SESSION 7 (2023)
RESOURCES
SESSION 6 slides to be posted following our gathering
LEG 1 (Monday, 11/21 - Sunday, 12/4)
READING
Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as if Spiritual Formation Mattered by Rory Noland
Excerpt from Chapter 4: Formative Aspects of the Church Year (PDF)
The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life by Sister Joan Chittister
Note to the Reader (xv-xvi)
Chapters 1-8 providing an introduction to and overview of the calendar
REFLECTING
Reflect on the following questions regarding the reading, writing in your journal:
What is one step you can take today to quiet the noise in order to listen more attentively to the voice of Jesus and slow down in order to live more faithfully to the way of Jesus? (EHS-WB, p26)
Fill in the blanks: What I am beginning to realize about God this week is _______. What I am beginning to realize about myself this week is _______. (EHS-WB, p34)
Reflect on your exposure to the church’s liturgical calendar up to this point and how it might impact your reading. Be honest about any bias you might have and bring. If there is hesitation to following the calendar, why do you think that is? Where dos this come from? How might you be able to set this aside and look at the calendar with fresh eyes?
How might following the liturgical calendar more closely - focusing on the life of Jesus throughout the year - help you focus on your own spiritual growth and formation, changing the way in which you follow the way of Jesus?
In what ways does following the events of Christ’s life throughout the year remind us that he shared in the same life we do and shared the same concerns? How might this remind us that we share in the same life and concerns as the saints who have gone before us over the last 2,000 years?
Following the reading, what hesitations do you still have about participating in and following the calendar? How has the reading changed your perspective?
PRACTICING
Advent Wreath Party
Register and attend our (now annual!) Advent Wreath Party on Friday, November 18th, from 6:30-8:00pm
If you are unable to attend, feel free to purchase or make your own wreath
Advent At Home Liturgy
Participate in the Advent At Home Liturgy
OPTIONAL - Means of Grace: A Year of Weekly Devotions by Fleming Rutledge
Begin reading these weekly devotions starting on the first Sunday of Advent on November 27th
LEG 2 (Monday, 12/5 - Sunday, 12/18)
READING
Advent: The Once & Future Coming of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge
Excerpt from Introduction (pdf)
The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life by Sister Joan Chittister
Chapters 9-19 covering Advent through Lent (NOTE: you may skip chapters 11 on Joy and 16 on Asceticism)
REFLECTING
Reflect on the following questions regarding the first year in The Way and share your responses with Pastor Ashley and your Formation Group, preferably by sharing a Google Doc.
Please read through all of the questions and reflect on them as a whole before responding. While some may appear similar at first, they are guiding you in reflecting on different aspects. The “why” behind the “what” is the key to the reflection, and what may differentiate a similar response to two different questions. That said, if you feel that you have a common response to both the “what” and the “why” of two different questions, feel free to combine them into a single response.
Reflecting back on the first year of The Way:
What is something you have learned about God?
What is something you have learned about yourself?
What has been most challenging for you - and why do you think that is?
Where do you feel you have experienced the most growth - and why do you think that is?
What aspect of The Way have you most enjoyed - and why do you think that is?
What has been most helpful for you in your walk with Jesus?
Looking ahead to the second year of The Way:
What are you most looking forward to?
Where do you most desire to grow?
What will you do differently in the second year based on how the first year went?
PRACTICING
Advent At Home Liturgy
Continue participating in the Advent At Home Liturgy
OPTIONAL - Means of Grace: A Year of Weekly Devotions by Fleming Rutledge
Continue reading these weekly devotions each week
LEG 3 (Monday, 12/19 - Sunday, 1/8)
READING
The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life by Sister Joan Chittister
Chapters 20-29, 33 covering Holy Week through Ordinary Time (NOTE: you may skip chapters 30-32 - but be sure to read the Epilogue Chapter 33)
REFLECTING
Continue with the reflection questions asked in Leg 2.
PRACTICING
Advent At Home Liturgy
Continue participating in the Advent At Home Liturgy
OPTIONAL - Means of Grace: A Year of Weekly Devotions by Fleming Rutledge
Continue reading these weekly devotions each week
PUBLISHED: Friday, November 11, 2022, at 4:57PM
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 9:25AM - Added link to Advent at Home liturgy