Advent Worship, Fast, and Giving Challenge
Introduction
The four weeks before Christmas are known as Advent. From the Latin word adventus, meaning coming, Advent is a time of preparation for Christ’s return. Rooted in remembrance of the Messiah’s first coming, Advent orients our day-to-day in light of our Lord’s return. At New Community, we observe this season together in a few different ways.
The Rhythm
Sunday Worship
We share testimonies and observe Holy Communion during each Advent Sunday worship service. Testimonies, short stories of God’s faithfulness to us, are a way to encourage our community as we orient our lives by our Savior’s return. Holy Communion is the feast which nourishes the lives of faith to which we have been called as we await the one who promises in Revelation 22:7, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Monday Prayer
On the first four Monday mornings in December, from 7:00 – 7:15, we’ll gather on Zoom for a brief reflection on the previous day’s sermon and prayerful praise and petition.
Friday Devotion
On Friday mornings you’ll receive a short Advent devotion written by a New Community contributor. To receive these reflections, be sure that the Hospitality Team has your email address when you check in on Sunday.
The Fast
In Scripture, we find that God’s people fast in prayerful response to brokenness and sin in the world and their own lives. Throughout Church history, Christians have identified seasons like Advent for corporate fasting as we await our Savior’s return when all will be made new. As in previous years, our congregation is invited to keep a collective fast during the season of Advent.
There are two main parts of our Advent fast. First, following the example of the historic, global Church, we will observe a vegan diet during the Advent fast. Without being overly prescriptive, please simplify your diets as much as possible, including abstaining from alcohol and caffeine. Please adjust the fast to meet any dietary or health needs. Allow your desires for the foods you’ve set aside prompt you to pray throughout each day.
Second, given the amount of time many of us spend on screens, we will also abstain from recreational screen time as much as possible as a way to free time for prayerful reflection, rest, and community.
Because every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, the Church has historically not fasted on the Lord’s Day. We encourage you to treat Sundays as a feast day, pausing your fast, so as to celebrate our Lord’s faithfulness in all circumstances. The fast begins on Monday, December 1 and will end with the Christmas Eve service at New Community Logan Square (2649 N Francisco Ave.) on December 24.
Children
Advent is a good time for families to introduce some simple discipleship practices for their kids. Before Advent begins, talk with your kids about the fast and brainstorm ways they can participate with an emphasis on how setting things aside temporarily can open space for God’s peace and joy. Sketch out a plan to read through one of the Gospels as a family during Advent. With younger kids, use an illustrated children’s Bible and make a reading plan which begins in Genesis and ends with the birth of Jesus on Christmas. You might also choose a short Bible verse for your family to memorize together.
The Giving Challenge
For Christians, fasting typically includes purposeful generosity. At New Community, our year-end giving challenge focuses on meeting our annual budget and then giving away the surplus. This year we hope to raise $20,000 beyond our budgeted income for New Community Outreach (NCO), our church’s non-profit organization. In order to keep up with requests for more programming from our partner schools, NCO is preparing to hire another full-time staff person who will increase our capacity in the neighborhood. Our year-end contribution will help NCO take its next strategic steps as we serve and love our neighbors.
And what if we raise more than $20,000? Every single additional dollar will be evenly shared with our long-term partners at Timothy Community Corporation for their good work in Bronzeville and Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico Albany Park as they serve neighbors who’ve been impacted by the government’s policy of mass deportation.
You can give on Sunday mornings or online any time. Thank you for your generosity!