loved and died for her and people who truly cared for her. I realized in that monent the best way to help Lovenia understand LOVE was to meet her basic needs. Before someone can hear the message of God, they often need basics like food, shelter, or clothes. In the giving of these things, the path of Jesus love was begun. What is God calling you to do to help the orphaned or widowed? What would it feel like to be orphaned? How would you feel if you lost your spouse or child? What would you need from someone else to know they cared for you? Who is someone you know that is orphaned or widowed? How can you encourage them this Christmas? Pray for the orphans of the world. Invite a widowed person to join you or your family for a meal or special evening this Christmas. Donate Gift Cards (in any amount) for Safe Families (Kroger, Walmart, Target, IndyGo bus pass, movie tickets, Indianapolis Zoo or Children s Museum). Bring your Gift Cards to the IMPACT Drop Off during December and pick up more info on E91 Safe Families. Experience Ten Bible Verse: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Hey babe, what cleans up food coloring? The boys opened a bottle while I was taking out the trash... My kitchen floor was green for a month! Isn t it amazing how only a few drops of color spread and stuck to the floor for weeks? Have you ever noticed how an encouraging word can make someone s day, or how a simple note of encouragement may be a lifeline to someone struggling? Just a few drops of encouragement will add vibrant color to a big space. In this chapter, Paul is applauding the believers and imploring them to continue their constant encouragement of each other. You don t have to go looking for people who need encouragement; everyone in your circle needs encouragement! Be on the lookout every day for good things around you, and chances are, you ll end up seeing God. When God fills your heart with gratitude and love, encouragement will spill out like a river. How can you change your mindset to notice GOOD in a world full of sin and sadness? How can you be an encouragement to someone you don t know personally, like a drive thru clerk or store cashier? By Kelly Johnson Be an encourager this week as you interact with cashiers, family, friends, coworkers, and classmates. Stop by the Community Room at E91 December 3rd, 10th or 17th anytime between 9:30am-12:30pm. Choose a pre-written sentence (or write your own!) to record on video to encourage people in our community, at our church plant in Wilmington, Delaware, or pastors at TCM from all over the world. We ll compile your sentences to share encouragement with each of these groups!

8 Experience Eleven By Carmen Stanczykiewicz Bible Verse: PSALM 89:1 I will sing of the Lord s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. On its face, this Scripture sounds like a powerful anthem - a declaration of the songwriter s commitment to God. And it is. But, there is so much more to it. The writer is Ethan the Ezrahite, and he s writing during a time when everything and everyone is saying the line of David will be snuffed out. Yet he knew God promised the line of David would not be wiped out, but would live under God s favor forever (2 Samuel 7; Luke 1:32). Throughout the Psalm Ethan confesses that he s perplexed, befuddled, and mystified with the thought of how God will keep his promise. He likely could never have imagined that one day God would send his own Son to become the son of David, to fix the mess and reign forever. And yet, Ethan chooses to open and close the Psalm with strong words of faithful conviction: I will sing of the Lord s great love forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness through all generations... Blessed be the name of the LORD forever. Amen and amen. Can you think of a time in your life when circumstances had you backed into a corner with no way out? Did you find it easy to trust God in this situation? Why or why not? Take a step toward applying this declaration to your own life: I will sing of the Lord s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known! Join us at E91 on December 21st at 7 PM to go into our neighborhoods and spread holiday cheer by Christmas Caroling! (Bring a smile and a joyful noise, no singing experience needed.) Sign up at east91st.org/ bepresent (click on Expereince 11). Experience Twelve By Rick Grover Bible Verse: GALATIANS 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. When you think about Christmas, do you think more about getting or giving? Yes, we all can get excited about getting that new bike, video game, doll or toy! But do we get equally excited about giving? At the heart of the Christmas story is God - who chose to give and show his love in the deepest, most profound and beautiful way. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ. God chose to give, and in doing so, chose to love. This Christmas, we have an opportunity to give through our opportunities to love. As Galatians reminds us, we are called to serve one another in love. Instead of focusing on what you are getting this Christmas, try to focus on what you are giving this Christmas! Are you serving your family with love? Are you serving your neighbor with love? Are you serving your friends with love? Who is your neighbor (Luke 10:29)? How can you love your neighbor this Christmas? God demonstrated his love by giving his Son. What can you give this Christmas to show your love for God? Serve your neighbor this week in a completely unexpected way. Volunteer to serve hot chocolate and coffee at E91 on December 18th from 7 AM - 9:30 AM. We are turning the E91 parking lot into a streamlined hot drink Drive Thru! Help spread some Christmas cheer the Monday before Christmas is finally here! Sign up at east91st.org/bepresent (Click Experience 12).

9 Join us for our Christmas Eve Celebration! Sunday, December 24th 4PM Festive, Family Friendly Celebration This upbeat 1 hour service will include familiar Christmas carols and candle lighting and is a great atmosphere for adults and kids of all ages. 7PM Simply Sacred Worship Service This reverent 1 hour service will feature traditional Christmas hymns and candle lighting and is a holy time of quiet reflection.