The Art of Invitation
"I'm just a beggar,
sharing with other beggars
where I've found food."
-Ron Benefiel
Luke 4
42 At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
"If one's gospel falls mute
when facing people who need good news the most
- the impoverished, the oppressed, and the broken -
then it is no gospel at all."
-Lisa Sharon Harper 'The Very Good Gospel'
What is Good News?
- Mark 1:14-15 Nearness of the Kingdom of God
- Luke 4: 18-19 Transformative Power of God
- John 3:16-17 Eternal Life
- ...........
- conversionism
- activism
- biblicism
- crucicentrism...
Good & New (w/ Frederick Buechner)
- Resurrection
- Jesus is Alive and active in the world today as more than the memory of a great teacher requiring us to behave well... He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
- Transformation
- if we will let him, Go will actually bring about unprecedented transformation of our hearts...
- Persistence
- in Jesus, the power of God is at work in countless outlandish, holy and hidden ways making us loving and whole beyond anything we could conceivably pull off by ourselves.
Shalom
"...when everyone has enough... when families are healed...when shame is renounced...when human dignity, bestowed by the image of God in all humanity, is cultivated, protected and served in families, communities of faith..." -Lisa Sharon Harper 'The Very Good Gospel'
Peace
"The vision of wholeness, which is the supreme will of the biblical God, is the outgrowth of a covenant of shalom (see Ezekiel 34:25), in which persons are bound not only to God but to one another in a caring, sharing, rejoicing community with none to make them afraid." -Walter Brueggemann 'Peace'
Gospel Engagement
- Intellect
- Heart
- Imagination
The Story of God
- Recite the stories that matter...
Questions to Consider:
- What is the Gospel?
- Who invited you to witness the Kingdom of God?
- How has the Gospel impacted your life?
- Have you experienced the transformational power of the Gospel?
- Do you believe that God is still at work in the world?
- Who do you want to invite to see the movement of God?
Liturgies
Wayfinders Family Blessing
Gracious God,
We gather before You as a family, grateful for Your loving presence with us.
Bless our children:
Guide them in Your truth and lead them in Your ways.
Help them to walk in faithfulness, seeking Your will in all that they do.
May Your Spirit empower them to love one another deeply,
to forgive as You have, and to extend grace and mercy to all.
May the lessons they learn and the stories they share grow their love for you.
Help them to know how deeply loved they are by you and this church.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
A Litany of Surrender
Leader:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
People:
Empty me of all that’s not of You,
Empty me of all that’s not of You, Lord.
Leader:
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
People:
Fill me with You, Lord, as I surrender,
Fill me with You, Lord, so that I may stand in you.
Leader:
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
People:
Quiet our restless search for more,
Bring us into the stillness of Your presence.
Leader:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
People:
Empty me, Lord, and fill me with Your peace,
Fill me with Your love, and make me whole.
Leader:
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
People:
Take my life and make it Yours,
Take my heart and make it true.
Leader:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
People:
Empty me, and fill me with You,
In You alone, I find my rest.
