floodsacramento

The Natomas gorup is on tap for our meal this week, however planning for it has been a bit of a challenge with trips out of town and the holiday weekend. So, are there some folks who would be willing to bring food for a pot-luck style meal? If so, please let Janna know what you’d be able to bring. We usually plan for approx. 40 people, though keep in mind that we do usually see a lower turn out on holiday weekends.

With the rising costs of housing, education and healthcare, many of us feel challenged to live within our means and pursue our dreams. At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the disproportionate privilege we possess in comparison with most of the worlds population.

As Labor Day approaches, we are asking ourselves important questions about vocation, making money, and provision. We all work. Some of us teach, while others work as architects, receptionists, photographers, accountants, and dietitians. What we choose to do and how we chose to do it are of great importance to our journey in discipleship. Join us on Sunday nights and here on the community blog for more of the discussion.

-proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
-tithe relationally
-discerningly engage in civil disobedience
-confess your sins to one another, and proclaim forgiveness
-live communally
-establish regular rhythms of prayer with others (here’s a nifty and free resource)
-thoughtfully participate in the Lord’s Supper
-be family with people that are in a different socio-economic and/or ethnic situation than you
-get in the way of violence
-plant a garden (for extra credit, practice guerrilla gardening)
-spend less money
-spend justly
-or just don’t spend money at all
-ride a bicycle or take the bus
-draw attention to the sins of society
-lovingly challenge the sins of the Church
-invite strangers to dinner
-have a guest room open to those in need
-practice mutual submission
-read Scripture in community and struggle together to put it into practice
-practice communal discernment
-embrace a sense of place in ministry
-learn the stories of marginalized people…especially your brothers and sisters in the developing world
-pray for political authorities
-share good things with the poor
-give the wealthy (including yourself) an opportunity to divest of their wealth
-remember, in all things love

What if a new world were not just possible- but necessary? Are we willing to be it?

Sean has updated his blog with notes from Sunday’s discussion. We invite you to use this as a personal or group study as you continue to think, pray, and negotiate with God to discover how we are being loved in every moment of our lives. He updates the blog every Monday with notes from the evening before. Enjoy!

The Kingdom of God is like people venturing out of their places of comfort and air conditioned rooms to bring love to those who are outcasts and poor. It was hot and we know practices such as these are still stretching and challenging for some of us. Whatever the case- it was good that we were there.